Oregon’s season took a hard turn on Saturday night, and now the Ducks are leaning on the backup they hoped they’d never need.
Dante Moore’s return for another year had given Dan Lanning’s program exactly what it wanted: a legitimate shot to chase a National Championship without having to scramble for a new starting quarterback. Oregon still added insurance, though, and that move suddenly looks huge.
Dylan Raiola came in with the idea of developing behind Moore, with real playing time only likely in an emergency. That emergency showed up in the second quarter against USC.
Moore took a brutal hit on a play the source described as a “disgusting play” by USC defensive back Desman Stephens II. He was placed on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance, and taken to LA General Hospital.
From here, Raiola becomes the center of everything Oregon wants to do.
Losing a quarterback with Moore’s profile would usually knock a team off course. The Ducks are almost certainly not the same without him, and they’ll feel the loss if he’s out for any length of time. But Oregon’s decision to bring in an experienced starter gives this situation a different feel than the typical season-ending backup story.
Raiola arrives with two years of starting experience and the pedigree of a former 5-star recruit. He’s shown flashes, even if consistency has been an issue.
The important part for Oregon is that he doesn’t have to carry the offense alone. Dan Lanning’s roster still gives him plenty to work with, and the job now is less about forcing big plays and more about running the offense cleanly.
That was on display in the first half. Raiola completed 6 of 8 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, and he also hit Jamari Johnson on a deep ball that was later erased by a holding penalty. He didn’t look overwhelmed by the moment, and he helped push Oregon into halftime with the lead.
How long Moore is sidelined remains unknown. For now, though, Raiola is the one holding the keys to Oregon’s season.
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