What Dante Moore's Latest Stats Say About the Oregon Quarterback

Going into the No. 6 Oregon Ducks' week 8 game at SHI Stadium for their showdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, a large amount of eyes were on quarterback Dante Moore.

Just a week prior, the sophomore put in one of his worst college performances of the season against an undefeated No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers, as Oregon's nationwide longest home winning streak was broken. So, how did he respond?

According to the numbers, Moore completed one of the best games of his college career against the Scarlet Knights, and it's setting the tone for how Duck fans look at the rest of the season.

Oct 18, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) warms up before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Blow Out In Piscataway

Against Rutgers, Moore finished the night completing 15 of 20 passes (75 percent) and picking up 290 yards with four touchdowns. Moore did have an interception, coming halfway through the third quarter with a pass intended for wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr.

Compare that to Moore's numbers against Indiana, and it's night and day for the Duck. Moore only completed 62 percent of his passes against the Hoosiers, with 186 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions to show for it.

Both interceptions came on back-to-back passing plays for the Ducks, with the final pick off of Moore leading to the Hoosiers' victory formation.

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) runs with the ball against Indiana Hoosiers defensive linemen Mikail Kamara (6) and Stephen Daley (8) during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Moore Under Pressure Factor in Indiana Performance

It's also important to note that Moore also faced the most pressure he had ever seen in his college career in the pocket vs the Hoosiers. Moore was sacked six times against Indiana for a loss of 35 yards, and the amount he was roughed up played a toll, as Moore rarely went past his first check in the pocket before scrambling or passing to a faulty result while playing the Hoosiers.

Safe to say, Moore's numbers are a complete change from the week prior. Comparing them to the rest of the season's statistics, Moore had his worst game in college, followed by his best one.

Oct 18, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws the ball during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

PFF's Top Graded Quarterbacks Through Week 8

1. 93.2 Dante Moore, Oregon
2. 91.4 Julian Sayin, Ohio State
3. 88.1 Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
4. 83.7 Bryce Underwood, Michigan
5. 80.6 Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
6. 68.4 Drake Lindsey, Minnesota
7. 65.2 Mark Gronowski, Iowa
8. 64.7 Jayden Maiava, USC
9. 64.5 Malachi Singleton, Arkansas
10. 63.0 Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

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Moore Took Moore Risks, and They Paid Off

When continuing to compare both the Indiana game and the Rutgers game in terms of Moore's performance, there's also a difference in the throws Moore decided to make.

Against Indiana, though there was the occasional deep ball downfield for the Duck quarterback, Moore kept things mostly to screens behind the line of scrimmage and short passes within five yards of the line.

In the game against Rutgers, Moore was a little more confident in his targets, and that shows in the length of his throws. Moore had an 83 percent completion rate on mid-range passes from 5-14 yards with six attempts, favoring heavily the middle and right side of the field.

Moore also clocked in an impressive 75 percent completion rate when it comes to long range passing with 15 or more yards. The Duck put in four throws downfield, which is similar to the amount of deep targets against the Hoosiers, but more of these passes landed.

Indiana defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt sacks Oregon quarterback Dante Moore as the Oregon Ducks host the Indiana Hoosiers Oct. 11, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For a quarterback who just a week ago seemed to have the Heisman Trophy race seep through his fingers, there may still be life in a late season run for the honor with a statement bounce-back game against the Scarlet Knights as the resurgence.