HEIS' & WOES
Jinx victimizes Mariota
ARLINGTON, Texas — Marcus Mariota joined select company last month when he won the Heisman Trophy, college sports’ greatest honor.
He was part of different kind of group Monday night — Heisman winners to lose the national championship game, joining the likes of Reggie Bush, Sam Bradford and Troy Smith.
Even Mariota couldn’t escape the Heisman Curse.
The Oregon quarterback didn’t perform poorly — he competed 24of37 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns — but the standout junior didn’t do nearly enough in the Ducks’ 4220 loss to Ohio State at AT&T Stadium. He was under a heavy rush, was sacked twice after not going down once in the previous two games, and threw a late interception, a rarity for him. His legs weren’t the factor they were much of the year, as he was held to only 39 yards on the ground.
“I truly believe we had a great season, and nobody can take that away from us,” he said. “I mean, it hurts. You put so much work, you put so much effort into the year, and it’s tough. It’s tough to go out with a loss.”
Mariota, who finished the season with an astounding 42 touchdown passes and just four interceptions, seemed to be hurt by the absence of wide receivers Darren Carrington (suspension) and Devon Allen (knee injury), particularly early with Charles Nelson dropping an easy thirddown conversion and Evan Baylis dropping a long pass when the game was tied at 77.
“It’s tough,” Mariota said. “You know, it happens. It’s part of football.”
Afterward, Mariota said he would think about the NFL over the next few days before making his decision. But he didn’t make it sound like a given he will forego his final year of eligibility, mentioning graduate school, improving as a player and returning to win that elusive championship.
If he does leave, this season — and his entire career for that matter — won’t be forgotten anytime soon. “I think you could certainly argue that this was the best, if not certainly one of the top two or three greatest seasons in college football history,” Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said. “And then if you add in the person and the legacy that he has from that standpoint, there has never been one greater. None.