Herbert back in the Lineup for Ducks, Beavers Fall Again

It shouldn’t be any surprise that with the return of their starting quarterback in the lineup came the return of the high-powered offense of the University of Oregon Ducks.

After missing the last five games due to a fractured collarbone sustained on the first day of October, sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert’s return helped jump start the Oregon offense, and forced their University of Arizona opponent to give more focus to the Ducks passing game. That allowed the Ducks to run the ball right down the Wildcats’ throats on Saturday, amassing 353 yards rushing on 50 carries, as part of Oregon’s 48-28 win.

Senior running back Royce James and junior running back Tony Brooks-James combined to have 38 carries for 159 yards between the two of them. While James recorded his fifth-straight game with more than 120 yards rushing, he had previously been held out of the end zone in any game since the last weekend of September. However, he emphatically broke that drought, scoring four touchdowns against Arizona.

Meanwhile, Herbert went 14 of 21 for 235 yards passing, along with one touchdown and one interception in his return. But he made his presence felt early, scrambling for a 40-yard touchdown run on Oregon’s second possession of the day, tying the game at seven apiece. He followed that up in the second quarter with a 39-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Jacob Breeland just past midway through the second quarter. Between that, and Freeman’s two touchdowns in the first half and then two more in the second half, that was more than enough scoring to pull out the win.

The win against Arizona gave Oregon their sixth victory this year, and given their high-octane offense – especially with Herbert back under center – they’ll surely be in the mix for a postseason bowl appearance, especially having qualified with their sixth win this year. The only game left on the Ducks schedule is Oregon State University, in the annual “Civil War” game.

The Oregon State Beavers won’t be entering the Civil War with any such momentum as their in-state rivals will be enjoying.

With just under six minutes left in the third quarter of their game against Arizona State University last Saturday, the Beavers found themselves in a 33-7 hole against the Sun Devils. Oregon State had been held to only 115 yards of offense in the first half, throwing an interception and spotting Arizona State two extra points via a Safety, when quarterback Darrell Garrettson was sacked in the end zone, after Oregon State started a drive on their own four-yard line.

Trailing 40-10 early in the 4th quarter, the Beavers did mount something of a comeback, cutting Arizona State’s lead to 40-24. But it was too little, too late, as Oregon State’s comeback efforts fell short when a 1st and goal scramble by Garrettson — resulted in a fumble that the Sun Devils recovered. Had Garrettson scored, that would’ve put Oregon State in position to cut Arizona State’s lead to only eight points – ie, a one score game. But, sadly, that’s not how it went.

Interim head coach Todd Graham could salvage Oregon State’s 2017 season, in which they’re currently winless in the Pac-12 conference, with a major upset win against their in-state rivals next weekend.

The game will be played in Eugene, with kickoff set for 7:00pm.