Quarterback edition season review Luke Duncan

Luke Duncan was a sophomore quarterback this past season. One that had never thrown a college football pass. Crazy spot to be in, starting, and throwing your first pass against the best defense in the nation. That was the case for him, as Nico Iamaleava sat out with a concussion versus Ohio State. Thrusting Duncan into the starting role on the road in a hostile environment. Surprisingly, after starting off the game pretty rough. He settled in and led a few scoring drives late in the game.

The Bruins played very conservative that night and were battling injuries on the offensive line front as well. Duncan didn’t look too nervous and looked like he could carve out a decent college career with good coaching. Depending on the future of what Bob Chesney could decide to do when he begins his tenure. Duncan could find himself in a starting role if Iamaleava transfers and Chesney can’t immediately get a transfer in. Odds of that happening are very low, but they’re not out of the question.

Duncan didn’t have many opportunities this season outside of that Ohio State game. But he did come in late in the Washington game and made some nice throws as well. Showing the game in Columbus helped his confidence and getting adjusted to the college speed of the game. In that Washington game he was 5-11 for 81 yards and a touchdown. Finishing up the season 21-34 for 61.8% on completions, 235 yards and two touchdowns. Good for a 139.2 rating and a 76.2 QBR. Given the limited snaps, you can chalk that up for decent production.

We are not able to fully grade Duncan on his performance other than the Ohio State contest. The Bruins didn’t do him any favors by waiting until late in the third quarter to open up the playbook and that’s when he succeeded. But it was understandable being in a tough spot. He passed that test and will be interesting to see what the rest of his college career will be. Whether it is with UCLA or if he finds another team that could give him an opportunity to start.