Football Practice Report: Oct. 29

Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads

Not since "Captain Comeback" was roaming the sidelines has the Oregon football team seen the kind of clutch performances Justin Herbert put together the past two weeks.

First at Washington two weeks ago, then this past Saturday against Washington State, Herbert directed game-winning scoring drives to keep the Ducks unbeaten in Pac-12 play. The last time Oregon trailed in the fourth quarter of consecutive games only to have its quarterback direct game-winning drives was 1999; that season, sophomore Joey Harrington came off the bench to lead the Ducks back from a late deficit at Arizona, then threw a game-winning touchdown with 9 seconds left to beat Arizona State.

A native of Eugene, Herbert grew up cheering for the Ducks. But he was only 1-year old when Harrington was putting together the back-to-back clutch performances that sowed his reputation as a fourth-quarter magician.

Harrington was known for his fiery sideline demeanor when the game was on the line. Herbert is more understated, but no less effective.

"I think it's his demeanor that commands so much respect," senior offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton said. "We can see that he's always calm, he's always cool and collected. And you see how he prepares throughout the course of the week, so we know he's going to be ready when it comes down to it."

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By closing October with back-to-back late comebacks, Herbert called to mind not only Harrington's dramatics in 1999, but those of Danny O'Neil in 1994. On the penultimate Saturday of October that year, O'Neil led a go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter against UW — a lead that held up thanks to Kenny Wheaton and "The Pick." A week later, O'Neil threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Josh Wilcox in the fourth quarter, the 25th anniversary of which was Tuesday.

O'Neil's late TD drive against UW was the first go-ahead, fourth-quarter touchdown drive of his career; Herbert didn't wait nearly as long, directing one to beat Utah when he was a true freshman in 2016. But his leadership the past two weeks, UO offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said Tuesday, was the sort of thing Herbert wanted to develop when he chose to stay at Oregon for his senior season.

"That's what you want to see," Arroyo said. "Why would a guy come back and play an extra year? That's a perfect example. The maturity at the position, the poise at that position in the situations he's been in the last two weeks, are proven factors of why you would say, where are the advancements you could make if you come back? That's a perfect example."

In the two late-October comebacks in 1994, O'Neil was 8-of-12 passing for 102 yards and a touchdown on the go-ahead scoring drives. In leading the Ducks past Arizona and ASU five years later, Harrington was a combined 5-of-9 for 79 yards and a score.

And Herbert? On the game-winning drives to beat Washington and WSU, he was a perfect 6-of-6, for 82 yards and a touchdown.

"He's one of those guys you want to have on your team," said receiver Juwan Johnson, who had two catches on the game-winning drive against WSU. "Coming into that drive he was like, 'All right, boys, let's go win this game.' That's how he is; he doesn't have any indecisiveness. He just went in and did it."

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Practice highlights: Herbert and Johnson connected on the final pass play of Saturday's win over WSU, and they hooked up again on the first play of Tuesday's first 11-on-11 period. Herbert also completed a couple of passes to tight end Hunter Kampmoyer in that "good on good" period against the No. 1 defense. … Thomas Graham Jr. did end the series for the No. 1 defense on a high note by breaking up a pass, and DJ James did the same to end the series between the No. 2 offense and No. 2 defense. … CJ Verdell seemed energized by his career performance against the Cougars. He was running with authority throughout the morning.

Other observations: As promised Monday by UO coach Mario Cristobal, both Troy Dye and Travis Dye returned to action Tuesday. As with any player coming back from an injury, they will be managed to hit the right balance of rehabilitation and preparation. But it was great to see them both back out there. … During pass-rush drills, the quartet of freshmen on the interior defensive line all had really impressive reps. The future is bright at nose tackle and defensive end, given the explosiveness and power of Brandon Dorlus, Kristian Williams, Keyon Ware-Hudson and Sua'ava Poti. …

Tuesday was clear if cool in Eugene, but the Ducks went indoors for practice due to some unusually high winds blowing throughout the morning. … Saturday's game at USC will match UO receiver Mycah Pittman against his older brother, Michael, a receiver for the Trojans. They've been trash-talking each other via FaceTime, apparently. "I was like, if we beat you, I'm the big brother now," Mycah joked.

Post-practice interviews:

Offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo

Senior offensive lineman Shane Lemieux

Graduate receiver Juwan Johnson

Junior receiver Jaylon Redd

Sophomore offensive lineman Penei Sewell

Redshirt freshman tight end Spencer Webb

True freshman receiver Mycah Pittman