Oregon had an impressive run last season, finishing with a remarkable record of 13-1. They seemed poised to complete their campaign successfully until they were eliminated by Ohio State. This year, head coach Dan Lanning will face significant changes to his roster, with the most notable being the change at the QB1 position. Dillon Gabriel has left. Dante Moore is poised to be the next leader of the offense. Can Lanning continue to work his magic with the Oregon team this season? Insiders suggest that the Ducks are likely to lose a key matchup this year.
There are some problematic whispers going about Moore already. He’s still slated to be the starting QB for Dan Lanning, but he seems to be faltering on expectations. There were instances in spring when Austin Novosad threatened to outshine Moore. And in the spring game, it was Luke Moga who stole the show. Moore was once Lanning’s key recruit. He paid him a 6-figure sum for him to flip from UCLA and then redshirt that season. Given the efforts Lanning has put into developing his much-wanted QB, does Moore stand a chance of not being able to deliver?
Insiders Spencer McLaughlin and Zach Seyko discussed everything that could happen in the Oregon vs. Penn State game. It was a game the Ducks won last year, but that team was led by Dillon Gabriel. With Moore as QB1, things don’t look so good. “Drew Allar has started, I don’t even know how many games at this point. Dante Moore started, I think it was three or four, at UCLA. It was less than half a season that he was the starting quarterback, that [he] rolled out there for snap one,” said Seyko. It’s the difference in experience that stands as a reason for worry.
“I’ve got a veteran quarterback on the other side, and this is going to be the biggest game of Dante Moore’s career.” Allar will be playing his fourth season, having started for 29 games. Throughout that time, the star QB has amassed 6,302 yards, 53 TDs, and an average passing rate of 144. Moore, despite being short by just one season, is staring at a glaring shortage of starting experience. He was QB1 for UCLA for only 5 games. But across the total 12 games he’s played, he’s made 1,659 yards, 11 TDs, and also a problematic 9 interceptions. Before the Penn State game, Moore still has a chance to improve if he messes up. The Nittany Lions? The stakes go way up for the rookie.
This year, with a lot of former players off to the NFL, both James Franklin and Dan Lanning stand at different strengths. Unfortunately, it’s the latter HC who will have a troubling time.
Dan Lanning’s Oregon looks weak against a powerful Penn State
Brad Crawford of 247Sports ranks this particular faceoff as the most anticipated one of the 2025 season. It’s the second time the two teams will be meeting after Oregon triumphed over the Nittany Lions and claimed the Big 10 conference title. Seyko recalled some elements from then, which are now revamped on either side for this season. On the defense is Jim Knowles as the new DC, already building off of an elite side.
“Let’s call it how we see it, he [Knowles clowned him [Will Stein]. He clowned him. First time around, advantage Stein. Second time around, once you’re making adjustments, that was big-time Jim Knowles. Knowles beat Stein in the Rose Bowl more than Stein beat Knowles in the matchup at Austin Stadium.” With Knowles at Penn State, is Stein looking to see a repeat of the Bowl game?
On the offense, too, it’s Penn State that’s looking supreme. “Oh, that group is now better, more in sync. The chemistry is built. Everybody’s just going to improve,” he noted. Penn State’s offense looks like one ready to pack a punch, and worryingly enough, Oregon has lost some key D-linemen to the NFL. Dan Lanning no longer had Derrick Harmon, Jordan Burch, and Jamaree Caldwell. “Penn State has its entire offensive line back, and then Drew Allar and Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen,” Seyko summarized.
Andy Kotelnicki has created a monstrous offense for them this year, and it looks like he’ll be repeating that in the future as well. After Singleton and Allen move on, there’s room for more. “And then they’re going to run that wrinkle with Andy Kotelnicki, where you’re going to see a third running back on the field and whoever gets the football, you know, good luck trying to stop them behind that offensive line,” Seyko theorized.
Penn State looks much more poised than Oregon to win their game, which is on 27th September. Franklin seems to have already done the work needed to beat the Ducks. Dan Lanning better roll up his sleeves, add some more power to his offense, and continue to develop his defense.
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