Dante Moore had a path to the NFL, but he chose something different: another season at Oregon, another year to sharpen the edges, another chance to grow before cashing in on the biggest stage. That decision helped put the Ducks in rare air, with No. 2 Oregon entering the season opener against Boise State carrying the highest preseason ranking in school history.
The Ducks and Broncos meet Saturday in Eugene, Ore., and Oregon comes in with national title buzz already swirling. Moore is at the center of it all after passing for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season, when the Ducks went 13-2 and reached the College Football Playoff semifinals before getting routed 56-22 by Indiana.
Moore said the choice to return came down to being ready for what comes next.
"There's so many times when guys get drafted high and aren't prepared and their careers just go downhill from there," Moore said recently. "There are going to be some times I'm going to fail in life, and I'm going to keep learning, but it's just, I'd rather be more prepared."
Now he’s being treated like one of the sport’s premier names. Moore is a first-team preseason All-American and a Heisman Trophy contender, and Oregon coach Dan Lanning says the quarterback’s personality is part of the package.
"Part of what makes him so special is being Dante," Lanning said. "When he's out there playing with joy and has a level of focus and is demanding of the guys around him, we really separate as a team and he's done a good job of that."
Boise State has taken notice, too. Broncos coach Spencer Danielson didn’t hide his respect for Moore while previewing the matchup.
"They have arguably the best player in the country at quarterback," Danielson said. "Got a lot of respect for Dante Moore.
I watched a lot of film on him through the offseason to now. Elite accuracy, makes great plays with his feet, either can run the ball or make tough throws."
Oregon isn’t leaning on Moore alone. The Ducks bring back a strong group on defense, including preseason first-team All-American defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington, who had eight pass breakups in 2025, cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. with three interceptions, and outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei, who recorded six sacks.
Boise State, meanwhile, walks into a building where it has already caused problems before. The Broncos pushed Oregon hard two seasons ago in Eugene before falling 37-34 on Atticus Sappington’s 25-yard field goal as time expired. That win remains Oregon’s only victory over Boise State in four all-time meetings.
There’s also a longer streak on the line for the Ducks: the 2008 game was the last time Oregon lost a nonconference home game, a run that now stands at 38 straight wins.
Danielson sees the challenge clearly and didn’t try to dress it up.
"This is going to be a monster test come Saturday afternoon, and competitors don't run from the test," Danielson said. "You fight every battle you're given, and you give it your absolute best shot."
Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen has already been through this matchup once. He played in the 2024 loss to Oregon, when he completed 17 of 40 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown, and he’s looking forward to another shot at the Ducks.
"That place is really cool to play at. They love their Oregon Ducks," said Madsen, who completed 17 of 40 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown in the game. "It's a really big-time opponent.
"But it's about the Broncos. You approach every game to play your best and you do exactly what you're supposed to and that will end well for the Broncos."
Madsen threw for 2,334 yards and 18 touchdowns against nine interceptions last season. Boise State also has Dylan Riley back after he rushed for 1,125 yards and 10 touchdowns, while defensive leader Jayden Virgin-Morgan brings experience after posting six sacks last season and 10 in 2024.
In Other News...
Oregon 5-Star Commit Is Already Recruiting Another Elite Edge
Oregons defensive staff landed a major piece in the 2027 recruiting cycle when five-star edge rusher Rashad Streets from Milbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, picked the Ducks over Alabama, Ohio State and NC State. Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton and edge coach Kamran Araghi were the key figures in getting the commitment, another sign that Oregon is continuing to sell itself as a real national player on the recruiting trail.
Streets has not waited long to start helping with the next phase of the class. During his official visit, he was already making the case for Oregon to Ohio State five-star edge commit David Jacobs, who is also part of that loaded 2027 group. For a program trying to stack elite pass-rushing talent, having one five-star commit recruiting another is the kind of momentum that can keep a cycle moving well beyond the first pledge. [Read more 🡒]
Autzen Is Facing A Threat Oregon Fans Never Wanted
Autzen Stadium has always been one of college footballs liveliest places to watch a game, but the price of getting through the gate is changing the feel around Oregon home Saturdays. Ticket costs have climbed sharply in recent years, with many games now opening above $100 and marquee matchups climbing to around $400, a jump that has become impossible for longtime fans to ignore.
For a program that has long leaned on a loud, loyal, every-week crowd, the concern is less about one expensive game than what happens if the trend keeps going. The fear is simple: if attending becomes a luxury instead of a habit, the people who helped make Autzen such a difficult place for opponents could slowly get pushed out of the stands. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons Defensive Mindset For 2026 Just Came Into Focus
Brandon Finney Jr. sounded like a sophomore who already understands the standard in Eugene. After a recent practice, the Oregon cornerback talked about his goals and mindset for the 2026 season, pointing to the Ducks' embrace of the Harada method as part of a larger push to make history. The approach is rooted in small daily improvements, and Finney said the idea has helped reinforce a team culture built around consistency, accountability and keeping the bar high.
Finney also made clear that the message is not coming from one place alone. He credited the leadership around the program, along with the support from coaches and teammates, as part of what keeps the group aligned heading into the next season. For a defense trying to define itself early in the cycle, that matters, because the Ducks are not just talking about talent or potential. They are trying to build the habits that make those things mean something when the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]