2013 Pac-12 Media Day Preview: Oregon Ducks

Mark Helfrich, 1st Year (0-0, 0-0 Career)

The first-time head coach and Oregon native was named the Duck’s 32nd head football coach after serving under Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2009-13, Oregon’s most succesful period in school history...Has accumulated seven seasons as an offensive coordinator, holding the position at Colorado from 2006-08 and one year in Vienna, Austria in 1997....15 years experience as quarterbacks coach with stints at Oregon, Colorado, Arizona State (2001-05) and Boise State (1998-2000)...Began coaching career as a grad assistant in Eugene in 1997. 

Marcus Mariota, QB, 6-4, 211, RS SO

Established a Pac-12 freshman record with 32 TD passes in 2012, and his 38 total touchdowns represent an Oregon single-season record…Completed 230 of 336 passes for 2,677 yards while compiling a league-high 163.2 passing efficiency rating en route to garnering Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year accolades…His 68.5 completion percentage also led the Conference…Added 752 yards and five touchdowns on the ground and ranked fifth in the Conference in total offense (second among freshmen) with 263.8 total yards per game…Threw 5.33 touchdown passes per interception in 2012 and tossed for a school-record-tying six touchdowns against California.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, 5-10, 190, JR

Recorded 63 tackles (44 solo), six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a team-leading 16 pass breakups in 13 games as a sophomore in 2012…Ranked second in the team with four interceptions (54 yards), two of which came against Arizona…Scored his first career touchdown on an interception return in the fourth quarter against the Wildcats…Appeared in all 14 games for the Ducks as a true freshman in 2011, collecting 34 tackles and breaking up eight passes…Also contributed on special teams, returning a pair of punts for 15 yards.