Marcus Mariota mentioned he was shocked by a query from a radio host throughout a latest interview.
“He seems at me and his query was, ‘Do you suppose they’ll cowl?’ “ Mariota mentioned throughout a video press convention Monday. “And I have a look at him and mentioned, ‘That was probably the most disrespectful query I’ve gotten in the previous few years.’ “
Mariota, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback and former Geese’ star, couldn’t consider the host appear to query the Oregon Geese’ skill to hold with the Georgia Bulldogs when the 2 groups meet within the Chick-fil-A Kickoff recreation on Saturday in Atlanta.
Mariota, probably the most embellished participant in Oregon soccer historical past, will function an honorary captain for the Geese on the recreation in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mariota, together with former Georgia operating again Willie McClendon, might be honorary captains for his or her respective alma maters. They’ll be a part of the workforce captains at midfield for the pregame coin toss.
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The Geese might be taking part in their first recreation beneath new coach Dan Lanning, who was the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator for the previous three seasons earlier than coming to Eugene. The Geese are a large 17.5-point underdog in opposition to the defending nationwide champions, however Mariota expressed confidence within the Geese.
“They’re gonna be aggressive,” Mariota mentioned. “I actually actually consider they’ve an opportunity to win.”
The sport in opposition to the Bulldogs represents an enormous alternative for the Geese to make a significant assertion to open the season. Mariota mentioned the Geese should keep their poise and never get caught up within the hype of dealing with the Bulldogs, who defeated Alabama 33-18 to win their first nationwide championship since 1980.
“In the event you attempt to deal with it an excessive amount of, it turns into sort of a burden. I actually consider in the event you take it at some point at a time and keep within the current, and ensuring you attempt to enhance whenever you go on the market and follow, you’ll be ready and able to go,” Mariota mentioned. “I feel in the event you targeted on it an excessive amount of, you’re making an attempt to hype it an excessive amount of, you are inclined to play with strain and also you’re sort of tensing up. In the event you play freely and belief the preparation that you simply’ve put in, you’ll play lots higher.”
The chance to observe his Geese compete together with being an honorary captain might be thrilling for Mariota. Mariota mentioned he plans to verify he stays within the second.
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“Stepping out for the sport might be surreal,” Mariota mentioned. “It is going to be enjoyable to see numerous acquainted faces. It is going to be enjoyable to see the entire help – the inexperienced and yellow jerseys actually stand out in a pink stadium. I’m excited for all that. I’m simply excited to take all of it in.”
No. 9 Oregon State put on a show in its first 2025 home gymnastics meet Saturday, scoring 196.40 points to easily beat Brigham Young at Gill Coliseum.
Senior Jade Carey, performing in a home meet for the first time since winning two Olympic gold medals last summer, scored 39.725 in all-around. Carey had scores of 9.95 on bars and floor, 9.925 on beam and 9.90 on vault.
Carey had the highest score in each event on either team. The best scores by a Beaver gymnast aside from Carey were 9.85s by Natalie Briones (bars), Sage Thompson (bars), Lauren Letzsch (beam), Savannah Miller (floor) and Sophia Esposito (floor and beam).
Brigham Young scored 194.2 points. Kylie Eaquinto led the way with an all-around score of 39.050.
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— Nick Daschel covers the Oregon State Beavers. Reach him at 360-607-4824 or @nickdaschel. Listen to the Beaver Banter podcast or subscribe to the Beavers Roundup newsletter.
On Saturday morning at the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, three-star prospect T’Andre Waverly announced his commitment to Oregon State over Washington and Notre Dame.
The product of Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Washington, is ranked as the nation’s No. 96 athlete and No. 18 player in the state in the 2025 class by 247Sports. Once he arrives in Corvallis, he’s expected to play tight end.
“I believe in [offensive coordinator Ryan] Gunderson for the future,” Waverly told 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman. “And I’m excited to get to know the new tight ends coach [Will Heck].”
“[Head coach Trent] Bray seems like a real get to business guy and I like that. I don’t want a coach who will pamper me. I want someone who will tell me what I need to do and what to do.”
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Despite seeing the in-state prospect going elsewhere, tight ends coach Jordan Paopao has pulled in a promising batch at the position after signing four-star Baron Naone and three-star Austin Simmons in December.
For an athlete, a loss can shake even the strongest mental foundation. For Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, those feelings bubbled up after losing to the Oregon Ducks 32-31 at Autzen Stadium in early October.
While interviewing with ESPN before Ohio State’s semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns for the College Football Playoffs, the quarterback reflected on that feeling of loss.
“It’s been a rollercoaster. Some of the ups and downs that we did go through are why we’re sitting here today in the semifinals and probably playing our best ball right now,” Howard said. “There have been some tough moments. I’d say that Oregon loss early on in the season was rough.”
Oct 12, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) walks off the field after losing 32-31 to Oregon Ducks during the NCAA football game at Autzen Stadium. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Howard, who went 28-35 passing for 326 yards and two touchdowns, remembers what he did after that fateful quarterback keeper turned slide that sealed the fate of the Buckeyes during that regular season encounter with the Ducks.
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“Coming out of it I felt like I played a good game but it was really just the ending. I sat there and stewed over just how could I have done that differently. But when we got back here I think it was about six in the morning. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was kind of at a loss. I went into the indoor and I just laid there for about an hour – hour and a half. I was in a dark place. I just wanted another crack at them so bad. I just couldn’t stop thinking about the next chance I could get,” Howard said.
It wasn’t too long before Howard got his second chance with Oregon. After winning the Big Ten Championship, the No. 1 ranked Ducks were seeded for the Rose Bowl. With the Buckeyes easily beating Tennessee at home the previous week, Ohio State faced the Ducks once more.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) motions at the line of scrimmage during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“Before every game, I listen to two voicemails that my late grandmother sent me and I’ve been doing that every game for the last three years now,” Howard said. “I listened to the voicemail and it just brought this immense peace over me. This year for the playoffs it actually probably got me going even more. It really helped.”
Those voicemails helped Howard correct his headspace before facing Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Howard went 17-26 in passing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. The Buckeyes completely shut out Oregon in the first quarter, with the Ducks only responding at the end of the second quarter with a touchdown and two point conversion. Howard reflected on the point in the game where the Buckeyes were up 34-0 against the No. 1 team in the nation.
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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) holds a rose following the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. Ohio State won 41-21. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“Ecstatic. I mean, at that point it felt like it was almost not real. It was like ‘Man, are we really up on the No. 1 team in the country right now that we were in a dog fight with at their place?’” Howard said.
The Buckeyes won against Oregon 41-21, advancing to the Cotton Bowl Classic against the Texas Longhorns, where Howard and the Buckeyes are knocking on the door of a National Championship.
“You take a big National Championship ring and hoisting the trophy up. It takes a lot of the hardships and bad things that happened this year and kind of go out the window,” Howard said.
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