Dante Moore Shines as Oregon Prepares for Showdown with Penn State

EUGENE, Oregon — Two years and a transfer later, quarterback Dante Moore is stepping into the spotlight at Oregon. The former five-star recruit initially signed with UCLA, where he started as a freshman but struggled. After transferring to Oregon in 2024, Moore has been preparing to take charge this season after redshirting behind Dillon Gabriel.

Now, heading into the Ducks’ matchup against third-ranked Penn State on Saturday, Moore has impressed with a completion rate of 75%, throwing 11 touchdowns and only one interception. A defensive coordinator who faced Oregon remarked, “He was smooth as hell, and no panic. He’s pretty damn poised. He can throw the hell out of the ball.”

In contrast, Moore had a difficult year at UCLA, where he threw just two touchdowns against four interceptions in his last four road games. The upcoming game against Penn State will test his progress against an elite defense.

Penn State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is expected to create challenges for Moore, having faced Oregon in previous matchups when he was at Ohio State. In their last clash, Ohio State’s defense was able to limit Oregon’s offensive efficiency significantly. However, Ducks coaches noted that the Buckeyes played more straightforward coverage during their first match.

After successfully running for 155 yards in their earlier encounter and not allowing a sack, Oregon faces a different situation now. Knowles will likely employ varied defensive strategies to keep Moore guessing. “They did not have enough tools in the tool belt,” said Penn State head coach James Franklin regarding past losses to Oregon.

Moore’s top target is tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who has caught nine passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns this season. At 6-3 and 255 pounds, Sadiq compares favorably to elite tight ends due to his athleticism and blocking skills. A defensive coordinator who faced the Ducks praised Sadiq as “an unbelievable athlete” and a “match-up nightmare.”

Meanwhile, Miami‘s defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. has made headlines this season as one of the country’s top players. Bain’s performance reflects his work ethic, consistently being the last player off the field after practice. Coaches noted his commitment to improving, particularly after being sidelined last season due to injury.

Opposite Bain, Akheem Mesidor has also been impactful, ranking high in pressure rate nationally, showcasing Miami’s strong defensive front. Miami is off this week before facing No. 8 Florida State, providing them time to prepare for upcoming challenges.

As for Washington, quarterback Demond Williams Jr. prepares for his first major test of the season against No. 1 Ohio State. Williams has displayed efficiency, completing 17 of 20 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown against Oregon last season. Coach Jedd Fisch has expressed confidence in Williams, considering him a potential star.

In Austin, Texas, confidence remains high for Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning despite facing early-season struggles. The Longhorns will benefit from having an off week to regroup before playing at Florida on October 4.

As college football heads into its fifth week, all eyes will be on Moore and Oregon in their highly anticipated game against Penn State.