Oregon Moves Forward With Dylan Raiola as Dante Moore's Injury Lingers
The short version
- Oregon improved to 3-1 with a 41-27 road win over USC in Week 4.
- Starting QB Dante Moore suffered a scary injury that could keep him out for the foreseeable future.
- Backup Dylan Raiola, a former five-star recruit and two-year Nebraska starter, would take over the offense.
- Players from Oregon and USC scuffled in the tunnel after the game.
- Oregon hosts UCLA in Week 6.
The Ducks improved to 3-1 with a 41-27 win at USC, but a scary injury to starting quarterback Dante Moore could put backup Dylan Raiola in charge of a playoff-caliber team.
Oregon picked up its biggest win of the young season in Week 4, beating USC 41-27 on the road to move to 3-1. The victory came with a major concern, though, as starting quarterback Dante Moore left with a frightening injury that could sideline him for an extended period.
That puts backup Dylan Raiola in line to run the offense going forward. Raiola arrived at Oregon after two seasons as a starter at Nebraska, where he threw for 2,189 yards as a freshman and followed with a 2,000-yard sophomore campaign. He transferred with the goal of competing for a national title, something he did not believe was realistic in Lincoln.
Raiola was a five-star recruit and already showed what he can do against the Trojans, engineering a clutch drive after replacing Moore. Jordon Davison supported him on the ground with 66 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Jamari Johnson caught seven passes for 119 yards.
The USC win also came with friction. Players from both teams traded punches in a scuffle in the tunnel after the final whistle, a sour note on an otherwise strong day for the Ducks.
Oregon's only loss this season came in Week 2 on the road, a 39-31 defeat that came while the Ducks were dealing with a rash of injuries at the skill positions that limited their offense. Coach Dan Lanning and his staff made adjustments after that game, and the results since have been encouraging.
The coaching staff is also still settling in. Offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer is in his first season running the offense after serving as tight ends coach in Eugene since January 2022, and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton was promoted in December 2025 and has yet to complete a full season in his role. Hampton's unit struggled at times through the Oklahoma State game but called a strong game against USC in Los Angeles.
Raiola's skill set fits what Mehringer wants to do. He is effective throwing on the run, running misdirection and delivering passes to receivers in stride, and he now operates surrounded by teammates who rank among the best in the Big Ten at their positions. A fan of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Raiola at times plays with a similar flair.
Oregon's schedule remains difficult, but the program is positioned as a legitimate national title contender. The Ducks host UCLA in Week 6, another opportunity for Hampton's defense to show its progress. Whether Moore returns to form or Raiola carries the job the rest of the way, Oregon appears equipped to make a deep run toward the College Football Playoff.
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