Oregon QB Marcus Mariota Headlines Maxwell Award Finalists

Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota were selected as the finalists for the Maxwell Award, which is an indicator for who wins the Heisman.

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For years, the Maxwell Award has been in an indication as to who is the favorite for the Heisman Trophy, which means Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota stand a good chance to taking home the stiff-arm next month.

The trio were selected as the finalists for the Maxwell Award, which is judged by sportscasters, sportswriters, head coaches and members of the Maxwell Football Club. Prescott and Mariota still have opportunities to lead their teams to the College Football Playoff, while Gordon will continue his bid to rewrite the Big Ten record book.

Gordon leads the nation in both rushing (191.7 yards per game) and scoring (27 touchdowns). He is tied for the Big Ten single-season rushing record and became the fastest to reach 2,000 yards, achieving the mark in just 241 carries.

Prescott has thrown 23 touchdown passes and rushed for 12 while totaling more than 3,600 yards from scrimmage. He helped lead the Bulldogs to a number one ranking they held for a month. Prescott is the first player in Mississippi State history to be named a Maxwell finalist.

Considered the front-runner for the Heisman, Mariota has completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,1o3 yards and 32 touchdowns while also rushing for 597 yards and nine scores. He has thrown just two interceptions in 309 attempts.

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