EUGENE -Oregon coaches had tossed around the idea of using sophomore tight end Colt Lyerla at running back for some time, but those discussions typically ended with a chuckle.



Running back hasn't exactly been a position of need for the Ducks' offense of late. Plus, Lyerla has been penciled in as a future big-time tight end after coming out of Hillsboro High School as a five-star recruit in 2011.



But on Monday of last week, Lyerla received instructions to work out with the Ducks' running backs.



So the 6-foot-5, 246-pound Lyerla joined the group that includes Kenjon Barner (5-11, 192), De'Anthony Thomas (5-9, 176), Byron Marshall (5-10, 201) and Ayele Forde (5-7, 183).



Needless to say, Lyerla stood out. He stood out even more Saturday against Arizona.



Lyerla, named all-state as a senior in 2010 after rushing for 1,519 yards, started at tight end during Saturday's 49-0 win over Arizona but also saw extensive time at running back.



He carried the ball seven times for 63 yards, second most on the team, while displaying power out of the backfield not seen at Oregon since LeGarrette Blount (6-2, 246) pummeled defenders in 2008 and 2009.



"Saturday was a surprise for everyone, including me," Lyerla said Monday. "I'm just glad they gave me a shot and I was able to do something with the ball."





Oregon coach Chip Kelly said the decision to use Lyerla at running back didn't come out of necessity to add power to the running game. Instead, Kelly said he merely viewed the move as a way to maximize Lyerla's skills.



"We always knew he had the ability," Kelly said. "You could just tell he was great with runs after the catch, and things like that."



Lyerla, who has eight receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns this season, said he underwent a crash course in learning the running game and becoming re-accustomed to taking handoffs. Maybe the biggest challenge was getting used to the zone-read option play in which the quarterback sticks the ball in the running back's gut and has the option to take it back and run.



"Obviously, I still have to work on that," Lyerla said with a smile.



Obvious, because Lyerla's one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter came with backup quarterback Bryan Bennett attached to the ball.



"On all the other zone reads he had handed it off, so I wasn't expecting him to pull it on that one, which is why I held onto it," Lyerla said.



Lyerla and Bennett flopped into the end zone together in one of the more interesting rushing touchdowns in program history.



Both jumped around in the end zone excited that one of them had scored.



"We didn't know who scored," Lyerla said. " It didn't really matter as long as we got in there."



Lyerla said he hopes to get more carries this season. He said he enjoys running back more than tight end because he likes to have the ball moving forward rather than catching passes with his back to the defense.



Game situations could dictate Lyerla's usage at running back. Kelly said Arizona did some specific things on defense that triggered the decision to use Lyerla in the backfield.



"We felt we had a guy that we needed to try to get the ball into his hands," Kelly said.



Lyerla's carries came with Bennett in the game. On a few plays, Lyerla was the lead blocker for Bennett on quarterback sweeps.



Lyerla was asked on Monday if there were plans to use him in the backfield with starting quarterback Marcus Mariota: "I really can't say or comment on that," Lyerla said. "We'll see where it goes."



--Aaron Fentress

Follow @AaronJFentress