Mariota Leads Oregon to Fiesta Bowl Win - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

Mariota Leads Oregon to Fiesta Bowl Win

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GLENDALE, AZ – Marcus Mariota was named Offensive MVP of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl after guiding #4 Oregon to a 35-17 win over #5 Kansas State.  The St Louis grad was 12/24 passing for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns, while rushing for 62 yards and another score.

The Ducks finished the season at 12-1, and figure to end the year ranked no lower than 3rd nationally. 

While Oregon ended the game with 15 fewer points than its season average, the contest began with a scoring binge.  De'Anthony Thomas took the opening kickoff 94 yards, and Oregon then converted a 2-point conversion for a quick 8-0 lead.  11 minutes later, Mariota threw his first touchdown pass of the night to Thomas for a 15-0 lead.

The Wildcats settled down over the course of the 2nd quarter, and had a chance to cut the deficit to 3 with a minute left in the first half.  However, Anthony Cantele missed a 40 yard field goal, leaving the score at 15-10.

Mariota then directed a 5-play, 77-yard touchdown drive that took only 46 seconds, sending Oregon into the half with a 22-10 lead, and all the momentum.

Oregon's only touchdown of the second half was a 2-yard scamper by Mariota.