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· collected 2026-08-18 · by Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press
Quarterback Dante Moore returns to No. 2 Oregon, which is aiming for its first national title under coach Dan Lanning. The Ducks have a high preseason ranking and are seeking their fifth consecutive season with 13 wins or more. Moore, who stayed in the NCAA after considering an NFL draft bid, threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. Oregon's defense is led by returning players Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei, A'Mauri Washington, and Teitum Tuioti on its defensive line.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The University of Oregon's football team, known as the Ducks, is looking to make a strong run for the national title in the upcoming season. They have been ranked No. 2 in the preseason rankings, their highest ever, and are just behind top-ranked Ohio State. The team has high expectations after reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals last season, with only two losses, both to the eventual national champion Indiana Hoosiers. Quarterback Dante Moore is returning for his senior season, having announced in January that he would stay at Oregon instead of declaring for the NFL draft. Last season, Moore completed 72% of his throws for 3,565 yards and had 30 touchdowns, but also had 10 interceptions. The team's defense has been bolstered by the return of several key players, including Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei, A'Mauri Washington, and Teitum Tuioti.
Written for “Oregon Football Hopes Rise” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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This article does not take a side on a contested political
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answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
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anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
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No political leaning scored for article 954 · logged 2026-08-25
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — 2025 record: 13-2
Expectations
The Ducks have their highest preseason ranking ever, just behind top-ranked Ohio State, after reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals last season.
asserted
Ducks → have → semifinals
Oregon is again aiming to break through for that elusive title, as it has in all four of Dan Lanning’s seasons at the helm.
asserted
it → aim → helm
One indication that this might be Oregon’s year is the return of quarterback Dante Moore, who announced in January that he was staying in Eugene rather than declaring for the NFL draft.
uncertain
he → announce → draft
Moore completed nearly 72% of his throws for 3,565 yards, with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.
asserted
Moore → complete → touchdowns
A lot of pressure on this team, but at the end of the day, we kind of put that pressure on ourselves
asserted
we → put → ourselves
,” Moore said.
asserted
Moore → say → ?
“We’ve done a great job these past couple years, and we’ve got to trust in our game plans and trust in Coach Lanning.
asserted
we → do → Lanning
Strengths all over the place
The Ducks boast one of the most talented defensive lines in the nation after returning Bear Alexander, Matayo Uiagalelei, A’Mauri Washington and Teitum Tuioti.
asserted
Ducks → boast → Alexander
Returning is receiver Evan Stewart, who missed last season with injury after catching 48 passes for 613 yards and five touchdowns in 2024.
asserted
who → return → 2024
And there’s more Moore, too: Receiver Dakorian Moore is back after catching 34 passes for 497 yards last season, and running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr., who combined for 20 touchdowns.
asserted
who → ’ → touchdowns
Davison, however, was injured in fall camp and is expected to miss part of the regular season.
asserted
Davison → injure → season
Weaknesses includes questions on the offensive line
The Ducks lost three starters — Emmanuel Pregnon, Isaiah World, and Alex Harkey — from the offensive line (all to the NFL).
asserted
Ducks → include → NFL
Center Iapani Laloulu and guard Dave Iuli return, but there will be competition across the line.
asserted
Laloulu → return → line
Freshman Immanuel Iheanacho, a 6-foot-7, 345-pound five-star offensive tackle out of Georgetown Prep in Maryland, is a promising newcomer who may break out.
uncertain
who → break → Maryland
Among the others moving on to the NFL were the offensive line’s Pregnon, World, and Harkey.
asserted
Pregnon → move → NFL
Oregon also had some 30 players enter the transfer portal.
asserted
players → have → portal
Other prominent departures via the portal include defensive linemen Terrance Green (Alabama) and Jericho Johsnon (Cal), as well as edge Blake Purchase (Ole Miss).
asserted
departures → include → linemen
