Marcus Mariota, the only Heisman Trophy winner from the Oregon Ducks, is set to return to Eugene! Week 13 will be special as the No. 7 Oregon Ducks face off against the No. 15 USC Trojans. It's a must-win game, but also a celebration of Mariota's legacy.
Mariota's Oregon Impact Celebrated
ESPN's College GameDay announced that Mariota will be the guest picker for Saturday’s show. Adding to the excitement, he will also be inducted into the Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class. Current Oregon coach Dan Lanning spoke about Mariota’s significant impact on the program.
Mariota dominated during his time with the Ducks, shattering records. He left as the program and Pac-12 leader in total offense (13,033 yards) and earned three Pac-12 first-team quarterback selections. In 2014, his final season, he won the Heisman Trophy and led Oregon to the National Championship. That year, he set multiple single-season program records, including 42 touchdown passes, 4,454 passing yards, 304 pass completions, and a .685 competition percentage.
NFL Journey and Return
After being drafted No. 2 overall in the NFL Draft ten years ago, Mariota has played in seven games for the Washington Commanders this season. He's started in nearly half of their games due to Jayden Daniels' injuries. With Mariota and Washington on a bye in week 12 of NFL action, he has the perfect opportunity to return to Eugene and be honored.
Mariota's Recent Performance
Despite a challenging 3-8 season for Washington, Mariota has been a reliable presence, stepping in when Jayden Daniels is unavailable. Recently, against the Miami Dolphins, Mariota led the Commanders to a 13-6 lead before a tough hit sidelined him briefly. He quickly returned, making a remarkable 44-yard rush. Although he threw a critical interception in overtime, he finished the game with 213 passing yards. This week, he has a lot to look forward to as he is inducted into Oregon’s Hall of Fame.
Born in Honolulu, Mariota played soccer before focusing on football in high school. He excelled as a quarterback in his senior year, throwing for 2,597 yards and 34 touchdowns, leading his team to the state championship and earning the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year award. He joined the Ducks and redshirted in 2011 before starting in 2012, achieving numerous accolades throughout his college career.