Dan Lanning pleased with win but admits his team must correct crucial mistakes if they hope to win next week at Penn State
Dan Lanning shared his thoughts on Oregon’s Civil War win.
The Oregon Ducks are 4-0 after handling rival Oregon State in Autzen Stadium, but head coach Dan Lanning made it clear after the game that there’s still plenty of work to do before next week’s massive Top-10 showdown at Penn State. While Oregon eventually pulled away, the Ducks once again stumbled out of the gate, something Lanning admitted has become a concerning trend.
Slow start
“We can’t allow teams to be able to move the ball like that to start,” Lanning said, reflecting on Oregon’s early defensive struggles. “We’ve got to stay in rhythm offensively.” His words echoed what fans saw a week earlier against Northwestern, when the Ducks took time to settle in before their talent ultimately won out. Those opening lapses could be costly against a team as strong as Penn State.
Still, there was plenty for Lanning to celebrate. He highlighted the effort of linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who played with visible passion in a game that meant a little more for the Oregon native. “He’s hungry, he’s passionate, and this game really mattered to him,” Lanning said. He acknowledged there were plays Boettcher might want back, but emphasized the energy and commitment he brought to the rivalry stage.
Quarterback Dante Moore also earned praise from his head coach, even if Moore himself was critical of his own performance. “I don’t think he felt like it was his best game, but he operated really well,” Lanning noted. He pointed specifically to Moore’s execution on the two-minute drill before halftime as an example of the freshman’s poise in key situations. Moore’s leadership will be critical next week when the Ducks face one of the most formidable defenses in the nation.
The head coach also pointed to the contributions of Oregon’s young playmakers on offense. Freshman receiver Jeremiah McClellan’s touchdown came with strong blocking, which Lanning stressed as a detail showing growth in execution. Dakorien Moore also earned mention for consistently winning one-on-one matchups, giving the Ducks another explosive option in the passing game.
On to next week
For Lanning, the message after the rivalry win was about sharpening execution and shifting focus immediately to the task ahead. “The switch is already flipped,” he said when asked about Penn State. That urgency underscores how much the next matchup means for Oregon in the Big Ten race and nationally.
The Ducks proved once again they have the firepower to overwhelm opponents. Still, as Lanning reminded everyone, it’s about more than just talent. Fast starts, clean execution, and mental focus will be essential if Oregon wants to leave Happy Valley with its perfect record intact.
