Is it not an amazing time to be a Ducks fan or what?! Especially for those long-term fans like my father who sent me a picture from back home of our golden doodle giving him a high-five after the game in celebration.
There is so much to discuss when it comes to last night’s major accomplishment not only for the season but also for the history of the program in general. Before last night’s unfathomable victory over Arizona, we had been defeated by the Wildcats the prior two times we had faced them. Because of these defeats, it was beginning to look as though Arizona was the new Stanford kryptonite in Oregon’s way but our Ducks sure proved that theory wrong.
In a 51-13 victory over Arizona to claim the Pac-12 Championship title and crush the dreams of a very talented Wildcat team, our Ducks accomplished some incredible things not only for the team but also for the program. One of the best things that happened last night came for probably the most loved player on the entire team, Marcus Mariota. Not only did Mariota lead the team in a historical season but he made this season and his career in general more and more historical with every game played.
Mariota celebrates after a touchdown with team in the Pac-12 Championship.
In Mariota’s 39 games for the University of Oregon he has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every single game. I have to admit, when we reached the end of the first half and he hadn’t thrown a touchdown pass yet I was getting a little nervous. But whether he is passing or rushing, there is no limit to the talents of Mariota. In fact, his 4-yard touchdown pass to Devon Allen in the third quarter was his 100th career touchdown pass! Can you say HEISMAN?
AND to extend on how great a game Mariota had, he also ran for two touchdowns himself. There is no end to this young man’s talent. In an article in The Oregonian, Andrew Grief states, “It was over when Oregon got its first touchdown of the game, a Mariota 7-yard dash off a read option with 8:37 left in the second quarter.”
I am continually amazed by the talents of this team as a whole every time they step out onto the field and I am pleased to say that I still have a few more opportunities to write about my love for them. I look forward to informing the fans about their accomplishments this season as we move into the first ever College Football Playoff. This is the season of the Ducks and I can’t wait to see what happens in our playoff berth. Go Ducks!!
Top Photo by Gary Breedlove
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McKalie Bellew just moved to Oregon from Arizona. She is a sophomore at Lane Community College and moved here to pursue her dream of studying Sports Journalism and Broadcasting at the University of Oregon. Her passion for sports is admirable and her determination and hunger for success in the sports field is fascinating; if you ever have the chance to talk to McKalie face-to-face about sports, you’ll know how much she loves these games just by the way her eyes light up during the conversation. When unable to attend Ducks home games you can find her in front of a television on the edge of her seat, cheering her crazed-fan-head off. McKalie appreciates your feedback and constructive-criticism to help her become a better writer and reporter.
