The first year of Oregon Ducks football in the Big Ten was a fun one to say the least. They went undefeated, including a thrilling 32-31 win over Ohio State in one of the greatest games inside Autzen Stadium.
It probably went better than expected.
But as the Ducks enter Year 2 of their Big Ten membership, what happened last season means nothing, according to Oregon head coach Dan Lanning.
“We have a brand new team and brand new challenges,” he said at the Big Ten Day Media Day in Las Vegas on Wednesday. “What happened last year has nothing to do with the future.”
Oregon lost a lot of players off that 12-1 squad from a year ago, but like many good programs, the Ducks are not rebuilding. They are reloading.
It will be an adjustment, however, particularly at the quarterback position, where for the first time since Lanning got here, the Ducks won’t be going with an experienced transfer. Rather, it will be Dante Moore, who was a highly-touted recruit, but in his true freshman season at UCLA, was thrown to the wolves before he was ready.
The talent was always there, and Oregon hopes that talent shines through after sitting a year on the sidelines and watching Dillon Gabriel do his thing for an entire season.
Unfortunately, Moore will be throwing to a young receiver group that doesn’t have many catches among them, but the pure talent is off the charts. They’ll have to grow up a little quicker now with Evan Stewart down with a knee injury that could keep him out the entire season.
The Ducks were successful in signing some sought-after players in the transfer portal, such as offensive lineman Isaiah World and safety Dillon Thieneman. Those additions and an easier schedule that doesn’t include Ohio State or Michigan, Oregon is hopeful it will retain its conference championship.
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Publish date : 2025-07-24 15:09:00
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