Marcus Mariota was summoned into Oregon coach Chip Kelly’s office on Friday.

The meeting was brief, but the message was clear. 

For the first time in 21 years, a freshman will start the season at quarterback for the Ducks, as Mariota won a long battle with sophomore Bryan Bennett for the job vacated by Darron Thomas, who decided to turn pro in the offseason after his junior year. 

Mariota, a 2011 Saint Louis graduate who led the Crusaders to a state championship as a senior, said he knew a decision had been made Friday, but had no clue if the job was his or not. 

“Honestly, I really didn’t have any inkling what was going on,” he said over the phone following practice on Tuesday. “It’s been a long battle that’s been going on for six, seven months and when they brought me in, it was a quick meeting and straight to the point.” 

Two years ago, Mariota was preparing for his senior season at Saint Louis. He had yet to start a game in high school, but had secured an offer from Oregon based on strong performances at showcases during the summer.

By the time his season was over, Mariota had guided the Crusaders to their first state championship in eight years. 

He completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,597 yards and threw for 32 touchdowns with only five interceptions. 

It’s that dimension that gives Kelly an option at quarterback the Ducks haven’t seen in recent years. 

Yes, Mariota’s 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash is what compares him to previous UO quarterbacks Dennis Dixon, Thomas and even Jeremiah Masoli, another Saint Louis product. 

But it’s his arm that might separate him from the group. 

“Right now we think Marcus gives us the best chance and that’s why we’re going with him,” Kelly, a fourth-year head coach, said flatly on Friday. 

Although Mariota redshirted last year, he traveled to every road game, including Oregon’s first Rose Bowl victory since 1917, when it beat Wisconsin 45-38. 

The Ducks seemed set at quarterback for the following season, with Thomas just finishing off a junior year that included a school-record 33 touchdown passes. 

But 12 days after the bowl game, Thomas elected to turn pro and enter the NFL Draft, opening the door for Mariota to get his first significant shot at becoming Oregon’s starter. 

“(Thomas) talked to Brian and I a little bit about it during the season, and when he decided to make the jump, we were both really happy for him.” Mariota said. “When he decided to leave, I felt that this was my opportunity and put forth my best effort.” 

Mariota will begin his UO career Saturday against Arkansas State at 4:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN. 

One thing for sure come the opener is the pace will be at an all-time high. 

Oregon ran 1,015 plays in 14 games last year despite possessing the ball for just 25 minutes per contest. 

Opponents held the ball for 10 more minutes a game than Oregon, but ran only 62 more total plays. 

“Just to have that pace so fast, sometimes it does get all kinds of chaotic,” Mariota said. “The (coaches) do a real good job teaching you how to control that chaos and yeah, when I first came (here) my head was spinning at how fast we’re going, but now that I’ve gone through another year, everything has really slowed down, and to play at that pace now is a lot of fun.” 

Mariota is one of eight players from Hawaii on the Oregon roster, which is more than any other Pac-12 school. 

Junior Wade Keliikipi (Waianae ’09) is listed as one of two starting defensive tackles on the OU depth chart released last week. 

Freshman DeForest Buckner (Punahou ’12) is listed as one of two backups at defensive end and Mana Greig (Saint Louis ’09) is the second player listed at left guard. 

Freshman Koa Ka‘ai (Kamehameha ’11), who was recruited as a defensive end, is one of three backup tight ends listed.

HAWAII PLAYERS IN THE FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION

 

ACROSS THE NATION

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

>> Texas junior Sarah Palmer (Hawaii Baptist ’10) was named most outstanding libero of the 26 West Longhorns Classic on Saturday. Palmer had a match-high 16 digs and an ace as Texas closed the tournament with a three-set sweep of San Diego.

>> UTEP junior setter Malia Patterson (Punahou ’10) totaled 47 assists and five block assists in a five-set loss to Fresno State in the season opener on Friday in the El Paso Sports Commission Invitational.

>> Kansas State senior defensive specialist Kuulei Kabalis (Kamehameha-Hawaii ’09) averaged 3.09 kills per set in the Varney’s Invitational, totaling 35 in three matches, and added four aces to help the Wildcats finish 3-0 in the tournament.

>> St. John’s freshman Shawna-Lei Santos (Sacred Hearts ’12) had 23 kills in four matches, helping the Red Storm finish 3-1 in the Battle at the Bay tournament over the weekend. Santos also had seven assists and three block assists and tied for a team-high three aces.

>> Bryant (R.I.) University senior libero Macy Mitravich (Sacred Hearts ’09) had a team-high 44 digs and seven aces in three matches, helping the Bulldogs finish
1-2 in the Colgate Classic over the weekend.

>> Texas-Pan American sophomore Krysta Freitas (Hanalani ’11) was named to the UTA Hilton Invitational all-tournament team on Saturday. She had her first career double-double with 15 kills and 16 digs in a five-set loss to Stephen F. Austin on Friday.