Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota talks during a news conference prior to the announcement of the Heisman Trophy winner, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Heisman Trophy finalists Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, left, Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, center, and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota pose with the trophy during a news conference prior to the announcement of the winner, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Heisman Trophy is displayed prior to the announcement of the winner, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, in New York. The trophy will be awarded to one of the three finalists who are Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Heisman Trophy is displayed prior to the announcement of the winner, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, in New York. The trophy will be awarded to one of the three finalists who are Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
NEW YORK — Marcus Mariota has won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Oregon player to earn college football’s top individual honor.
A pinpoint passer with wide-receiver speed, Mariota came into his junior the season as the favorite to win the Heisman and delivered a performance that turned the presentation ceremony into a foregone conclusion.
The first Hawaii native to win the Heisman has accounted for a Pac-12-record 53 touchdowns (38 passing, 14 rushing and one receiving) while directing the Ducks’ warp-speed spread offense, and leading Oregon to a spot in the first College Football Playoff.
It will be a matchup of Heisman-winning quarterbacks in the Rose Bowl semifinal Jan. 1 with Mariota and the second-seeded Ducks facing Florida State and Jameis Winston.
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Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrusoAP
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