Oregon Ducks Have More NFL Draft Prospects Than Mariota

Dec 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) carries the ball against the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 Championship at Levi

Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota performed in the Pac-12 Championship game against the Arizona Wildcats. He had 315 yards and two touchdowns passing to go with three rushing touchdowns to close in on his Heisman Trophy. You look at the stat-line and say “What a performance.” and it was but as NFL an Draft prospect he looked average.

He missed wide open receivers badly, costing himself a touchdown pass and should have had a deep throw intercepted. So at the same time, Mariota proved to be the best college quarterback but not a better pro prospect than Jameis Winston. So while Mariota’s stat-line was sexy with the 52 points, it was really the defense the won the day for the Ducks.

The scoring was down on both sides in the beginning until the turnovers and 3-and-outs the Ducks forced took effect. The Wildcats’ uptempo offense was off the field so fast that their defense was worn down and unable to keep the resistance up. And yes, it was the NFL Draft prospects the Ducks have on their defense that lead the charge in the game.

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