NEW YORK » Five years after he had warmed the bench as a backup quarterback at Saint Louis School, Marcus Mariota on Saturday was the tearful, landslide winner of the 80th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy, symbolic of the nation’s top college football player.

"When I was at Saint Louis (as a sophomore and junior) my main focus was just to get on the field," the University of Oregon star said. "That it has come all the way to this point has been a special journey and I’ve been very blessed."

Mariota choked with emotion and paused several times in attempts to regain his trembling voice during his heartfelt three-minute acceptance speech, which was one of the most moving and memorable in the award’s storied history. "A speech we will never forget," ESPN host Chris Fowler said at the close of the hour-long national telecast.

With characteristic humility, Mariota thanked his offensive line, skill players, defense, coaches, teachers and parents, as well as "my boys" — those who stuck with him over the years. "I didn’t want to leave anybody out because I wouldn’t be here without them," Mariota said. "This isn’t just a one-person deal."

As his father, Toa, wiped away a tear and his mother, Alana, beamed, Mariota urged youngsters in Hawaii in general and Polynesians in particular to seize their opportunities and accomplish their dreams.

"I hope this is just the beginning. … I hope we get another one."

Mariota, who is of Samoan and German ancestry, concluded by giving thanks in Samoan.

At a post-announcement press conference, bedecked in lei presented to him by a couple of dozen Saint Louis supporters who made the trip from Hawaii, including longtime quarterback coach Vinny Passas, Mariota spoke of ohana, explaining, "In Hawaii, if one person is successful, everybody is successful. I’m just grateful to be a part of it."

Earning the Heisman is an achievement that stands among the most prominent ever by a Hawaii athlete, ranking along those of Olympic champions Bryan Clay (2008 decathlon) and Duke Kahanamoku (two swimming gold medals in 1920).

A three-time All-Pac-12 quarterback, Mariota received 788 of 891 first-place votes and totaled 2,534 points, more than doubling the points of the second-place finisher, record-setting Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon. Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper, the other finalist, was third with 1,023 points.

Local Heisman voters Ferd Lewis and Paul Arnett of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser voted Mariota, Cooper and Gordon 1-2-3. Television broadcaster Jim Leahey took Mariota, Gordon and TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin.

Cooper led the nation in pass receptions and receiving yards, and Gordon topped the country in rushing and set an NCAA record for yards rushing in a game, 408 against Nebraska.

Mariota received 90.92 percent of the total possible points, second-highest all-time behind Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, who garnered 91.63 percent in 2006, the Heisman Trophy Trust announced.

The Heisman was the fifth — and by far biggest — major national award bestowed on Mariota this week. A redshirt junior who is eligible to return to Oregon next season but will likely depart for the NFL Draft, Mariota has led the Ducks to a 12-1 record and a berth in the inaugural College Football Playoff.

Oregon plays unbeaten Florida State on Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl, a CFP semifinal game.

Mariota helped get the Ducks there with a cool efficiency and diesel drive by leading the nation in total touchdowns, points responsible for, quarterback rating, yards per pass attempt and passing efficiency. He threw for 3,783 yards and 38 touchdowns and was intercepted just twice. He also ran for 669 yards and 14 touchdowns.

In three seasons, during which Mariota started all 39 games, the Ducks went 35-4.

It is a far cry from Mariota’s sophomore and junior seasons at Saint Louis, during which he saw scant playing time at quarterback in the shadow of Jeremy Higgins, who was a year older and more experienced. For a time, the Crusaders even put him at receiver just to get him on the field, and the situation tested Mariota’s resilience.

"When you are a sophomore and junior in high school and you are not playing and seeing guys getting recruited and committing to schools, I thought this wasn’t the right sport for me," Mariota said. "But my family and a lot of my closest friends were the ones who said, ‘Just stick it out. You’ll be all right.’"

The experience, Mariota said, "taught me patience, and to just trust the process and things will work out." He said, "What happened in high school really made me into what I am today."

