Oregon’s quarterback situation is in limbo as starter Dante Moore remains out and primary backup Dylan Raiola is coming off a disastrous Oct. 10 performance against UCLA.
As the No. 25 Ducks (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) prepare for their 8 p.m. game Saturday against Nebraska (5-1, 2-1) at Autzen Stadium, it appears every option at the position is on the table for Oregon.
Coach Dan Lanning said Wednesday the individual competition to start is ongoing and he didn't rule out the possibility of playing more than one quarterback against the Cornhuskers.
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“I believe in doing whatever it takes to win, right? Whatever it takes to win,” Lanning said. “I think that’s our job, right? To challenge ourselves to find, what does it take to win? I’ve seen (multiple quarterbacks play in a game), and at times it’s successful. I think we’ve all seen the result of when it’s not successful, too. But I think you know all the things are the table for you to make sure you have success.”
It’s been a roller-coaster ride for Lanning and the Ducks since Moore was knocked unconscious early in the second quarter against USC on Sept. 26 and has been recovering from a concussion ever since.
Saturday he’ll miss his second straight game.
Raiola, a high-profile transfer, replaced Moore against the Trojans and orchestrated a 41-27 victory in Los Angeles as he went 19-for-25 passing for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
He started against the Bruins last week and was 6 for 19 for 89 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble before being benched and replaced by Brock Thomas after three quarters.
Thomas, a former walk-on from Sheldon High School in Eugene, was 11 for 15 for 156 yards and a touchdown, though he also lost a fumble – one of seven turnovers the Ducks had in the 17-15 loss.
Those two are presumably the most likely prospects to start against Nebraska – the team Raiola transferred from after 22 starts – though the quarterback competition has been taking place this week out of the view of the media and public.
Lanning said Wednesday that Akili Smith Jr, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound dual-threat sophomore, is also in the mix.
“Absolutely. Akili’s done a really good job,” Lanning said. “He’s probably the one that’s the most different from a package standpoint and things that you can carry and do different with Akili. Really strong arm, been able to connect vertically on shots, obviously his feet become a weapon and a real tool for us as well.”
While playing multiple guys is an option, Lanning acknowledged the drawbacks for such a contingency.
“The other damage piece of, 'OK, let’s go prepare three or four or two over one,' is when you start preparing multiple people for looks, you just subtracted reps from another person’s reps,” Lanning said. “There’s only so much time in the week.”
As for choosing a starter, Lanning said many factors will go into his decision.
“Timing is a piece of that, knowing what we’re doing and making sure that we can do it at a high level and I think evaluating efficiency through practice … and grading that with a fine-tooth comb," Lanning said. "And then making sure you have as many guys prepared as possible to be able to evaluate that.”
Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at chansen@registerguard.com.
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This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon weighing quarterback options as Nebraska game looms
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