Dylan Raiola has spent this week in familiar mode: preparing like the starter, even though for now the job is officially his.
That part is no surprise to Oregon’s coaches and teammates. What’s different is the reality around him.
With Dante Moore out and still working back from a concussion suffered against USC, Raiola is set for his first start as the Ducks’ No. 1 quarterback. And Oregon has already seen enough to know he can handle it.
His showing in the win over the Trojans gave the Ducks a clear answer. Raiola stepped in, played with poise, and kept the offense moving. That kind of steadiness is exactly why Dan Lanning and Oregon can be patient with Moore’s return.
For Raiola, though, the first thing on his mind this week has been Moore himself.
“He’s been here for, this is his third year, and he’s shown that he can win or win at a high level,” Raiola said of Moore. “Him being back out there this week, and just seeing him back out there smiling, ripping the ball, making throws, making plays, guys feed off of that energy. And I’m one of those guys.”
The two are close, and Raiola said the first thing he did when Moore returned to practice was give him a hug. He knows this is temporary. Once Oregon feels Moore is ready to play again, Raiola will slide back into the role he came to Eugene for in the first place.
Still, he’s not the same quarterback who arrived. Raiola said the change started with his body and kept building from there.
“I think it starts with nutrition and the weight room,” Raiola said. “(Sports dietitian) Jessie (Dark) and Coach (Wilson) Love did a phenomenal job.
You gotta come here and you gotta buy into this culture. Because, obviously, it’s successful.
And you want to change the things that you didn’t do so well, and adapt to the new culture.
“I came back from injury just hitting numbers I never had before in the weight room. I just gave myself the confidence to go out there and feel free, play, have fun and do other things that I love doing on the football field.”
The results have shown up fast. Raiola has completed 30 of 36 passes for 413 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in two appearances this season.
His timing, touch and ability to move in and around the pocket have kept Oregon’s offense humming without Moore. In some ways, it’s looked even more dangerous.
Saturday against UCLA, he’ll have plenty to work with. Jeremiah McClellan is the only notable offensive piece listed as injured, while Jamari Johnson has had two weeks to recover after a big game against USC, Jalen Lott is back after breaking his hand in fall camp, and Dakorien Moore, Evan Stewart and Messiah Hampton remain a loaded group at receiver.
Raiola says the biggest jump has come between the ears. The physical change is obvious, but the mental side of his game has taken off as he gets deeper into Drew Mehringer’s offense.
“I feel like when I’m watching tape, things may hit me a little faster and I’m able to recognize it and understand it quicker, whereas maybe in the past, I have to study a little more,” Raiola said. “Now, I can recognize it and implement what we’re trying to get done on the offensive side, and kind of visualize those plays coming to life. ... And I think it just makes it easier when you get out there in the game.”
That’s the version of Raiola Oregon is getting now: bigger, sharper and ready for the spotlight, even if it’s only for as long as Moore needs to heal.
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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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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 🡒]