Dante Moore Evaluates First Start, Oregon Offense Ahead of Oklahoma State: "Having that next play focus"

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore shined in his debut as a starter in Week 1, throwing for 213 yards and three touchdowns while completing 78.3% of his passes.

Now he redshirt sophomore faces his next challenge when Oklahoma State comes to Eugene in Week 2. He met with reporters in Eugene following Tuesday’s practice discuss his growth and preparation for Oklahoma State.

Below are some of the top quotes from his media availability.

On checking to new look on big Jay Harris play, his comfort making shifts at the line of scrimmage

Moore: Yeah, that was a field pressure look they’ve done since last year. And during practice it’s been tough looks that scout team has given us, and it was kind of sometimes, I would miss it and it would be hot. But I feel like the whole week we prepared for it. And of course, it feels great when you prepare for something during the week, and on a game day, it happens and it turns to explosive. Jay knew after protection, exactly what he had. Jay’s a great running back, great with the ball in his hand. And of course, we wish he scored, but he did a great job.”

On Dakorien Moore‘s block on Gary Bryant‘s touchdown

Moore: “When he first got here, mod bracket kind of looked favorable for the defensive side when he went up. At firs he had to adjust to how the speed and how the strength of the college game was and he’s done a great job during practice, during mod bracket, of getting extra reps and making sure he’s pushing himself at practice. So come game time, when he’s throwing in the fire, of having to block on the perimeter he’s doing a great job of doing that. It’s kind of something that he’s mastered. And of course, getting better at day by day. So he’s getting good, and when we block on the perimeter, that’s what big plays happen.”

On what he’s seen from Cooper Perry to get early play time

Moore: “When he first got here during spring ball he was probably, I’ll say to be honest, the best player that went through the whole springtime. Just looking at him when it comes to a winning route, when the ball’s in the air him grabbing it, and just the way he is his receiver, I feel like he was the most produced during spring. He’s a great talent to the receiver. As a quarterback, I trust him. I know where he’s going to be at during certain coverages, or we’ll be on the same time. I’m glad they had a chance to get out there, play in college, his first snaps, and he’s done a great job. And I’m blessed to have him as a teammate.”

On what he learned about himself from evaluating game 1

Moore: “Having that next play focus. (An) example, when I got the first down and I was excited and adrenaline was pumping, I was fatigued the next play, because I was so tired and lost a lot of energy. And something that, of course, was exciting during the moment, but plays like that would happen, but you got to focus on to the next play. We did a great job. We did meet a lot of our goals, but I feel like my personal growth would probably be lasting through long drives, building my fatigue and make sure I’m pushing my teammates during the drives.”

On what he’s seen from Alex Harkey

Moore: “You can tell he’s a tough guy. He’s somebody you can trust and for sure block on the perimeter. But I mean, during practice he’s pushing himself, he’s sweating, exhausting himself. But of course in our practice, he’s just gonna push himself so that on game day when it comes it’s kind of easy for him, and he made lot of great blocks. I trust him with my life out there on the edge, and he’s a great player. I’m glad to have him.”

On Dave Iuli

Moore: “Dave’s a great competitor. Him being able to flip from both sides is a great thing. But of course, you want everybody stay healthy. But Dave is a vet. He knows how to communicate. He knows how to sacrifice for the team and I’m glad to have him.”

On how he responds to being cussed out by Dan Lanning

Moore: “Yes coach. That’s all I can say. I mean, it’s needed, though. I feel like a lot of players, when they get that type of fire under them at practice, they like to crawl into a shell. But I’ve been through it. My freshman year, I’ve been through—a lot of things that happened to me, getting thrown in the fire, but I love it, you know? I love it because that means he loves me, he cares for me, and that he wants to coach me. That’s what I signed up for.”