Dante Moore’s return to practice this week gives Oregon fans hope that the star quarterback could play Saturday against unbeaten No. 21 UCLA. But the concussion he suffered on Sept. 26 against USC has passed through only four of the five stages required by NCAA rules, and the decision on whether he plays remains uncomfortable.
Moore suffered the injury in the second quarter when he slid to avoid contact and took a shot to the helmet from USC linebacker Desman Stephens II, who was later suspended for the tackle. Since then, Oregon coach Dan Lanning has been cautious, saying the program is taking an “abundance of caution” and offering no timetable for his return.
The Hit That Caused the Concussion
Moore gave himself up on a slide, a move designed to avoid a bigger collision. Instead, he took a blow to the head that produced the concussion. Stephens was suspended for the tackle that caused the injury.
Lanning addressed the situation last Saturday on “Big Noon Kickoff,” saying the program was exercising an “abundance of caution” and there was no rush in his recovery. He repeated that point after Monday’s practice.
Raiola Steps Up Against USC
If Moore cannot play, Dylan Raiola will start. The Nebraska transfer came off the bench to lead Oregon’s win over USC, leading four touchdown drives in the second half and delivering two decisive scores in the fourth quarter to break open the game on the road.
Raiola completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns against USC. Lanning praised him directly, calling him a player who prepared for his opportunity rather than waiting for it.
The Five Stages of Recovery
The NCAA’s concussion protocol mandates a step-by-step return to play. Athletes must pass through all five stages without symptoms returning, much like weather delays where a single streak of lightning can delay a return to action.
| Stage | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Light aerobic exercise |
| 2 | Moderate aerobic exercise |
| 3 | Sport-specific drills in full uniform without contact |
| 4 | Full-contact practice |
| 5 | Medical clearance and return to competition |
Moore has reached stage four after Monday’s return to practice. The next update from Lanning and the Ducks’ coaching staff comes later this week.
What Is at Stake for Oregon
This is not an easy decision for Lanning. If Oregon were unbeaten, the coach could ease Moore back while also seeing what Raiola could do running the first-team offense. Instead, a loss to UCLA further clouds the conference championship picture and puts Oregon in must-win mode the rest of the way to reach the College Football Playoff.
The Ducks are projected to reach the 12-team bracket in our latest projection at CBS Sports as the league’s third and final selection. But Oregon still has to play Ohio State and Washington down the stretch, plus a home bout with Nebraska next week, where the Huskers are 5-0 and face seventh-ranked Indiana this weekend.
Northwestern and Michigan are other conference games that could give Oregon trouble.
The Home Bout With Nebraska
Nebraska’s 5-0 record and the fact that seventh-ranked Indiana is coming into Lincoln this weekend add pressure to Oregon’s schedule. A loss to UCLA would complicate Oregon’s path to the playoff, though the source does not specify how.
A Comparison of the Two Quarterbacks
Moore has thrown for 926 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception through four games. Four of those scores came during an 84-0 win over Portland State, a game the Ducks treated as a glorified practice following two shaky performances during the first two weeks.
Raiola’s performance against USC was sharp. He executed Oregon’s offense to near perfection in the second half, after the Ducks had looked out of rhythm earlier this fall following a near-stumble against Boise State and a loss at Oklahoma State.
What We Know So Far
- Moore suffered a concussion against USC on Sept. 26
- He has passed through the first four stages of NCAA concussion protocol
- Raiola led Oregon to a win over USC, throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns
- The Big Ten’s injury report comes out Wednesday evening
- Oregon is projected as the league’s third and final CFP selection
The next update from Lanning and the coaching staff will come later this week. Until then, Oregon fans wait on a decision that could shape the rest of the season.
Moore’s return to practice is a positive sign, but the NCAA’s strict return-to-play protocol means the door to Saturday’s game is not fully open yet. Raiola has shown he can win a game when Moore goes down.
Source material: “Dante Moore injury: Oregon star's return to practice opens the door for a QB dilemma vs. UCLA,” CBS Sports.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.