Herbert's Debut Hints At Potential As QB, Leader

EUGENE, Ore. — Justin Herbert doesn't have Marcus Mariota's top-end speed, and the Oregon freshman has a long, long way to go to craft a résumé anything like that of the Ducks' only Heisman Trophy winner.

But there are some similarities, undeniably. Similarities that speak to Herbert's physical talents, and his competitive drive, and his potential as a leader who can help the program bounce back from its present position.

Herbert is a tall, long-striding runner, and his stance behind center prior to the snap mirrors that of Mariota. Herbert is preternaturally mature, oozing composure on and off the field. In his first career start Saturday, he showed off a flair for improvisation that called to mind Mariota, and also a level of passion for the game that needs to become contagious in the UO locker room.

In Saturday's otherwise lackluster loss to Washington, Herbert provided the few Oregon highlights. For a program determined to turn things around in the coming weeks and months, the performance was a welcome hint of better days ahead. Herbert's numbers weren't gaudy — 21-of-34 for 179 yards and two scores, with an interception — but there were moments in between that provided a window into the future.

"He did everything I hoped he would," UO quarterbacks coach David Yost said. "There were definitely plays he could have done better on, but that's to be expected for any quarterback, let alone a true freshman starting his first game. He did some good things, really made some plays."

Several of those plays are worth reviewing. But first, a scene from postgame.

As the Ducks filed into their locker room after the loss, Herbert went immediately to his locker, sat down in front of it and buried his head in his hands. Yost and several teammates tapped his shoulder pads and offered quiet words of support, but Herbert couldn't be consoled.

The scene called to mind one from 2013, when Mariota, after a loss at Stanford, couldn't mask his emotions upon leaving the locker room and seeing his family. The guys who care the most, hurt the most.

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"He cares," said UO junior Taylor Alie, like Herbert a graduate of Eugene's Sheldon High. "That's the biggest thing. You can tell he's passionate, and he cares about this — and not just for himself. He could throw 18 touchdowns tonight, and if we lost he's still going to be bummed. That's something we all need to find in ourselves, and be more like him."

A few minutes later, Herbert faced the media for the first time as Oregon's starting quarterback. He was the model of composure, both in his demeanor and his answers.

Herbert acknowledged feeling "really nervous." He thanked senior Dakota Prukop for his support through the shuffling of the depth chart. And he reflected more on his disappointment at the outcome than any personal success he experienced.

"I wish that we could have kept the streak alive," Herbert said of Oregon's first loss to Washington in 13 games. "Because I know what that means to a lot of people here. It was not the way we wanted it to end, but we'll build on it."

If Herbert can build on the good things he did Saturday, there are definitely better things ahead.

His first career start began ignominiously, with a ball thrown just behind a receiver that was bobbled and then intercepted. Before Oregon's next possession, Herbert needed a towel to dry his hands, no doubt moist from anxiety.

The next couple possessions ended in overthrows, on deep balls to Charles Nelson and Darren Carrington II. It was around then, Herbert said, that things finally began to slow down for him. He provided proof of that early in the second quarter.

The Ducks were deep in their own territory, trailing 21-0. Herbert took a snap and rolled out to his left. A defender raced up to stop him, then bit on a pump-fake and jumped into the air. With the Husky in his face, Herbert coolly pulled the ball down, reached out and flipped an underhand pass to Pharaoh Brown. Oregon had a first down.

Later, Herbert would say that was the first time he'd ever tried such a pitch in a game. It was impossible not to be reminded of Mariota's flip to Royce Freeman against Michigan State in Autzen Stadium two years previous.

"He's got a good feel for moving around in the pocket and keeping the play alive," Brown said. "So I wasn't surprised. In practice, every time he scrambles he keep his eyes upfield. So all night I was just trying to get open when they put pressure on him."

Pressure him, they did. The Huskies' front seven accounted for three sacks and two official quarterback hurries. Those numbers don't illustrate the number of times Herbert had to react to pressure and keep a play alive.

Another occurred later in the second quarter, with the Ducks finally in the red zone. Herbert again peeled out to his left, then threw a dart back across the field to Tony Brooks-James in the middle of the end zone. The 18-yard pass was good for Herbert's first career touchdown throw.

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Nobody could have guessed it would go to that receiver, on that route. Brooks-James was running a clear-out route, as a decoy designed to attract coverage and free up other receivers. In practice earlier in the week, he asked Herbert what his odds were of catching a pass on the play. The response: zero.

Come Saturday night, that percentage went from zero to 100, real quick.

"I'm standing there doing jumping jacks, going, 'Come on, Herbie, see me,'" Brooks-James said. "And he threw it. Overall, I'm proud of the way he played. It sucks this had to be his first start, but other than that I'm proud. He handled himself well, he threw the ball well — I'm proud of him."

On that touchdown drive, Herbert was 5-of-5 passing for 41 yards and the TD. He led the Ducks to two more scores in the third quarter; the first was another touchdown pass, to Taj Griffin, who was "the fifth read, at the earliest, in the progression," Yost said. But Herbert had to react quickly under pressure by the UW defense, and checked all the way over to the back.

"He found a way to make a play," Yost said. "That's what he's done in practice. We've just got to do more for him, help him out more. Everybody can play better, he can play better, I can coach better. But he makes plays for you when you give him the opportunity."

After the game, UO coach Mark Helfrich was asked if Herbert remains atop the depth chart entering the Ducks' upcoming bye week. The answer is yes, with the understanding that every position is subject to competition in practice week to week.

Herbert's teammates saw enough Saturday to give them confidence in the future.

"For a freshman whose first start was tonight, I feel like he did an amazing job," Nelson said. "And I feel like he'll do an amazing job looking forward, to the rest of the season and next year."

At some point, Herbert will be able to look back on Saturday and appreciate the experience for what it was — a chance to expose himself to the nerves of being a first-time starter, and prove his ability to make plays against an elite college defense. After the game there was no consoling him, but it was a necessary first step, for a player and a program.

Hours earlier, Herbert had been one of the first few Ducks out onto the Autzen turf to begin loosening up. He slapped hands with running back Kani Benoit, threw his first couple warmup tosses to offensive lineman Valentino Daltoso, and chatted with receiver Connor Berggren.

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Berggren described their conversation as a "self-check" in which Herbert was "soaking up the moment" before his first start.

"He's always laser-focused when it comes to football," Berggren said. "It's an amazing trait he has. He's always able to find that balance: locked in, ready to go but not letting the pressure get to you."

Perhaps the pressure did get to Herbert a bit on his first throw. But by night's end, he'd done enough to prove that preseason camp buzz about his potential was deserved.

Herbert's debut wasn't anything like Mariota's, against Arkansas State in 2012; the opponent was tougher, the pressure higher, the outcome not nearly as enjoyable. That said, the freshman proved he's like the Heisman winner in more than just body type, but in playmaking potential as well.

And as a leader.

"That's not what we wanted out there," Herbert said. "That's not fun. Sure, we did some things well. But we're focused on getting better."