The Oregon Ducks walked into Beaver Stadium on Saturday night and silenced more than 111,000 Penn State fans during a White Out that lived up to its reputation.
In double overtime, Oregon pulled off a 30-24 victory over the No. 3 Nittany Lions, a win that immediately vaulted the Ducks to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll. Penn State slid to No. 7.
The moment that followed was just as telling as the result itself. Head coach Dan Lanning shared what he said to quarterback Dante Moore after the game, words beyond statistics or a box score.
“I love you,” Lanning said. “And it’s not just because of how well he played. It’s about the buy in. It’s about the work that he’s put in. It’s about the extra time. It’s about the way he treats his teammates. It’s the composure that he shows.”
"I love you"
— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) October 1, 2025
Ducks head coach Dan Lanning on what he told Dante Moore following Oregon's win over Penn State.
"It's not because of how well he played...it's about the work that he's put in...it's about the way he treats his teammates..." https://t.co/84IrEp764X pic.twitter.com/wnb2er7pIJ
Moore’s poise under pressure fuels Oregon’s rise
Statistically, Moore has posted bigger numbers, but this performance may have been his defining moment so far. Against a relentless Penn State defense, the sophomore went 29 of 39 for 248 yards and three touchdowns.
He avoided turnovers entirely, adding 35 rushing yards while absorbing several heavy hits. Each time, he got back up and steadied the huddle.
Also read: Why Dante Moore’s Penn State thriller has everyone talking Heisman?
That composure has placed him firmly in the Heisman Trophy conversation. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Moore currently leads the race with +700 odds, narrowly ahead of Alabama’s Ty Simpson at +850.
Through five weeks, Moore has thrown for 1,210 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just one interception. Should his pace continue and Oregon keep winning, he could become the program’s first Heisman winner since Marcus Mariota in 2014.
Moore’s rise also continues a trend under offensive coordinator Will Stein, whose quarterbacks have reached New York in consecutive seasons.
Bo Nix was a finalist in 2023, followed by Dillon Gabriel in 2024. Both finished third in the Heisman vote before moving on to starting jobs in the NFL.
For Moore, Saturday was more than a win. It was proof that in the toughest environments, his coach’s trust was well placed, and Oregon’s season may be defined by it.