Oregon’s Monday reset after the 39-31 upset loss to Oklahoma State wasn’t just about fixing football problems. It also turned into a tense back-and-forth over why quarterback Dante Moore never spoke to reporters after the game.
The No. 21 Ducks were already dealing with a short week ahead of Friday night’s matchup, and Dan Lanning came to the podium with accountability on his mind - along with injury news tied to the extreme conditions in Stillwater. The game was played in a 103-degree heat index after a 90-minute lightning delay, and Lanning said Moore needed two IVs after the game because of dehydration and cramping.
When asked about Moore’s absence from the postgame media session, Lanning pushed back hard.
“I don’t think he chose not to,” Lanning said. “Did you know he was getting two IVs after the game?
He was dehydrated. He’ll be speaking to you guys tomorrow.
Any question that you want to ask him, you can certainly ask him.”
Lanning said Moore’s treatment came first, and that the quarterback was dealing with cramping on the field. He also pointed to the travel logistics after the game.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever given an interview while you’re getting an IV at the same time, getting treatment,” Lanning continued. “Does that make a little more sense?
And then there’s a bus and a flight you’re trying to catch, as well. But Dante will be here tomorrow.
You can talk to Dante. He was cramping up on the field.”
The issue, as it was raised Monday, wasn’t simply that Moore missed the media. It was that reporters in Stillwater were not given a reason. Lanning bristled at that too.
“So, before you write your article, they should say, ‘Hey, just so you guys know?’” Lanning responded.
“Well, you misconstrued it. You could always ask me.
Good job.”
After the loss, defensive lineman Teitum Tuioti was the only Ducks player who spoke with reporters.
Moore’s absence stood out because he is usually accessible and composed in those settings. The redshirt junior has a reputation for handling hard questions, taking his time, and owning his part rather than deflecting blame. That made Saturday’s silence unusual.
On the field, Moore was also in the middle of a rough night. He completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes in the defeat and finished 14-of-29 for 191 yards with two touchdowns. Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker outplayed him, and the loss came with more than 20 scouts and multiple NFL general managers in attendance.
There was also a separate football issue Lanning addressed: the talk that Moore may be tipping run or pass with his pre-snap foot alignment. Moore is expected to face questions about that when he speaks Tuesday after practice.
Lanning acknowledged the Ducks have work to do in that area.
“There's going to be times, based on looks, that, you have more tells than others, and sometimes you can take advantage of and use those. So, you want to sell certain looks for certain things, but I'd say that's something we can be better at. One of the things we definitely addressed after the game,” Lanning said.
Moore’s performance was especially notable because of what he has already shown at Oregon and before that at UCLA. A former 5-star recruit, he started all 15 games as a Duck in 2025 and also played five games as a true freshman at UCLA. Last season, he ranked No. 3 nationally with a 72.9 completion percentage and No. 7 with a 166.73 passer rating.
Now the Ducks are trying to shake off the setback and move on quickly. Oregon hosts Portland State on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. PT at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.
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