For the first time since 2016, the now-Los Angeles Charger and Eugene-native did not start Oregon’s season opener. In his place was Chandler, AZ native and former four-star quarterback, Tyler Shough.
So far, so good. At least in the eyes of his teammates.
“Tyler was unbelievable,” described CJ Verdell. “I just can’t say enough about what he did today.”
Mario Cristobal said he would not name a starting quarterback ahead of the season opener and when asked when Shough knew he would start, the quarterback dodged the question, but there was little doubt throughout training camp. While Oregon took in graduate transfer Anthony Brown, Shough began camp taking reps with the ones and ended camp earning the starting gig.
In fact, Shough has been preparing for this moment for years. After redshirting his freshman season, Shough seemed poised to take over as Oregon’s starter but then Herbert returned for one final season as a Duck. Despite that, Shough always attacked during practice and prepared as if he was the starter and in doing so, won the respect of the locker room.
“He knows what he’s doing,” said wide receiver Bryan Addison last season. “(Herbert) is putting a great role model on him. Whenever Tyler is in the game it’s just like (Herbert) is in the game. Really, they are two of the same to me.”
Now with the keys to the offense entrusted to him, Shough did his best impression of Herbert’s Rose Bowl performance rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
“We have always known he’s a really good athlete and we have always wanted to run the quarterback. And in this offense, there are going to be some opportunities,” said Cristobal following the win. “When he did keep the ball and when he handed it off, for the most part, were on point.”