The Oregon Ducks are facing a critical decision at quarterback ahead of their Saturday game against Nebraska after a second loss of the season dropped them out of the AP poll. Coach Dan Lanning confirmed on Monday that the team is evaluating all options on offense following a poor showing against UCLA, but he refused to reveal any changes before kickoff.
Dylan Raiola, who stepped in for the injured Dante Moore in the win over USC, struggled badly against the Bruins. He completed just 6 of 19 passes for 43 yards, threw two interceptions, and lost a fumble before being replaced by Brock Thomas in the second half. Thomas threw for 149 yards and a touchdown, nearly engineering a comeback that fell short after a controversial two-point conversion attempt.
Lanning acknowledged the quarterback competition remains open should Moore be unable to return from the concussion he suffered against USC. “Everything is being evaluated,” Lanning said, refusing to confirm who will start against Nebraska. He discussed the factors influencing the decision, including last Saturday’s performance and the body of work during practice this week.
“The question was asked of me why not make the change sooner after the game; I think that’s fair,” Lanning said. “On the same note, I think some of the positions we put [Raiola] in weren’t successful opportunities as well. I think we made some adjustments in getting the ball out a little quicker, creating some more open pictures that allowed Brock to do that.”
Lanning stressed the importance of ball security in the quarterback role, noting that this was a weakness in Raiola’s recent outing. “You have to be able to protect the ball, that’s a part of it,” he added. He also reminded that Raiola had performed well against USC, suggesting a desire to keep faith with the young quarterback despite his struggles.
The offensive situation extends beyond the quarterback position. Lanning said competition is ongoing along the offensive line and certain defensive roles, and hinted at possible changes in the offensive coaching structure. While he expressed continued confidence in first-year offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, Lanning admitted there could be a different play-caller for the Nebraska game. He declined to disclose who might take on that responsibility, but said the game plan will be more collaborative.
This play-calling uncertainty could affect the quarterback decision, as the staff will want to ensure whoever takes snaps fits the overall strategy. The fact that Nebraska knows Raiola well, having had him as their starter for the previous two seasons, adds an extra layer to the decision-making. Lanning indicated that keeping Nebraska guessing on who will start and how Oregon will attack is part of their approach.
Moore’s potential return remains uncertain. He was able to do some on-field work last week but has no firm timetable to resume full game action. If he does not play, the Ducks will have to decide between Raiola and Thomas, weighing their recent performances and how they fit the offensive plan.
With Oregon now 3-2, Lanning is aware that another loss could derail their hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff, making the Nebraska game a must-win. The Ducks will enter the weekend with questions around their offense and quarterback still unresolved.
According to CBS.
