Football has a way of shrinking the distance between opponents when something ugly happens on the field. That was the case after Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was injured in the USC game, when a scary shot to the head and neck area sent him off on a cart and then into an ambulance for a concussion.
While Dan Lanning and the Oregon staff were working to make sure Moore was okay, UCLA head coach Bob Chesney was thinking about the quarterback too. Lanning said Chesney reached out while traveling back to Los Angeles and offered to help if needed.
"He [Bob Chesney] texted me as they were traveling back to LA and said, 'Hey, if you need my help with Dante or anything and he's still in LA, I'll go check on this guy. I'm giving the team off tomorrow; let me know.' It speaks to the kind of person he is."
Dan Lanning
The gesture landed because of what it said about Chesney, but also because of where he’s come from. He’s climbed the coaching ladder the hard way, starting with his first head coaching job in Division III, then moving to Division II, FCS, and eventually FBS with James Madison before landing his first Power 4 job at UCLA. That background has built real respect around him, and the way he handled this moment only adds to it.
Lanning and Chesney already know each other well enough to have a clear sense of the other’s program. The two matched up last season to open the College Football Playoff, when Oregon beat James Madison in a game that still demanded plenty from the Ducks.
Now Chesney is trying to turn UCLA into a serious problem for the rest of the Big Ten, and early signs are loud. The Bruins are 4-0 and 2-0 in Big Ten play, a year after UCLA fired its head coach three games into the season.
Lanning drew a comparison on Wednesday that says plenty about how Oregon views this team.
"We're about to play a UCLA team that reminds me a lot of Indiana from last year."
(h/t @mtorressports) https://t.co/9z6F69bufT pic.twitter.com/VZwffRzuqJ
- On3 (@On3) September 30, 2026
The start under Chesney has not looked like a mirage. UCLA has already banked notable wins and is showing real signs of becoming a legitimate Big Ten threat. Oregon is going to have to earn everything against the Bruins, and with Chesney at the controls, the Ducks are unlikely to see many easy Saturdays ahead.
In Other News...
Oregon Freshman Turned A Scary USC Moment Into A Statement Win
At the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Oregon freshman receiver Messiah Hampton found himself at the center of a tense moment after USC linebacker Desman Stephens II hit quarterback Dante Moore in the head. Hampton reacted angrily and went straight at Stephens before teammates, referees and coach Dan Lanning stepped in to separate the sides, underscoring just how heated the game had become in a hurry.
Moore stayed on the field briefly before leaving in an ambulance, turning what had already been a physical contest into a far more serious sideline scene for the Ducks to absorb. Even with that scare hanging over the night, Oregon found a way to keep playing and rallied for the win behind backup quarterback Dylan Raiola, turning a frightening moment into one the Ducks could carry as proof of their resilience. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Suddenly Faces A Bigger Dante Moore Question Than Just His Injury
Dan Lannings latest update on Dante Moore at least offered some relief after the scare that forced the Oregon quarterback to be stretchered off the field on a targeting play. The coach said Moore is healthy and still being evaluated, but no timetable for a return has been announced, leaving the Ducks with more uncertainty than they would like at the most important position on the field.
Dylan Raiola has already shown Oregon it can survive a sudden change behind center, stepping in and helping lead the Ducks to a victory over USC after Moore went down. Even so, the bigger question now is not just when Moore can get back, but how Oregon manages the quarterback room if this situation stretches on longer than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Lanning Sees One Defensive Problem Oregon Must Fix Fast
Dan Lanning liked enough of what Oregon showed in its win over USC to feel encouraged, but the tape still left him with a clear area to clean up. The Ducks did a good job limiting third-down conversions, yet the defense gave up too many explosive plays, especially through the air, which made the game feel far more open than Oregon would have preferred.
The secondary had moments to build on, but the safeties were also exposed in coverage as USC hit on multiple long receptions. With the bye week now arriving, Oregon has a little extra time to tighten those issues before turning its attention to UCLA, and the next stretch will show how quickly the Ducks can turn that concern into a fix. [Read more 🡒]