Oregon’s Dante Moore Takes a Hit, But the Ducks Keep Rolling
Sometimes football feels less like a chess match and more like a heavyweight bout where the knockout blow comes out of nowhere. That’s exactly what happened to Oregon Quarterback Dante Moore during the Ducks’ showdown against Wisconsin on a rainy Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.
Early in the third quarter, Moore scrambled upfield looking for a few extra yards—because that’s what quarterbacks do when the pocket collapses. But as he went down, he took a shot straight to the face that left him with a bloodied nose and trainers rushing onto the field. Moore took a knee, removed his helmet, and you could see the crimson evidence right there. It wasn’t pretty.
The redshirt sophomore had been cooking before the injury, completing 9 of 15 passes for 86 yards with the Ducks leading 7-0. Not spectacular numbers, but solid enough to keep Wisconsin’s defense honest. After the hit, Moore headed to the sideline and eventually disappeared into the injury tent while the Autzen faithful held their collective breath.
Enter Brock Thomas: The Walk-On Gets His Moment
When your starting quarterback exits with a bloody nose, you need someone ready to step up. Enter Brock Thomas, a Eugene-area redshirt sophomore who prepped at Sheldon High School. Thomas is a walk-on—the kind of guy who probably dreamed of this exact moment during countless practice reps. And guess what? He didn’t flinch.
While Moore was getting patched up, Thomas took the reins and helped Oregon maintain control. The Ducks weren’t about to let Wisconsin sniff any momentum, even with their starter on the sidelines.
The Ducks’ Ground Game Takes Over
Here’s where things get interesting. Moore eventually emerged from the injury tent still in uniform, but by that point, Oregon’s running backs had taken over the show. True freshman Jordon Davison was absolutely electric, punching in two touchdowns and racking up 102 yards on 16 carries. That’s his second consecutive 100-yard game, folks.
Davison has been a revelation for the Ducks this season, leading the team with nine rushing touchdowns across eight games. He’s found the end zone in every contest except Oregon’s loss to Indiana. Not bad for a true freshman who started the year as the short-yardage specialist.
Noah Whittington also made his presence felt with some explosive runs that showcased Oregon’s speed and physicality. When you’ve got a backfield this deep, losing your quarterback for a few drives doesn’t feel quite as catastrophic.
Wisconsin Fights Back (Sort Of)
The Badgers, playing without several key starters, including Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., hung tough defensively in the first half. They kept Oregon off the scoreboard through four possessions, with Linebacker Mason Posa and true freshman Cooper Catalano flying around making plays.
But as the second half wore on, the Ducks’ talent advantage became impossible to ignore. Oregon stretched the lead to 21-0 before Wisconsin finally broke through midway through the fourth quarter. Quarterback Hunter Simmons connected with Wide Receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. on a 48-yard strike, setting up Lance Mason’s two-yard touchdown catch. Too little, too late.
Simmons finished just 7 of 21 passing with a late interception—a tough night for a backup thrust into the fire against a top-10 opponent.
The Final Word
Oregon walked away with a 21-7 victory, improving their record and keeping their playoff hopes very much alive. Moore’s injury looked scary in the moment, but the Ducks showed the kind of depth that championship-caliber teams possess.
Whether Moore returns full-strength or Thomas gets another crack at starting time, one thing is clear: Oregon’s ground game is legitimate. Davison and Whittington give the Ducks a thunder-and-lightning combo that can carry them through tough Big Ten battles. Sometimes the best ability is availability. But when Plan B involves a walk-on quarterback and a freshman running back going off for 100+ yards? That is the kind of roster depth that wins championships.
