Burmeister did as well as could be expected: Steve and Cleanup, I guess you forgot how badly Herbert played in his first fire-test? NO practice can simulate a game and the Cougs have fast, ferocious D. Remember also that our two starting WRs, Nelson and Mitchell, were out: the replacements are first-year players. 
Now, let's look where some of the true problems lie: coaching. Taggart trotted out again his "failure to execute" excuse. That dog won't hunt: the play-calling, Freeman and Benoit repeated belly-plays on first-down though no success was there to be found, was predictable and stubborn. Ramming one's head repeatedly into a brick-wall has little impact on the wall. Even Taggart should have a headache by now. 
Second, the Cougar down D linemen were shifting after they saw the Oregon alignment: why didn't Willie adjust, over a SIXTY-minute period, to have the center immediately snap the ball? Inexcusable, that.
Bright spot: the Duck D played with great heart, toughness.