There was 13:21 left in the game when Marcus Mariota jogged out to begin Oregon’s drive from its own five-yard line. Mariota handed off the ball to Kenny Bassett for a gain of one yard. Mariota didn’t look to the bench for the next play, instead he jogged toward the Oregon sideline and met Jeff Lockie midway off the field.
“I thought that was a pretty special thing for (Mark Helfrich) to let Marcus do,” Lockie said. “Obviously we’ve grown pretty close over the past three years so it was special to be apart of that…He just said ‘Have fun and do what you’re capable of.’”
Mariota continued his path to the Ducks’ sideline. He waved to the fans and gave his teammates and coaches hugs and handshakes. The crowd roared “Mar-I-Ota.” Mariota put on his green parka and gave his helmet to an Oregon staff member. He watched the rest of the game from the sideline. His night was over, perhaps his last at Autzen Stadium.
“I was just kind of looking around at the crowd,” Mariota said. “Autzen is such a special place. I made sure to tell (Jeff) Lockie to enjoy every one of these because it’s so unique and such an incredible place to play…We have such passionate fans that really care about this team and to see that it’s always special.”
The redshirt junior from Honolulu, Hawaii has his name all over the Oregon record books. In less than three seasons Mariota owns the school record in seven different categories. He holds the career records for total offense, passing yards, completions, touchdown passes, total touchdowns, total points accounted for and consecutive passes without an interception.
However his talent isn’t limited to Oregon’s legacy. On Oregon’s first drive of the game he became the fifth player in NCAA history to pass for 9,000 yards and run for 2,000 yards in a career.
Oregon’s 44-10 win over Colorado was over quickly. It became a game where the players saying goodbye could create their final memories.
“It’s still a football game,” Marcus said. “But still you got to enjoy the moment because this is the kind of stuff that is once in a lifetime.”
His final drive didn’t take long, naturally. In five plays Oregon flew 65 yards in just a minute and 39 seconds, culminating in a touchdown pass from the third-year starter to Charles Nelson.
Later in the fourth quarter the game was clearly out of reach and both teams began running out the clock.
The clock hit zero and Mariota was pulled away for a post-game interview with the Pac-12 Network. After his final question he was rushed by Oregon staff to get to the locker room. But his exit wasn’t until Mariota took a moment to say goodbye.
He gently banged his right fist to his heart three times before raising a shaka hand gesture in the air. He then pointed to the student section thanking them for their support. He approached the west tunnel, then disappeared.
“If this is my last game at Autzen it was truly special,” Mariota said. “It will be one of those things I hold close to my heart and the rest of my life. I can’t thank the fans enough.”
Lockie added similar thoughts about his good friend.
“I think he’s super appreciative of what Autzen Stadium has given him,” Lockie said. “He’s just going out there and playing football every Saturday and the way Eugene and (Autzen) has embraced him, it’s pretty special.”
With at least three more games to go, Mariota won’t be completely finished for Oregon. He hasn’t said goodbye just yet. But for his time spent playing at Autzen Stadium, that remains an unknown.
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @andrewbantly