Marcus Mariota Marcus Ardel Taulauniu Mariota ( born October 30 , 1993 ) is an American football quarterback for the Oregon Ducks football team . He was a highly recruited prospect out of high school . He was named starting quarterback for the Ducks for the 2012 season over sophomore Bryan Bennett . Early life . Mariota was born in Honolulu to Toa Mariota and Alana Deppe - Mariota . . He has one younger brother , Matthew Mariota , who also plays defensive end and kicker for Saint Louis . Out of high school he was considered one of the best Hawaiian prospects since Timmy Chang . Besides the Ducks , he had offers from the Hawaii Warriors , Memphis Tigers , Utah Utes , Oregon State Beavers , Washington Huskies , Arizona Wildcats , Notre Dame Fighting Irish , UCLA Bruins , and the USC Trojans . High school career . He was rated the No . 6 recruiting prospect in the state of Hawaii and No . 12 overall quarterback in the nation by Rivals . com . As a senior , he threw for 2 , 597 yards on 165 of 255 passing ( 64 . 7 % ) , including 32 touchdowns against only five interceptions . He guided the Crusaders to an 11 - 1 record and a state title . He also rushed the ball 60 times for 455 yards ( 7 . 6 yards per carry ) and 7 touchdowns . Marcus was named to the NUC All World Game started by David Schuman and NationalUnderclassmen . com Combines in 2010 where he starred . It was the first time Mariota dominated on a national stage . He played in the game as a teammate with Heisman Trophy winner for Texas A & M Johnny Manziel . College career . 2011 Season . As a redshirt freshman in 2011 , Mariota did not see any action . He spent most of his time on the scout team . But Mariota did dress for every game in case of injury to Darron Thomas or Bryan Bennett . 2012 Season . Entering the offseason , Oregon was hit with many starters leaving for the 2012 NFL Draft , notably running back LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas . After a good spring game and fall practices , he was named starting quarterback in their opener against Arkansas State . Game 1 : Arkansas St . Red Wolves . Despite an over matched opponent , Mariota had an impressive debut . He was 18 of 22 passing , with 200 yards and 3 touchdowns . He also had 4 carries for 24 yards . The Ducks would lead 50 - 10 at half and would go on to win 57 - 34 , Arkansas State ' s tally a reflection of Oregon having pulled most of its starters after the first half . Game 2 : Fresno St . Bulldogs . Mariota was 19 of 27 for 166 yards and 1 touchdown . He also carried the ball 14 times for 67 yards . His performance helped lead Oregon to a 42 - 25 win . Game 3 : Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles . Going into this game , Oregon were heavy favorites due to the fact that Tennessee Tech is an FCS school . Mariota was 21 - 28 for 308 yards and 4 touchdowns , but also 1 interception . He also had 17 yards rushing , and his efforts helped Oregon claim a 63 - 14 win over the Golden Eagles . Game 4 : Arizona Wildcats . Going into this game many experts predicted a high scoring contest due to both teams running a Spread Offense . Mariota was 20 of 35 for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns , and he also ran 5 times for 17 yards . His play combined with a spirited performance from the Duck defense resulted in a shutout , as Oregon won 49 - 0 . Game 5 : Washington State Cougars . In his first game away from the friendly confines of Autzen stadium , Mariota had another strong performance but also showed some of his inexperience . He was 21 of 32 for 169 yards with one touchdown , but he also threw two interceptions . Mariota also ran for 56 yards and one score . Though the Cougars and Mike Leach ' s " Air Raid " offense put forth a valiant first - half effort , he led Oregon to a 51 - 26 win . Game 6 : Washington Huskies . Despite an interception on his opening series , Mariota would direct another Oregon victory . He was 15 of 24 attempts , for 198 yards and 4 touchdowns . He also ran for another 40 yards on 7 carries . The Ducks ultimately extended their victory streak over the Huskies to 9 games , winning 52 - 21 . Game 7 : Arizona State Sun Devils . Mariota was only 9 - 12 passing for 46 yards and 1 touchdown . But he showcased his impressive running ability with 135 yards on 10 carries , including an 86 - yard long run that resulted in a touchdown . He also had one touchdown receiving , as he caught an improvised pass from Bryan Bennett on what looked liked a broken play from Arizona Sate ' s 2 - yard line . Mariota ' s efforts helped Oregon amass a staggering 43 points in under 20 minutes of play . Game 8 : Colorado Buffaloes . In what was viewed by many as a tune - up before facing USC , Mariota had another steady performance . He was 11 of 14 passing , for 136 yards and two touchdowns , and also ran for 22 yards and one score . Oregon held a 56 - 0 lead at halftime and would ultimately go on to win 70 - 14 . Game 9 : USC Trojans . He was 20 of 23 passing , for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns . He also had another 96 yards rushing , making him Oregon ' s top offensive performer , despite a stellar 321 yard performance from Kenjon Barner . In what was an offensive shootout , Oregon prevailed 62 - 51 . Game 10 : California Golden Bears . In recent years , Cal had been very successful at slowing Oregon ' s run game and forcing the Ducks to the air . However , the Golden Bears had no answer for the Oregon passing game in this particular contest , with Mariota completing 27 of 34 passes for 377 yards and 6 touchdowns . He also ran for another 42 yards on 6 carries , helping to lead Oregon to a 59 - 17 victory . Game 11 : Stanford Cardinal . A stout Stanford defense gave Oregon ' s offense fits all night . Mariota was 22 of 38 for 214 yards and 1 touchdown , but also threw 1 interception . He ran for another 96 yards on 11 carries , including a 77 yard - run in the first half . Still , this wasn ' t enough and Oregon would go on to lose in overtime , 17 - 14 , dashing their hopes of an appearance in the BCS title game . Game 12 : Oregon State Beavers . In the first Civil War Marcus played in , he played pretty well going 17 for 24 with 140 yards passing and 1 touchdown . He also had 85 rushing yards on 8 attempts including a 42 yard quarterback draw for a touchdown . This was his only rushing touchdown of the day . In the end , the Ducks destroyed the Beavers 48 to 24 . The 2013 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl . After missing the Pac 12 Championship and the BCS title game due to a loss to Stanford , the Ducks found themselves playing Number 5 ranked Kansas State . Marcus played well despite De ' Anthony Thomas stole the show with a 94 yard kickoff return touchdown on the opening play and another touchdown catch later . Marcus went 12 for 24 with 166 yards passing and 2 touchdowns . He also ran for 62 yards on 8 attempts with one touchdown that sealed the deal for Oregon . The Ducks prevailed 35 to 17 .