Former Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota was named the Starter for the Tennessee Titans before the preseason began and he had his share of growing pains entering his first season in the National Football League. Regardless of his performance, all eyes of of the Eugene community cheer for their former Quarterback. In his first game, after a rough start in Atlanta he finished the game with a respectable ninety-four yards through the air. In game two last week against St Louis, Mariota showed off his feet running to the left and throwing a thirty-five yard completion down field. Week three saw Mariota and the Tennessee Titans visiting Kansas City and there was one thing clear from the start. The Chiefs came to play and the Kansas City Defense had Mariota on their minds.
Just before halftime, on a third down play Kasas City Linebacker Justin Houston sacked the former Oregon Quarterback for an eight yard loss then appeared to do some trash talking as he stood over Mariota. According to the Tennessean, no words were exchanged from Marcus, but the frustration was clear as the young quarterback was working on a touchdown drive.
"I just get frustrated taking a sack in that type of situation. He made a good play. We talked about it, and he was really just saying that a former teammate of mine just wanted to say ‘Hello.’ It was nothing more than that.Marcus Mariota to The Tennessean following the sack by Justin Houston(to the Tennessean)"
Despite the sack, Mariota had the best passer rating on the night at 92.6. He threw for just under ninety-nine yards completing seven passes on eleven attempts in the loss to the Chiefs 34-10. Tennessee wraps up the Preseason schedule next Thursday night hosting the Minnesota Vikings before starting the regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.