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Dante Moore Breaks Down First Start in Win Over Montana State: “We did a great job as a unit”

Updated Aug. 31, 2025, 7:10 p.m. by Inside Hilltopper Sports 1 min read

Quarterback Dante Moore took the field inside Autzen Stadium for his first start as a Duck on Saturday in Oregons 59-13 win over the Montana State Bobcats.

He completed 18 of his 23 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns while also pitching in 18 rushing yards on three carries.

He met with the media following the win to break down his performance and what he saw from the Oregon offense.

Below are some of the top quotes from his media availability.

On how it felt to deliver in his first start at Oregon Moore: Its been two years man.

Its just a blessing to be able to play here at the University of Oregon in front of a great crowd and great fans.

But I feel like the best thing was just the way we moved the ball as a whole unit.

Offense did a great job of protection-wise.

We had a great run game.

First play was, I dont know how far that run was, but from that standpoint we have a good run game, we can have a good pass game.

So we did a great job as a unit, coaches prepared us the right way and excited for next week.

On how helpful it is to have so many different guys he can get the ball to Moore: It just proves that this class and this unit we have as receivers and tight ends, just the skills we have is just unbelievable.

As a quarterback it feels great when other people catch the ball and even as a unit you just feel more connected.

Usually a lot of times it could be just one person, two people catching the ball and other receivers kind of feel left out.

But when you have great guys that can make contested catches, that can make plays with the ball in their hand, its easier for a quarterback just to put the ball out there and they do what they gotta do.

On Dakorien Moore navigating the hype, his performance Saturday Moore: Me and Kori have a very close relationship.

Feel like the best thing with him is hes always willing to work.

I always train in Dallas before spring ball or fall camp and just to get back on my toes.

And I made sure that he was down there with me.

Of course Im in his hometown, but just the extra work we put in.

Of course I know how it is, I was 17 on campus, I dont know how old he is.

But its just making sure that hes good: clear mind, making sure that he attacks every day.

I know it can be a lot on his plate, but that Moore to Moore thing is a great thing.

We love it and we appreciate each other, but hes always willing to work and it proves that when the balls in his hand hes electrifying.

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On Oregon run game helps him out Moore: We have amazing running backs.

Its just crazy how its just so many great running backs on one squad.

It feels great when you look to your left and you have a new running back in cause its new fresh legs and you know theyre gonna get five yards a pop.

Just having a great run game of course is the best thing.

As an offensive unit you always want to have the most rushing yards.

We did a great job, but really it starts up front in the front five.

Poncho does a great job communicating everything and we all move as a unit and when the run games there, everythings good.

On how much Oregon talked about wanting to make a statement on Saturday Moore: To be honest its kind ofCoach Lanning always says FEBU.

The only people that really care about is the people that are in that room with us that go out there on that field.

And of course last year you could say Idaho game wasnt the right way to kick it off and it wasnt.

This year, were not even thinking about the Idaho game.

Were not thinking about if were gonna come out flat.

Were just thinking about how were gonna attack as a whole unit when it comes to the first drive.

Of course as an offense youre hoping you get the ball first because you want to make sure you score first and get the drives going.

But feel like its that FEBU mindset is kind of what we had coming in during fall camp and still is right now.

On decision to not force something on 3rd and goal and take the yards Moore: Yeah he cussed me out pretty bad in practice.

He brings the fire for sure, but I love that as a head coach.

It just reflects back how my freshman year was: forcing throws and not making the right decisions.

And things can turn out bad that way.

And also he he showed me the clips of Dillon when he was here, Michigan State game red-area forcing throws and as a quarterback you always learn from the situations.

At practice Ive done it a couple times, it hasnt turned out the way I wanted it to turn out, so hes cussed me out a thousand times so I kind of hear him in the back of my head every time Im scrambling like Dont throw it.

Dont throw it.

I feel like it was great for me to just run out of bounds, get what I can get.