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PASADENA, Calif. » Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and linebacker Tony Washington were named the 101st Rose Bowl Players of the Game after leading the Ducks to a 59-20 rout of Florida State on Thursday.
Mariota, a Saint Louis School graduate from Honolulu, completed 26 of 38 passes for 338 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed eight times for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Washington forced a fumble, recovered it and ran 58 yards for a touchdown.
Oregon benefitted from seven Florida State fumbles (recovering four) and an interception. But the Ducks high-tempo, no-huddle offense also had the Seminoles on their heels, generating 639 yards.
"We knew going in that our tempo can be a weapon," Mariota said. "We kind of feel that way in every game. But at the same time, our guys are getting set as fast as they can. … Just the way we’ve been able to practice. It’s awesome to see it relay back on the game field."
Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said the third-quarter momentum shift caused by turnovers was the biggest factor in the outcome.
"I don’t think the tempo was the difference," he said. "They executed at a higher level and got momentum in the game and just made good plays. (Tempo) was a part of it, but I don’t think it was a huge, huge part of that. … I don’t say that out of disrespect. You play so many of those teams now, everybody is no-huddle. It’s more the norm than it is the un-norm.
Buckner makes an impact
Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner from Waianae and Punahou School had a tackle for a loss in the first quarter, and tipped a pass in the third quarter that eventually led to Mariota’s 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He totaled four tackles.
"DeForest has been making plays like that all year," Mariota said. "It’s a testament to his work and his character because he had to battle through a little bit. For him to make those plays, he’s going to continue to make them and it’s awesome and looking forward to him to do that. It’s nice to see a local boy do that."
Linebacker Isaac Ava and safety Bronson Yim, both Saint Louis grads, got into the game for Oregon, Ava notching a tackle.
"The opportunity to play in a Rose Bowl in front of my family was amazing," Yim said. "Dallas up next, it’s a blessing for the kids from the 808 to be able to represent our state on such a high platform."
Ducks face discipline
Several Oregon players "will be disciplined internally," Ducks coach Mark Helfrich told the Associated Press, after a short video showed the players chanting "No means no," to the tune of the Florida State tomahawk chop chant.
It was an obvious reference to an allegation of sexual assault against FSU quarterback Jameis Winston from 2012. Winston was cleared last month of violating Florida State’s student code of conduct and was never charged by law enforcement.
"We are aware of the inappropriate behavior in the post game," Helfrich told AP. "This is not what our program stands for, and the student-athletes will be disciplined internally."
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