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As the Heisman hype increases, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) would rather talk about his teammates, like Byron Marshall (9) and Bralon Addison (11), than himself.

(Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian)

EUGENE -- The Heisman hype reached Eugene on Monday, bringing with it attention and questions that Marcus Mariota would rather not deal with, so the Oregon quarterback did what he always does when the going gets tough: He leaned on his teammates.

If he wasn’t talking about the team-first culture of the Oregon program, he was talking about how well his coaches prepare him every week. And if he wasn’t talking about how well his receivers get open, he was talking about how well running back Byron Marshall has blocked on pass plays.

Yes, after a weekend performance at Washington that put him squarely atop the race for college football’s most prestigious award, Mariota was just as he has always been: Poised, polite and ... well, perfect.

“I hear him answer questions,’’ Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost said. “And most people when they have to answer tough questions about themselves they are programmed to say things about the team, and not themselves. Marcus’ stuff is genuine. He doesn’t have to come up with clichés. It’s the way he is honestly thinking. And we all love him for the type of person he is.’’

Mariota has long been on the national radar as an outstanding talent; last year, he was named the Pac-12’s top quarterback, the first time in 23 years a freshman won that honor.

But after throwing for 366 yards and accounting for four touchdowns last week in a

at No. 16 Washington, he was at the epicenter of a national shift in Heisman attention. Many of the national writers who cover college football were on hand to witness his surgical Saturday, and all of their keyboards produced a similar muse: Mariota is now among the Heisman Trophy favorites, if not

the

favorite.

“ ... (Oregon) may well have the best player in the country.’’

“Marcus Mariota may have thrust himself to the top of the Heisman race.”

“This could be their year. The first Heisman Trophy in school history for (Mariota). And the first national title in school history for the team. There is a ton of football still to be played, but both those dreams seem attainable right now.’’

On Monday, Mariota had his weekly meeting with the local media. He was peppered with questions about the Heisman attention -- How is he handling it? Does he noticed it? -- before he was handed a phone to do

to be broadcast nationally. Then it was another interview with a Portland radio station.

He was teased that he might be getting a big head with all the attention. He laughed.

“My mom would quickly deflate that,’’ Mariota said.

If his head was getting bigger, it was because he was stuffing more information, more perspective between his ears. Mariota on Monday said his performance against Washington could have been better. Keep in mind, he threw seven incompletions in 31 attempts -- three of those were dropped by receivers -- and he averaged 6.8 yards during his 13 rushes.

He said on a couple of his runs he should have given the ball to the running back. And there on a couple of handoffs he should have kept it himself.

“And I had a couple of bad throws,’’ Mariota said. “There’s always something you can improve upon. That’s what I love about the game: You can always get better.’’

That’s a scary proposition for opponents, considering Mariota this season has accounted for 25 touchdowns (18 passing, seven rushing) but has yet to turn the ball over. Head coach Mark Helfrich says Mariota’s decision making, timing and accuracy are “unique, special.”

So, too, is Mariota and his reaction to the arrival of this increase in attention. He says he is aware of it, but he chooses not to pay attention to it. And the outside influences like social media and television? He does not have a Facebook or Twitter account. And he seldom watches ESPN or football games, let alone television.

“Every now and then,’’ Mariota said. “But I’ve been pretty busy with school.’’

If the hype remains, and it doesn’t figure to leave any time soon, Mariota appears determined to dissect it just like opposing defenses. There will be no me with Mariota. Only we.

“It’s a team culture here, and people are starting to recognize that,’’ Mariota said. “And it’s pretty cool to see.’’

-- Jason Quick