Oregon Spring Game 2014: Date, Start Time, TV Info and More

With a legit Heisman Trophy candidate and a good deal of returning talent, hopes are again high for the Oregon Ducks in 2014.

Junior Marcus Mariota will enter the season as one of the most hyped players in the country. In his third year running the Ducks' offense, Mariota will try to improve upon his stellar 31-touchdown, four-interception campaign in 2013.

The Oregon spring game will give most fans their first extended look at Mariota this season. Perhaps more importantly, Ducks Nation will get to gauge the readiness of Mariota's supporting cast.

Here's how you can watch the action:

When: Saturday, May 3 at 2 p.m. ET

Where: Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon

TV: Pac-12 Network

Uniforms

The Ducks' bold uniform choices have taken college football by storm over the last decade. For the spring game, the program is going a little more understated.

A military theme is the choice, per Andrew Greif of OregonLive.com. He writes: 

"The Ducks are honoring veterans and other military personnel by doing so, and will donate their jerseys afterward to about 100 men and women who comprise every branch of the military."

Take a look at the cleats that the Ducks will sport, per Best Gear and Paul Lukas of UniWatch:

Players to Watch

Marcus Mariota

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

He's not battling for a spot, and he doesn't have much to prove to the coaching staff, but Mariota's November 2013 didn't go the way he and his teammates would have liked.

After rolling into the month undefeated, the Ducks dropped games to Stanford and Arizona. Things ended on a high note with a win over Texas in the Alamo Bowl, but most would agree there could have been much more to celebrate.

As the leader of the team, Mariota is undoubtedly approaching this season with a renewed purpose. The spring game is just one of the first steps he and the team hope to take toward maximizing their potential in 2014.

Taylor Alie

USA TODAY Sports

So we know Mariota is the man under center, but this is football and injuries can be a factor. What happens if Mariota were to go down?

Chances are, sophomore Taylor Alie would be first in line to take over in Mariota's sted. Per offensive coordinator Scott Frost, who spoke with the Register-Guard's Ryan Thorburn, Alie has shined in practices.

Frost said:

"

Taylor has done an unbelievable job this spring. To the point where he’s up in the competition with some other guys as kind of a pecking order in the quarterback room. The thing he does a great job of is he doesn’t get rattled. He just goes through his reads, does everything he’s supposed to do, is real efficient, but he can make throws and make plays, too.

"

It sounds as if Alie has earned the respect of his coaches and peers. That's genuinely a good look for a backup quarterback.

At the spring practice, he will get his opportunities to impress the fans as well.

Jalen Brown

The injury to Bralon Addison is a bummer for Oregon, but it will provide an opportunity for freshman wideout Jalen Brown to shine.

Bleacher Report's Kyle Kensing talks about the possibilities. He wrote:

"

The spring game, with its promised live-action feel, is the closest Brown will be to collegiate competition in his very young Oregon career. Thus, the scrimmage should serve as an early barometer for his readiness to contribute to the receiving corps.

"

The spring game did wonders for Addison last year. Per Hayden Kim of The Daily Emerald, Addison exploded for eight catches, 136 yards and a score in the 2013 game.

During the regular season, Addison had 61 catches for 890 yards and seven touchdowns. The Ducks would love to see Brown take a similar path.