Oregon defeats USC as backup quarterback Dylan Raiola steps in after injury to starter

Oregon rallied to a 41-27 win over the University of Southern California on Saturday, overcoming a mid-game injury to starting quarterback Dante Moore. Backup Dylan Raiola entered the game and completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Ducks maintain their lead in the second half.

Coach Dan Lanning, who now holds a 3-0 record against USC, used the post-game press conference to highlight the victory and promote Oregon to regional recruits. He also referenced the team’s sideline celebrations and contrasted the atmosphere in Oregon’s locker room with that of its rival.

Raiola, a former five-star recruit who transferred from Nebraska in January, was praised by Lanning for being prepared when called upon. The quarterback had previously posted a 72 percent completion rate at Nebraska and was considered one of the higher-paid backups in the nation under the current name-image-likeness (NIL) system.

Analysts note that Oregon’s financial resources allow the program to retain multiple high-quality quarterbacks, a rarity among college teams. The Ducks’ roster is among the most expensive in the country, according to a recent analysis, enabling them to field a capable backup without compromising other positions.

Moore’s concussion leaves his return timeline uncertain, and Lanning indicated the staff will manage his recovery carefully. The win marks Oregon’s third consecutive victory over USC and reinforces its position as a contender in the Pacific-12 conference.