Dylan Raiola didn’t treat Dante Moore’s injury like a football storyline. He treated it like a friend getting back on his feet.
A couple of days after Moore’s scary injury against USC, Raiola saw him around Oregon’s facility and the moment was all about relief, not depth-chart drama. Raiola said he gave Moore “a big hug” and was glad to see him upright. The quarterback room that could easily feel awkward instead comes off like a tight-knit group, and Raiola made it clear Moore’s health mattered more than any discussion about the game.
“And in that situation, that's a relationship that I hopefully have for a long time," Raiola said of Moore. "And that’s my friend and that’s my buddy.
He's back upright. He's back in the building doing what he loves, so I think that's where we can celebrate that first.”
That kind of bond is part of what makes Oregon unusual. Moore passed up the 2026 NFL Draft and Raiola transferred in from Nebraska, creating a room with two quarterbacks talented enough to chase the same next level dream.
In most programs, that setup would invite tension. At Oregon, Raiola says it’s been the opposite.
“The only thing that probably surprised me is the quarterback room," Raiola said. "I thought I was gonna walk into a very serious room, where guys are on the edge all the time.
But it's actually the opposite. It's a complete blast.”
“We have our fun when it's necessary, but then when it's time to lock in, we can lock it in. They're such a great group of guys to be around every day. Makes coming here a lot easier, know, being so far away from home, but yeah, the quarterback room has been tremendous, and I love each and every single one of them,” Raiola continued.
That culture didn’t happen by accident. Dan Lanning has built his program around connection, growth, toughness and sacrifice, and he said the quarterbacks reflect that mindset.
"Every one of these guys cheer for each other’s success," Lanning said. "So these guys compete at the highest level, but when they’re out there on the field, they’re hoping for each other’s success because the stronger we are as a team.
The better we’re gonna be as a team. So, they’ve worked really well together, just like every position we have out there."
Raiola’s own background makes the setup even more striking. He was already familiar with Oregon before leaving Nebraska, where he started 22 games over the last two seasons. A five-star prospect and the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, he knew the Ducks would have serious talent in the room, especially with Moore returning for another season instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft, where many projected him as a potential top-five pick.
Now, with Moore sidelined, Raiola is set to start Saturday against the No. 21 UCLA Bruins. He’s already made a strong first impression in Eugene, going 30-of-36 for 413 yards and five touchdowns without an interception in two games as a Duck.
The numbers are loud. The trust around him is louder. And in Oregon’s quarterback room, Raiola has made one thing clear: he can respect Moore, care about him and still be ready for the job in front of him.
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Oregons Quarterback Situation Just Got More Complicated At The Worst Time
Dante Moore being ruled out for the upcoming game against UCLA puts Oregon in a tricky spot at exactly the wrong time, but the Ducks at least know they have a ready-made answer behind him. Dylan Raiola is expected to make the start after already stepping in and helping Oregon beat USC, when he threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns and looked comfortable running the offense.
Dan Lanning has made it clear he trusts Raiola to handle the job if Moore cannot go, while also signaling that the Ducks are not going to force the issue with concussion protocol. For Oregon, the bigger concern now is less about one game and more about how long this uncertainty lingers at quarterback as the schedule keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]
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Bucky Irving Just Gave Ducks Fans A Reason To Watch Tampa Bay
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The performance stood out even more because Tampa Bay was again without Baker Mayfield, who missed his second straight game with a dislocated thumb. Rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels managed the offense efficiently, completing 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, but Irving was the difference-maker in a win that should have Ducks fans keeping one eye on the NFL box scores. [Read more 🡒]