Last year's reserve quarterback struggles are well-documented. With Justin Herbert in the offense, the Ducks averaged near an NCAA-best 49.3 points per game. But in five games without him, things went sideways, as the team scored more than one offensive touchdown in just one game, and dropped four of five games.

Much of that was due to the play of back-up quarterback Braxton Burmeister, who was thrust from his redshirt year into the limelight essentially in the blink of an eye. He threw four more picks than touchdowns, and completed more than 10 passes just once.

Those struggles created heightened urgency this spring to find a quality second quarterback. Burmeister and early enrollee Tyler Shough jockeyed for that position all spring in a battle that head coach Mario Cristobal characterized as "toe-to-toe" earlier this week.

Saturday's spring game didn't seem to provide much separation from the two, but not for the reasons many may have feared. Burmeister and Shough each looked competent, and posted better passing stats than starter Justin Herbert during Team Thunder's 59-34 win over Team Lightning.

Burmeister finished 7-for-12 for 64 yards and a touchdown, while Shough completed 5-of-8 passes for 103 yards and two scores. Herbert was 12-for-21 for 126 yards with one touchdown and a pick.

"They both showed today that they can be real good football players for us here," Cristobal said following the game. "They can hit the deep ball. They’re great with their feet. They’ve got great escapability — pocket presence. They know not only how to run the offense, but to manage the offense."

Cristobal also complimented the duo's mentality, saying both players have been open to competition.

"The best part about their approach is they haven’t sat back and said ‘OK, Justin is the guy, let’s compete for No. 2’," he added. "That hasn’t been mentioned or brought up."

To be clear, there isn't a quarterback controversy. Herbert will be the team's starter this fall barring unforeseen developments. But, following Saturday's spring game, the outlook for overcoming another injury feels better than it did last fall.

Cristobal also made it clear that the coaching staff must be "part of the solution" this time around should another issues arise.

“I know it was tough when Justin went down last year," he said. "But we have to do a better job as coaches. You have what you had, when a guy goes down… we have to do a better job of having a plan for when things don’t go exactly that way."

None of the team's quarterbacks were made available following the scrimmage. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Daewood Davis, who had a breakout two-touchdown performance, says the battle between the two has been "very close" this spring.

He offered up the scouting report on both the young passers.

“(Tyler) is young, but he can sling the rock," he said of Shough. "That’s what I like about Tyler, he’s not afraid to throw it up.

“Braxton is a very good quarterback. He can scramble under pressure and throw it under pressure."





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