The 2014 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by second-year head coach Mark Helfrich and played their home games at Autzen Stadium, in Eugene, Oregon, for the 48th straight year. They are a member of the Pac-12 Conference in the North Division.
The 2014 Ducks finished the season with a 13–2 overall record, went 8–1 in Pac-12 play, and outscored their opponents by a combined total of 681 to 354. The Ducks won the Pac-12 North Division for the second time since the division's creation in 2011, advancing to the Pac-12 Football Championship Game, where they defeated the Arizona Wildcats 51–13. The Ducks played in the inaugural College Football Playoff, netting a berth in the 2014 Rose Bowl semifinal game, where they defeated the Florida State Seminoles 59–20, advancing to the 2014 College Football Playoff National Championship game facing the Ohio State Buckeyes. This was Oregon's second-ever national championship game appearance (their first was the 2010 BCS National Championship Game, in which they lost to Auburn). They were defeated in the National Championship by Ohio State by a score of 42–20. The Ducks finished the season as consensus national runners-up behind the national champion Buckeyes and ahead of Peach Bowl victors TCU.
The Oregon offense ranked among the very best in the country and was led by junior quarterback Marcus Mariota, who became the first player in school history to win the Heisman Trophy, distinguishing him as the best player in college football. Mariota led the nation in touchdowns responsible for, total yards, and passer efficiency rating.
Departing players Following the 2013 season there was a whirlwind of speculation in Eugene about the futures of several star players eligible to leave early for the NFL. The first announcements came from starting quarterback Marcus Mariota (RSo.) and starting center Hroniss Grasu (Jr.), declaring that they would stay at Oregon in order to finish their degrees. Later in the week, defensive leaders Tony Washington (RJr.) and Derrick Malone (Jr.) announced that they too would be staying in Eugene to finish their education.
The first Duck to declare that he would be leaving school early and pursuing a career in the NFL was starting cornerback Terrance Mitchell (Jr.), many considered it to be a poor decision, and that another year in college would boost his potential draft status. Nonetheless, he was drafted in the seventh round by the Dallas Cowboys and did not end up making the final roster, he was signed by the Chicago Bears as a member of their practice squad prior to the 2014 NFL season.
Following the surprise announcement from Terrance Mitchell, the most anticipated announcement finally came from star running back De'Anthony Thomas (Jr.), declaring that he will forgo his senior year and enter the NFL Draft. Few people were surprised by this decision after recording three solid years as a featured part of the ducks offense, setting records in the Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl. He would go on to be drafted in the fifth round by the Kansas City Chiefs and would make the final 53-man roster, showing off his value to the team in his first NFL appearance, returning a punt 80-yards for a touchdown.
The final announcement came from Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Jr.) declaring that he would stay at Oregon in order to earn his degree and hone his skills as a cornerback.
Other notable departures due to graduation included record breaking receiver Josh Huff who would be drafted by Oregon's former head coach Chip Kelly to be a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as three starting defensive tackles Taylor Hart, Ricky Havili-Heimuli and Wade Keliikipi.
The classes referenced above are the classes of the individual during the 2013 season, when the respective announcement was made, for example Marcus Mariota was a redshirt sophomore in the 2013 season, he will be a redshirt junior in the 2014 season.
Num Player Position Starter Class Drafted Round Pick Team Notes 1 Josh Huff WR Y SR Y 3 86 Philadelphia Eagles 6 De'Anthony Thomas RB Y JR Y 4 124 Kansas City Chiefs 12 Brian Jackson DB Y SR N 14 Dustin Haines QB N SR N 15 Colt Lyerla TE Y† JR N UFA – Green Bay Packers16 Daryle Hawkins WR N SR N UFA - Chicago Bears25 Boseko Lokombo LB Y SR N 26 Ben Butterfield DB N SR N 27 Terrance Mitchell DB Y JR Y 7 254 Dallas Cowboys 21 Avery Patterson DB Y SR N UFA – Baltimore Ravens37 Jordan Thompson RB N SR N 39 Drew Howell LS Y SR N 50 Ryan Hagen DT N SR N 63 Mana Greig OL Y SR N 65 Brian Teague OL N SR N 66 Taylor Hart DT Y SR Y 5 141 Philadelphia Eagles 71 Everett Benyard OL Y SR N 78 Karrington Armstrong OL N SR N 84 Chad Delaney WR N SR N 90 Ricky Havili-Heimuli DT Y SR N UFA – Jacksonville Jaguars92 Wade Keliikipi DT Y SR N UFA – Philadelphia Eagles † - Colt Lyerla left the team in September 2013 after missing game time due to suspension and illness. After leaving the team Lyerla was arrested for use and possession of cocaine. After the season Lyerla participated in the NFL Combine as well as Oregon's Pro Day.
Before the season
Returning starters
Offense No. Player Class Position 8 Marcus Mariota Junior Quarterback 9 Byron Marshall Junior Runningback 54 Hamani Stevens Senior Right guard 55 Hroniss Grasu Senior Center 72 Andre Yruretagoyena Junior Left guard 75 Jake Fisher Senior Right tackle 83 Johnny Mundt Sophomore Tight endReference:
Defense No. Player Class Position 9 Arik Armstead Junior Defensive tackle 14 Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Senior Cornerback 22 Derrick Malone Senior Outside Linebacker 48 Rodney Hardrick Junior Inside linebacker 91 Tony Washington Senior Defensive endReference:
Special teams No. Player Class Position 49 Matt Wogan Sophomore Place KickerReference:
The classes referenced above are the classes of the individual during the 2014 season, for example Marcus Mariota will be a Redshirt Junior in the 2014 season.
