Another genius campaign by the Oregon athletic department launched Dante Moore's Heisman contention and introduced Oregon football to Japan this week as Moore, Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore, Jordon Davison, Dierre Hill, Jamari Johnson and Jeremiah McClellan went to the island nation for a goodwill tour and a series of 7-on-7 clinics.
In one video released widely Friday the giant inflatable version of The Duck teams with Godzilla to terrorize Tokyo, the Oregon mascot striking a Heisman pose at the end. In another, fourth-string quarterback Ryder Hayes hosts as Mort Morrison, wearing a cheesy wig and fake mustache, sending up late-night stereo and used car commercials from the '70s as he promises "More Moore," "More touchdowns, Moore lasers, Moore wins."
If this isn't the coolest thing of all time, it's the 2nd coolest thing of all time. pic.twitter.com/oIAxphjW5i
— Ted Leroux (@TedontheDucks) June 25, 2026
"Yes, there's Moore!" Morrison promises, more celebrations, and a miracle product that can bring new shine to your wardrobe.
The second video has K-pop inspirations as The Duck takes a selfie with two Japanese cuties in school girl outfits, then the shot opens wide to a panic-inducing frame of the inflatable Puddles and iconic film monster Godzilla looming over the skyscrapers. The cell phone hits the pavement. A grown man screams in terror. A love interest rejects a bouquet of flowers.
On the streets of the city as pedestrians scamper away in mass hysteria, The Duck brushes his sleeves and strikes the Heisman pose. The tagline is "Gonna be a monster season."
Gonna be a monster season.#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/nwKaKyX8wS
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) June 26, 2026
Giant billboards diffuse Heisman hype with bold overstatement
With a nod to Joey Heisman and Bo-Dacious, the campaign takes past Heisman billboards to an entirely new and ridiculous level. Make it loud and make it funny, seems to be the message. The hype is just another cartoon monster.
In his first full season as the Oregon starter Moore threw for 3,556 yards and 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, leading the Ducks to a 13-2 record and two playoff wins. In two games against national champion Indiana, however, Moore threw three interceptions, sacked nine times with a pair of fumbles, held to 186 and 285 yards under relentless pressure.
His pick-six on the first play of the game set a disastrous tone in the 56-22 Peach Bowl loss to the Hoosiers.
In other games, Moore was brilliant. A laser throw to Jeremiah McClellan beat Iowa late in the fourth quarter. He evaded a free rusher and side-armed a pass for a 25-yard touchdown to Gary Bryant Jr. to put away Penn State in double overtime. Midway through the fourth quarter at Washington on third and nine in a one-score game, he found Malik Benson for a 64-yard touchdown.
Moore at his best is the best quarterback in 2026 college football. These Heisman ads declare his candidacy with humor, thereby diffusing some of the pressure and expectation that comes with that kind of attention.
The bushy-haired junior's humility, quiet confidence and team-first attitude should do the rest. He's often said, "This is something I've dreamed about since being a little kid." As a leader he's quick to share credit and loves his teammates to death, a phrase he often uses when talking about them as individuals. That grace of spirit should carry him through the pressure.
By acknowledging the outsized expectations and turning them into an outrageously bold statement with three videos and billboards all over the largest city in the world, it somehow makes it both monumental and inconsequential. The promotions seem to say, strike the pose and have fun with it.
Beginning in September, it's all about Moore touchdowns and Moore lasers, winning games.
Add us as a preferred source on Google