Next Man Up At QB, For Now

The keys to the Oregon football team's offense will remain in the hands of backup quarterbacks Taylor Alie and Braxton Burmeister, at least in the short term.

Sophomore starter Justin Herbert "will be out for a while" after suffering a fractured collar bone last week against California, UO coach Willie Taggart said Monday. While there's "absolutely" a chance Herbert returns this season, Taggart said, the Ducks will have someone else behind center when they host Washington State on Saturday (5 p.m. PT, FOX).

Linebacker Kaulana Apelu, granted a scholarship in the preseason and a starter against the Golden Bears, also suffered a broken bone – in his ankle – and will miss the rest of the season, Taggart said. But everyone else sidelined Saturday, including Herbert's immediate replacement Alie, is considered "day to day," the coach said.

"We're not gonna sit around and feel sorry for ourselves," Taggart said. "Washington State or anyone is not going to feel sorry for us. So, next guys up. We've got to practice and make sure we're ready to play."

Alie, a senior who like Herbert attended Sheldon High in Eugene, is a former walk-on who came off the bench late in Oregon's wins over Southern Utah and Wyoming earlier this season. He split time with the first-string for two games while Vernon Adams Jr. was injured in 2015, helping quarterback a win at Colorado and, coincidentally, a loss to Washington State in Autzen Stadium.

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Alie was 9-of-13 for 41 yards after replacing Herbert last week. An ill-timed throw just before halftime resulted in an interception that led to Cal's first touchdown. But he recovered to go 6-of-8 for 37 yards after halftime, leading a 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive on Oregon's opening possession of the third quarter.

Alie was injured on a running play in the fourth quarter, leading to Burmeister's collegiate debut. The former four-star recruit from La Jolla, Calif., completed his only passing attempt for four yards, and directed two touchdown drives.

"I do think Braxton or Taylor or whoever we put in there can run our offense," Taggart said. "They both are smart guys. They're both guys the entire team rallies around. They're both athletic."

Taggart said Alie's experience is about the only differentiating factor between the two. He's now 21-of-34 for 211 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his career, with 17 rushes for 187 yards and four touchdowns.

In practice Sunday, Burmeister got extensive first-team reps, and receiver Demetri Burch got some reps at quarterback. Walk-on Mike Irwin also is available, and is running the scout team this season.

"We have some guys that can play the position and run our offense," Taggart said. "I think they'll do a good job for us."

Taggart didn't offer specifics on any other players who missed all or part of the Cal game, a list that includes running back Royce Freeman, receiver Charles Nelson, receiver Dillon Mitchell, tight end Jacob Breeland, linebacker A.J. Hotchkins and safety Nick Pickett.

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The only other player declared out for extended time is Apelu, who limped off the field after making a tackle in the backfield on the opening play of the second quarter. A walk-on from Hawaii until being granted a scholarship in an emotional mid-practice presentation that included video of his mother in August, Apelu started the last four games at MIKE linebacker. He finished the season with 20 total tackles, three for lost yardage.

In the absence of both Apelu and Hotchkins on Saturday, walk-on Blake Rugraff was the first-string MIKE. A 6-foot-1, 226-pound sophomore from Missouri, Rugraff had a team-high 11 tackles in this year's spring game; he had six tackles against Cal, giving him 10 for the season.

"He's a smart kid, and a kid that loves to play football," Taggart said. "We knew if we had to put him in, he'd be ready to play. … Blake played with great effort, and a lot of times playing with great effort makes up for some of the mistakes you make."

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Taggart said senior Jimmie Swain also could be called upon more this week. Swain was Oregon's second-leading tackler in 2016, with 77, but has played primarily special teams this fall. True freshman Sampson Niu, on track to redshirt so far, spent some time with the travel squad in Sunday's practice, as well.

But all eyes will be on the quarterback spot as Saturday's game approaches. Taggart said Burmeister has "a better understanding of what we're going in the passing game" since joining the program in the spring, allowing him to play at a faster tempo.

Burmeister "can throw the football, and he can run the football," Taggart said. "It's great when you can do them both. Taylor is the same way. It's exciting."