The unfortunate 2026 season for the Oregon Ducks continues to get worse by the day, as Dan Lanning announced on Monday that he does not expect quarterback Dante Moore to return this season.
It was during the September 28th game against USC when Oregon’s season took a turn, when Moore sustained a concussion after taking a shot to the head by linebacker Desman Stephens as the quarterback was attempting to slide on a run.
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Over the past few weeks, Moore had returned to practice for Oregon, participating with the team on a daily basis. But, in terms of returning to the field in an uncontrolled environment, Dan Lanning mentioned that he can not be cleared by the Ducks medical team for a return to live action.
“Really got clarity for us over the past week. I think if it was up to Dante in any shape or way, he would want to be out there playing for the guys,” Lanning said on Monday. “But unfortunately, it’s not really up to Dante, and it’s not really up to me. We can control the settting of practice where he’s able to do things for us, where that’s not always the case in a game.
“You know, we said before that this is a serious deal that he’ll 100% be able to make a full recovery from. That has not changed, I definitely feel that way. But for him to be out there on the field for us right now, that’s not going to happen.”
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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State on Sept. 5, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)
This was not Dante Moore quitting on a three-loss Oregon team
Up until the concussion sustained against USC, Moore had thrown for 925 yards and nine touchdowns, with zero interceptions.
And, for those that think this was a decision Dante Moore made in relation to Oregon currently having three losses and the season being a wash, Lanning made it clear this was not the case, as Moore is currently the scout team quarterback.
“We’re getting one of the best scout team looks in practice every week, and he looks good out there,” Lanning mentioned. “This isn’t like a selfish decision on Dante’s part saying ‘I don’t wanna come back, the season doesn’t look like theyw ay I want it to look’. That’s not at all what this is.”
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Quarterback Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks runs with the football and slides to avoid a tackle from linebacker Desman Stephens II of the USC Trojans during a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sept. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif. (ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Oregon moving forward, with Dante Moore now preparing for the NFL
The unfortunate situation for the Ducks quarterback has obviously had an effect over the past month.
After suffering a loss to Oklahoma State, the Ducks were already working at a deficit in the eyes of CFP committee members, not being able to afford two more losses. But, as Oregon worked through two-different quarterbacks in Moore’s absence, Dan Lanning has been dealt two additional losses in the process.
Oregon committed seven turnovers in a 17-15 loss to UCLA earlier this month in a loss, and then this past weekend against Illinois could only score ten points in the 21-10 loss on the road.
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Now, the reality has set in for a football team that has not been able to establish a rushing attack, while dwindling in the passing game behind their backup quarterbacks.
This led to Dan Lanning making the move to fire offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer on Sunday.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning stands over quarterback Dante Moore as he is attended to after a hard tackle by linebacker Desman Stephens II during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
For Dante Moore, his focus will now shift to making a full recovery in preparation what comes next, which is expected to be the NFL Draft.
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The Oregon quarterback has been projected to be a first-round pick next April, after choosing to return for another season in Eugene this past offseason.
What was once a season full of hope for Oregon has now turned into a disaster with over one month left in the regular season, as the Ducks are currently 4-3 with a very low percentage chance of making the postseason.
There will be a lot of questions to be answered over the next few months before the transfer portal opens and Oregon starts to rebuild its roster for 2027, with Dylan Raiola transferring from Nebraska this past offseason in hopes of one day becoming the full-time starter in Eugene.
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Now, there will be plenty to digest, as Oregon prepares to play Northwestern this weekend.
