Ducks' quarterback question gets harder: Dante Moore’s status, Dylan Raiola’s rebound, and a Nebraska reunion looms
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Oregon doesn’t have much time to sort out its quarterback situation. After a stunning home loss, the Ducks face a decision that could shape their entire season.
Where Oregon Stands
UCLA beat Oregon 17-15 on Saturday, dropping the Ducks to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten and knocking them out of the AP Top 25 for the first time in four years. Oregon turned the ball over seven times with Moore sidelined by a concussion and went 1-of-12 on third down.
The defense forced three turnovers and held UCLA to 140 rushing yards, which made the game so winnable.
Dylan Raiola, making his first start, went 6-of-19 for 43 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble before Brock Thomas replaced him for the fourth quarter. Afterward Raiola said he was “reckless with the ball”. Lanning said it was “too early” to name a starter, so nothing is settled.
Dante Moore’s Return Is the Biggest Variable
Moore returned to practice in pads earlier this week, but he was still in the concussion protocol, and Lanning has declined to give a return timeline. He has said the staff will do what’s best for Moore rather than rush him.
Also read:Texas Longhorns Have a Steve Sarkisian Problem After Latest Loss
The NCAA concussion process has multiple stages and ends with medical clearance, so the timeline depends entirely on how Moore responds. Oregon has no reason to force a return just because of one bad loss, but it also can’t afford many more games like this one.
The Nebraska Reunion
Oregon hosts Nebraska at Autzen Stadium on October 17, and the matchup carries extra weight for Raiola, who started two seasons for the Cornhuskers before transferring.
If Moore is cleared, the Ducks could go back to their preseason Heisman candidate. If he isn’t, Raiola will have a quick chance to answer the UCLA game against his old team.
Either way, the Ducks have to protect the football. The offense lost five fumbles against UCLA, and Lanning said Oregon hasn’t protected the quarterback or run the ball well enough this season.
What the Rest of the Schedule Looks Like
The remaining schedule is manageable on paper, with home games against Northwestern on October 31, Michigan on November 14 and rival Washington on November 28. That makes the Nebraska game the first test of whether Oregon can stabilize before the Big Ten schedule gets heavier.
With two losses already, the Ducks can’t afford many more slip-ups if they want to stay in the playoff conversation.
My Outlook
Oregon’s problems go beyond one quarterback. Moore struggled in the Week 2 loss to Oklahoma State, and the offensive line and run game have been inconsistent all season. Whoever starts against Nebraska will need help from a cleaner, more balanced offense.
If Moore is healthy, he’s the better bet. If he isn’t, Raiola deserves another chance, because his 19-of-25, 289-yard game against USC shows what he can do when the offense is working around him.
Either way, Lanning has a week to fix the turnover problem, or the Ducks’ season could slip away.
More College Football News
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- Dan Lanning Should Be On Hot Seat After Oregon Ducks Playoff Hopes End
- Texas Longhorns Have a Steve Sarkisian Problem After Latest Loss
- The College Football Playoff and ESPN are still negotiating after their exclusive 24-team window closed
This story was originally published by Lindy's Sports on Oct 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Lindy's Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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