Marcus Mariota has decided to stay at the University of Oregon for another year, where he will try to finish his degree and play another season of football for the Ducks.
Mariota and Ducks' center Hroniss Grasu announced their decision to stay another year in school Monday evening, according to the team's website. Mariota, a redshirt sophomore from Honolulu, and Grasu, a redshirt junior from Los Angeles, made their announcement a day after being named to the all-Pac-12 team for a second consecutive year.
"It is an honor to be a student at the University of Oregon and to have the opportunity to represent our institution on the football field alongside my teammates," said Mariota. "I look forward to earning my degree next year and to the rest of my career at this great University."
Mariota has thrown for a total of 62 touchdowns and ten interceptions in two seasons at Oregon. As a freshman, he accumulated 2,677 yards through the air and 3,412 this year. He has also shown the ability to run with the ball when he has two, running for 752 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman and 582, with nine scores, this season.
Grasu, a third-year starter, is a candidate for the Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy this season.
"The University of Oregon is a special place and I'm extremely happy to be returning for my senior year," Grasu said. "To be a student-athlete in this community is an honor and an experience I'll continue to cherish with my teammates."
Mariota and Grasu would certainly like to make the Ducks title contenders once again next year. They won their first eight regular season games and finished 2-2. At 10-2, they will likely get into a good bowl, but will almost definitely miss a bid for the National Championship.
Mariota is also likely to compete for the Heisman again, as he is this year. He threw his first interception in Oregon's second-to-last game and ended up throwing four in their last two contests. The minor slip-up may cost him the trophy this season, as favorite Jameis Winston maintained his stellar play and led the Seminoles to an undefeated season.
