The biggest Oregon question heading into UCLA has less to do with the Bruins and more to do with Dante Moore.
The Ducks are back from the bye and shifting into game week for a top 25 matchup, fresh off the emotional win over USC. That victory gave Oregon another résumé-building opportunity, and it also kept the Ducks in position to show the Oklahoma State loss is firmly in the rearview mirror. But even with that momentum, Moore’s status is the storyline hanging over everything.
The last time Moore was seen, he was being taken to the hospital. Oregon later issued a statement saying he did not suffer any additional injuries from the concussion, but it still feels difficult to picture him back this week.
Dan Lanning offered an update on Friday during an appearance on George Wrighster’s podcast, and while he did not close the door on Moore, his words made the long game sound like the priority.
"Yeah, in the process, you know, still in recovery. Like I said, we're going to move with an abundance of caution, make sure we're following protocol, but just glad to know that he's going to be okay."
Lanning also addressed the bigger picture when Wrighster asked about balancing Moore’s present and future.
"You know, I'm always going to pick the player in that scenario. When you talk about health, I'm always going to pick the player over the team.
I mean, the best thing for the team is for them to see how, were going to treat players in that situation. So, we love him, he's our team, he'll be alright, but we're not going to rush anything or put him in a situation where it's not, you know, following protocol or safe for his future."
That leaves Oregon in a spot where caution appears to be driving the decision-making, not urgency. Concussions do not get treated lightly, and there is no reason for the Ducks to force Moore back before he is ready. If he is not fully cleared, Oregon is not going to put him on the field just because it might improve the odds against UCLA.
At the moment, the signs point toward Dylan Raiola handling the quarterback duties in this one. Oregon had the extra week to get ready, and that matters here. Even if Moore gets cleared later in the week, Raiola getting the practice reps with the game plan already installed would make the most sense.
Moore getting another week to recover is the right call, especially with his career carrying far more weight than one game and this season stretching well beyond this matchup. Raiola has already shown he can lead the Ducks to a win, and while UCLA is no pushover, Oregon still looks like the team with the talent edge.
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