Tracking the 2014 Heisman Trophy, All-Americans, and college football’s other awards

Eight marble blocks, representing Mariota’s home state of Hawaii, and the trophy sitting in open air, rather than behind a glass case. So good.

References throughout to his acceptance speech and to his background, with illustrations by a Polynesian tattoo artist. So good.

Meet the man who could be your quarterback of the future.

(all images via Newseum)

Oregon fans have already fallen in love with Marcus Mariota. Catch up on what you may have been missing with this terrific video.

Well, that didn’t take long.

Jets fans really want Marcus Mariota. I mean they really, REALLY want him. Just look:

Oregon QB Marcus Mariota swept all five voting regions and broke one Heisman record Saturday night, appearing on 95.2 percent of this year’s 894 ballots. He almost broke another, as his 90.9 percent margin of victory stands second only to 2006 Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith’s 91.6 percent.

But, wait ... 95.2 percent is fewer than 100 percent ...

On Saturday, Marcus Mariota became the first Oregon Ducks player to win the Heisman Trophy. The rival Oregon State Beavers displayed state pride by taking out this ad congratulating him:

And in print form:

Mariota didn’t quite hit the record for most points as a percentage of possible points; that still belongs to 2006 winner Troy Smith of Ohio State, who had 91.63 percent. Mariota came in second all-time there, with 90.9 percent. That’ll do, right? That’ll do just fine.

Here’s the voting points breakdown by candidate.

Marcus Mariota is your 2014 Heisman Trophy winner, beating out Wisconsin tailback Melvin Gordon III and Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper in a landslide. With that, I have some final thoughts on the three finalists. This is critically important commentary.

[clears throat]

Mariota is the fifth straight quarterback to win and the eighth in the last nine years. It’s a cap on what has been a magnificent collegiate career for Oregon’s quarterback, expected to be one of the top picks in next year’s NFL Draft, assuming he declares.

The junior helped lead Oregon to a 12-1 season, a Pac-12 Championship, and a No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff, with a Rose Bowl trip to play 2013 winner Jameis Winston’s Florida State up next. Mariota threw for 3,783 yards and ran for 669 more, totaling 53 touchdowns against just two interceptions. He averaged 10.2 yards per pass attempt and completed 68.3 percent of his pass attempts, while also averaging 5.7 yards per rush.

The three Heisman Trophy finalists supplied college football fans with a veritable feast of highlights and eye popping numbers. Let’s take a moment to look back at what each of these three incredibly players accomplished this season.

Mariota’s passing line is 254-372 (68.3%) for 3,783 yards, 38 TDs, and only 2 INTs, which averages out to 10.2 yards/attempt and 291 yards/game. That’s good for a passer rating of 186.33. He also rushed for 669 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass. He led the nation in yards/attempt and passer rating, and was second in the nation in touchdown passes.

College football’s most prestigious individual award will be given out this weekend, as the Heisman Trophy will go to either Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon or Alabama’s Amari Cooper. The ceremony will take place Saturday, December 13 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and WatchESPN.

Mariota is considered the overwhelming favorite. The only quarterback of the group, the junior led Oregon to a place in the inaugural College Football Playoff with an incredible 38:2 touchdown to interception ratio. He completed 68.3 percent of his passes this season, averaging 10.2 yards per attempt and totaling 4,478 yards of offense with 53 touchdowns. History is on Mariota’s side, as well: 13 of the last 14 Heisman winners have been quarterbacks.