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Mariota runs away with it

Was there really any doubt?

Certainly not in the minds of Duck fans that’s for sure.

And not in the minds of Heisman voters, as University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota became the first player in school history to win the most prestigious award the Heisman Trophy in all of college sports on Saturday night in New York City.

“I’m humbled to be standing here today and honored by the award,” Mariota said as he began his acceptance speech.

“This award belongs to my teammates. The amount of hard work and sacrifice each of them has made has not gone unnoticed.”

Mariota won the Heisman in a landslide, finishing with the second-highest percentage of points in the award’s modern era.

“They made the right decision,” said fan Jeanie Fugi at the UO Duck Store’s watch party on campus.


Mark Baker has been a journalist for the past 25 years. He’s currently the sports editor at The Jackson Hole News & Guide in Jackson, Wyo.