College Football

Marcus Mariota injured, reportedly played Stanford with hurt knee

Oregon's Heisman-candidate quarterback was already playing through a knee injury in Palo Alto, according to one report.

By Connor Tapp Nov 7, 2013, 10:58pm EST

Update: Mariota returned, but appeared hesitant to run all night.

Heisman Trophy favorite Marcus Mariota was injured in the third quarter against Stanford, coming up with a limp after being sacked by multiple Stanford defenders. He was helped off the field, then circled by teammates and trainers as he sat on the bench. There's been no official word as to his status, but he's clearly banged up. ESPN's reported his backups are warming up.

Nothing else is going right for the Ducks, who also lost the ball on the play while trailing 20-0.

Oregon reportedly got some troubling news before the game even began:

Source with knowledge of situation tells me Marcus Mariota has a partial sprain of his MCL #GoDucks
— Collin Harmon (@Collin_Harmon) November 8, 2013

The good news for Oregon going forward, if Mariota does have to miss time, is that they have two backup quarterbacks with 2013 game experience, thanks to the severity with which they have blown out most of their opponents. Both sophomore Jeff Lockie and redshirt freshman Jake Rodrigues have taken snaps for the Ducks. Lockie, who would play in place of Mariota, has made his way into six games, has completed 8 of 11 passes for 57 yards and an interception.

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