Morical column: Mahalo, Marcus

After every Oregon home game, deep inside the football performance center adjacent to Autzen Stadium, he comes to the podium last.

Media members, stressing about deadlines, still wait for sometimes an hour after the game to hear what the quarterback has to stay.

Not because he is a quote machine — far from it. In fact, he seems downright uncomfortable most of the time answering questions into a microphone.

They wait because chances are he did something during the game that was so phenomenal, so astonishing, that they want to hear him explain how he did it, which he dutifully does in his signature soft-spoken, humble Hawaiian manner.

Most of the time — no, all of the time — he will credit his teammates and coaches.

He is a young man of unparalleled achievement at the University of Oregon and has the gaudy statistics that go with it. But first and foremost, he is a young man of character.

Marcus Mariota accepted the Heisman Trophy Saturday night in New York with an emotional speech that undoubtedly left many Duck fans with tears in their eyes. Not surprisingly, the first thing he did was acknowledge his teammates.

“This award belongs to my teammates,” Mariota said during the ESPN telecast of the trophy presentation. “The amount of hard work and sacrifice that each of them has made has not been unnoticed. Thank you to the offensive line, and their ability to fight through adversity. Thank you to the skill guys, who constantly make my job a lot easier.”

Mariota received 788 first-place votes, the third most ever, and he swept all six geographic voting regions.

How refreshing that the only knock against Mariota is that he is “too nice.”

After the previous two Heisman Trophy winners — 2012 winner Johnny Manziel and his autograph-signing scandal and 2013 winner Jameis Winston and his multiple stomach-churning off-the-field incidents — Mariota is a breath of fresh air for college football.

I consider myself privileged to have covered Mariota during his career at Oregon. Some of the plays he makes on the field are truly hard to believe. Cheering is frowned upon in the press box, but I have heard many gasps of awe after Mariota makes some magic with his feet or his arm, or both.

We have seen him answer question after question with humility, always deflecting praise to others. We have seen him take the time to sign autographs for young fans, even immediately after a tough loss to Arizona earlier this season. We have seen him pass up the NFL — and millions of dollars — for one more season with his teammates, and one more chance at a national title.

In the Pac-12 championship game rematch against Arizona, Mariota was 25-of-38 passing for 313 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for three touchdowns in the 51-13 victory.

You could call it a one-man show, but this was Mariota after the game: “I wouldn’t be in this position without my teammates. There are 11 football players that have to play. You know, without those guys in the locker room, none of this would be possible.”

Mariota’s 2014 numbers are almost hard to believe: a total of 53 touchdowns (38 passing, 14 rushing, one receiving), just two interceptions thrown, and 3,470 yards passing with a 69 percent completion rate. Winston’s numbers were similar in his 2013 Heisman season, but he threw 10 interceptions.

The two star quarterbacks will square off in the Rose Bowl national semifinal game on Jan. 1 when Oregon takes on Florida State for a berth in the national championship game, set for Jan. 12.

Then, Mariota will likely be among the top players selected in next spring’s NFL draft.

But first, he received some hardware on Saturday night. He accepted the Heisman Trophy as he has accepted all his other wins and accolades, with the utmost humility and respect.

“To all of my teammates, I love every single one of you, and I’m truly grateful for all the experiences,” Mariota said, choking back tears. “I hope each of you will take pride, and understand that this is your trophy.”

Mariota is the Pac-12 single-season and career record holder for total touchdowns. He owns the Oregon school record in seven different offensive categories.

“If this guy isn’t what the Heisman Trophy is all about, then I’m in the wrong profession,” Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said after the Pac-12 championship game. “Just on the field and off the field, our team is made up of a bunch of guys that are in his mold, and a lot of that is due to leadership. Obviously, that speaks for itself. But if you want your son or daughter to have a role model, pick this guy.”

Mariota’s statistics were far more impressive than any other 2014 Heisman candidate — but voters were also no doubt aware of the Heisman Trust Mission Statement: “The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.”

Those last two words should not be ignored.

The University of Oregon’s first Heisman Trophy winner — the greatest football player the school has ever known — is the perfect embodiment of those ideals.

Mahalo, Marcus.

— Reporter: 541-383-0318, mmorical@bendbulletin.com