The 13th-ranked Oregon Ducks are facing growing questions about their quarterback situation after head coach Dan Lanning benched Dylan Raiola during a frustrating matchup against the No. 21 UCLA Bruins.
With the Ducks trailing the Bruins 17-9 in the fourth quarter, Lanning turned to Brock Thomas in hopes of sparking an offense that had struggled to move the football.
Oregon entered the contest ranked right outside the elite teams, but can’t afford another loss. Yet that’s what happened with Oregon falling to UCLA 17-15 on Saturday. Nevertheless, the Ducks found themselves in trouble without starting quarterback Dante Moore, who was unavailable after suffering a concussion against USC.
Moore’s absence gave Raiola, a transfer from Nebraska, an opportunity to lead the offense following Oregon’s bye week.
However, his performance against UCLA quickly became a major concern. Raiola completed just 6-of-19 passes for 43 yards and threw two interceptions. He also lost a fumble, contributing to Oregon’s alarming turnover problems. Wide receiver Evan Stewart and running back Jordon Davison also fumbled, leaving the Ducks with six turnovers against the Bruins.
The decision to replace Raiola came after an offensive performance that fel well short of expectations. However, Thomas struggled to provide an immediate solution. On his first drive, he fumbled the snap from center lapani Laloulu on fourth down, resulting in another turnover.
The quarterback controversy is particularly notable because Raiola had impressed against USC. He completed 19-of-25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, helping Oregon secure an important victory. That performance raised expectations, making his struggles against UCLA even more disappointing.
Now, attention turns to Oregon’s upcoming matchup against Nebraska on Saturday, October 17. With Moore’s return date still uncertain, Lanning must decide whether to give Raiola another opportunity, continue with Thomas, or prepare another option.
Ultimately, Oregon’s biggest problem extends beyond the quarterback position. Six turnovers and an inability to sustain drives have exposed serious offensive issues. How Lanning addresses those problems could determine whether the Ducks recover quickly or face further questions about their championship ambitions.
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