Dan Lanning Lays Out Oregon’s Practice Plan Before Boise State Opener

EUGENE - The Oregon football team finished its final major live-tackling scrimmage before the opener on Saturday. The defense won the day, per Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks hit some major goals that include: staying "relatively healthy," grabbing takeaways and major improvements to the kicking game.

The Oregon offense got the better of the defense in the first scrimmage, so each side can claim a "victory."

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore catches a pass during a youth football camp at Marist Catholic High School on June 20, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Saturday marked the Ducks’ final extensive live-tackling work before their Sept. 5 season opener against Boise State at Autzen Stadium.

“Good scrimmage today, some good work,” Lanning said. “It will be the last time that we really get a lot of live tackling and practice before we get to a game.”

So, what's next?

Oregon's Plan To Shift Focus To Boise State

The Oregon Ducks are approaching the point when fall camp turns into preparation for their first opponent... The Boise State Broncos, who are making their debut as new members of the Pac-12 Conference.

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Lanning outlined the Ducks’ schedule leading into their Sept. 5 season opener. Oregon will spend much of the upcoming week continuing to focus internally before transitioning into Broncos-specific preparation.

“The end of the next week, we’re gonna hop into some game plan,” Lanning said. “And we’ve already done some similar game-plan stuff that we do in the summer. But we’ll have some normal practices throughout this week.”

Lanning emphasized that the immediate focus remains evaluating and improving his own team.

Dec 13, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen (4) warms up prior to the LA Bowl Game against the Washington Huskies at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“It’s still gonna be more about Oregon than anybody else,” Lanning said. “And then obviously once we get into the game week, it’ll transition to our opponent.”

Boise State is a familiar foe, as the Broncos most recently traveled to Autzen Stadium in 2024 and gave the Ducks a close game. They are among the favorites to represent the Group of Six in the College Football Playoff and pose a challenge to the Ducks right out of the gate... keeping it close vs. Oregon would go a long way for the Broncos CFP resume.

Before moving on to Boise State, here are three major takeaways from fall camp, which include quarterback Dylan Raiola's massive changes, the true freshman that is standing out to defensive lineman Bear Alexander and insight into when Lanning is most intense.

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson reacts against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Three Takeaways From Fall Camp

1. Quarterback Dylan Raiola's Growth

One player who showed significant change during Oregon's fall camp was transfer quarterback Dylan Raiola, who is in his first Ducks fall camp after two seasons with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. After watching Raiola perform in the first scrimmage, Lanning offered a striking comparison between Raiola now vs. when he arrived in Eugene this spring.

“Yeah, Dylan’s gotten a lot better,” Lanning said. “He looks like a night-and-day different player from when he got here in the spring.”

That's notable, as Raiola has been open about the challenge of learning the new playbookwhile alsorehabbing his broken fibula when he first arrived in Eugene. While quarterback Dante Moore will command the Ducks offense this season, Raiola's improvement is big for the depth of the position and the potential for a succession plan in 2027.

2. True Freshman Immanuel Iheanacho Standing Out

Oregon Ducks on SI reporter Bri Amaranthus asked eight different Ducks to name which true freshmen have stood out.

Oregon Ducks Bear Alexander Transfer nfl draft usc trojans football big ten squat amauri washington bri amaranthus — Oregon Ducks' Bear Alexander | seigher brown

Alexander picked a "big guy" freshman that he goes up against in practice - offensive lineman Immanuel Iheanacho.

A consensus five-star recruit and consensus No. 2 recruit in Maryland, Iheanacho is listed at 6-foot-7, 280-pounds, and could be the future for Oregon's offensive line. Iheanacho arrived in Eugene in June, he did not enroll early, so the comment from Alexander shows he's making a quick first impression.

3. Intense Dan Lanning

Amaranthus asked Oregon players to finish the sentence...

“Dan Lanning is most intense when…”

Here is what they said.

Jordon Davison: "We're winning!"
Bear Alexander: “When somebody does something stupid.”
Peyton Woodyard: “We’re not running to the ball.”
Gernorris Wilson: “Offense is winning the day.”
Devon Jackson: “If you mess up the same mistake twice.”
Iverson Hooks: “A mental error.”
Andrew Olesh: “When we jump offsides.”
Aaron Flowers: “Game time.”
Bailey Ettridge: “Also when he’s on the field.”

Sep 2, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning walks off the field with his wife, Sauphia, after a game against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Their responses offered a candid look into the 40-year-old coach who is known for his motivational and passionate speeches, often seen on 'Ducks vs. Them' video series from the Oregon video team.

As fall camp wraps up, game prep ramps for a highly-anticipated 2026 football season in Eugene.

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