[i]Editor's note: Over the course of the week, Duck Territory will be taking a position-by-position look at the 2013 football season and grading out both individual (when warranted) and group performance.

This is what I'm assuming your emotions are right now.

Quarterbacks:

Season statistics:

Marcus Mariota: 227/360, 3412 yards, 30 TDs, 4 INTs. 81 carries, 582 yards, 9 TDs.

Jeff Lockie: 8/13, 57 yards, 1 INT. 4 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD

Jake Rodrigues: 3/6, 67 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. 4 carries, 38 yards.

For most of the 2013 season, sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota was on track for one of the best passing performances in Pac-12 conference history and a Heisman Trophy favorite.

Through the first eight games of the season, Mariota threw 20 touchdowns without a single interception. His efficiency and progressions were off the charts, and it seemed like Oregon and Alabama were on a collision course for the national title game.

Then, a minor version of the 2007 unfolded. Mariota hurt his left knee – whether it was during the Washington or UCLA game is still unclear – and was nearly a liability during the loss at Stanford. His knee improved week in and week out, but he was still inconsistent as a passer, especially against Arizona.

Even with a gimpy knee, Mariota's physical abilities still stood out throughout 2013. His footwork was much improved from his freshman campaign, and his ability to throw longer passes with velocity was markedly better.

Interestingly enough, one aspect of Mariota's game that seemed to run and hide this year was his improvisation outside the pocket. Sure, he made throws on the run and wheeled off for big gains, but we didn't see as much of the pump-and-run or fake pitch option runs.

To wit: Mariota carried the ball 81 times this season. He toted the rock 98 times last season. Taking into consideration his knee injury, it's still a notable drop off.

--- This is where I wrote three paragraphs about Mariota's place in Oregon history and how things might look if he left. Obviously a moot point now. Carry on. ---

Even though Mariota's production dropped off over the last month of the season, he still finished with one of the best regular seasons in Oregon history. Going into the Ducks' bowl game, Mariota is 280 all-purpose yards from the Pac-12 record and three touchdowns from the conference touchdown mark.

Now that he's announced his return for the 2014 season, Mariota will have the opportunity to set Oregon, Pac-12, and perhaps a national record or two before he's done in Eugene.

More important in the short term is that Jeff Lockie and Jake Rodrigues will get another year of seasoning, along with true freshman Morgan Mahalak. No offense to either redshirt-sophomore-to-be, but neither is Marcus Mariota.

During their limited time in 2013, Lockie showed himself to be more consistent with his decision making, and Rodrigues the more potent athletic ability. Both have major strides to make if they're to be quality Pac-12 quarterbacks.

Grade: A