A year that began with such great promise is starting to look like it's slipping away for the Oregon Ducks. Dan Lanning's team struggled with Boise State, and has now dropped games against Oklahoma State and UCLA, dropping the team to 3-2 before Halloween rolled around. The Ducks aren't eliminated from the College Football Playoff race, but with a pair of losses, the margin for error is gone.
Leaving Saturday's embarrassing loss to UCLA, if there was one hope for the Ducks, it was that the defense was impressive, and that Dante Moore returning from injury could fix the team. While Dante Moore returned to practice this week, and threw the ball on the field before the game, there's a new concern for the rest of the season.
Dan Lanning's comments on Dante Moore are a massive concern
After the game, Dan Lanning was asked about if Dante Moore would return this season, and he wouldn't commit to a return, which was startling.
"It’s a continued discussion. I don’t want to put words in my mouth ,or Dante’s, on that, it’s something we’ve said from the beginning that we’re gonna move with an abundance of caution and continue to get evaluated and checked. We’ll continue to have those conversations. He’s been practicing with his team. I anticipate that there’s gonna be an opportunity for him to be back out there. But it’d be unfair for me to say that right now."Dan Lanning
Oregon was always going to play things safe with Dante Moore and his concussion, but the way Dan Lanning spoke about his quarterback is concerning. Considering that Dante Moore was wearing a helmet this week, it seemed like a return was on the horizon, but it now seems like it could be much longer before he returns.
Coming into the weekend, it seemed like Dylan Raiola was good enough to lead this team for several weeks if needed after his showing against USC. After Saturday's showing, Oregon has to turn to Brock Thomas as Raiola was abysmal with two weeks to prepare for this game, and Thomas instantly started moving the ball to give the team a chance.
The Ducks are a different unit on offense with Dante Moore which is to be expected, and if he's out, any hope of making the College Football Playoff is gone. Moore is able to get the ball to his playmakers in a way that Thomas and Raiola seemingly can't, and if the offense isn't going to move the ball as the games are tough, this team could be much closer to .500 than the Playoff.
Dante Moore has a lot on the line, and the first priority is always going to be his health, given the severity of concussions. Losing Dante Moore in a season that had such promise would be heartbreaking for the Ducks, and Moore himself, given the risk he took coming back to school and all the goals he could've achieved if not for one of the dirtiest hits you will ever see.
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