Well, the 2024 season’s ending has been different for different schools. Schools like Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes went ahead to bring Natty home. While schools like Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks missed by an arm’s distance. But no matter the defending champions or the ones who landed late in the race, one problem is plaguing every school. That’s the big quarterback dilemma. The Ducks are in the midst of a quarterback battle for the first time in the Lanning era. The fight is between Dante Moore and Austin Novosad, both vying for the QB1 spot. Already, the ceiling is high for the contenders. Thanks to their predecessor, Dillon Gabriel. That’s when Lanning chose to fan the fire by leaning towards Novosad more, leaving Moore in a pool of cold sweat. 

Gabriel gifted Lanning and Co. a star-studded season. He wrapped up his last chapter in college football by racking up 326 of 447 yards, along with 30 touchdowns. He is all set to carry his talents off to the NFL and recently received a superlative as the best decision-making quarterback of the 2025 NFL Draft class. Not just from Lanning and the Ducks fans, he did receive big praise from rival HC James Franklin, too.

As Gabriel made the 62nd start, passing former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix’s record of 61 career starts, the Penn State HC was touched. “It seems like (Gabriel) has been playing college football for the last ten years.” But gone are those days. Lanning is now on the road to handpick Gabriel’s successor.  

  

Joining Moore in the quarterback room are redshirt sophomore Novosad, redshirt freshman Luke Moga, redshirt sophomore Brock Thomas, true freshman Akili Smith Jr., and redshirt freshman Ryder Hayes. But the fight is going to be between Moore and Novosad. Moore is in year 2, and Novosad is in year 3. So, it’s highly likely that Lanning might count on the one with more experience.

The freshman quarterback, Novosad, got his first action of the 2024 season during the Ducks’ game against UCLA. During the game, he checked into the final drive of the Ducks’ 34-13 win over UCLA before second-stringer Moore. On April 8, Lanning faced the media. That’s when he praise-bombed Novosad. “I think the guy’s just a winner. He has become really comfortable in our system. He understands it.”

Yes, the 2024 season did not see much of his gridiron play, as he came up with only 7 yards. Novosad completed 2 pass attempts for 7 yards as the Ducks ran down the clock to walk away with the 38-9 victory over the Fighting Illini. But at the same time, he has learned enough playing under Nix and Gabriel. “And I think that Coach Stein and the offensive staff do a good job of continuing to push that, but he’s just really level-headed. I think he’s got to see some great quarterbacks in front with Dillon (Gabriel) and Bo Nix, and that experience, of seeing how those guys operate, day in and day out, and what he can be.”

When it came to Novosad’s throws, Lanning sounded all confident. The HC gave the QB due credit for his decision-making skills and for being a prime leader. Does that mean the Moore hype has taken a backseat? 

All eyes on Dan Lanning’s QB carousel ft. Dante Moore’s Heisman dreams in play 

The former five-star recruit began his college career at UCLA, where he started five games as a freshman but struggled with consistency. But in the 2024 season, Lanning’s quarterback, Moore, absorbed Will Stein’s offensive system and learned from the best. Even though he is yet to get a full-time opportunity in the QB role, in spot appearances, Moore completed 7 of 8 pass attempts for 49 yards. In that way, his stats are already looking more pleasing as compared to Novosad’s. That’s when analyst Spencer McLaughlin addressed the elephant in the room.

On the Locked on Ducks podcast, he stated, “It’s plenty feasible that Austin Novosad throughout spring football goes and pushes Dante Moore for the starting role…Oregon wanted Dante Moore more than they wanted Austin Novosad.” After all, if Lanning counts on Novosad, he will have to rely on him blindly. While Moore is yet to bag the starter’s role, he has already tapped into the Heisman buzz.

Former Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson got the hype train rolling before January’s Rose Bowl. He did not see anyone other than Dante Moore in Dillon Gabriel’s seat. “Dante Moore? He’ll be a Heisman finalist next year. 100%,” Johnson said. “It’s something you ain’t seen yet. That boy can throw a ball like no other. I’ve never seen anything like it. He’s so ready. He’s so ready to play, you can just tell.” But he will need another stellar season in Dan Lanning’s squad to bring home the bronze trophy. However, history hints at something positive. Two of his predecessors, Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel, were the frontrunners in the Heisman race. Will he make or break the streak? Turns out it’s a 50-50 situation in Eugene.