Marcus Mariota made history on Saturday night when he won the 80th Heisman Trophy award.
Mariota, who has led Oregon to a 12-1 record and No. 2 ranking the country, received 2,534 points to finish first in the voting for the award (788 first-place votes). Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon finished second with 1,250 points (37 first-place votes), while Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper was third with 1,023 points (49 first-place votes). Finishing fourth was TCU QB Trevone Boykin at 218 points, and injured Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was fifth with 78 points.
Mariota’s 90.9 percent of possible points received places him second in the modern era of voting behind Troy Smith, who received 91.6 percent in 2006.
“I’m at a loss of words,” the humble Mariota said in an interview with ESPN.
Mariota is the first Ducks player to win the award. The junior from Honolulu is also first player from Hawaii to win the honor. To show how rare it is for a player from his area to win the award, Mariota is the first player from a program in the Pacific Northwest to win the Heisman since 1962.
“It’s a pride thing for the people of Hawaii. I’m thankful to be from there. It’s just a blessing.”
Mariota posted insane numbers this season and is extremely deserving of the honor.
As a passer, Mariota completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 3,783 yards and 38 touchdowns against just two interceptions! He has also rushed for 669 yards and 14 touchdowns, and he even caught a TD. Mariota’s 53 total touchdowns matches Sam Bradford for the most by a Heisman Trophy winner.
Per Heisman Central, Mariota is the first Polynesian to win the award. He is the 10th Pac-12 player to win the award and first since Matt Leinart won it in 2004.
