Ducks face a potential dilemma, a looming choice between two brothers in arms

Dante Moore took a brutal hit to the head and neck during the second quarter of Oregon's win over USC Saturday night, one that sent him into apparent convulsions and left him with a concussion. He faces a couple of weeks of careful rehab to recover.

Trojan linebacker Drew Stephens II was ejected from the game for targeting as both benches cleared. Today Stephens drew a one game suspension from head coach Lincoln Riley.

While everyone wishes Moore a complete recovery and the opportunity to play again, another question lingers. Moore is a great kid. He's sponsored camps for kids, advocated for mental health and led the Ducks to a 15-3 record over two seasons.

Last night, though, Dylan Raiola was brilliant in relief, 19-26 passing for 289 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Ducks to a 13-10 halftime lead followed by four decisive touchdown drives in the second half.

It has to be noted that he appeared to be freer, looser, more confident and more effective than his teammate in leading the now-No. 15 Ducks to the road victory.

Something has been off with Moore so far this season, whether it's growing pains, a lingering undisclosed injury or hitting some kind of fourth-year wall in his development. In the upset loss to Oklahoma State behind faltering protection, the senior from Detroit, Michigan had one of the worst games of career, 14-29 passing for 191 yards, sacked four times.

He's been slow in his reads, hesitant at times to pull the trigger, missing open targets or not finding them, ineffective in a collapsing pocket. The rhythm he found in four wins in November last season seems to be missing altogether. Against heavy pressure in the Texas Tech and Indiana games, his efficiency nosedived as he started seeing ghosts.

While it's cruel to criticize a player that's just suffered a devastating injury, it's fair to note that Raiola was far more effective while leading the Ducks to a much-needed win, one that bolstered their playoff hopes.

By contrast, Raiola completed big throws with pass rushers in his face. Two of Oregon's biggest plays of the game came under pressure, a 62-yard screen pass to Dierre Hill on 2nd and 6 early in the third quarter, a 29-yard touchdown throw to Dakorien Moore on third and 8 with 8:42 to play in the game, giving the Ducks the lead at 34-27.

In the interview room Dakorien Moore revealed the decisive touchdown play was a read Raiola made presnap. "We seen a freshman, and (Raiola) said 'check, Dakorien Moore, Touchdown,'" Moore said.

Two rushers came free on a third and 2 completion to Hill in the third period, good for 28 yards.

Near the end of the first half, Raiola layered a throw to Evan Stewart on 3rd and 13, standing in against more pressure and finding his receiver between three defenders.

The confidence and the willingness to manipulate to pocket and stand in against the heat gave new energy to Drew Mehringer's offense, and it ignited the Ducks attack. Nine big passing plays accounted for 260 yards in the win, eight of them by Raiola in relief.

He used the tight end effectively. He sucked the defense in and flipped the ball to backs. He retreated or stepped up in the pocket to buy time. This play didn't count due to a holding call, but it was one of his most impressive examples of poise and awareness, a great rep by the quarterback and receiver.

The Oregon players love Dante Moore and believe in him completely. After the game Evan Stewart told the media, “Everything I already knew about us, it just came to light today, especially with the moment that happened,” Stewart said. “It definitely exposed a lot of feelings and emotions that needed to come out for a lot of our players on the team. And for us to come together and just put on a show like that for our brother, it was great.”

While all that is certainly true, it was Raiola who pulled the trigger on Oregon's best offensive performance of the season, the best since last year's 42-27 win over the Trojans in Autzen Stadium or the pummeling of James Madison in the first round of the playoffs.

Everyone looked like world beaters in the lopsided win over FCS Portland State last weekend, but that one doesn't count in the same way. It turned out that the extra reps the Ducks got in that one were pivotal for Raiola, Messiah Hampton and the still-developing offensive line.

Moore will be out for a time while he heals his brain. Oregon is blessed with their one bye of the season this week as Jamari Johnson, A'Mauri Washington and Jalen Lott, among others, continue their rehabs as well.

The slate ahead looks tougher than it seemed in August. Nebraska and UCLA are 4-0, the Bruins No. 23 in the country after their offense upended Maryland 54-3. Illinois is typically physical and tough at home. Northwestern took Indiana deep into the fourth quarter on Friday before losing 29-23.

Having two capable quarterbacks with starting experience is a luxury few programs have in the NIL era, a testament to planning and salesmanship by the Oregon staff. In the weeks ahead, however, it may lead to a difficult decision. Does Dan Lanning hand the reins back to the senior who returned for another year while passing up millions in the NFL draft, or to the savvy junior who is currently outplaying him?

There's an old adage in sports that you can't lose your starting job to an injury, but the Ducks have a lot of work to do to match up to Texas, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Indiana in the playoffs. Right now, Raiola looks like the quarterback who's handling the pressure better. The twin forces of loyalty and production could make that a difficult balance.

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