Quarterback controversy? What quarterback controversy?
After a back-and-forth summer that ended with redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota being named the starter over sophomore Bryan Bennett, questions abounded about whether head coach Chip Kelly made the right call. In the Ducks’ 57-34 victory over the Arkansas State Red Wolves Saturday night, those questions were answered.
No QB controversy in Eugene. Marcus Mariota is our future.
— tamati taverna beone (@Barbera_wwv) September 2, 2012
Mariota was nearly perfect in his debut, throwing for 200 yards, completing 18 of 22 passes and recording three touchdowns. And he did it all in just one and a half quarters.
“I would’ve liked to play a little bit more, but that’s the competitive nature in me,” Mariota said. “It was a good way to start off, this first game.”
The Honolulu native showed no sign of nerves as he made his debut as a starter, completing 12 of his first 13 passes, the only incomplete being a drop by Daryle Hawkins just four minutes into the game.
“Everything.” On what is expected out of Marcus Mariota.
— Go Ducks (@Chipisms) September 2, 2012
Mariota didn’t seem rattled to play in front of another sellout crowd at Autzen — much larger than the “four or five thousand” who would show up to watch him play at St. Louis High School.
“I had so much fun out there today. The game itself was just fun,” he said. “I had a blast.”
He credited his teammates with helping him maintain his poise.
“The guys around me made the plays, I just needed to give them the ball,” he said. “Honestly, I was very nervous, but after the first snap I was fine. After that first snap, I’m good, (then) it’s just football.”
Mariota is the next Oregon legend.
— Ramsen Golpashin (@RGolpashin70) September 2, 2012
Mariota racked up 50 points while still at the helm before being replaced by Bennett with just over six minutes left in the second quarter. Sophomore running back De’Anthony Thomas was his preferred target, snatching two of Mariota’s three touchdown passes.
Mariota’s quiet dominance didn’t surprise Kelly.
“He’s kind of got a way about him that’s unique,” Kelly said. “He’s kind of a laidback dude, but he can make plays.”
Bennett’s season debut, on the other hand, was less than impressive. Though Bennett didn’t benefit from playing alongside the starters like Mariota did, his 108 yards on 10 of 17 passing did little to help his case. A second-quarter interception set up a potential Arkansas State field goal, but Red Wolves kicker Brian Davis missed wide left.
“I thought Bryan responded exactly like I thought he was going to respond,” Kelly said.
Bryan Bennett gets nice ovation from Autzen crowd, immediately shows crowd why Kelly picked Mariota, sailing one to no-man’s land.
— Sawl-E (@sawley_) September 2, 2012
The biggest debate of the game turned out to be how to properly pronounce Mariota’s last name, rather than whether or not he deserved to be the starter.
“In Polynesian you always got to enunciate the vowels, so it’s mah-ree-oh-TAH,” he said after the game. When asked what the media should call him, he smiled: “Marcus.”
Mariota. Learn to say it. We are going to spend a lot of time doing it.
@espncfb
— Rece Davis (@ESPN_ReceDavis) September 2, 2012