Recruiting
Preseason All-Americans Oregon had three players selected as Preseason All-Americans going into the season. Marcus Mariota was largely recognized on the second team of those organizations which published preseason lists. Hroniss Grasu and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu were recognized as unanimous Preseason All-Americans, with Grasu being selected to the first team of every publication.
Quarterback
Marcus Mariota, Junior, Quarterback (SI, Athlon, USA Today, ESPN, CBS Sports, CFN)
Offensive line Hroniss Grasu, Senior, Center (SI, Athlon, USA Today, ESPN, CBS Sports, CFN, Scout.com)
Defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Senior, Cornerback (SI, Athlon, USA Today, ESPN, CBS Sports, CFN, Scout.com)
References:
Awards watchlists
Overall Awards
Maxwell Award – College Football Player of the Year Marcus Mariota Byron Marshall Thomas Tyner
Walter Camp Award – Player of the Year Marcus Mariota Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
Lombardi Award – Best Lineman Hroniss Grasu Tyler Johnstone Derrick Malone
Offensive Awards
Davey O'Brien Award – Best Quarterback Marcus Mariota
Doak Walker Award – Best Runningback Byron Marshall Thomas Tyner
Mackey Award – Most Outstanding Collegiate Tight End Pharaoh Brown Johnny Mundt
Rimington Trophy – Most Outstanding Collegiate Center Hroniss Grasu
Outland Trophy – Best Interior Lineman in College Football Hroniss Grasu Tyler Johnstone
Defensive Awards
Bednarik Award – Defensive Player of the Year Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Most Outstanding Defensive Player Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Derrick Malone Tony Washington
Jim Thorpe Award – Best Defensive Back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
Butkus Award – Best Linebacker Derrick Malone
Spring football
On May 3, 2014, Oregon capped off its spring football camp with a scrimmage at Autzen Stadium that was open to the public and broadcast live on the Pac-12 Network. The Monday before the game, team captains were selected followed by a draft. Quarterback Marcus Mariota and center Hroniss Grasu captained team "Mariasu" which was coached by the offensive coordinator Scott Frost and the other offensive coaches. Defensive end Tony Washington and cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu captained team "Twifo" which was coached by defensive coordinator Don Pellum and the other defensive coaches; head coach Mark Helfrich observed the game from the field.
As has been the case for the past several years, the spring game was dedicated to the United States Armed Forces, specifically local units that include 6th Engineer Support Battalion in Portland, Oregon and the Oregon National Guard. Service-members were given special seating at the 50-yard line, ran onto the field with the players and were given the jerseys worn by the players immediately following the game. In between the first and second quarters a group of soon-to-be soldiers took the oath of enlistment in the west end-zone and at half-time an American Flag was presented by the Oregon National Guard to the University President Michael R. Gottfredson.
In addition to honoring the troops, the spring game is used as a means to boost donations to Food for Lane County, a local non-profit food bank. There is no monetary cost of admission to enter the game, however a donation of 3 non-perishable food items per person is encouraged. Food for Lane County has reported donations just short of sixty thousand pounds of non-perishable food.
Unlike the previous year's spring game, this game was as close to normal football rules as possible. The first half followed all NCAA rules and regulations, with the second half featuring a running clock.
Marcus Mariota led back to back scoring drives to start off the game, throwing touchdown passes to Thomas Tyner and Devon Allen, after that the star quarterback sat out the rest of the game. For the remainder of the first half the defenses of both teams took control, not allowing another score and forcing several turnovers. After the half-time ceremonies team Mariasu got on the board again, this time on the arm of Jeff Lockie throwing to Austin Daich. It took until the fourth quarter for team Twifo to score on a touchdown pass from Taylor Allie to Darren Carrington, team Mariasu would respond with a touchdown pass from Damion Hobbs to Devon Allen, however the play occurred as time expired so no PAT was attempted.
Schedule The 2014 Pac-12 schedule was officially released on January 8, 2014. For their non-conference slate the Ducks played against the South Dakota Coyotes of the Missouri Valley Conference, the Michigan State Spartans, the 2014 Rose Bowl winners and reigning Big Ten conference champions, and the Wyoming Cowboys of the Mountain West Conference.
Rankings
Entering the 2014 season the Ducks were ranked at number 3 in the AP Preseason Poll and number 4 in the Coaches' Preseason Poll, receiving a first place vote in each. After a dominant performance against South Dakota the Ducks remained at number 3 and number 4 in the AP and USA Today polls respectively, but gained first placed votes in each. Following a decisive victory over #7 Michigan State the Ducks rose to second in the AP poll, while remaining fourth in the USA Coaches Poll. Coming out of a week three victory over Wyoming the Ducks maintained their second place slot in the AP poll and rose to third in USA Today Coaches' Poll, earning first place votes in each.