No. 21 UCLA visits No. 13 Oregon on Saturday in a matchup both programs need for their College Football Playoff hopes. The biggest question entering the UCLA vs Oregon game is whether Ducks quarterback Dante Moore will be cleared to start after entering the concussion protocol last week.
UCLA vs. Oregon Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT)
- Venue: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
- TV: CBS
The game carries weight beyond the win-loss column. According to Sports Illustrated, the matchup is pivotal to both teams’ playoff chances and the Big Ten title race, and ticket prices for the game reflect how much is on the line for both fan bases.
Will Dante Moore Play For Oregon?
Moore left Oregon’s 41-27 road win over then-No. 19 USC on Sept. 26 after entering the concussion protocol following a hit. Oregon coach Dan Lanning said Monday that Moore returned to practice, according to Sports Illustrated. Moore is listed as a projected starter but has not been officially confirmed to play.
If Moore cannot go, backup Dylan Raiola is in line to start. Raiola filled in against USC and threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-25 passing in that win, per Sports Illustrated. Through four games this season, Moore has completed 69 of 99 passes for 926 yards and nine touchdowns, numbers that have powered an Oregon offense averaging 346.5 passing yards per game. For more on his recovery timeline, see the Dante Moore concussion update.
How Has UCLA Started The Season Under Bob Chesney?
UCLA enters Eugene at 4-0, ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in years under first-year head coach Bob Chesney, who arrived from James Madison, according to Sporting News. Chesney brought several James Madison players with him, and those additions have played a significant role in the Bruins’ start. UCLA has won every game this season by at least two scores.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has completed 62 of 99 passes for 820 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. The bigger story has been the ground game. Running back Wayne Knight has carried the ball 49 times for 445 yards and nine touchdowns, helping UCLA average 281.5 rushing yards per game, well above Oregon’s 159 rushing yards per game on defense faced.
What Did Dan Lanning Say About UCLA?
Lanning compared this year’s UCLA team to the Indiana squad that beat Oregon and went on to win the national championship last season. “We’re about to play a UCLA team that reminds me a lot of Indiana from last year. And let’s be honest, we’re not remotely close to what we need to be,” Lanning said, according to Sporting News. “We can’t spend a week talking about (the last) game.”
The comment followed a stretch in which Oregon lost to Oklahoma State before bouncing back to beat USC. Lanning’s remarks suggest he views UCLA’s rise as more than a one-off, and his comparison points directly at the challenge Oregon’s defense faces in slowing down UCLA’s balanced attack.
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Oregon 47.5, UCLA 44.8
- Total yards per game: Oregon 505.5, UCLA 486.5
- Passing yards per game: Oregon 346.5, UCLA 205.0
- Rushing yards per game: Oregon 159.0, UCLA 281.5
- Yards per rush attempt: Oregon 4.6, UCLA 7.0
- Third-down conversion rate: Oregon 50.00%, UCLA 48.94%
- Turnover differential: Oregon minus-1, UCLA plus-2
- Total sacks recorded: Oregon 7, UCLA 9
What To Watch
Oregon has won five straight meetings with UCLA dating back to 2018, according to Sports Illustrated, giving the Ducks a long run of success in the series heading into Saturday. UCLA’s turnover margin of plus-2 compares to Oregon’s minus-1, a gap that could factor into a game both teams need for their playoff and conference-title positioning.
Weather at Autzen Stadium is expected to be mild, with a forecast near 53 degrees and a 7% chance of precipitation. The next update on Moore’s availability is expected closer to kickoff Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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