Oregon Football: Ducks edge Michigan State in Redbox Bowl

3. Justin Herbert proved clutch when Oregon needed him most

As has already been mentioned, Justin Herbert had a tough start to the Redbox Bowl. The Michigan State defense and the wind at Levi’s Stadium conspired to have Herbert go just 14-of-27 through the first three quarters.

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Michigan State continued to stymie Herbert for most of the game. But the junior figured things out for one perfect drive early in the fourth quarter, as he went 4-of-4 for 70 yards including the game-winning 28-yard touchdown to Dillon Mitchell.

Though he finished the game with only 166 yards through the air by the end of the game on 19-of-33 passing, Herbert did enough to will the Ducks to victory in a tense donnybrook against the Spartans. Coming up clutch when Oregon had momentum on its side, Herbert took full advantage of the rare breakdown in the Michigan State defense.

Herbert will need to turn it on more consistently in 2019 if the Ducks are going to break through and reclaim the Pac-12 crown. But he proved in Santa Clara that, when the opportunity presents itself, the Ducks star is capable of carving up any defense in the country.