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2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota

The 2014 Heisman Trophy Ceremony took place on December 13, 2014 in New York City. The event is notable for being one of the most anti-climactic Heisman seasons in recent memory as the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota received 788 1st place votes as compared to second place Melvin Gordon receiving only 37, and the third player invited to the ceremony, Amari Cooper receiving 49 (Gordon racked up more second and third place votes to propel him above Cooper.) [1]

Entering the season, the 2013 Heisman Trophy Winner Jameis Winston returned for the 2014 college football season. However, in the entire history of the award, only one player has ever won it twice, Archie Griffin (1974 & 1975) but that did not stop Las Vegas oddsmakers from making him one of the favorites to win the award for the 2014 season.

2014 Preseason Heisman Favorites

  • Jameis Winston- Quarterback, Florida State
  • Marcus Mariota- Quarterback, Oregon
  • Braxton Miller- Wide Receiver, Ohio State
  • Bryce Petty- Quarterback, Baylor
  • Brett Hundley- Quarterback, UCLA

Aside from Braxton Miller, the preseason favorites were all quarterbacks, other non-quarterback players were listed with lower odds were all running backs including Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, TJ Yeldon, and Derrick Henry.

2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota

Marcus Mariota grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and played for Saint Louis High School, a school that had previously sent Jeremiah Masoli to Oregon, and would later see Tua Tagovailoa go to Alabama. Mariota would only start his senior season of high school but would get noticed by recruiting outlets which elevated his status enough to receive several major offers including Memphis, Utah, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon State, Notre Dame, Arizona, UCLA, USC and Oregon. [2]

However, Oregon was the first school to offer Mariota as offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, had seen Marcus in practice before his season and was very impressed with his skills despite having never been the starter. Mariota who grew up following Masoli’s exploits at Oregon decided to follow in his footsteps.

2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota at Oregon

Marcus redshirted his freshman year in 2011 but became the starter the next season. In his first two seasons as a starter, Mariota would lead the Ducks to a 23-3 record. Including Fiesta and Alamo Bowl victories to cap off the seasons. For his effort, he was named PAC-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2012, along with PAC-12 All Conference 1st team honors for both years. In these two seasons Mariota completed 475 of 722 passes for 6,342 yards 63 touchdowns and 10 interceptions to go along with 202 rushing attempts for 1,467 yards and another 14 touchdowns.

2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota’s Season

Entering his redshirt junior season at Oregon, the 2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota would begin the year with consecutive wins over South Dakota, Michigan, Wyoming, and Washington State before suffering the only loss of the regular season in a shocker at home against the Arizona Wildcats. The Ducks would rebound with wins against UCLA, Washington, California, Stanford, Utah, Colorado, and Oregon State to win the PAC-12 North Division and get the opportunity to avenge the lone loss as Arizona had won the South Division.

In the PAC-12 Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Mariota and the Ducks would get revenge for the seven point loss earlier in the season by soundly defeating the Wildcats 51-13, a game in which the 2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota would receive the game Most Valuable Player honors. Following the win, the Oregon Ducks would be selected as the #2 team in the first ever college football playoff where they would play the #3 team the Florida State Seminoles led by the 2013 Heisman Trophy Winner Jameis Winston in the Rose Bowl.

The Florida State Seminoles were the defending National Champions, and had won 26 games straight with Winston as the starter. Mariota would lead the Ducks in a resounding victory over the Seminoles by a score of 59-20. Once again, Mariota received Offensive Player of the Game honors. They would then move on to the first ever College Football Playoffs National Championship Game against #4 Ohio State who beat #1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Ohio State would go on to defeat the Ducks for the National Championship.

For the season, the 2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota would complete 304 of 445 passing attempts for 4,454 yards with 42 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Mariota would add 135 rushing attempts for 770 yards and another 15 touchdowns. Solidifying him as one of the most electric players in the history of college football.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota would become Oregon’s first Heisman Winner.

2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota’s Other Awards

  • Maxwell Award
  • Walter Camp Award
  • Associated Press College Football Player of the Year
  • Sporting News Player of the Year
  • Davey O'Brien Award
  • Manning Award
  • Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
  • Unanimous All-American
  • Polynesian Football Player of the Year
  • PAC-12 Offensive Player of the Year

2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota in the NFL Draft

Mariota would choose to forego his college eligibility to enter the 2015 NFL Draft. Mariota would be compared to Jameis Winston heavily throughout the draft process as both players were in the 2015 NFL Draft. Ultimately, Winston would go 1st overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while the 2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariota would go 2nd overall to the Tennessee Titans. [3]

Related-topics

References

  1. Heisman 2014 [ Marcus Mariota ] November 24, 2024
  2. ESPN [ Marcus Mariota ] November 24, 2024
  3. Tennessee Titans [ Titans Select Oregon QB Marcus Mariota With No. 2 Overall Pick ] April 30, 2015

Contributors

Last Modified: January 2, 2025