Dillon Moore Earns High Praise From Dan Lanning After Leading oregon to Overtime Win Over Penn State
STATE COLLEGE, PA – Oregon head coach Dan Lanning declared Dillon Moore teh team’s best quarterback following a thrilling double-overtime victory against Penn State Saturday, a game where Moore showcased poise and skill under immense pressure. The Ducks defeated the Nittany Lions in a 34-31 contest marked by dramatic swings and clutch performances.
The win,secured in front of a raucous “White Out” crowd at Beaver Stadium,represents a significant breakthrough for Moore,a former highly-touted recruit who transferred to Oregon after being benched during his freshman season at UCLA in 2023. He redshirted last year, learning the Ducks’ offense while serving as the backup to Dillon Gabriel. Moore’s performance against Penn State validated the coaching staff’s faith and signaled a potential turning point for the Oregon programme.
Moore orchestrated a game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter, connecting with Jamari Johnson on a shovel pass. In the second overtime, he delivered a 25-yard touchdown pass to Gary Bryant Jr. after evading Penn State pass rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton. A crucial interception by oregon safety Dillon Thieneman of Penn State quarterback Drew Allar on the ensuing possession sealed the victory.
“Every cut matters and eventually you hit the jugular,” Lanning said. “That was it right there.”
teammates echoed Lanning’s confidence in Moore’s readiness. “The dude breeds excellence,” Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher stated.”He’s just very composed. I mean, he’s 20 years old and the maturity out of him is unbelievable. Following up after Dillon Gabriel and Bo Nix, that’s no easy shoes to fill. he’s obviously his own person, leads in his own way and I love it. He’s a competitor and I’m glad to have him on our side.”
Prior to the hard-fought victory, Oregon had dominated its first four opponents, outscoring them 203-37. Lanning emphasized the importance of the win as a growth moment for the entire team, praising their composure in a challenging road environment. He anticipates a potential rematch with Penn State in either the Big Ten Championship game or the College Football Playoff.
“It speaks volumes about how these guys can handle the stage,” Lanning added.”We said the White Out was really gonna be a white canvas for us today. We got an prospect to paint our masterpiece, and those guys did it.”
