Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota’s day began with him being announced as the Jonny Unitas Golden Arm award winner. It now ends with him being named as one of three finalists for the 2014 Heisman Trophy.
Mariota, who led the second-ranked Ducks to the Pac-12 Championship on Friday and a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff, totaled 4,478 yards of total offense to go along with his 53 touchdowns this season.
He will be joined by Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon and Alabama receiver Amari Cooper.
However, to many across the nation, Mariota comes in as the unparalleled favorite. His performance in Oregon’s 51-13 rout over Arizona to win the Pac-12 may’ve been his final stamp on the coveted award that recognizes college football’s best performer.
By the fourth quarter, Mariota had accumulated 346 yards of offense and five touchdowns. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for him, though. The week prior, Mariota accounted for 404 yards of offense and six touchdowns in a 47-19 win over Oregon State.
The only competition the redshirt junior has really had this season has come from Gordon. The junior running back rushed for over 200 yards five times — including a game in which he gained 404 yards in three quarters — and accounted for 2,336 on the season. In addition, he scored 26 touchdowns.
But his lackluster performance in the Big Ten championship may have all but sealed Mariota’s likelihood to win. Gordon rushed for just 76 yards and the Badgers lost to Ohio State 59-0.
The winner will be announced on Saturday, Dec. 13 in New York at the annual Heisman Trophy Ceremony.
Mariota is also a finalist for the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell award. The winner for those awards will be announced on Dec. 11, meaning Mariota’s trophy case could continue to become heavier as the days go by.
Mariota released this statement through the Oregon athletic department:
“It is an honor to be named as a finalist for this year’s prestigious Heisman Trophy,” Mariota said. “It is humbling to be considered for an award that I have admired for a very long time.
“I would like to thank my teammates and coaches as I could not have been recognized as a finalist without their help.
“Go Ducks.”
For more on Mariota’s Heisman track this season, click here.
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise