Good news, everybody: Dante Moore is on the mend! Oregon coach Dan Lanning gave a positive update on his senior quarterback, confirming Moore is “trending in the right direction” and “is going to be OK” after that brutal concussion against USC. Lanning emphasized they will proceed with “an abundance of caution” during his recovery, which is exactly what you want to hear for a player’s long-term health. But while we breathe a collective sigh of relief for Moore, someone else absolutely exploded onto the scene when he stepped in for the injured QB.
The Hit That Shook Autzen and What Happened Next
Moore’s injury happened with 10:05 left in the second quarter of Oregon’s big 41-27 win over USC last Saturday. He attempted to slide, and USC linebacker Desman Stephens II struck him in the head. It was a nasty hit, sparking a post-play skirmish, with coach Lanning clearly incensed by what he saw. Stephens didn’t get off easy for it either, earning a suspension from USC for their Week 5 home game against Washington. While the Ducks finished strong, seeing your starting QB go down like that is always a gut punch. You hold your breath, you worry, and you wonder who is going to step up.
Dylan Raiola: From Backup to Absolute Flamethrower
Well, wonder no more, because Dylan Raiola, who started for Nebraska from 2024-25, took the reins and delivered a performance that probably made every defensive coordinator in the conference gulp. The dude was sensational against USC, completing 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, with zero interceptions. That’s a mind-blowing 199.5 passer rating in a huge rivalry game! And get this: the week before, against Portland State, Raiola completed all 11 of his passes for 124 yards and three touchdowns. Lanning couldn’t stop praising him, saying, “I’m just so proud of him. You talk about owning a role and not waiting for your opportunity but preparing for your opportunity, and Dylan’s a guy that prepared for his opportunity.” Talk about making the most of a moment, right? That’s the kind of play that can truly change a team’s outlook.
Oregon improved to 3-1 after that Week 4 win over USC, and it got them back on track, moving up to No. 15 in the AP Top 25 Poll. This team has been on a wild ride already this season. They started at No. 2, then fell to No. 6 after a home scare against Boise State, and even dropped to No. 21 after an upset loss at Oklahoma State. Now, with a bye in Week 5, the Ducks get a chance to reset before a massive home game against No. 23-ranked UCLA on October 10. That’s a ranked matchup right there, and with Raiola’s hot hand, it’s gonna be fascinating to see who lines up under center and what this squad brings to the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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