Thomas starts at QB for Oregon over Raiola against Nebraska

Eugene, Ore. (AP) — Due to quarterback Dante Moore being sidelined with a concussion, the Oregon Ducks opted to start Brock Thomas instead of Dylan Raiola in their Saturday night game against the Huskers. Raiola had been Moore's backup throughout the season, while Turner served as the third-string option. However, Raiola faced challenges in a 17-15 loss to UCLA earlier in the season, where he threw for only 43 yards with two interceptions.

Thomas stepped up in Raiola's absence in the Bruins' game, completing 11 of his 15 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. Thomas, a senior hailing from Eugene, started his collegiate career as a walk-on for the Ducks in 2023, with both his father and grandfather having previously played for Oregon. Thomas had previously appeared in seven games during the previous season, throwing for 130 yards and a touchdown.

Raiola, on the other hand, had been a starting quarterback for Nebraska for two years before transferring to Oregon in the offseason. He threw for 2,000 yards each of his two seasons with the Huskers, accumulating 31 total touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Moore suffered the concussion during a late hit by Trojan linebacker Desman Stephens during the second quarter of the Ducks' 41-27 victory over Southern California on September 26.

Moore was carried off the field on a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance. Raiola took over the game for the Trojans, throwing for 289 yards and two touchdowns.