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Oregon names FCS transfer Dakota Prukop starting quarterback

By Patrick Schmidt

Apr 30, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback (9) Dakota Prukop sets to throw a pass before the game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback (9) Dakota Prukop sets to throw a pass before the game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dakota Prukop won the quarterback competition at Oregon and will be the Ducks starting quarterback after transferring from the FCS.

For the second year in a row, the Oregon Ducks will start a quarterback who transferred from the FCS. Dakota Prukop won the starting job with head coach Mark Helfrich naming the Montana State transfer the starter for the opener against UC Davis.

Prukop follows Vernon Adams Jr. who transferred from Eastern Washington last year and arrived on campus days before the start of the season to win the job. Unlike Adams, Prukop arrived in January to give him ample time to acclimate to his new home in Eugene.

He tried to win over his teammates with every throw and may have put too much pressure on himself to make a big impression, according to Helfrich.

“I think his biggest thing in terms of being careless was just trying to win the job with every throw,” Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said last week, via ESPN, “which is a very natural thing to do for a quarterback competition. The guys put a lot of pressure on every single throw. … He has been better with the ball.”

He was able to participate in spring practice and all of fall camp with the goal of winning the starting job. He seized the job over challenges from Travis Johnsen and Justin Herbert.

It’s not so much a surprise that Prukop won the starting job considering his experience and production on the FCS level. However, the bigger surprise is Herbert edging former four-star recruit Johnsen for the backup job.

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The No. 24 Ducks open the season on Sept. 3 against the FCS opponent which should be a prime opportunity for Prukop to make a successful debut with the Ducks. This was the level at which he shined previously, so if he struggles, this could be a long year for Oregon.

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