Eugene, OR (Sports Network) - Marcus Mariota was the first freshman starting
quarterback at Oregon in more than two decades.
What a debut.
No. 5 Oregon scored a touchdown on all seven possessions with Mariota at the
helm in the first half Saturday on the way to a 57-34 rout of Arkansas State
that wasn't as close as the final score.
Mariota, who beat out sophomore Bryan Bennett for the starting job, threw for
216 yards and three touchdowns.
Oregon (1-0) led 50-3 when Mariota came out midway through the second quarter.
Bennett finished the game, passing for 107 yards and a touchdown with one
interception.
De'Anthony Thomas had two touchdown catches and Kenjon Barner rushed for a
pair.
Ryan Aplin passed for 305 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for
Arkansas State (0-1). Julian Jones had a 72-yard touchdown catch for the Red
Wolves of the Sun Belt Conference.
The Sports Network