Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has put himself among the favorites for the Heisman Trophy this season.
Indiana has seen a quality quarterback already, in Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, who’s thrown for just over 20 more yards per game than Moore. But Moore has a better completion percentage than Altmyer, two more touchdown passes, and much more of an impact running the ball. Additionally, Oregon’s offensive line is much stronger than Illinois’, so the Hoosiers may not be able to get as much pressure on Moore as they put on Altmyer.
IU head coach Curt Cignetti knows the Ducks offense will be a tough challenge, and he knows how well Moore has played in leading that unit.
“He’s another guy, got big-time arm talent, quick release, accurate. He’s very athletic, very fluid, can run, extend plays, change of direction. He’s getting the ball out on time, rhythm. He snaps it off really quick. He’s really impressive on tape,” Cignetti said Monday during his weekly press conference. “As he’s played more, you can see he’s building on his success, confidence, belief, and he’s one of the great quarterbacks in the country. There’s no doubt about it.”
Oregon, as a team, is ninth in the country in Pro Football Focus passing grade, 18th in run grade, and 10th in overall offense. Moore has the 11th-best PFF grade of any quarterback in the country, second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State’s Julian Sayin. IU will have its hands full with Moore and UO’s offense.
Coaching matchup
The Ducks and Hoosiers feature two of the top head coaches in the country right now.
Cignetti swept the national coach of the year honors in 2024 after leading IU to a historic 11-1 regular season and a College Football Playoff berth. Lanning is a rising star in the coaching profession, with a lot of success at Oregon after taking over in 2022.
IU’s head coach threw a lot of praise at his counterpart.
“Extremely well-coached. Big, fast, athletic, physical, depth. Coach Lanning has done a tremendous job recruiting, development, attention. Probably one of the most impressive young coaching phenoms to come around in a while I would say, having been in this game for a little bit,” Cignetti said. “They’re a great football team.”
Lanning, in his press conference with Oregon media on Monday, had a lot of good things to say about Cignetti and the Hoosiers. He lauded IU’s offensive scheme and Fernando Mendoza’s abilities, as well as Cignetti’s track record and coaching prowess.
“Obviously, everywhere he’s been, he’s had a lot of success. His team’s really well-coached. I think the other piece that really sticks out about their staff, you look at their staff, a lot of those guys have been together for a long time. A lot of continuity. And that speaks to guys that want to coach with him,” Lanning said. “He’s won everywhere he’s been. That’s really apparent. But he’s obviously a phenomenal coach, and he’s done a really good job.”
Size difference
Indiana will need to be strong in the trenches to have a chance at pulling off a massive win.
The Hoosiers were tested in those areas by Iowa, with mixed results. They have not yet been burned, but this will be the toughest test yet for their offensive and defensive lines.
Part of that challenge could be overcoming sheer size differences.
“We’re not as big as Oregon. They can roll four inside guys at D-tackle that are 330 plus,” Cignetti said. “They’ve got big people in there.”
That said, Cignetti has plenty of faith in his squad’s capabilities. Offensive linemen Carter Smith and Drew Evans have played very well this season, and IU’s defensive line with Kellan Wyatt, Mikail Kamara, Tyrique Tucker, and Mario Landino, among others, have excelled. Cignetti knows his team, like Oregon, is also strong up the middle.
“You put together the best plan for your team that you think gives you the best chance to be successful,” Cignetti said. “But I have confidence in our team, right. They are big. They are athletic. They are a very good football team. We’re a good football team.”
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