There are only nine days until the 2013 Alamo Bowl where the Oregon Ducks will face the Texas Longhorns. Every day we’ll post a meaningful photo from the year to recap the eventful season and get fans prepped for Oregon’s matchup in the Lone Star State. Be sure to check out the rest of the Emerald’s football coverage leading up to the game.

In his second season as starting quarterback for the Ducks, sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota has led his team to a 10-2 season while racking up a combined 3,994 yards en route to 30 touchdowns through the air and on the ground. Having spent much of the season as Heisman Trophy frontrunner before Oregon’s losses to Stanford and Arizona, Mariota’s recent decision to forgo a shot at the NFL Draft and stay at Oregon another year surprised many in the Eugene community. The Honolulu native will be expected to lead his team against a stout defensive line in the Longhorns and all eyes will be on the QB’s left knee, still recovering from an MCL injury sustained during the second half of the UCLA game on Oct. 26. Will Mariota rebound from an unusually close game against the Oregon State Beavers and show his old form against Texas?

Oregon sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes downfield during the fourth quarter. The No. 13 Oregon Ducks play the Oregon St. Beavers at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Nov. 29, 2013. (Ryan Kang/Emerald)