Mariota’s breakthrough came in his senior season, leading the Crusaders to their first Hawaii High School Athletic Association title in seven years.

But his talents and drive were recognized early upon arrival atop Kalaepohaku from Nuuanu Elementary.

In Mariota’s eighth-grade year, assistant coach Craig Stutzmann phoned former Crusaders great Jason Gesser, who led Washington State to the Rose Bowl and finished seventh in the 2002 Heisman balloting, and told him that something special was coming.

"He (Stutzmann) told me, ‘I know you were good and this might hurt your feelings, but this kid is going to blow you out of the water. He’s got it all — ability, the intangibles and work ethic," Gesser said.

After Mariota’s first start at Oregon in 2012, Stutzmann said Gesser called him back and "told me, ‘I see him. You’re right.’"

Mariota’s head coach at the time, Darnell Arceneaux, said, "You could tell he was going to be something very special. I don’t think we thought about Heisman, but definitely All-Pac-12."

If winning the Heisman has validated Mariota’s remarkable accomplishments, he prefers to view it as also repaying a considerable debt to his parents.

"For all their sacrifices, for all they have done for us, I hope this can pay a little bit (back)."

The Mariotas sold their house at one point to afford sending Marcus and his brother, Matt, to mainland camps, where they were seen by college recruiters.

"My mom had to pick up another job to help us out," Mariota said.

Alana said, "It was worth it. It always is."

Mariota was the Heisman front-runner for more than a month in 2013 before a partially torn ligament in his left knee slowed him and the Ducks lost two games.

He didn’t even place among the top 10 vote-getters.

But Mariota maintained the 2014 award wasn’t about making up for 2013 and wasn’t why he chose to return to Oregon when he could have announced for the NFL Draft. "The (return) was about team goals, about getting my degree and being with my teammates," Mariota said.

Mariota’s capturing of the trophy was widely viewed as a return to stated Heisman values.

The Heisman Trust mission statement reads: "The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work."

But three of the previous four winners — Jameis Winston (2013), Johnny Manziel (2012) and Cam Newton (2010) — had issues hanging over their candidacies, and 2005 winner Reggie Bush eventually had his honor taken away for his part in NCAA infractions.

"If I was a boy watching the Heisman Trophy presentation and needed someone to look up to, it would be (Mariota) for how this guy works and his humility, his excellence, his competitiveness," said Oregon coach Mark Helfrich. "That’s a great thing for these young people."

Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said, "Even when Marcus leaves (Eugene, Ore.), his aloha will remain."

Saint Louis, which has had two previous graduates finish in the top 10 of the Heisman voting — St. Mary’s Herman Wedemeyer (fourth in 1945 and sixth in 1946) and Gesser (seventh in 2002) — hailed Mariota’s victory.

"We congratulate Marcus Mariota for winning the 2014 Heisman Award!" school president Walter Kirimitsu, who was among about 20 people from the school in New York for the presentation, said in a statement. "We are truly proud of Marcus in all of his achievements, on the field, in academics and character," Kirimitsu said. "He is truly the BEST COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

"Since his graduation from Saint Louis School in 2010, Marcus has had a meteoric rise in his collegiate football career, and has continued to be an ambassador and role model in solid character and sound moral judgment. Marcus continues to be a great role model in the spiritual, academic, physical and emotional development of the whole person, traits that we strive to develop at Saint Louis School. We are proud of Marcus and his wonderful family! They are truly great Saint Louis School Crusaders."

With the Heisman in tow, Mariota has a busy couple of days remaining in New York before he returns to Eugene, where the Ducks begin bowl practice Monday.

Mariota is scheduled to do the CBS and NBC NFL studio shows Sunday. Monday there is another round of media obligations, including the "Late Show with David Letterman."

"I’ll just take it as it comes. I’m looking forward to it," Mariota said. "It has been quite a journey. I’ve been blessed."