Dante Moore listed out as Oregon keeps Nebraska quarterback decision open

Oregon lists Dante Moore as out for Saturday’s Nebraska game on the Big Ten’s initial October 14 availability report. The Ducks still have a separate decision to make: who starts in his place.

Dan Lanning had not named that quarterback in the reporting reviewed Thursday morning. ESPN reported an ongoing competition involving Dylan Raiola, Brock Thomas and freshman Akili Smith. Moore’s designation should not be turned into an announcement that Raiola will face his former team as the starter.

Moore has been recovering from a concussion suffered against USC on September 26. Lanning said Wednesday that he was attending practice and throwing, but did not provide a return timetable before the conference report was released. Practice involvement and clearance to play are different pieces of information; the current report lists him out.

Oregon’s official Wednesday coaches show places the week’s preparation in context, with Lanning and linebacker Devon Jackson joining the program’s radio team ahead of Nebraska.

The backup competition follows two sharply different performances against UCLA. Raiola completed six of 19 passes and threw two interceptions in the Ducks’ 17–15 loss. Thomas replaced him in the fourth quarter and threw for 156 yards and a touchdown, helping Oregon get back into the game.

Raiola had previously thrown for 289 yards and two touchdowns after replacing Moore against USC. That earlier performance and the UCLA finish explain why a familiar name alone does not settle Saturday’s assignment. Lanning acknowledged the emotional element for Raiola, who spent his first two college seasons at Nebraska, while keeping the choice open.

The availability questions extend beyond quarterback. Oregon receiver Evan Stewart is questionable, while Jeremiah McClellan is listed out. The initial report also lists Nebraska defensive lineman Riley Van Poppel as doubtful.

Nebraska visits Autzen Stadium on October 17 at 8 p.m. Pacific, or 11 p.m. Eastern, on FOX. The useful next update is the Ducks’ actual quarterback decision and any change to the availability report.

Sources

• Big Ten: October 14 initial availability report
• ESPN: Moore status and quarterback competition
• KETV: Initial Oregon–Nebraska availability report
• Oregon: Nebraska game information

Sources

Big Ten official initial UCLA–Oregon availability report · ESPN: Moore status and quarterback competition · KETV: Initial Oregon–Nebraska availability report · Nebraska game information