Watch: Oregon tight end Patrick Herbert catches first career touchdown
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around on Saturday, the Oregon Ducks had already taken a commanding lead over the Cal Golden Bears en route to a 42-24 win in Berkeley.
Even still, the final minutes of the game featured a meaningful moment for the program’s fan base.
Oregon’s final score of the game came when quarterback Bo Nix linked up with sophomore tight end Patrick Herbert for a 40-yard touchdown. It was the first career touchdown for Herbert, who has spent the past several seasons battling through injuries.
The younger brother of NFL superstar and former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, Patrick Herbert is a former 4-star recruit who, like his brother, grew up just a few miles away from Autzen Stadium. He starred at nearby Sheldon High School and was tabbed by 247 Sports as the No. 246 overall prospect and the No. 9 tight end in the class of 2019.
But he has suffered a series of difficult injury setbacks during his time with the Ducks. Prior to this season, Herbert had played just one college game in three seasons. He suffered a major knee injury during fall camp ahead of the 2021 season and was not cleared to practice until last spring.
But he has made a healthy return this fall and has carved out a role in Kenny Dillingham’s offense. According to Pro Football Focus, Herbert played 165 snaps through Oregon’s first seven games while fighting for playing time at a position where the Ducks have plenty of depth.
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In addition to Herbert, Terrance Ferguson (201 snaps), Cam McCormick (198), and Moliki Matavao (184) have all carved out roles for Oregon in 2022.
Herbert has caught four passes for 65 yards this season and has also established himself as a key figure in the Ducks’ jumbo formation this season.
“Pat, I think, is just scratching the surface on what he can be,” Oregon tight ends coach Drew Mehringer said during fall camp. “He gets better and better every single week as he continues to develop into his role. I think we’re still trying to figure out what (Herbert and senior tight end Cam McCormick) can and cannot be. I think they’re both going to help us a lot.”
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning offered a similarly positive outlook on Herbert during fall camp.
“I think Pat’s been really eager to get back out there on the field,” Lanning said. “I was excited to get to see him get some work. It’s so easy when you’re off the field and not able to get in there and involved to kind of fall out of the circle and fall out of focus of what you gotta do on the field.”
