Dan Lanning Opens Up About Oregon Ducks Running Back Injuries

EUGENE – With April quickly approaching, the Oregon Ducks are shifting their focus to Spring Game preparation.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning spoke to the media following the program’s March 31 spring practice. He provided an injury update on the running back room following injuries at the end of the 2025 season.

What Dan Lanning Said

oregon ducks dan lanning michael bennett injury update running backs da'juann riggs spring game dante moore autzen stadium — Oregon head coach Dan Lanning talks to members of the media following spring camp for the Oregon Ducks Thursday, March 14, 2028. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Status of Running Backs Jordon Davison, Da’Juan (Dink) Riggs:

“Those guys are all practicing, some more in a limited fashion. Dink is still down right now, but he should be able to get back for us. He did some stuff at practice today, but we feel like he'll be back in around this spring.”

The Benefit of Him Having Familiarity With the Program Entering Year Five:

“Biggest benefit for me is getting to sit in the seat that I sit in right to get to be in a place like Oregon. I mean, I realized how special it was the day that I got here, and now getting to go into year five. I mean, it's even more special, and that's something I just don't want to take for granted.”

“So, grateful that we have some continuity. We have some staff continuity. We have a lot of guys that understand what we're looking for and what we're trying to accomplish, but more importantly, grateful for the experience and the opportunity to be here.”

What Led the Team to Pursue Offensive Lineman Michael Bennett:

“He's obviously a really intelligent player. You know that from where he's coming from, but you love the personality. We love the fight. He's a guy that – you know O-line is really all about brotherhood. And you see that with Michael and the way that he works, the intention and the growth opportunities right there for him and what this place has been able to do.”

“I think coach (A’lique) Terry and that group on the offensive side of the ball have proven over time what we can help accomplish with that at that position. Specifically, we felt like Mike had a lot of those traits that we were looking for.”

His Reaction to the USC Trojans’ Social Media Trolling:

“No reaction. Much more focused on winning in the fall.”

On Having Conversations With Quarterback Dante Moore About His Letter to Governor Tina Kotek:

“We have conversations all the time, not necessarily just about that. We talk about a lot of stuff. Dante's his own man. We're proud that he has a willingness to speak up with a platform that he has.”

“I think all of our guys feel really comfortable as a family here. So, you're able to express yourself and communicate, and it's important for us. We're going to keep at the forefront of where we're at. But we're here to play football. Football is tough. Life's hard. Our guys recognize all those pieces, but if you don't recognize it in your program, then you're probably missing something. I like to think that we hit that last year a lot of.”

How Often the Subject of Mental Health Comes Up in the Locker Room:

On Dante Moore, Other Ducks Who Decided to Forgo NFL Draft:

“Every person makes the best decision for them, and obviously, he's one that made a unique decision. I think you're trying to decide what's the best situation for yourself. And what do you want to accomplish? There's some goals. You only get a limited amount of time you get to play college football as a separator."

“Once that time expires, the time expires, and every one of those guys recognize there's an opportunity for them to get better. There's some things that they want to accomplish at Oregon that they couldn't accomplish if they left. I think it speaks volumes about where they feel like they can grow and what they can do to help the team go where it needs to go.”

Dante Moore’s Maturation:

“Every day gets better. You see the guy operating today, making checks out there at the line, taking charge. Every day for us to be who we got to be, he's got to continue to push and prove.”

Offensive Lineman Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu And Edge Rusher Matayo Uiagalelei’s Growth This Spring:

“I think people lead in different ways. And Poncho has definitely always been a vocal leader. I think that happens a lot at center. You think about some guys that played that position for us here, you become a communicator really early in your career.”

“And Matayo, Teitum (Tuioti), some of those guys that have come back, they've proven over time that they have a vested interest in their voice has grown since they've been on campus. They've grown in their leadership. But for Matayo, I'm just really proud of the way he's worked this off-season. He has some really specific goals and things that he wanted to attack, and it's showing up on the field for him right now.”

How Much of the Offensive Line Success Can Be Attributed to Iapani Laloulu:

“Well, he's a huge part of it, but he would tell you, he's a part of it, right? And there's no good O-line that has deficiencies. Ultimately, it's about all five guys coming together, and that's what makes the O-line so special, but he's certainly been a big piece of that.”

Areas of Improvement for Matayo Uiagalelei:

“Ultimately, as a finisher right at the end of plays, that's a place that I know that he wants to attack and improve. He's always been a really intelligent player. Obviously, he has a special skill set, and he's done a lot of things in the weight room this offseason to attack places for him to get better. And I think he has that voice, and his ability to continue to share that voice for the team, to be something that can impact us.”

How Running Back Dierre Hill Jr. And Wide Receiver Dakorien Moore Can Build Off Freshmen Seasons:

“I think you've seen it within our program for several guys before. Whether that's Jeremiah McClellan this past season. Like, it's up to them. They got to go attack the work, and they got to know that they're not the best version of themselves yet.”

“So, guys like Dakorien, guys like Dierre, all those guys that were able to make an impact this year. Brandon Finney, like, that's a big piece of them. That's what they have to be internally and intrinsically motivated to go improve. And I think those guys are wired the right way to do that.”

On Cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. Continuing to Find Ways to Improve:

“Every player in our program has to get better. And specifically, Brandon, similar to Matayo, some specific things I could get into. But ultimately, what I would say is, as a player, as a coach, as anybody in our organization, it's about growth.”

“That's always been one of our DNA traits. So, there's things that every one of our players can attack. And every one of us, we haven't reached our ceiling yet. We can get better. And Brandon will be the first guy to tell you that he works extremely hard to do that.”

Priorities He Wants to See Translate This Week Into Practice:

“Us playing good football. I mean, today the pads came out. You're gonna figure out who's gonna bite and who’s gonna run away. And that's what we want to find. Who are the guys that are gonna bite? Can’t hide when the pads are on. It’s a little different when we were in spiders, and we got a bunch of guys that are out there wanting to bite.”

If He’s Watched Any March Madness:

“I haven't been able to watch very much, but I did get to catch like the last 10 seconds of the UConn game the other day. And I think that's one of those interesting moments we've been on both sides of, how close it is. And I think that's just a great indicator on how much you have to push for all the small details and how things can go any direction, right? But that certainly was one that probably sticks out to me this March.”

Competition in Spring Practices Impacting the Fall Season:

“This program is built on competition, and that'll be a huge piece for us moving forward.”

Opening Statement:

“Good first day in pads. You come off a little bit of a break, you're anxious to see what the guys look like. And it was competitive. Some pads popping, some guys really getting after it. Gotta control of emotions at times better but that's gonna happen when you throw the pads on.”

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