Ducks In The NFL: Marcus Mariota Throws Four Touchdowns In Titans Opener

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Former Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota didn’t just have a good day in his first official Sunday in the National Football League, he had a great day. In the first half against Tampa Bay and first overall pick Jameis Winston, Mariota showed why he should have been the top pick and may have had the Buccaneers asking if they made the right choice in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes tying NFL Great Fran Tarkenton in his NFL Debut, but there was a slight catch, an asterick so to speak. The former Oregon QB did it in just one half of football. He also threw a fourth touchdown in the third quarter before he was pulled out of the game. He completed 81.3 percent of his passes in his first day on the job. His numbers, thirteen for sixteen for two-hundred nine yards and four touchdowns. He had one more score than he did incomplete passes on the day.

Of course, Oregon fans have seen this at Autzen Stadium on display for the last three seasons, but to have it translate so quickly at the next level is something special to see. According to Yahoo! Sports, Maritoa is just the third Rookie Quarterback to have a 158.3 passer rating joining Robert Griffin III and Drew Bledsoe. Not bad company to be in.

Jameis Winston did not have a good first day at the office throwing an interception on his first play of the game. He threw two against the Titans on Sunday in the loss. Both players will clearly have comparisons as they continue on in their NFL Careers. Winston has lost two games since high school. Both have come to Marcus Mariota. The first in the Rose Bowl last season, the second on Sunday in a blowout loss.

Mariota and the Tennessee Titans visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday for a 10am Pacific Time kickoff.

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