Mariota Loses Knee Brace as Oregon Practice Ramps Up for Alamo Bowl, Several Off Field Questions Remain

Nov 29, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich and quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) talk before the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Matthew Knight Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Topics surrounding the Oregon Football program and players are beginning to pick up this week as the Ducks take on Texas in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Monday night in San Antonio. The big ‘practice’ news of Thursday was that Oregon Sophomore Quarterback Marcus Mariota went through a full practice without a brace on his injured knee that hampered his production through the toughest stretch of the 2013 season for the Ducks.

You can view photos from the first Official practice via the U of O website here, Video also available.

The Oregon Defense who started the season strong seemed to have some issues that last few weeks of the regular season and with the Texas Longhorns ground game being strong, Defensive Coordinator Nick Allioti has likely been watching plenty of tape to get the Ducks D ready for the game next week. There are two big question marks outside the actual game that still need to be answered as well.

De’Anthony Thomas and Ifo Ekpre Olomu have yet to let anyone know what their intentions are concerning next season. Will they stay with Oregon for another season, or leave for the NFL. Both players have until January 15th and the ticking clock is getting louder.

The Ducks and Longhorns kickoff the Valero Alamo Bowl on Monday, December 30th at 3:45p PT on ESPN.