The quarterback competition wages on in Eugene. Facing a lost season and having already moved on from offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, the Oregon Ducks are in a position to shake the offense up and give more opportunities to the depth in the quarterback room moving forward.
Dylan Raiola is still expected to start this weekend when the Ducks host Northwestern on Halloween, but the Ducks need better play from the position. Yes, Raiola wasn't always put in a position to succeed in the loss to Illinois, but he also missed several open receivers, either sailing passes over their heads or never looking in their direction.
Moving forward, assistant quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson will be the team's primary play-caller on Saturdays, giving the team an outside
perspective and a veteran in the role. Dan Lanning is striving for better play and better distribution to the team's star playmakers, and it starts with one key trait.
"Consistency," Lanning said on Monday. "We've got to be able to make sure that we can help create consistency with play calls. We've been a really good quarterback room off the bench. We haven't been a very good quarterback room consistently at the start of games. Probably finding out why that is. In the last game, again, we did start off really well, and we just didn't finish well. But I think we have to find the rhythm that we can, and we need competition at that position as well as other positions on the field."
Lanning announced that Dante Moore won't return this season, likely ending his time as a Duck, but he will be with the team and supporting from the sideline the rest of the way. He could even play scout team quarterback in practice to give the defense the best look possible.
Moore's support could also help the quarterbacks adjust to the changes in the offense under Johnson's leadership and the collective effort in the game plan from the offensive coaching staff. Raiola has the most experience on the field, but Brock Thomas and Akili Smith Jr. could also factor into the end-of-season plans for the Ducks at quarterback.
Given Raiola's struggles and the lack of game experience for Thomas and Smith, there is a chance the Ducks go back to basics on offense, while finding a way to be more aggressive in pushing the ball downfield.
"There's so much external pressure on that position specifically because everything on offense runs through that position," Lanning said. "So, does that mean that we simplify? Does that mean that we make things really clear and concise? Some of those moments I think are happening. We've just got to be able to operate a little bit better, but it has to happen on the field. We have guys that are capable for us to be able to have success on the field. We're not the only team in the country that is playing with a different quarterback, right? So we have to be able to do that at a high level. I think we have guys that can do that. We have to make sure as coaches we put them in position to do that."
Oregon's defense is still playing well despite the offense's troubles this season. The toughest part of the schedule is still to come, with games against Northwestern, Ohio State, Michigan and Washington on deck to end the season. If the defense breaks down, the Ducks will need a reliable option at quarterback to stay in games and distribute to Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart, while posing enough of a threat downfield to open up rushing lanes for Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr.
Akili smith Jr to Dakorien Moore pic.twitter.com/v5ApSajFel
— FD (@flooduck) April 25, 2026
Easier said than done, of course, but perhaps a big arm like Smith's could be the ideal fit moving forward. The 6-foot-5 sophomore has the physical traits to win at the position, and fans have clamored for Lanning to give Smith an opportunity on Saturday. Lanning said there is "100% an opportunity" for Smith to factor into the rest of the season, but he still has to earn his chance.
"His arm strength, some of the best in that room. He's able to do some things with his legs. He's become a much better player for us," Lanning said. "We need a level of consistency from him throughout practice. Again, I think we all recognize that there are moments where we're playing really good defense this year. We have to make sure that we have a chance to be successful in the game because we're protecting the ball well and doing that. That's every quarterback. That's not just Akili. That position has to do a great job of controlling the ball."
Oregon will try to answer some of its quarterback questions this week against red-hot Northwestern at Autzen Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon may simplify offense as QB competition continues
