Dakorien Moore truly arrived with the Oregon Ducks one year ago in a matchup against Oklahoma State. The Ducks wasted no time scoring, and Moore was a big part of the scoring barrage.
Dante Moore
took a chance on the then-freshman wideout with a deep ball down the sideline. Moore caught the pass, sidestepped a pair of defenders, and raced to the end zone for a 65-yard touchdown, the first of his Oregon career.Sound familiar? Well, Moore did something similar this past weekend against Boise State, catching a pass and juking two defenders into each other before dancing into the end zone for a 62-yard score that proved to be the game-winner.
Former Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant took to social media to shout out the Ducks' receiving
threat, much like he did a year ago when Moore first donned an Oregon uniform. After Moore's touchdown put the Ducks over the top against Boise State, Bryant's message was simple.
1 really like that💪🏿 https://t.co/TlRxfX0iEF
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 5, 2026
"1 really like that," Bryant wrote in a post on X.
The play didn't take Bryant by surprise. Rather, it was something he has come to expect after watching Moore shine at Duncanville High School before he came to Oregon. The two have formed a connection that is still strong, even though Moore will look to shred Bryant's alma mater, Oklahoma State, again this Saturday. The words of encouragement for a local hero stand out to Moore.
"If I'm being honest, it means a lot," Moore said on Wednesday. "He came to my last high school game where we played North Crowley — of course, we lost that game. The plays that I'm making, just seeing the excitement that he had, his enthusiasm that he was giving me, just turned me up in that game. Seeing what he tweeted, the fanbase that he has, it just shows a lot of love. And I have a lot of love and respect for him."
Bryant played the Ducks once as a member of the Oklahoma State program in the 2008 Holiday Bowl. The Ducks won the game, 42-31, but Bryant gave the Ducks a run for their money. He made 13 catches for 167 yards and a touchdown, but Oregon pulled away in the second half.
It only seems fair for Moore to return the favor this season, with the game being played at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. Moore had two catches for 69 yards and a touchdown in the matchup last season, as well as a 25-yard rushing score, but the Oregon sophomore hopes to have more in store for the Cowboys and Bryant this weekend.
Moore put plenty of pressure on himself last year as a five-star freshman with aspirations to lead the Oregon offense, before an injury derailed some of his momentum midseason. This year, he has learned to lean on those around him, including veterans like Evan Stewart and fellow playmakers Jeremiah McClellan and Jamari Johnson.
There is only one ball, and Moore has realized that the Ducks can win with strength in numbers out wide.
"I feel like this year, being around my teammates and having the mentors that I have to hone into my development, I feel like I've just been around great people," Moore said. "(They) put me on the right track. Last year, I felt like I didn't have the mindset that I wanted to. So I'm just trying to do anything that I can to change my mindset, and I feel like I've been doing that so far."
Although Moore said Saturday's matchup against Oklahoma is "just another game" for the Ducks, he will share the field with some of his new mentors, while playing in front of some of his longtime mentors. Bryant will be watching Moore against his alma mater, and the Oregon receiver expects to have family in the stands.
Oregon and Oklahoma State will take the field on Sept. 13, with kickoff set for 9 a.m. PT on ESPN.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon's Dakorien Moore details bond with ex-Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant
