Oregon, once projected as the No. 2 team in the AP poll, has already cratered to No. 21 after just two games, and coach Dan Lanning is *not* here for your questions about it. He went off on a reporter Monday, just two days after the Ducks’ upset loss to Oklahoma State, explaining exactly why quarterback Dante Moore didn’t speak postgame.
Lanning Fires Back Over Moore’s Absence
The fireworks erupted during Lanning’s weekly news conference when he got hit with a question about whether “star quarterbacks should speak to media after tough losses, and what was your reaction when Dante chose not to?” Lanning clapped back immediately, fiery as heck: “Well, I don’t think he chose not to. Did you know he was getting an IV? He was getting two IVs after the game. He was dehydrated.” He emphasized Moore “will be speaking to you guys tomorrow” and questioned, “Have you ever given an interview while you’re getting an IV at the same time and getting treatment?” The setting in Stillwater, Oklahoma, saw stifling temperatures, leading to Moore cramping up on the field. Lanning made it clear his program’s first priority postgame is treatment for a player cramping.
Heisman Hopes Already Taking a Hit
Moore’s absence wasn’t the only concern, though. His performance against Oklahoma State was, frankly, shaky. He threw for two scores, but only managed 191 yards on 14-of-29 passing. That’s less than half his attempts completed, a far cry from the 71.8% completion rate he posted last season, which ranked him fourth nationally. This guy was a widely projected top NFL Draft prospect before returning for one more season, entering 2026 as a Heisman Trophy contender. His Heisman case? It took an early hit over the weekend, just like Oregon’s poll standing. The Ducks needed two IVs for their QB, and it feels like their national title hopes might need one too.
“Well, You Misconstrued It.”
The whole situation escalated when the reporter pointed out that the reason for Moore’s absence wasn’t relayed to the media. Lanning’s reply? “Well, should it be?” When the reporter said, “Well, privately, yeah, we’re not gonna report on it,” Lanning shot back, “Before you write your article, they should say, ‘Hey, just so you guys know?’” The reporter explained they just didn’t want to “misconstrue his intentions,” to which Lanning retorted, “Well, you misconstrued it. You could always ask me.” He even added a sarcastic “good job.” This tension comes after the Ducks barely escaped their season opener with a one-score victory against Boise State, after being down 17-7. Then they faced the same second-quarter deficit against Oklahoma State and failed to complete the comeback. This squad, once a trendy national championship pick, has hardly looked the part through two games.
So, what now for Moore and the Ducks? He’s supposed to talk today, so you know the media will be lining up to ask him about those two IVs and his performance. Oregon is sitting at 1-1, dropping hard in the rankings, and their star QB is already dealing with dehydration and heavy scrutiny. Can Dante Moore shake off the early-season struggles and get his Heisman campaign back on track? This team has to find its footing fast if they want to live up to *any* of those preseason expectations. Get ready for some answers.
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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