Spring games are no more than an impression. Position battles aren't decided and if stars ascend, they're as likely to be shooting stars that streak across Rich Brooks Field rarely to be seen again. A fourth team receiver may have a 100-yard game. A reserve defensive lineman may have three sacks.
Quarterbacks don't get hit and whistles are early. The mood is relaxed. Dan Lanning coaches from deep safety behind the offense. Still, for two cans of food and a River Walk, fans get a day in the sun and a party with 40,000 of their closest friends.
The mood is festive. Optimism crackles. This is a team with the fifth-best odds to win the National Championship, according to FanDuel, -270 to make the playoffs. They're loaded with talent, deep at key positions, integrated and unified in their approach. Seeing them for free in a festive atmosphere, along with getting a glimpse of a couple dozen stars of the past, is one of the best bargains in sports.
Entering Lanning's fifth year as head coach, The Progrum is in as solid a position as any in the country. He turned 40 on April 10th. The last four recruiting classes have finished No. 3, 5, 3 and 9 in the 247Sports Composite, and the Ducks do a good a job as anyone at mining the portal. They spend to win. More importantly, they identify talent and players who fit the culture, plus-athletes with special traits.
All that will be on display in two weeks, Saturday April 25 at 1 p.m. at Autzen Stadium, televised live on the Big Ten Network. Besides taking in the sun, the UO celebrities, the band and the antics of the Oregon Duck, there is one key thing to watch for as Lanning's crew conducts their 2026 dress rehearsal.
1. Dante Moore's growth
This offseason Moore sent a public letter to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, advocating for more mental health funding. He went public with his own mental health struggles as a young college athlete, battling depression during a trying freshman year as his mother endured breast cancer treatment.
On the field in 2025, Moore had a solid first year as the Oregon starter, throwing for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He made the mature decision to return to Eugene for his redshirt junior season, passing up millions in the NFL draft.
Moore's message made a difference in two ways. It took courage for a high-profile athlete to be so vulnerable about his journey under the extreme pressure of big-time sports, and it's bound to influence people. Everybody has a breaking point. Reaching out for help and support is just smart.
Secondly, an athlete who's been through the fire and endured lows, overcoming that depth of struggle and self-doubt can achieve a reserve of strength and acceptance that prepares him for anything, even the pressure of a national championship season. Moore has learned where his strength is, in his talent, his faith and the key relationships in his life.
The Ducks are a beautifully integrated team. There's togetherness across position groups, something that Lanning fosters with "Get-Real" sessions, leadership retreats and social events.
Moore's comfort level as the Oregon quarterback, as a leader on the field who has grown more confident making checks and recognizing the defense, coupled with the battle-tested confidence he feels surrounded by teammates he loves to death, makes this Oregon team a group with a tremendous inner strength, a group fans can't help rooting for. At the Spring Game that authentic confidence will be in full view.
Personal note for those who read to the end: I took a break from writing in this space, partly for my own physical and mental health. In late December I took an overnight job cleaning the gym in my neighborhood. It pays more than amateur digital print media, but the 24-hour schedule was kicking my butt, finding time to sleep and spend with my wife and dog. Something had to give.
There's a long list of men and women who do a great job covering Oregon sports, and I enjoy all of their content. I'll check in here periodically, but on the internet, the future of sportswriting belongs to AI and aggregators with a staff of ten. This looks to be the most exciting season in Duck football history. It'd be a shame to miss any part of it.