Dan Lanning Delivers Verdict on Dakorien Moore Mistake as HC Confirms Sly Approach vs Montana State

Oregon fans quickly understood the hype surrounding Dakorien Moore this season. With Evan Stewart out and the Ducks losing most of their receiving production from last year, the freshman receiver stepped up big. In the 59-13 victory against Montana State, Moore wowed everyone with a spectacular hurdle after a catch, immediately reminding fans of Kenyon Sadiq’s Big Ten title game play. That play, along with his overall performance, even made Dan Lanning overlook a mistake and earned Moore his praise.

Freshman wide receiver Dakorien Moore wasted no time making his presence felt in Oregon’s 59-13 season-opening victory against Montana State, showcasing his five-star potential with both skill and grit. He quickly became a social media sensation after delivering a pancake block on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Dante Moore to Gary Bryant Jr., driving a defender into the ground and celebrating with his teammates. The play highlighted his commitment to the physical aspects of the game, essential for team success. Coupled with Malik Benson’s team-leading receiving yards, it signaled that Moore is poised to take on a significant role this season. Even Dan Lanning couldn’t ignore his impact.

Even though Moore’s job wasn’t perfect, Dan Lanning praised the effort after the game. “I’m really proud of that play. He was blocking the wrong guy, but he was blocking his ass off… that’s huge,” he said. Later, in an exclusive SI interview with Bri Amaranthus, the Ducks’ head coach discussed Moore’s potential and said, “He wants to be perfect. He works extremely hard, he does, and he has huge expectations, and I think that’s hard, but he’s handled that really, really well. He loves [foot]ball; he works every single day to get better. Really talented, obviously, and I think he’ll make a big impact for our team. So I’m excited to see what Dakorien does.”

Well, Moore, a star from Duncanville High School in Texas, chose to play for Coach Lanning’s Oregon program, turning down offers from Texas, Ohio State, LSU, and other top schools, instantly boosting excitement in Eugene. And in his first game, Moore had three catches for 26 yards and ran twice for 17 yards, though his influence was more significant than those stats suggest. Already being compared to Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and considered a potential first-round NFL Draft pick, the 18-year-old showed off impressive speed, refined route-running, and impressive composure for a freshman.

But even his freshman records were killer. As Moore has shown, he performs well under pressure, leading Duncanville to a 13-1 record and a Texas 6A D-1 state semifinal appearance, with 1,460 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2024. With Lanning dedicated to giving young players chances, Moore is stepping up to play a key role when Oregon faces Oklahoma State on September 6 at Autzen Stadium.

Now, with that, let’s know what Lanning changed in his offense that gave them this remarkable start to the season.

Dan Lanning’s offensive mastermind

In Oregon’s offensive strategy, the Ducks are taking a different approach. Rather than bringing a huge playbook to Week 1, Coach Lanning explained they’ve intentionally streamlined it. “Yeah, I think as an entire staff, we’ve challenged ourselves. Just because we ran it in fall camp doesn’t mean it’s a play that we have to carry into game one, and we carried a little bit more of our menu last year, and this is a lot more condensed… what we want to be able to execute at a high level based on our opponent.” This shift tackles a key issue from last season.

In 2024, Oregon’s offense often featured a vast array of plays, intended for versatility but sometimes overwhelming players. This led to execution problems and errors. By simplifying the playbook, Lanning and offensive coordinator Will Stein hope to improve the offense’s timing, communication, and precision. This change is especially beneficial for Oregon’s new quarterback, Dante Moore. At the start of the season, quarterbacks need rhythm, chemistry, and quick decisions more than a massive selection of plays.

And that’s precisely what happened. As Oregon’s insider Matt Prehm hits X with Coach Lanning’s update after the game that reads, “Dan Lanning said the Ducks’ volume of plays today was much lower than previously. He also said the Duck staff made it a focus to not grind down the team during fall camp, and that’s allowed them to be better prepared today.” Well, Dante Moore’s performance certainly proved the point, as he completed 18 of 23 passes for 213 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, while also rushing for 18 yards on three attempts. His impressive showing immediately justified Lanning’s choice to make him the Ducks’ starting quarterback.

A lot of Moore’s success stemmed from the protection he received. Oregon’s revamped offensive line, bolstered by crucial transfers and the return of junior Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu, dominated the line of scrimmage from the start. The line provided Moore with a clean pocket and opened up running lanes for a deep rotation of running backs, who collectively gained 161 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns. Their control set the tone early, preventing Montana State from establishing a solid defensive presence.