# Oregon Ducks 2026: Moore leads win over Boise State > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/oregon-ducks-2026-football-campaign > Updated: 2026-09-06T15:48:53.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 14. The No. 2 ranked Oregon Ducks opened their 2026 season with a 34-27 victory over Boise State at Autzen Stadium. Despite being 24.5-point favorites, the Ducks struggled early, conceding a touchdown on their opening drive and allowing another score following a muffed punt. The team also faced discipline issues, committing 10 penalties for 90 yards. Quarterback Dante Moore anchored the offense, recording 388 passing yards and three touchdowns. After the score was tied at 27 in the fourth quarter, Dakorien Moore secured the win with a 62-yard touchdown reception with 7:51 remaining. Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen also contributed three touchdown passes in the effort. Following the win, attention has shifted toward Dante Moore’s Heisman Trophy campaign. To support his candidacy, the Oregon football official Instagram account released a hype video featuring a voiceover from his father, Otha Moore, emphasizing his work ethic and personal journey. Moore enters his fourth season with 5,224 career passing yards and 41 touchdowns. The game included moments of tension when Boise State players performed a tradition typically reserved for Oregon home games by dancing to the song ‘Shout’ during a break. Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson stated the celebration was a “planned strategy practiced since fall camp to maintain team energy,” while Oregon players described the gesture as a “lack of respect for their home tradition.” Head coach Dan Lanning noted that while the victory was vital, the team must address execution and mental mistakes. Lanning continues to manage injury concerns, specifically regarding wide receiver Dillon Gresham, for whom there is “no clear indication or timetable” for a return. ## Claims - Moore turned down a near $50 million guaranteed NFL contract and a top‑two draft slot to return for the 2026 college season. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Dante Moore is a 21‑year‑old quarterback for the Oregon Ducks. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Dante Moore decided to return to Oregon for the 2026 season instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Dante Moore stayed in school to pursue a national championship, not to avoid playing for the New York Jets. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Moore was projected as the No. 2 pick in the April 2026 NFL Draft behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The New York Jets selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey in the 2026 NFL Draft. (corroborated by 2 sources) - In 2025 Oregon posted a 13‑2 record with Moore completing 71.8% of passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Oregon opened the 2026 season at home against Boise State on September 5. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The New York Jets held the No. 2 pick and selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Moore chose to stay at Oregon for the 2026 season to pursue a national championship, not to avoid playing for the Jets. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Moore could have earned about $50 million in guaranteed NFL contract money, which he passed up. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Moore’s agent is Brandon Grier, who said Moore has only 20 career starts at the college level. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: Oregon Ducks defeat Boise State in season opener The No. 2 Oregon Ducks defeated Boise State 34-27 in their season opener, highlighting quarterback Dante Moore's Heisman campaign. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-defeat-boise-state-in-season-opener ### 2026-09-03: Oregon defeats Boise State 34-27 in season opener No. 2 Oregon rallied from an early deficit to defeat Boise State 34-27 in their season opener, led by Dante Moore's three touchdown passes. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-defeat-boise-state-34-27-in-season-opener ### 2026-09-02: Oregon Ducks face injury challenges ahead of 2026 season Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reports key injury updates ahead of the 2026 season opener against Boise State, noting receiver Dillon Gresham's uncertain status and the return of Evan Stewart. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-face-injury-challenges-ahead-of-2026-season ### 2026-08-27: NFL Draft projections highlight Oregon players and Miami Dolphins strategy Early 2027 NFL Draft projections feature Oregon players Dante Moore and A'Mauri Washington, while Miami Dolphins leadership reportedly focuses on Malik Willis rather than drafting a new quarterback. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nfl-draft-projections-highlight-oregon-players-and-miami-dolphins-strategy ### 2026-08-21: Dante Moore to return to Oregon Ducks for 2026 season Oregon quarterback Dante Moore will return to the Ducks for the 2026 season after deciding to forgo the NFL Draft, aiming to improve his performance under pressure and pursue a national championship. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dante-moore-to-return-to-oregon-ducks-for-2026-season ### 2026-08-15: Oregon Ducks roster depth and talent highlighted ahead of 2026 season The Oregon Ducks are preparing for the 2026 season with a top-ranked quarterback room led by Dante Moore and a transformed defensive end, Matayo Uiagalelei, alongside promising true freshmen. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-roster-depth-and-talent-highlighted-ahead-of-2026-season ### 2026-08-13: Oregon Ducks football sees roster shifts and NFL transitions Oregon Ducks football sees major developments as QB Dante Moore returns for a Heisman-contending season, new recruits commit, and former players like Malik Benson prepare for NFL preseason action. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-football-sees-roster-shifts-and-nfl-transitions ### 2026-08-10: Dante Moore receives praise from teammates and coaches Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is earning high praise from teammates and Big Ten coaches, with mock drafts projecting him as a top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dante-moore-receives-praise-from-teammates-and-coaches ### 2026-08-07: Oregon Ducks boast deepest quarterback room heading into 2026 season Oregon’s 2026 football squad features starter Dante Moore and backup Dylan Raiola, creating the nation’s deepest quarterback room and earning the top spot in PFF’s preseason QB unit rankings. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-boast-deepest-quarterback-room-heading-into-2026-season ### 2026-08-07: Oregon Ducks preseason practice emphasizes quarterback Dante Moore's leadership Oregon Ducks held their first preseason practice on new turf, with coach Drew Mehringer lauding quarterback Dante Moore’s leadership and development. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-preseason-practice-emphasizes-quarterback-dante-moores-leadership ### 2026-07-31: Oregon Ducks QB Dante Moore skips NFL draft, returns for 2026 season Dante Moore forgoes a $55 million NFL rookie contract to return to Oregon for 2026, while transfer QB Dylan Raiola joins a quarterback room praised by coach Dan Lanning. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-qb-dante-moore-skips-nfl-draft-returns-for-2026-season ### 2026-07-28: Oregon quarterback Dante Moore stays in college to chase national title, rejecting NFL Jets offer Oregon QB Dante Moore returns for 2026 to chase a national championship, turning down a $50 million NFL offer and the Jets’ No. 2 draft slot. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-quarterback-dante-moore-stays-in-college-to-chase-national-title-not-nfl-jets ### 2026-07-22: Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore highlighted as team pursues CFP title Dante Moore meets expectations as Oregon Ducks earn a fourth‑place CFP odds ranking (11.1% chance) while former five‑star Jurrion Dickey is now at a junior college. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-ducks-quarterback-dante-moore-highlighted-as-team-pursues-cfp-title ### 2026-07-11: Oregon quarterback Dante Moore tops Heisman hot list as Big Ten preview spotlights Indiana's perfect 2025 season Dante Moore is No. 2 on the preseason Heisman list as Oregon markets his candidacy, while the Big Ten preview notes Indiana’s perfect 2025 season and the odds for 2026 conference play. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oregon-quarterback-dante-moore-tops-heisman-hot-list-as-big-ten-preview-spotlights-indianas-perfect- --- Cite as: Oregon Ducks 2026: Moore leads win over Boise State. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/oregon-ducks-2026-football-campaign