By Brian Price

Stanford's Owen Marecic was recently honored as an NFF National Scholar-Athlete at the 53rd NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.

A Human Biology with a 3.47 GPA, he claimed an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship based on his stellar play on the field, commitment to education and community, and excellence in all disciplines.

Marecic is the nation's only starter on both offense (as fullback) and defense (as middle linebacker). Both systems are considered pro-style, and Marecic is often seen on campus with a playbook under each arm and book bag on his back.

He's student-athlete who cracks helmets and books with equal skill. But that's not all: He has character.

"Players like him are rare," said NFF Chairman and Hall of Famer, Archie Manning. "He's definitely a throwback player starting on both sides of the ball, but his humble nature is really refreshing. He's had a great upbringing, he has a great heart and he's a very impressive young man. My hat is off to him"

Marecic is uncomfortable with individual accolades. Stanford head coach, Jim Harbaugh, has said that the heart of his offense runs through the fullback and that heart of his defense runs through the middle linebacker. Since Marecic starts at both positions one could say he is the heart of Cardinal football.
Marecic disagrees.

"I'm not comfortable with that title. It's about the team. This Stanford team is full of captains and leaders like [Quarterback] Andrew [Luck], [Wide Receiver] Ryan Whalen, [Nose Tackle] and Simon Fua. I'm not the guy by any means."

On September 25th, 2009 Marecic scored two touchdowns in a win over Notre Dame, one on offense and then one on defense, within seconds of one another. Such a feat has not been accomplished since 2006.

His offensive touchdown came on a short and goal when Harbaugh called on his fullback to punch it in. Marecic sees it differently: "Stephan Taylor had been doing all the work on offense, but I just finished the last inch of the drive. I wouldn't have had that opportunity had it not been for Stephan."

Well surely some credit is due to Marecic's defensive play when he perfectly jumped his man's rout for a pick-six. Nope.

"[Defensive end] Matt Masifilo got a great jump on the quarterback and [forced the bad pass]. And I was just lucky to reap the benefit. Yes, I scored the touchdowns, but I had it the easiest job in both instances."

Credit aside, is this accomplishment a career highlight for Marecic?

"Not really," he says. "I mean it was cool, but every time I'm on the field with my teammates it's a career highlight. We just had a Saturday practice and since that was the most recent time we were all together, that's my fondest memory. We've been fortunate to have a great year and every win comes with great memories."

The Cardinal are eagerly preparing for an Orange Bowl match-up on January 3 against ACC champions Virginia Tech. Many have pointed to the dangers that could come with playing nearly every snap at positions that see the most contact.

Undoubtedly it takes a tough player to do what Marecic does and much of his approach is dictated by a personal philosophy that impressed his head coach.

Marecic's toughness was showcased throughout 2009 cracking three helmets in collisions with various players. Harbaugh wanted one of them for his office as a reminder of what toughness is and asked Marecic to inscribe it.

"How do you sign something like that?" Marecic chuckled. "So I remembered a saying from my high school days that I thought was applicable. 'Today give it all that you have, for what you keep inside you lose forever' I thought he'd like that quote and appreciate seeing in his office everyday."

Marecic's mindset has helped Stanford compile its best record in the Harbaugh era. Coach Harbaugh inherited a 1-11 team. He has since led the Cardinal to 4-8, 5-7, 8-5 and, this season, 10-1.

Rivals appreciate Marecic's contribution to the game: "He's a special young man and must be extremely intelligent to master both sides of the ball on the Division-1 level," says Arizona Head Coach Mike Stoops. "He should be an All-Pac-10 player at either position he plays and I voted for him in both instances. He's perceived around the conference as a true leader."

2009 Heisman runner-up and former Stanford running back, Toby Gerhart agrees: "We'd all do legs in the morning, and Owen was always there. Then some of us would go back in the afternoon to do the 'pretty muscles' the pecs and whatnot and Owen was there again doing more squats and more sets on the leg press. I was the guy he was clearing lanes for, and I couldn't have been more grateful. He's a perfect teammate."

As a senior, Gerhart helped lead Stanford to their first bowl game since 2001, resulting in a loss to Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl.

Marecic is poised to end his collegiate career with a win, and he knows that the Cardinal are in prime position to get their first bowl victory since 1996.

A defensive switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 has made the Cardinal even more effective. In 2009, they gave up an average of 26.5 points to opponents. This season that average is down to 17.8 (11th in the nation). The Cardinal are also scoring more, accumulating an average of 40.3 points per game (8th in the nation) as opposed to last year's 35.5 ppg.

Marecic is quick to credit the coaching staff: Especially new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who had previously spent 24 years in the NFL: "He's a genius. He's patient and knows how to clearly convey what he wants from us. I wouldn't be able to learn two different playbooks without coaches like Coach Fangio."

Indeed, the evening was in large part devoted to praising Marecic, along with the 15 other stellar nominees (including Cal's Mike Mohamed). Marecic may be humble, but he deserves credit as an inspiration to future generations of student-athletes.

By the way, that long ponytail he wears?

"I like to grow it out so I can cut it every couple of months and donate it to Locks of Love."