By Ken Goe

Perhaps nothing better encapsulates the hash Gary Andersen made of his tenure as Oregon State's football coach than the way the Beavers mishandled quarterback Marcus McMaryion.

Andersen inherited McMaryion from the Mike Riley regime when he took over as coach in 2015.

For whatever reason, McMaryion never was viewed as quite good enough. The Beavers brought in freshman Seth Collins to start as a dual-threat quarterback in 2015.

They went with Utah State transfer Darell Garretson in 2016, only playing McMaryion after Garretson and backup Conor Blount were hurt and there wasn't another option.

McMarion led the Beavers to season-ending victories over Arizona and Oregon. But he lost the starting job to pocket-passing transfer Jake Luton early in fall camp. This was after Luton battled an illness and was sidelined during spring practice.

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McMaryion then transferred to Fresno State. On Sunday in the Hawaii Bowl, McMaryion threw for 342 yards to lead the Bulldogs over Houston. He was named Fresno State player of the game.

While the Beavers staggered to an 1-11 season in which Andersen quit midway thorugh, McMaryion and FSU went 10-4.

Oregon State rarely will be able to outrecruit the top-end Pac-12 programs. That puts a premium on being able to evaluate and develop players with potential other schools pass over.

The Beavers can't afford to throw away players who can contribute, as Andersen did with McMaryion and others.

OK, more links:

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McMaryion caps his season by guiding Fresno State to victory in the Hawaii Bowl.

College football's early signing period is over, and here is how the Beavers and Ducks fared.

The Merc's Jon Wilner takes a deeper look at Oregon's NCAA issues, Washington State's inability to hang onto key assistants and Washington's grand slam of a recruiting class.

Washington coach Chris Petersen has a long history with the Fiesta Bowl.

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The Huskies are on the ground in Phoenix to prepare for the Fiesta Bowl.

Kurt Kragthorope of the Salt Lake Tribune: if the Utah offense really is better, let's see it.

Brad Rock of the Deseret News: Utah can't afford to lose today.

Running back Zack Moss has become a big part of Utah's offensive identity.

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Utah's defense will have to stop the West Virginia offense for the Utes to have a chance in today's Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Depleted West Virginia offense remains potent.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is concerned about West Virginia's talented receivers.

Washington State nickelbacks Hunter Dale and Kirkland Parker share a bond, a position and a friendship.

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Unpredictable Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke will lead the Spartans against WSU in the Holiday Bowl.

What to expect from UCLA against Kansas State today in the Cactus Bowl? Who knows?

If doctors say he can play in the Cactus Bowl, UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen says he will.

One report indicates Rosen won't play.

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How will the Rosen era be remembered at UCLA?

UCLA receiver Jordan Lasley hopes to stay hot, no matter who plays quarterback.

Jacob Tuioti-Mariner leads the Bruins' young defensive line.

How the Bruins match up with Kansas State.

The Cactus Bowl matches teams with opposite styles of play.

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Bruce Feldman of SI.com: Connection with USC coach Clay Helton has been a lifeline for a cancer-stricken USC fan.

Special teams standout Matt Lopes has been part of the USC family since before he was born.

USC quarterback Sam Darnold's career comes full circle.

USC has provided receiver Steven Mitchell with an education -- in more ways than one.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News: The Trojans' bowl game isn't in Pasadena, but at least Ohio State is a traditional postseason opponent.

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Stanford star Bryce Love is the latest star running back mentored by assistant Ron Gould.

Stanford tight end Kaden Smith enters the Alamo Bowl on a roll.

The Cardinal has ridden a roller coaster season to San Antonio.

The Sun Bowl will provide Todd Graham one last opportunity to coach Arizona State.

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Graham reflects on his six seasons with the Sun Devils.

The Daily Star's Greg Hansen: Foster Farms Bowl opponents Arizona and Purdue share lots of similarities, but big aspirations aren't among them.

Arizona quarterbacks coach Rod Smith is thankful for the Christmas miracle that saved his father's life.

The Wildcats need to win the Foster Farms Bowl to validate their turnaround season.

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Arizona QB Donovan Tate leaves the program.

Dismissed Colorado linebacker N.J. Falo hopes to return in 2018.

Promoted to co-offensive coordinator, CU offensive line coach Klayton Adams says the Buffaloes' improvement needs to start up front.

Portland State AD Valerie Cleary talks about football coach Bruce Barnum. PSU's place in the community and more in this wide-ranging Q-and-A with the Portland Tribune.

The links from Duck Sports Now.

The links from Beaver Sports Now.

-- Ken Goe

kgoe@oregonian.com | @KenGoe