Tensions flared following a narrow loss to Oklahoma State as the Ducks' head coach defended his quarterback's post-game absence, citing medical treatment and dehydration under intense questioning.
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore wasn't immediately made available to talk to reporters on Saturday after the team's 39-31 loss to Oklahoma State.
Moore had a rough game behind a struggling offensive line, going 14 of 29 passing for two touchdowns and no interceptions.
He appeared to be outplayed by OSU quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who threw for 317 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, though the picks weren't entirely on him. Mestemaker ran for another 109 yards and a score.
During his news conference on Monday night, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning told reporters that Moore wasn't available because he was receiving IVs. He was a bit snippy and sarcastic in his response.
"Well, I don't think he chose not to," Lanning said of Moore not talking to the press, via USA Today. "Did you know he's getting an IV? He's getting two IVs after the game. He's dehydrated. He'll be speaking to you guys tomorrow. Any questions you want to ask him, you can certainly ask him. But I don't know if you've ever given an interview while you're getting an IV at the same time and getting treatment.
"Does that make a little more sense? Yeah, that would make a lot. And then there's a bus and a flight you're trying to catch as well. But Dante will be here tomorrow. You can talk to Dante, right? But he's cramping up on the field. I think the first thing that we're going to do post-game is get treatment, right? Have any of our players never like not been available to talk?"
Lanning said he was "sorry" Moore couldn't give an interview after the game.
A reporter told Lanning that someone from Oregon should have let reporters know why Moore wasn't made available so it wouldn't be "misconstrued" that the quarterback was avoiding the media after a loss.
Lanning wasn't sure that should be the case.
"Well, you misconstrued it," Lanning said. "You could always ask me. Good job."
The vibes in Oregon's locker room weren't great after the loss. There's clearly some frustration still going on with the Ducks.
It would have been in Oregon's interest to get ahead of the story, telling reporters Moore was receiving treatment. Days later, it sounds even more like an excuse.
