Tyler Shough started all seven games for the Oregon Ducks during this truncated 2020 season, including the Playstation Fiesta Bowl, but his time in Eugene has come to an end. The quarterback announced on Friday that he would be entering the transfer portal, ostensibly moving on from the Oregon program to pursue an opportunity at another school where he’ll have three more years of eligibility remaining as a grad transfer.
Shough was the Ducks’ second-string QB last season, serving as the backup to Justin Herbert as a redshirt freshman. Oregon held a competition for the starting gig this year, with Shough eventually beating out Anthony Brown. Ironically, Brown was a grad transfer himself, making the cross-country trek from Boston College prior to the year.
SHOUGH RHYMES WITH DUCK
The Pac-12 season was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in an abbreviated season that didn’t kick off until November. Shough would lead the Ducks to a hot start as the program won its first three games. The 6’5” QB threw eight touchdowns during that three-game win streak to only two interceptions in wins over Stanford, Washington State, and UCLA.
But then the tides turned on Oregon’s season as the Ducks dropped their next two, coinciding with Shough giving playing time away to Brown.
Oregon was able to upset USC in the Pac-12 Championship, but Shough split time with Brown, and the Ducks relied more on the run game, rushing 41 times as opposed to throwing it just 19.
CAUGHT IN A CYCLONE
Oregon qualified for the Fiesta Bowl, finishing the regular season as the 25th-ranked team in the country. However, things came to a disappointing ending with Iowa State dominating the Ducks on January 2, 34-17. Shough earned the start but finished just 7-9 for 79 yards and an interception. Brown, meanwhile, was 12-19 for 147 yards. Brown also rushed for the two Oregon touchdowns.
Brown’s second trip to the end zone actually tied the game at 14 with a little over three minutes left in the first half. But Iowa State would score twice in the final two minutes after recovering an onside kick and outscored Oregon 20-3 the rest of the way.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Brown announced last month that he would return to Eugene for his final year of eligibility and is likely the favorite to start the year under center for the 2021 season. However, Brown starting is not a lock as he’ll have two highly-recruited freshmen breathing down his neck for the job in Ty Thompson and Jay Butterfield. Oregon should play a full schedule this coming fall, one that includes a marquee visit to Columbus to take on Ohio State on September 11.
Meanwhile, Shough, an Arizona native, posted a heartfelt thank you on his Twitter page, signifying his departure.
“I would like to thank my coaches at Oregon for the opportunity, and many lessons learned these past three years. Huge thank you to the fans and Eugene community for welcoming me here and making this place special.”
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