Dante Moore looking to increase speed, rushing for Oregon Ducks in 2025
Across 14 games of action in his first two years of college football, Moore has recorded a grand total of -78 rushing yards.
The negative numbers came during his time as the UCLA Bruins' signal-caller for nine games in 2023, as he was marked down with 45 carries for -84 yards. A majority of those yards came on sacks, however, as he recorded a long rush of 16 yards. In a backup role for the Ducks in 2024, Moore recorded a single carry for six yards.
Now, in a quarterback battle against Novosad, Moore cited his increase in speed as something he was satisfied with this offseason.
"I had a great off-summer," he said, speaking Oregon's 2025 Media Day. "I really got my body right. I actually hit my goal for the summer. Coach [Wilson] Love and Coach Bolt [Kyle Bolton] made sure I got my speed up and hit my goal. I'm really excited. I'm excited to show what I can do with my feet."
What was that speed goal, though?
"My goal was to hit 21 miles per hour, and I hit 21.5," Moore revealed. "I was super excited about it. It made me happy. I almost cried."
While Moore may not reach the dual-threat abilities of Oregon quarterback legend Marcus Mariota, if he can come close to the rushing levels that Bo Nix (744 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns from 2022-23) and Dillon Gabriel (149 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2024) produced, it would greatly diversify and further raise the ceiling of the offense.
Moore is up for the challenge, and after an offseason of work, can add to the offense in ways he previously hadn't been able to.
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