Dante Moore Out for CFB Season, Latest Injury Update on Oregon QB After Illegal Hit vs. USC

Oregon will have to finish the 2026 campaign without its star quarterback.

Head coach Dan Lanning announced Monday that Dante Moore will miss the remainder of the year after not playing since Sept. 26 against USC, when he suffered a concussion after taking an illegal hit.

In the second quarter of the Ducks' matchup against USC, Moore attempted to slide before taking a hit in the helmet from linebacker Desman Stephens II.

Moore, who has missed the last three games for the Ducks after suffering the concussion, has not been medically cleared to play yet, Lanning said.

"If it was up to Dante in any shape, way, he would be out there playing for the guys," Lanning said . "This isn't a selfish decision on Dante's part, saying, 'I don't want to come back, the season doesn't look the way I want it to look.' That's not at all what this is."

Moore was off to a great start before the injury, completing 69.7 percent of his passes for 926 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions. The senior threw for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last year, declining the NFL draft to return for another year with Oregon despite being widely projected as a top-five pick.

Oregon was 3-1 and still had national championship hopes when Moore went down, but things have changed drastically since then. The Ducks lost their first game without Moore against UCLA, beat Nebraska, but fell to Illinois last week, more than likely spoiling their chances of reaching the College Football Playoff.

Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola has been under center for Oregon and has had mixed results, throwing for 761 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Ducks will take on Northwestern this week before a matchup against Ohio State as they look to salvage their season without Moore.