[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 777-778]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON FOOTBALL TEAM

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I wish to honor the University of 
Oregon's football team for its tremendous season. The Fighting Ducks of 
Oregon accumulated 13 wins with only 2 losses this year, which accounts 
for the most wins in team history. This season culminated with the 
Ducks winning their 11th Pac-12 Conference championship, playing in the 
first NCAA college football playoff, winning their third-ever Rose Bowl 
and reaching the National Championship game. It is truly a great year 
to be a Duck.
  Recognition should not only be given to this football team's success 
on the field but also to the hard work and effort demonstrated by 
players, coaches, and staff off the field. From volunteering at local 
afterschool programs to honoring our military, members of the Oregon 
Ducks football team have shown dedication and commitment to their 
school and their community.
  Special recognition should go to head coach Mark Helfrich--a native 
Oregonian--for leading this group of young men to success on and off 
the field. I am also proud to honor Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota 
for winning the University of Oregon's first Heisman Trophy. Marcus is 
the first athlete of Polynesian descent to win this award, which makes 
him the pride of his home State of Hawaii. His acceptance speech during 
the Heisman Trophy presentation was truly moving. I am proud to watch 
him represent the University with such class.
  The Oregon Ducks have seen tremendous success throughout this 2014 
season, scoring an average of 45.4 points per game, 90 total 
touchdowns, and amassing more than 3,000 total yards rushing. Marcus 
Mariota set a school record for single-season passing yards--more than 
4,400 yards in 15 games--and, following completion of the regular 
season, two members of the Oregon football team were honored as first-
team All-Americans by the Associated Press.
  It has been a remarkable season all around, and I look forward to 
more years watching Coach Helfrich encourage his players to win the 
day. Go Ducks!

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