There is something built into the core of Marcus Mariota that goes beyond teaching, coaching and DNA.

Just days after giving the University of Oregon his word, accepting the Ducks' football scholarship offer, the Saint Louis quarterback worked under a blistering noon-time sun at Aloha Stadium. Mariota stunned watchers, including new Saint Louis coach Darnell Arceneaux, by running a 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds.

Mariota was one of 262 players at the combine, which is run by the nonprofit Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance. Arceneaux has been the point man of the event for all of its 10 years, the right-hand man of PIAA executive director Doris Sullivan. His stopwatch was one of three that recorded every 40-yard sprint yesterday.

He wasn't the only speedy Crusader. Kalei Contrades ran a 4.38, according to Mariota, and sophomore Jeremy Tabuyo had a 4.34. Teaming with returning receivers Duke Bukoski and Josh Tupua, Saint Louis may have a formidable corps of pass catchers this fall.

Mariota, a backup quarterback last season, ran a 4.52 at last year's combine. Yesterday, the senior recorded times of 4.32, 4.34 and 4.44 on three different stopwatches in his first sprint. His second try yielded times of 4.40, 4.44 and 4.50, still quite robust for a signal-caller. It's his success within the flex option offense, as former coach Delbert Tengan called it, that made the 6-foot-3, 190-pound speedster highly coveted by the Ducks.

It was Tengan who spurred Mariota to get in touch with the UO staff two years ago. Mariota had already impressed his teammates as a sophomore with his big arm. Back then, former Crusaders receiver Billy Stutzmann pointed to Mariota as the most talented deep passer, noting that the youngster just needed to build confidence.

The combine showcased the work ethic and raw ability of returning all-state caliber players and newcomers alike. It certainly isn't a litmus test; receiver Shaydon Kehano posted better-than-average times and numbers at last year's combine, but went on to amass huge statistics against some of the state's best teams as Castle's go-to weapon.

Mariota, who measured at 6-foot-35/8, to be exact, had little reason to push hard through offseason training. With the Oregon scholarship in hand—he also had an offer from Memphis—he could ease up.

“;I've been working with Dave Crozier, our SPARQ coach,”; Mariota said. “;He helps us with everything for the combine. I improved my start, getting more of a burst, having a better stance.”;

Mariota did it by pulling sleds—not the normal regimen for quarterbacks who can throw a football 70 yards. With Arceneaux as his new coach at Saint Louis, the planets are aligning. Arceneaux teaches his version of the flex option, as well.

Last year's Crusaders used a pure run-and-shoot with Jeremy Higgins at quarterback, then brought Mariota in for zone-option (flex) plays.

“;We're keeping some of our routes, but there are some differences,”; he said.