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ASSOCIATED PRESS
At the Boys & Girls Club of Emerald Valley of Eugene
NEW YORK >> Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota arrived in New York this morning where he is the overwhelming favorite to win the 80th Annual Heisman Trophy and said, "to me this is a real dream come true. I’m just thankful to be here."
The other finalists for the 3 p.m. Hawaii Time announcement on ESPN are Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon.
Mariota, who led the Duck to a 12-1 record and a berth in the inaugural College Football Playoff, said not to expect a long acceptance speech if he is awarded the Heisman, symbolic of the nation’s top college football player.
"I’ll probably just go up there and read the (notes)," Mariota said after arriving this morning.
Told it doesn’t have to be a long speech, the shy Saint Louis School graduate smiled and said, "that sounds good to me."
Marriota arrived in New York via train from Baltimore where he was awarded the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Friday night. He said it was his first train trip and crossing "so many states was pretty cool."
His first impression of New York: "I mean, it is breathtaking, really. I’ve never been around so many skyscrapers, lights and people."
Mariota said he hopes to tour the State of Liberty and other sites over the weekend but has, so far, just been able to drop his bags in his room, say "hi" to his parents and make the appointed rounds.
