True freshman Braxton Burmeister starting at quarterback for Oregon versus Washington State

EUGENE – Oregon will start true freshman Braxton Burmeister, not fifth-year senior Taylor Alie, at quarterback tonight against No. 11 Washington State.

Burmeister, the rookie from La Jolla, California, will be making the first start of his career. Oregon lost sophomore starter Justin Herbert with a collarbone injury during last week’s game against Cal. Herbert, who’s started all five of the Ducks’ games this season, is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Alie, who’s been a reserve signal-caller the majority of his career, also left the Cal game with an injury, but was deemed healthy enough to practice this week. Alie was 9-of-13 passing with 41 yards and an interception against the Golden Bears.

Burmeister played in the first game of his UO career last week, attempting and completing just one pass against Cal.