Oregon head coach Dan Lanning found himself on the defensive Saturday night following the Ducks’ 21-7 victory over Wisconsin at Autzen Stadium. The sixth-ranked Ducks secured the win behind their defense and backup quarterback Brock Thomas, who completed all four of his passes after starter Dante Moore exited with a bloody nose in the third quarter.
But the postgame conversation centered less on the victory and more on Lanning’s decision to continue playing Thomas, a walk-on from Eugene’s Sheldon High School, over more highly touted recruits Austin Novosad and Luke Moga.
When reporters pressed Lanning about why Thomas keeps getting backup reps over the scholarship quarterbacks, the coach’s response suggested he’d fielded this question one too many times. Lanning told reporters they should visit the locker room to see Thomas’ teammates carry him on their shoulders after the game.
He made it clear that the walk-on quarterback earned every snap through consistent practice performance, not through recruiting rankings or scholarship status.
The decision has stirred debate among Oregon supporters who watch Novosad, a four-star quarterback from Texas ranked 157th overall in the 2023 class, and Moga, a three-star from Arizona recruited by major programs, sit on the sideline. Thomas entered the 2023 recruiting class as a three-star prospect at 5’11”, 195 pounds. His playing time has increased throughout October while the other quarterbacks have barely seen the field.
The situation became more complicated when Thomas threw his first career touchdown pass to offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson in the fourth quarter, a moment his teammates clearly celebrated with genuine enthusiasm.
Dan Lanning got a bit testy postgame when asked about the backup QB situation as some fans are worried seeing a walk on playing instead of the Ducks highly touted recruits:
“They should go to our locker room and see them carry Brock Thomas up in the locker room after the game…… pic.twitter.com/zsbDLsJyma
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) October 26, 2025
Lanning addressed the situation directly, saying Thomas completed all four passes for 46 yards and questioning when Thomas has failed to perform when called upon this season.
Backup Quarterback Controversy Continues to Draw Attention From Oregon Faithful
The tension around Oregon’s quarterback depth chart didn’t begin Saturday night. Thomas came off the bench the previous week against Rutgers in a blowout victory, a decision that raised questions among fans even then. Lanning had explained Monday before the Wisconsin game that Thomas earned his opportunities through daily practice performance.
Moore had completed 15 of 20 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns in the Rutgers game before Thomas entered. Against Wisconsin, Moore threw for 86 yards on 9-of-15 passing before leaving with the nose injury.
Lanning said postgame that Moore could have returned to the game but the removal was precautionary, adding that Moore appeared to be in great shape. The decision to stick with Thomas for the remainder of the contest, rather than reinserting Moore or turning to Novosad or Moga, reinforced what has become a pattern.
Neither Novosad nor Moga have appeared in games during October, with Novosad last playing in Week 1 and Moga’s last appearance coming in the Sep 13 win over Northwestern.
Oregon fans took to social media to voice their perspectives on the situation. Aaron Jones wrote, “I think he’s testy, because he is also frustrated with his team. He has a bonehead OC who loves wide receiver screens. Has two QB’s (Moga and Novasad) who most likely asked to save this year for a transfer. And now has to rely on a walk-on.”
JeddyD offered a different view, writing, “Or, Brock works harder and earned playtime. If you have good players and want them to play good, give a hard worker playtime over them until they work hard then they play better IF they pass the hard worker.”
Joey Loughman stated, “Fans need to stop acting like they have a say on who plays and who doesn’t.” Luke Falk added, “Walk on QB’s aren’t all that bad… Best man plays.”
The Ducks now head into their second bye week of the season with a 7-1 record. They return to action in Week 11 when they face Iowa on the road. Whether Thomas continues as the primary backup or if Lanning adjusts his approach remains to be seen until then.
