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The Ducks fall in what may be Mariota’s last game

Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich talks to Marcus Mariota during the first half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Ohio State Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich talks to Marcus Mariota during the first half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Ohio State Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

By Associated Press January 13, 2015 1 min read

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Marcus Mariota’s season ended without the honor that mattered to him most.

Going into Monday night’s game against Ohio State, Oregon’s quarterback said he would trade the Heisman Trophy he won this season for a national championship because the team honor was more important to him that any individual award.

But the fourth-seeded Buckeyes overpowered the Ducks for a 42-20 victory in the first College Football Playoff championship.

It is likely that it was Mariota’s final game at Oregon. He has until Thursday to decide if he’ll skip his senior season and declare his eligibility for the NFL draft.

Mariota is expected to be a top pick.