The Oregon Ducks came into Saturday with a chance to build on the momentum they built with the thrilling win over Nebraska. Facing a 3-3 Illinois team who is also without their starting quarterback seemed like a great chance for the Ducks, as they've been playing short handed in recent weeks. After a perfect start to the game with a touchdown and a defensive stop, everything went downhill for the Ducks.
Through 7 games, Oregon is now just 4-3, and the season is seemingly over after starting with such high hopes. Dan Lanning and the Ducks have a lot of questions to answer for the way this season has unfolded, and on Saturday Afternoon, 5 clear losers cost the team yet again.
The 5 biggest losers from Oregon's embarrasing loss
Dan Lanning - Head Coach
The blame has to start with the head coach, and the way this season has unfolded is the black eye of the Dan Lanning era. Late in the 4th quarter, Oregon fans saw another Dan Lanning mistake as he trotted Gage Hurych for a 52 yard attempt after he missed from the same distance earlier. As of it wasn't bad enough, the Ducks tried again from 47 yards out needing 11 points with under a minute to go, delivering the dagger to the season. This has to be a learning experience for Lanning, and he has a lot to clean up if he's ever going to get over the hump.
Drew Mehringer - Offensive Coordinator
If Dan Lanning is evaluating the coaching staff on a weekly basis, it's getting harder to defend bringing Drew Mehringer back next season. The Ducks offense marched right down the field for a touchdown on the opening drive, and after the scripted drive, almost nothing worked for the offense. Blame can certainly be placed on the quarterback play, but at some point the offense needs to start scoring points.
Chris Hampton - Defensive Coordinator
The Oregon defense hasn't been the problem this season, but on Saturday, they weren't part of the solution. The Ducks were gashed by an Illinois team that ran the ball at will, picking up 222 yards on the ground and controlling the game in the second half. For the rest of the season, Lanning has to evaluate everything, and Hampton is going to have to prove to be better if he's going to come back next season.
Dylan Raiola - Quarterback
If there's one positive to come from Dante Moore's injury, it's that Oregon knows they can't head into next season planning to start Dylan Raiola. Once again, Raiola had a chance to impress in a start, and he failed miserably completing 27 of 41 attempts for just 246 yards, fumbling twice with one being lost. Raiola was supposed to be the quarterback that could keep a season alive, and instead he's killed the Ducks.
Koi Perich - Safety
The play of Koi Perich has been a topic all season, and on Saturday Afternoon, he continued his string of disappointing play. On Illinois' 75 yard touchdown, the Ducks could've held the Illini to a small gain, but like we've seen throughout the season, Perich made an awful play in the lane, allowing Laughery to take it the distance. Playing the freshmen safeties can lead to mistakes, but at this point, if Perich is going to make them, it's worth switching things up.
Watch Oregon’s safeties here. Just terrible pursuit angles by Koi Perich and Peyton Woodyard. https://t.co/LxdADqkHKg pic.twitter.com/ePNTtsWDlY
— Alek Arend (@alekarend) October 24, 2026
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