Big news just dropped for No. 13 Oregon: starting QB Dante Moore is looking “unlikely to play” against No. 21 UCLA this Saturday. CBS Sports hit us with that report, and man, this is a huge curveball for the Ducks as they gear up for a ranked showdown. We’re all waiting on Oregon’s official injury report later tonight, but the word is out.
That Week 4 Hit Was Rough, And Now Dylan Raiola Steps Up
Moore’s been sidelined ever since Week 4, when he took a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit while sliding against USC. His head slammed hard into the turf, and boom, concussion. USC linebacker Desman Stephens II got ejected for targeting on that play, and he even got suspended for USC’s Week 5 game against Washington for his actions after the hit. It was nasty, no doubt. Now, with Moore likely out, it’s former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola getting his first start in an Oregon uniform. Talk about a trial by fire, right?
Raiola actually stepped in for Moore against the Trojans already, and he looked pretty solid, going 19-of-25 passing for 289 yards and two touchdowns in that 41-27 victory. The Ducks had a bye in Week 5, and coach Dan Lanning had said earlier this week that Moore was back at practice. But practicing and playing a ranked game are two totally different things. Moore was a legit potential top-two pick in the 2026 NFL Draft before he decided to return to school, and that decision came *after* Raiola committed to Oregon following two seasons with the Cornhuskers. It tells you a lot about the talent they have on that roster.
Numbers Don’t Lie: What Raiola Needs to Bring
Looking at the stats, Moore has been pretty efficient this season, going 69-of-99 passing for 926 yards, nine touchdowns, and zero interceptions through parts of four games. Raiola, on the other hand, has thrown for 413 yards on 36 pass attempts, with his first throws of the season coming back in Oregon’s Week 3 win over Portland State. He’s got the arm, we saw it against USC.
So, this Saturday against UCLA isn’t just another game, it’s Raiola’s big moment to show everyone what he can do from the jump. The Ducks need him to be sharp, focused, and ready to lead the offense from the first snap. Can he keep that passing game humming and grab a crucial win for No. 13 Oregon? We’re about to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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