Oregon HC Dan Lanning Playing Coy on Dante Moore's Status Against Nebraska

The Oregon Ducks are in desperation mode this week after losing 17–15 to the UCLA Bruins in Week 6. 

The loss dropped the Ducks out of the rankings thanks to a 3–2 record. Oregon will face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday, but it remains to be seen who will start at quarterback this weekend amid Dylan Raiola's struggles and the status of Dante Moore, who suffered a concussion in Oregon's 41–27 win over USC on Sept. 26. 

On Wednesday, Ducks head coach Dan Lanning played coy with the media, opting not to go into detail about the quarterback position this week. Per Zachary Neel of Ducks Wire, Lanning said he wouldn't reveal Moore's status until it was placed on the Big Ten availability report.

Lanning did add that Moore has been practicing this week and looks the part.

Moore played inconsistently through his first four starts this season, completing 69.7 percent of his passes for nine touchdowns and no interceptions. Raiola had an incredible game against USC, throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns in relief of Moore, but he could not follow up that performance against UCLA coming off the bye. 

Raiola went 6 of 19 passing for 43 yards and two interceptions before being benched for Brock Thomas. Thomas finished the day going 11 for 15 passing for 156 yards and one touchdown. Thomas and Raiola each lost a fumble.

If Moore cannot play Nebraska, Lanning suggested earlier in the week the team will have a quarterback competition this week between Raiola and Thomas.

Raiola having a chance to start on Saturday would provide extra intrigue between the Ducks and Cornhuskers. Raiola was a two-year starter with Nebraska before opting to transfer to Oregon.

Raiola appeared to be in line to earn the starting job for 2027 when Moore is expected to enter the NFL draft, but he might have to earn a competition next summer to be the QB1. 

There was chatter after the USC game that the Ducks might prefer to ride a hot hand with Raiola. That idea is no more, and Oregon is waiting for Moore to be healthy as the team tries to crawl back into the College Football Playoff competition after a rough start to the campaign.

The Cornhuskers’ defense is no pushover, limiting No. 7 Indiana to 328 total yards in the Hoosiers' 20-17 win in Week 6.