2014 Year in Review: October Edition

Mariota Builds Case For Heisman

Oct 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a pass against the California Golden Bears in the first quarter at Levi

Entering the 2014 NCAA College Football Season all the hype was around Florida State and Jameis Winston and rightfully so, they had just capped off an undefeated season and won their first National Championship in 14 years. However over on the West Coast Oregon Duck’s quarterback Marcus Mariota was slowly building his case for the Heisman and racking up wins for the 3^rd ranked Ducks. On October 24^th the Ducks faced off against the California Golden Bears at Levi Stadium in San Francisco, and if you are a fan of high scoring, faced paced games then this game was for you. Oregon would manage to score 59 points against the unranked Golden Bears as they defeated them 59-41 in front 55,000 fans. Mariota threw for five touchdown passes, and totaled 326 yards passing while also throwing his first interception in 253 attempts. Mariota commented on the interception saying, “Coach (Helfrich) came and joked with me and got me to relax a little bit and forget about it. It’s OK. It happens. I just have to learn from it.” The Ducks would roll through October and the rest of their schedule going 12-1 and earning one of four spots in the 2015 NCAA College Football playoff. They are scheduled to face off against the defending National Champion Florida State Seminoles in the Rose Bowl January 1^st, with the winner advancing to the National Championship game.