Dan Lanning snaps at questions about backup quarterback battle after Brock Thomas' performance

Oregon has one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season in Dante Moore. Dan Lanning also is done with any concerns about the Ducks’ backup quarterbacks too.

Lanning was asked about Oregon’s QB2s, with “fans still very much fretting” about the position, following Saturday’s win over Wisconsin. Simply put, he doesn’t mind where that room is at all, especially just after Brock Thomas, their backup, came in and posted perfect completion in his appearance against the Badgers.

“Like, our backup quarterback went four for four tonight,” said Lanning. “We won the game.”

For clarity, the question was first asked about Luke Moga and Austin Novosad. The reporter later clarified after that initial answer, saying the head coach didn’t have to tell him that the backup quarterbacks were fine. But, Lanning made a point to tell him that it’s his job to make that clear to the fans, and certainly so after Thomas’ performance in the 21-7 win this weekend.

“Well then tell them,” Lanning stated. “I mean, like, they should go to our locker room and see them carry Brock Thomas up in the locker room after the game. Like, our players see it every day in practice. When has Brock come in and not performed well for us this season? He’s done what we’ve asked him to do every time he’s come in. So, people should stop worrying about it.”

“And they should also know that those other quarterbacks are doing a really good job in practice too,” added Lanning. “But, Brock is playing well, guys, right. Watch the film.”

Thomas took Moore’s place in the second half after the Ducks’ QB1 took a hit across the facemask that caused his nose bleed, and he didn’t return in the victory last night. He, in just a one-score game with Oregon only up 7-0 on Wisconsin, went on to complete all four of his passes for 46 yards, including a touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to push it to 21-0. That brought him to six appearances this season, most of which have come the past two games against Rutgers and Wisconsin, with Thomas being 9-13 (69.2%) for 105 yards and the lone touchdown pass.

If all goes well, a team shouldn’t have to worry about the play of their backup quarterback. But, even so, Lanning says his team doesn’t have to worry about it regardless, with Thomas proving himself more than once now in that role on the depth chart behind Moore.

Dante Moore injury update: Lanning reveals severity of bloody nose, outlook

Dante Moore was knocked out of a 21-7 win over Wisconsin on Saturday night, with the Ducks leading just 7-0 at the time. His team would go on to secure the victory, but everyone’s thoughts immediately went to the star quarterback.

Luckily, he appears to be fine. Dan Lanning provided an update on the quarterback after the game.

“I think we could have pushed to get him back in, but he’s going to be good,” Lanning said. “He got a bloody nose. He got hit pretty good. He looks like he’s in great shape now.”