This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Oregon became the final Pac-12 school to stage a spring football game, drawing 35,116 fans to Autzen Stadium last Saturday and generating some news.  Tight end Pharaoh Brown's appearance in the game was significant, coming nearly 18 months after he sustained a severe leg injury in a win over Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Brown caught three passes for 43 yards.  As for the quarterback battle, Montana State transfer Dakota Prukop completed 20 of 29 passes for 190 yards and Travis Johnsen was 15 of 24 for 188 yards.  The Ducks could have a former Big Sky Conference player as their starting quarterback for the second year in a row, after Vernon Adams manned the position in 2015. The difference between his case and Prukop's is that Adams was unavailable for spring practice, prior to enrolling at Oregon.  Brady Hoke made an impact this spring as the Ducks' new defensive coordinator. The former San Diego State and Michigan head coach replaced Don Pellum, who was demoted by coach Mark Helfrich. In addition to revamping the defense, Hoke is a good resource, Helfrich said, "making us validate why we do things." Oregon opens the season Sept. 3 vs. UC Davis. The Ducks will host Bronco Mendenhall's Virginia team on Sept. 10. Oregon visits Utah on Nov. 19.  — Kurt Kragthorpe