Daunting Task Looms for Ducks Against No. 5 Huskies

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) —With a quarterback controversy as a backdrop, Oregon is preparing for a daunting Washington team that proved its mettle on a national stage against Stanford.

Could the Ducks' 12-game winning streak against the Huskies be coming to an end?

The rivalry game with the Number 5 Huskies couldn't come at a worse time for Oregon, which is reeling from a three-game losing streak. The Ducks (2-3, 0-2) are coming off a 51-33 loss to Washington State in Pullman.

Amid questions about coach Mark Helfrich's job security and the changes to the defense installed by new coordinator Brady Hoke comes uncertainty about the Ducks' starting quarterback.

Dakota Prukop has started in all five of Oregon's games thus far, throwing for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions.

Freshman Justin Herbert came in for the final series against Washington State, marching the team 85 yards and capping the drive with a 4-yard run for a touchdown.

Herbert has appeared in two games, completing three of five passes for 70 yards. But he turned heads against the Cougars when he led that final drive.