If truth be told, Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal would have liked to play his true freshman quarterback under much different and more favorable circumstances.
There’s no doubt he would have preferred Ty Thompson make his college debut in a stress-free environment, and his Ducks leading by a gazillion points and cruising into the post-game locker room.
It wasn’t to be.
Not even close.
What was close, however, was the game against Stony Brook when Thompson came into his first-ever game as the Ducks quarterback right after halftime.
Starting QB Anthony Brown was hit hard on the last two plays of the first half and was unable to go the rest of the way.
Oregon was leading just 17-7 over the FCS Seawolves. If Thompson didn’t play well and Stony Brook managed to rattle off a couple of lucky plays, things would have been very different than they are now.
Fortunately for everyone involved, except for Stony Brook, Thompson entered the game and ran the offense efficiently leading Oregon to 31 straight second-half points and allowed the Ducks, and their fans, to breathe a sigh of relief.
The freshman was 6-of-9 through the air for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
But more importantly, no interceptions and no costly mistakes.
OREGON OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOE MOORHEAD TALKS YOUNG FRESHMAN QB AND RECEIVERS
“(Thompson) is a particularly cool customer. His confidence is bred through talent and preparation,” offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead said.
“There weren’t any wide eyes when he was told he was entering the game. He was very poised, cool, calm, and collected. I was excited to see get the opportunity to perform.”
But Thompson wasn’t the only freshman to get significant snaps on Saturday.
Thompson’s first touchdown pass went to freshman tight end Terrance Ferguson.
Later in the game, another true freshman, Dont’e Thornton, caught his first pass, juked a defender, and went 54 yards for a touchdown.
A total of 11 Ducks caught passes against Stony Brook and five of those receivers were freshmen.
According to Moorhead, this is exactly what they envisioned when these most recent recruits.
“It’s a very positive sign for this season and for the future to have (so many freshmen contribute so quickly,” he said.
“I think when these classes were signed, I think there would be an opportunity for young guys to play early and make a positive contribution. It’s great to see young guys making plays out there.”
It’s great for the Ducks, but not so great for other Pac-12 schools trying to defend them.