Report: Oregon Ducks ‘planning’ to start freshman QB Justin Herbert against Huskies

According to a report today by Duck Territory, a 247 Sports affiliate covering Oregon football, the Ducks could make a change at quarterback this week against the Huskies.

Citing sources close to the program, the report indicates that Justin Herbert, a true freshman from Eugene, Oregon, is “expected” to make his first career start on Saturday at Autzen Stadium, though he continues to split practice repetitions with fifth-year senior starter Dakota Prukop and “things could change before Saturday.”

Herbert’s most extensive playing time came in last week’s 51-33 loss at Washington State, in which the freshman completed 3-of-5 passing for 70 yards and scored on a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Herbert was rated by Scout.com as a 3-star prospect and had scholarship offers from Nevada, Montana State, Northern Arizona and Portland State.

Prukop, a graduate transfer from Montana State, has been mostly fine so far this season, completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 1,173 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown. But Oregon’s 2-3 start has led to some fans clamoring for Herbert with an eye toward the future.

This story was originally published October 4, 2016 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Report: Oregon Ducks ‘planning’ to start freshman QB Justin Herbert against Huskies."