For the first time since the 2024 season, the Oregon Ducks
will have a new starting quarterback under center this weekend. After Dante Moore suffered a serious concussion a couple of weeks ago against the USC Trojans and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, No. 13 Oregon will turn to backup Dylan Raiola this weekend for a big-time game against the No. 21 UCLA Bruins, while Moore continues to go through the concussion protocol.This has been the expectation over the past week in Eugene, but it was made official on Wednesday night when Moore was listed as "out" for Saturday's game. It will pave the way for Raiola to make his first start since November of last season, when he was under center for the Nebraska Cornhuskers against the Trojans.
While it may be a concern for many teams to ride their backup quarterback into a top-25 matchup, there is supreme confidence amongst Duck fans, thanks to what Raiola has shown so far this season. In Week 4 against the Trojans, Raiola stepped in after Moore left the game in the second quarter and played lights-out, completing 19-of-25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, leading Oregon to a season-defining win.
So far this season, Raiola is 30-for-36 for 413 yards, 5 TDs, and 0 INTs in about four quarters of action for the Ducks.
While Raiola will be under center this week, it will be interesting to watch how Moore progresses in his recovery over the next week. Raiola's old team, the Cornhuskers, are slated to come to town, and there will be a lot of intrigue if he gets the start once again against a familiar foe. However, there's a chance that Moore will be out of concussion protocol by then and ready to get back on the field.
Oregon is favored to beat UCLA by 11.5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, despite Moore being listed as out. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Contact/Follow@College_Wire on X and@College_Wires on Threads. Like our page onFacebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Oregon Ducks to start QB Dylan Raiola over Dante Moore vs. UCLA Bruins
