Oregon QB Marcus Mariota received speeding ticket during bye

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota received a speeding ticket during the Ducks' bye last week.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota received a speeding ticket during the Ducks' bye last week, Andrew Greif of OregonLive.com reported Wednesday.

Mariota was ticketed at 12:46 a.m. local time on Nov. 12 for driving 80 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone. He was driving eastbound in a Nissan on Highway 126 near Veneta, Ore., approximately 20 minutes west of campus in Eugene.

"Mr. Mariota was polite and respectful, he was professional and took the citation appropriately and acted appropriately," state police Lt. Josh Brooks said. "Everybody gets tickets and 80 in a 55 is a tad fast. We send you on your way, it's just that."

Brooks added that the responding officer found no evidence of any other violations. Mariota faces a possible fine of $260 and a Dec. 11 date in Lane County Circuit Court, though he has the option of paying the fine up front, fighting the ticket in court or writing a letter asking for an investigation.

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Dec. 11 is also the date of the Home Depot College Football Awards show in Orlando, Fla., where Mariota could win several awards for his play this season. The junior quarterback has thrown for 2,780 yards, 29 touchdowns and two interceptions while leading the No. 2 Ducks to a 9-1 record.

Oregon hosts Colorado on Saturday.

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- Mike Fiammetta