In Possible Autzen Finale, Mariota Makes More Memories
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Afterward, Marcus Mariota said he wasn’t sure whether Oregon’s 44-10 victory Saturday over Colorado had been his final game at Autzen Stadium. If the junior does decide to enter the 2015 NFL draft, he made sure his last home appearance of 2014 was a memorable one, both for himself and his fans.
Mariota accounted for four touchdowns to break the Pac-12 single-season record, true freshman running back Royce Freeman surpassed 1,000 yards for the year and the Ducks smoothly handled the absence of a couple key veterans Saturday, rolling to victory over the Buffaloes.
With three passing touchdowns and one on the ground, Mariota reached 42 total TDs for the year, breaking the Pac-12 record previously held by former USC quarterback Matt Barkley. On Oregon’s opening possession of the fourth quarter, Mariota took the first snap, handed off and was replaced by backup Jeff Lockie, with cheers cascading down upon Mariota as he jogged off the Autzen turf, perhaps for the last time.
“If this was my last game at Autzen, it was truly special, one of those things I’ll hold close to my heart the rest of my life,” Mariota said, while maintaining he was “not too sure yet” what he’ll decide for 2015.
Mariota handed off to Freeman for Oregon’s first touchdown, then raced through the Colorado defense for a 46-yard rushing touchdown of his own later in the first quarter. Mariota would add two touchdown passes to Charles Nelson and a third to Evan Baylis, the new UO tight end in the wake of Pharaoh Brown’s injury.
The second TD to Nelson provided the final points of the afternoon, and vaulted Mariota past Barkley for the Pac-12 record. Mariota also became just the sixth player in major college history with 9,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards.
“I couldn’t have done it without all those guys in the locker room,” Mariota said. “The guys up front, the receivers making plays … to me it’s one of those things for our entire offense. It says a lot about our offense, not just me.”
The guys up front on Saturday included Hamani Stevens at center with Doug Brenner starting at left guard, in the absence of senior center Hroniss Grasu. Jake Pisarcik played extensively at left guard as well, but Stevens played nearly the whole way at center.
“I felt like it went well,” said Stevens, a center back in high school. “(Offensive line coach Steve Greatwood) complimented us on how fast we were going, the tempo, so as far as communicating, we were getting all the calls in to make big plays.”
Saturday also featured the return to the rotation of tackle Andre Yruretagoyena, for the first time since September. “I had a couple minor mistakes, but everything else went really well,” Yruretagoyena said. “I thought the tempo was great. They seemed to have a lot of issues setting up when we were going fast. We moved the ball great overall.”
Those linemen helped clear the way for the latest 100-yard rushing performance by Royce Freeman, who ran 17 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns to extend his own UO true freshman rushing record and surpass 1,000 yards.
“I didn’t really think about anything,” Freeman said when asked about his expectations for this season. “I was just trying to come out and do my best. When I see how far I’ve come, I just want to get more.”
On the sideline in the fourth quarter, Mariota had a chance to reflect on how far he’s come with the Ducks. He said he was taking “mental pictures” at the urging of his family and coaches, appreciating perhaps for the last time things like the passion of the fans, and traditions like the playing of “Shout” prior to the fourth quarter.
When replaced on that last possession, Mariota said, “I told Lockie, you’ve got to enjoy every one of these. It’s so unique, such an incredible place to play – just enjoy it and never take it for granted. We have such passionate fans that care about this team, and it’s always special.”
