Quote:The news that Mariota was even dealing with an injury to his MCL, reported by Eugene sports anchor Collin Harmon, didn't break until shortly before kickoff of the highly anticipated tilt between the Ducks and Cardinal.



Mariota acknowledged the injury after the game, but refused to discuss its exact nature."It is what it is," Mariota said. "It's a little banged up, but it's nothing too extraordinary. We're going to take it and get healthy, and I'll be ready for next week."


Mariota had to be helped off the field in the third quarter at the end of a scramble where he lost a fumble, struggling to stand on the same left knee.


Mariota returned to the game and threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns as UO cut its deficit to 26-20, but was unable to recover an onside kick and Stanford ran out the clock.


Mariota finished 20-of-34 passing for 250 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, but was also sacked three times and finished with minus-16 rushing yards. Outside of an eight-yard scramble to convert a fourth down, Mariota's trademark explosiveness was nonexistent, playing into the hands of an attacking Stanford defense.

<a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000278234/article/oregon-ducks-qb-marcus-mariota-downplays-knee-injury'>http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000278234/article/oregon-ducks-qb-marcus-mariota-downplays-knee-injury</a>


At least he's man enough not to use the injury as an excuse but it was obvious it was bothering him.

---