OBD is finally 24 hours from the start of fall camp! Lanning stated in the Ducks media day that he still considers the QB position an open battle. As camp begins this likely means the majority of first team reps will be split between Moore and Novosad. With 25 practices allotted over the 29 days leading into the season; how long do we want to see this battle play out before we see a singular guy getting all of the #1 reps.

With so much untested talent on this years team, I feel like early continuity will be vital to the teams success. We will be tested early in the season with Penn State in Happy Valley. This is ,quite possibly, as tough a game as last year's tOSU in Autzen. We need our defense to be stifling but we need our offense to be humming by Sept 27.

Whoever wins the job needs to be getting as many reps as possible with a mostly new offensive line and skill pieces. Sure there will be warm up games. But Montana State isn't a slouch, Oklahoma State will try hard for an upset, and little brother to the north will try to get at the new QB early and often. My question again is, how long do we want to see this battle play out before a guy is getting all the first team reps? I say a starter should be named (publicly or not) by the second scrimmage.

As a fan, I would always like the inside information on battles for starting position, but I trust the process.

I think there are plenty of reps available in practice for two players. The pressure of competing for a position is nothing new, and you want a young QB to practice under pressure, while demonstrating that they are also a leader, when they have the field.

They always will need to have at least 2 QB’s ready to go on any given game day.

So many angles on this one. While competing for the starting QB position is an asset, you cannot underestimate the impact of being (and knowing) that you are the guy. IMHO it changes the way you lead, play, and turn adversity into accomplishment. While Bo & Dillon came in with a lot more experience (not all good), they didn't have "the benefit" of competing for the quarterback position through camp, yet managed to hit the field ready to win games.

For what it's worth, I too trust the DL & WS process, but I can't help but lean towards naming the guy who is going to take the reins ASAP.

Edited 21 hours ago21 hr by Chas Man

The way football is now it is amazing that Novosad is still a Duck. He's been around longer, has looked good every time he's been on the field, but Dante Moore, who was here, then wasn't, then is back again, is the presumptive starter. The best way to look at this, I believe, is to trust that Lanning and Stein know what they're doing and that Moore and Novosad have a good, yet competitive, eye on the prize.

This is tricky, if you have 2 starters, you don't have any, is true. One of them has to be named the starter, and be able to function without being afraid that one mistake gets him sent to the bench. Meanwhile, No.2 has to be ready. standing in that strange way QB's do, with their hands stuck under their collar, ready to go in the game.

Or OBD could just make Arch Manning an offer he can't refuse.

I know in years past Lanning hasn't done a strict first team, second team, third team until about halfway through fall camp.

They tend to like to look at how different groups and players work together and build connection beyond just the ones and twos.

The goal is to find the best players and encourage competition and leadership opportunities. So they'll be doing plenty of mixing and matching between all involved for the first two weeks for sure. I think by week 3 we have a pretty solidified ones and twos and by the week before the first game it will be set.

But even then this coaching staff tends not to set everything in stone because sometimes players put it all together a little later and work their way into the rotation.

And speaking of the rotation... I think the goal this year is to rotate 7 linemen around on offense. Keeping fresh legs in there is important when they can and keeping an extended unit together also helps smooth out injuries.

But my guess is they'll know who the starter is in a week and will start to solidify things in two weeks with the projected starters working together more regularly after that.

Great topic. Decisions like this is why Lanning is one of the best coaches in the country and I’m just another internet guy with an opinion.

I’ll trust his judgement for what’s best. This QB1 QB2 situation reminds me of Joey Harrington vs AJ Feeley. Can’t go wrong either way.

The real benefit of 1st team vs second team reps is building chemistry between QB 's and WRs. So the timing of deciding who is the starting QB as well as the 1st team rotation of WRs is equally important.

1 hour ago, David Marsh said:

I know in years past Lanning hasn't done a strict first team, second team, third team until about halfway through fall camp.

They tend to like to look at how different groups and players work together and build connection beyond just the ones and twos.

The goal is to find the best players and encourage competition and leadership opportunities. So they'll be doing plenty of mixing and matching between all involved for the first two weeks for sure. I think by week 3 we have a pretty solidified ones and twos and by the week before the first game it will be set.

But even then this coaching staff tends not to set everything in stone because sometimes players put it all together a little later and work their way into the rotation.

And speaking of the rotation... I think the goal this year is to rotate 7 linemen around on offense. Keeping fresh legs in there is important when they can and keeping an extended unit together also helps smooth out injuries.

But my guess is they'll know who the starter is in a week and will start to solidify things in two weeks with the projected starters working together more regularly after that.

Terrific take. In 2025-26, I want the Ducks to play 16 or 17 games. Whatever it takes to get to the champ game.

I like this young man!

Oregon Ducks' Austin Novosad Reveals Strong Connection with Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel

4 hours ago, Drake said:

They always will need to have at least 2 QB’s ready to go on any given game day.

I totally agree with this assessment. QB1 can go down on the first snap. How many snaps would you want QB2 to have had then??

Like everyone else here, I trust the coaches to spread the snaps around with all the variables taken into account.

Moore 2023 at UCLA:  9 games, 114 completions (53%), 213 attempts, 9 interceptions, 1610 yards;  42 rushes, minus 84 yds

9 games, five starts (at San Diego State, North Carolina Central, at Utah, Washington State, at Oregon State) – (W, W, L, W, L) 

SDSU:  17 of 27, 290, 3 TD

NCC:  8 of 12, 182, 2 TD

Utah:  15 of 35, 234, 1 TD, 1 INts

WSU:  didn’t play much

OSU:  14 of 33, 165, 1TD, 3 INTs, 10rushes, 18net

I think Fall 2025 practices are going to be interesting. Novosad has a reputation for throwing a nice ball in practice. He finished his high school career with 8,983 yards passing, 114 touchdowns and just 18 interceptions.

https://www.registerguard.com/story/sports/college/football/2025/06/28/austin-novosad-oregon-ducks-football-quarterback/84194894007/

The Dennis Dixon-Brady Leaf season ending in the Holiday Bowl loss was a prime example of the issues of a 2 qb system.

When Tez Johnson stated Dante Moore would win this year's Heisman, I was hyped. When I saw the tape of the Spring Game, I said to myself: "huh".

One thing I am certain of, we have 3 QBs that can start just about anywhere.

I think Moore gets the nod. I would like to see Moore play like Novo makes me feel: smooth. Moore has shown he can handle responsibility of the job. I just don't feel like he jumps off the page the way I feel about other QBs around the country this year. Novo doesn't necessarily execute flawlessly, but I just feel more comfortable with his play for some reason. I can't put a finger on it. Maybe its just my expectations for Moore.

The only thing that makes me comfortable at all is Moore throws the ball so effortlessly. He doesn't strain when he throws the ball.

I am not worried if DL doesn't decide right away. And I certainly hope Moga gets plenty of reps. Moga is a best kept secret. But he needs the reps too.

We are in very good hands for the next 3-4 years. All four of the QBs make me feel confident in OBD's future.

All I know is don't count Novosad out.

Even if he doesn't start I wouldn't be shocked to see him called upon for an important play or two this season is Moore goes down.

And vice versa.

Is Novosad starts over Moore I'd be thrilled because that means Stein definitely got the right guy for the job.

If Moore gets the starting job it means Lanning and Stein went into the portal and got the right guy for the job.