After a bevy of games after 4 pm Pacific Time to start the season, Oregon Football will see games in daylight, and maybe perhaps some sunshine.
On Monday, the Pac-12 Conference announced the game against the Utah Utes will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network and will kickoff at 2:45pm Pacific Time from Autzen Stadium. With a solid 3-0 start during the Non-Conference slate which included wins over Southern Utah, Nebraska, and Wyoming, the Ducks hit their first loss on the road against Arizona State before bouncing back with a win at home against Cal.
Quarterback Justin Herbert was injured vs the Golden Bears and is still recovering from a broken collarbone. He did not play against Stanford in a rough loss 49-7. He also missed the game against Washington State. Both games saw the Oregon Offense quickly lose their creativeness and also lose their ability to throw the ball. Quarterback Braxton Burmeister saw his second straight start against Stanford on the road and was ineffective with his arm, but more effective with his feet.
The conference has announced a 2:45 PM kickoff on @Pac12Network for the Ducks and Utes on Oct. 28. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/Fnps1sx0k6
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) October 16, 2017
It is clear that after going 0-2 without Herbert, he will be welcomed back with open arms. While the season is not lost at 4-3, the sooner Justin Herbert returns, the better. Oregon is just two wins from being bowl eligible and they won’t be able to get those wins with a one-dimensional Running Offense.
Herbert was seen Sunday on the Practice Fields at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex throwing passes as he continues to recover. While it is a good sign, I expect he won’t see game action this week against UCLA, but it is more likely he will get back on the field against Utah or Washington in the coming weeks.
Next: Penalties, Frustration Continue vs Stanford
Oregon Football is on the road this weekend at UCLA and face the Bruins on Saturday at 1pm Pacific Time on Pac-12 Network.