Dante Moore Breaks Down First Start in Win Over Montana State: “We did a great job as a unit”

Quarterback Dante Moore took the field inside Autzen Stadium for his first start as a Duck on Saturday in Oregon’s 59-13 win over the Montana State Bobcats. He completed 18 of his 23 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns while also pitching in 18 rushing yards on three carries.

He met with the media following the win to break down his performance and what he saw from the Oregon offense. Below are some of the top quotes from his media availability.

Onhow it felt to deliver in hisfirst start at Oregon

Moore: “It’s been two years man. It’s just a blessing to be able to play here at the University of Oregon in front of a great crowd and great fans. But I feel like the best thing was just the way we moved the ball as a whole unit. Offense did a great job of protection-wise. We had a great run game. First play was, I don’t know how far that run was, but from that standpoint we have a good run game, we can have a good pass game. So we did a great job as a unit, coaches prepared us the right way and excited for next week.”

On how helpful it is to have so many different guys he can get the ball to

Moore: “It just proves that this class and this unit we have as receivers and tight ends, just the skills we have is just unbelievable. As a quarterback it feels great when other people catch the ball and even as a unit you just feel more connected. Usually a lot of times it could be just one person, two people catching the ball and other receivers kind of feel left out. But when you have great guys that can make contested catches, that can make plays with the ball in their hand, it’s easier for a quarterback just to put the ball out there and they do what they gotta do.”

OnDakorien Moore navigating the hype, his performance Saturday

Moore: “Me and Kori have a very close relationship. Feel like the best thing with him is he’s always willing to work. I always train in Dallas before spring ball or fall camp and just to get back on my toes. And I made sure that he was down there with me. Of course I’m in his hometown, but just the extra work we put in. Of course I know how it is, I was 17 on campus, I don’t know how old he is. But it’s just making sure that he’s good: clear mind, making sure that he attacks every day. I know it can be a lot on his plate, but that Moore to Moore thing is a great thing. We love it and we appreciate each other, but he’s always willing to work and it proves that when the ball’s in his hand he’s electrifying.”

On Oregon run game helps him out

Moore: “We have amazing running backs. It’s just crazy how it’s just so many great running backs on one squad. It feels great when you look to your left and you have a new running back in ’cause it’s new fresh legs and you know they’re gonna get five yards a pop. Just having a great run game of course is the best thing. As an offensive unit you always want to have the most rushing yards. We did a great job, but really it starts up front in the front five. Poncho does a great job communicating everything and we all move as a unit and when the run game’s there, everything’s good.”

On how much Oregon talked about wanting to make a statement on Saturday

Moore: “To be honest it’s kind of—Coach Lanning always says FEBU. The only people that really care about is the people that are in that room with us that go out there on that field. And of course last year you could say Idaho game wasn’t the right way to kick it off and it wasn’t. This year, we’re not even thinking about the Idaho game. We’re not thinking about if we’re gonna come out flat. We’re just thinking about how we’re gonna attack as a whole unit when it comes to the first drive. Of course as an offense you’re hoping you get the ball first because you want to make sure you score first and get the drives going. But feel like it’s that FEBU mindset is kind of what we had coming in during fall camp and still is right now.”

On decision to not force something on 3rd and goal and take the yards

Moore: “Yeah he cussed me out pretty bad in practice. He brings the fire for sure, but I love that as a head coach. It just reflects back how my freshman year was: forcing throws and not making the right decisions. And things can turn out bad that way. And also he he showed me the clips of Dillon when he was here, Michigan State game red-area forcing throws and as a quarterback you always learn from the situations. At practice I’ve done it a couple times, it hasn’t turned out the way I wanted it to turn out, so he’s cussed me out a thousand times so I kind of hear him in the back of my head every time I’m scrambling like ‘Don’t throw it. Don’t throw it.’ I feel like it was great for me to just run out of bounds, get what I can get.”