Oregon Football: Justin Herbert is Ducks’ 2017 offensive MVP

When he was on the field, the Ducks flew. When he was injured, Oregon crashed. Justin Herbert was the catalyst for Oregon’s offensive success in 2017.

Entering his first full season as the starting quarterback in Eugene, Justin Herbert had to learn a new offense with the turnover in coaching staff. He picked up the new offense quickly. In the first two games of the year at Autzen Stadium, Herbert completed 42 of his 54 passing attempts in wins over Nebraska and FCS Southern Utah. He followed that up with a solid 18-of-29 day in Laramie to take down Wyoming.

Oregon ultimately fell to the Sun Devils the following week, suffering a setback that seemed temporary. Herbert bounced back the following week to complete seven of his first eight passes against California. Then he broke his collarbone in the first quarter, exiting a game the Ducks held on to win 45-24. At that point Oregon was 4-1, not just passing the ball efficiently (No. 14 nationally, No. 2 in the Pac-12) but also featuring a top-15 rushing offense as well.

The loss of Herbert largely eliminated the passing threat for the Ducks, who were grounded by the lack of offensive balance. By the time Herbert returned after missing five games, Taylor Alie and Braxton Burmeister had combined to drive the team down to 105th in passing yards per game and middle of the Pac-12 in terms of passing efficiency. In the process, the Ducks were defeated by all but one opponent in that stretch.

And that one win was wholly dependent on a big day from the backfield, as Royce Freeman and Tony Brooks-James each ran for over 100 yards. Burmeister completed nine of his 12 passing attempts but threw for just 47 yards.

Cue the return of Herbert in mid-November…

As soon as Herbert came back, the offense seemed to regain its swagger. Needing to win at least one of its last two games to reach bowl eligibility, Oregon came out and won both thanks in large part to Herbert’s solid return.

The quarterback went 14-of-21 for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Herbert added another four carries for 40 yards and a rushing score. In the process, Herbert outdueled Wildcats wildcard Khalil Tate in a win over Arizona.

In the regular-season finale, Herbert led a multitalented offense that gashed rival Oregon State to reclaim Civil War supremacy. The Ducks passer went 13-of-23 for 251 yards and three touchdowns, added a short score on the ground, and exited the game early as the score got out of hand in the Ducks blowout.

The magic wore off a bit as Oregon was held to two late offensive scores by Boise State in the Las Vegas Bowl. Herbert was a solid 26-of-36 for 233 yards, and both touchdowns came on his passes. But Herbert also threw two costly interceptions, including one returned the other way for a score.

You might have a case for Royce Freeman, but…

Even accounting for the forgettable performance in the Las Vegas Bowl loss to Boise State, though, Herbert still finished 2017 as the offensive MVP. The offense struggled against the Broncos without Royce Freeman in the lineup, but they also just played a solid Boise State defense whose numbers belied some strong performances game by game. Freeman was held scoreless when Herbert was out of the lineup, so they were ultimately dependent on one another.

Next: Predictions for all 41 bowl games and CFB Playoff

However you frame it, Herbert was the reason why Oregon even played in a bowl game. After going 2-5 as a starter in his freshman season, he turned things around and went 6-2. Now he will be the key returning player for his third head coach in as many seasons. The promotion of Mario Cristobal from co-offensive coordinator at least gives Herbert some measure of consistency entering his critical junior year, when he will be the top returning passer in the Pac-12.