Oregon Ducks' head coach Dan Lanning get completely honest about the team's offensive struggles against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2025 College Football Playoffs.
After a crushing defeat during the 2025 College Football Playoffs semifinals, Oregon Ducks’ fans were able to catch a glimpse of the struggles on offense against the Indiana Hoosiers.
Following the conclusion of the contest, head coach Dan Lanning discussed the poor offensive efforts on Friday night, claiming that the unit got itself in a hole, while also giving credit to Indiana.
“Ultimately, there were moments where we had success offensively,” Lanning stated. “But obviously, when you have the takeaways, you start off with the pick six. You get a little bit in the hole. You probably start to press a little bit. You get away from some of the success you have in the run game at times. There's moments that we had some plays, but that's a damn good team. And you gotta give credit to them, too. It's not just what we didn't do, it's what they did do.”
The Ducks kicked off the contest with a massive turnover from quarterback Dante Moore, who threw an interception that was returned for an easy touchdown by cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. Despite this, Moore would lead the offense on a 14-play drive that resulted in Oregon’s first touchdown of the game.
Unfortunate for Moore and the rest of the offense, the Ducks would make multiple key mistakes throughout the duration of the contest, including two fumbles from the young quarterback. When asked about how Moore can grow from Friday’s loss, Lanning told reporters that the game will be “a life lesson that a lot of people never get.”
“This is going to be a life lesson that a lot of people never get,” Lanning claimed. “We just got our butt kicked. Right? That's going to happen in life, right, and not just Dante.”
In addition to his comments about Moore’s struggles, Lanning also stated that his quarterback “has been exceptional” this season.
“Every single person in the locker room, every coach, every person can learn, 'Hey, how do you respond to that?' Some people crawl into a hole, right, don't face the music,” Lanning said. “Some people say, 'Okay, let's figure it out. Let me challenge myself so I can be better. Let me be an example of how you handle moments like this.' I think there is a way to handle that. Dante has been exceptional. Bryce, these guys have been exceptional, stewards of what we wanted to look like all year long.”
The talented quarterback would ultimately finish the night with 285 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while also completing 24 of his 39 attempts.
Now, Oregon and Lanning will shift their focus towards the offseason. One of the main talking points surrounding the program will be Moore's decision and whether he will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft. But after last night, there is a good chance that the team’s starting quarterback could return for the 2026 season.