It's not the critic who counts.
The great internet hype machine has been busy heaping doubts on Dante Moore before his reboot season as the new Oregon starter. Gleeful Washington honks and other keyboard warriors dredge up the lowlights from his nine-game stint at UCLA as a true freshman and rip his decision-making and ability to read defenses, predicting a seven- or eight-win season for the Ducks.
They assume his worst moments from two years ago define him forever. In 2023 Moore threw 11 touchdowns offset by nine interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.
For Moore, Saturday 1 p.m. in Autzen Stadium against Montana State is a Silence-the-Haters party.
Oregon State defense vs #18 UCLA, Reser Stadium 2023. QB Dante Moore was 13/33 with 3 INTs and took 5 sacks. The #15 Beavers got the win 36-24. #GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/c92g28rEWI
— Keith - OSU (@GoBeavs2k) July 17, 2025
He's not focused on that. In spring reporters asked him whether he ignored outside noise or used it to motivate himself. The redshirt sophomore from Detroit, Michigan told reporters, "I just know Coach Lanning always tells me pressure is a privilege. I just feel like I'm blessed to be here, blessed to be where I'm at overall, just in general, not really think about, you know, down, down the line, down the season."
"I think like I'm thinking about every day, just how I'm getting better at practice, how I'm helping the team around me get better. But overall, I say, you know, it's always good to think ahead, but right now, I'm just living in the moment."
Focusing on the next play, the next rep and the work that's in front of him is the right approach for Moore, and his consistency in doing so won him the Oregon job. The talent is there and his teammates believe in him. Even so, a solid start against the Bobcats would help create a lot of momentum for him and the Oregon offense.
Nationally, people don't remember what a talent the 6-3, 210 pro style passer was coming out of high school. In the 247 Sports Composite he ranked No. 3 in the nation among quarterbacks for 2023, behind only Arch Manning and Nico Iamaleava, ahead of Jackson Arnold, Avery Johnson, LaNorris Sellers, Aidan Chiles and Sam Leavitt.
At the Fishduck.com Forum, reader WTD25 posted a clip of Moore dealing dimes at the 2023 All-American Bowl. The Detroit, Michigan product threw four touchdowns in the game, a slant route to the back of the end zone with a backside rusher closing in on him (42-second mark), a fade to the right corner with beautiful touch (:50), a 30-yard strike down the seam (1:32) hit just as he throws; and a checkdown to the running back in the flat at the goal line (2:17) to take a 40-3 lead in the third quarter.
Moore is accurate, he's on time, and he's comfortable among the best players in the country, an alpha dog in this setting, yet somehow the doubters want to pigeonhole him based on some growing pains in a bad, deteriorating situation with the Bruins.
The critics are in for a shock. Moore's ceiling is as high and splendid as the Sistine Chapel.