ANAHEIM – Richard Chinen, the President of the Rose Bowl executive committee, stood at the podium on Saturday afternoon and presented the theme for the 101st Rose Bowl. Sticking out with his bright red blazer, Chinen told all those on hand at Disneyland California Adventure that this game, and the week leading up to the game, would be all about “inspiring stories.”
Since it was announced on Dec. 6. that Oregon and Florida State would face each other in Pasadena, California, the Rose Bowl inspired story was fixated on the quarterback duel between Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota – the last two players to hoist the Heisman trophy.
On the flip side, the bigger story that could be written is how the two team’s defenses fair against the Heisman duo.
For Florida State, stopping Mariota is a task the team has prepared for – a task that’s shown on film to be a difficult one.
When asked if he’s played an opposing player similar to Mariota, Seminoles defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. reflected on playing against Auburn and quarterback Nick Marshall in last year’s BCS National Championship. He said both players have the ability to escape the pocket, extend plays all while keeping their eyes down field.
Against Florida State, Marshall recorded three total touchdowns and 262 total yards.
“What makes him so dangerous is that you just can’t think you have him down,” Edwards Jr. said. “For him to keep his eyes down field and make great throws is definitely a good thing for (Oregon) to have.”
Fellow defensive end Eddie Goldman added, “You can have a fast defensive end, but if you have a quarterback with elite speed, it’s hard to contain him. We just have to be disciplined and stay in our rushing lanes, keep our eyes up and don’t let him escape the pocket.”
Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene has also taken notice to more than Mariota’s 53 total touchdowns.
“He’s a leader,” Greene said. “You can see that from his play and from the sidelines that his teammates gravitate to him— the whole team, not just the offense. They follow him and that’s a great guy to follow.”
Whether or not Florida State can stop Mariota and the Ducks offense will be left for when the two teams meet on New Years Day. It’s one of many potential inspired stories Chinen and the Rose Bowl committee look forward to seeing.
“It’ll be a tough job,” Goldman said, “but we’re going to try and get it done.”
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt