As the Ducks keep trudging on, where does Oregon's offense go from here?

The Ducks eked out a win against lowly Cal, but boos and calls for backup quarterback Ty Thompson dominated the conversation on a Friday night in Eugene.

(Eric Evans photos/GoDucks.com)

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon won and the go-ahead score saw Anthony Brown Jr. sprint toward the sideline, dive, barrel through the pylon and end up in a heap in front of an Oregon student section that had mercilessly booed him for the previous 30 minutes. 

Brown got up. He flexed. The students erupted and the rest of Autzen followed. The Ducks would hold on to win 24-17, and the fancy “Road to the College Football Playoff” graphic ESPN displayed for the Ducks in the first half Friday night will continue to wind on for at least another week. 

The Ducks are 5-1. They’ll — likely — still be in the top-10 at the end of the weekend.

Everything is fine. 

…

Still here? Good. Story time. 

I once saw Justin Herbert’s heart ripped out. Five years ago, the 18-year-old was leading an improbable comeback. He had tied a school record with six touchdown passes, the Ducks were once down 21-0 and there, in a second overtime in Berkeley, he dropped back for a throw that was supposed to sail 23 yards for the win over Cal.