It is so exciting to see a quarterback who had some great games as a backup competing for the spot once their predecessor leaves. That will be the case with Dante Moore at Oregon, who is the top favorite to be named the Ducks’ QB1. He played behind Dillon Gabriel, who has moved to the NFL draft. But Moore will be facing some serious competition from other contenders. Enter Austin Novosad, who seems to be giving him a good fight in the race for the QB1 spot. Who Dan Lanning picks as his starting quarterback will be an interesting unraveling of events.

Moore came into Oregon from the UCLA Bruins, having played just 9 games. They are dotted with some highs and lows, but Moore came with hopeful numbers. 1610 yards, 11 TDs, and a passer rating of 125.6 make for some appreciation for Moore. At Oregon, he’s played only three games. Much of his 2024 season was spent behind Dillon Gabriel, who brought down some serious thunder onto the field last season. Now, with the star QB gone, Moore has the opportunity to fully exploit his resources and do what he came to do. Here’s where Novosad can be quite the hope-dampener for the QB1 hopeful.

Spencer McLaughlin discussed on Locked on Ducks (Oregon) how the two contenders were different from each other. Moreover, he already has a winner narrowed down. McLaughlin said, “It’s plenty feasible that Austin Novosad throughout spring football goes and pushes Dante Moore for the starting role.”

However, Novosad, despite his skills and talents, will have to convince the staff that he’s just as good a contender as Moore is. But Novosad doesn’t really have a lot of numbers in his resume to make a case. The 4-star quarterback from the 2023 class hasn’t even managed 100 yards in his two seasons at the Ducks. That is also because he has always been the third option.

Much of the staff seems to be going ahead this spring with the idea that Moore is their QB1. McLaughlin said, “Oregon wanted Dante Moore more than they wanted Austin Novosad. This journey that Dante Moore is on, I really get the sense it comes with some level of assurance or guarantee from the coaching staff that, hey, you’re going to be the starting quarterback.”

Novosad does not have the comfort of that reassurance, which is why he has to build his argument against Moore’s to win. But there are some differences between the two, which Novosad can utilise.

Where Dante Moore and Austin Novosad one-up each other

Austin Novosad has been with the Ducks since 2023 and has played 2 seasons. However, because of the depth, he saw very little action. That adds to his list of cons, which Dante Moore can use to beat him. Not only that, but Moore’s physique is a huge, huge benefit that will always matter when it comes to a comparison between the two. Physically, Novosad doesn’t quite have it to challenge Moore on these grounds.

McLaughlin even compares him to Matthew Stafford of the LA Rams. The host added, “But Dante Moore was not a five-star quarterback, the number one quarterback by several outlets by accident. This is a guy who’s got all the talent in the world, can play in the NFL. He’s 6’1″, 6’2″, in that range, really good arm, quick release, can be deadly accurate. So I think that when you watch both of these guys and discuss their physical traits, that’s where the extra star was given to Dante Moore, not Novosad.” So far, it might look like Novosad never really stood a chance, but here’s where it gets interesting.

Moore struggles with protecting the football. This crucial aspect is where Novosad shines. “I think the biggest way that Novosad can push Dante Moore, though, when he’s just going out and competing in practice and throwing the ball around and all that sort of stuff, protect the football. Because that was Dante. He goes, he protects the football. He’d go out there, make good reads, show command to the offense that makes it look like you have been there for two years, learning all the different calls and the reads and everything that goes into being a quarterback.” That is where Novosad can one-up Moore.

Experience-wise, Moore has an edge over Novosad because he started a few games when he was with the Bruins. And in that time, he also had numbers that further boosted his prospects. However, Novosad has also grown into a formidable player and only lacks some on-field action. Who ousts whom from the position will be an intriguing story to follow.