The Oregon Ducks are set to take on the Washington Huskies on Saturday as they look to cap off this long, grueling season. Coach Dan Lanning knows that everything he and his team have prepared for all season long is right on the precipice, but he isn’t letting that affect their focus.
He made it abundantly clear that his full and undivided attention is focused on Washington, because a loss at this juncture could prove fatal. The Ducks are coming off one of their most well-rounded wins of the season after putting up 42 points and emerging with a few takeaways last week.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOne more performance like that will send Oregon fans into a frenzy at Autzen Stadium in the opening round of the College Football Playoff. But as he is known to do, Lanning ignored those talks, so let’s look at what he had to say about this week’s matchup with the Huskies.
Opening Statement
Oregon coach Dan Lanning appears on set as Duck fans flock to the set of ESPN’s College GameDay on the campus of the University of Oregon on Nov. 22, 2025, in Eugene, Oregon.Lanning: All right, on to a fun one. Season’s gone really quick here, obviously, and excited for this next challenge here with Washington. But again, want to take the opportunity to thank our fans for being unbelievable this past weekend. Got some working with our guys this morning, and certainly excited to continue to attack with this group.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOffensive Line Injuries
Oregon offensive linemen Iapani Laloulu, left, and Emmanuel Pregnon line up as the Oregon Ducks host the Montana State Bobcats on Aug. 30, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.Q: How did you think the offensive line did with some guys going down?
Lanning: Yeah, I thought they did a good job stepping up, certainly some opportunities that they can clean up. But the guys played with good effort. They were execution sound, like as far as technique, we had a couple snap infractions with Charlie. We have to get cleaned up, but those guys came and performed.
Air Raid
Nov 14, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) breaks up a pass play intended for Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Jameson Geers (86) during the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesQ: What are your thoughts on Washington’s wide receiver room?
Lanning: Yeah, Washington has certainly some capable wide outs. We got to do a better job at the 5050 balls. There were some moments where they competed, and they were contested at times, but they went up and won it. You know, they got the ball at the top. And those are tough against guys like that. You know, ultimately, we wanted to limit. I thought we were able to do that in a lot of ways. I know he scored, but he didn't have a ton of yards and receiving, but the other wideouts stepped up and made some big plays. Some of those, I think we can make better plays on, you know, some of them, I think they were great throws and catches, and those are going to happen in those moments. But probably more than any of that is cleaning up just the pass interference, where we had opportunities to get off the field and we didn't.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWinning Culture
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks off after his win as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.Q: What does your motivated depth say about the culture of the team?
Lanning: Yeah, I think it's that. I mean, it's certainly easier to feel like you're a part of something when you get to be a part of it on Saturdays. We've got a lot of guys that have been a part of it, and their role might be different for a lot of guys, but when you can use the numbers that we have, when you can use all the guys on our team that we have, and they can contribute in some way, you certainly are going to have a better feeling about your contribution to the team.
Stay Ready
Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesQ: What has been the key to Dante Moore’s success this year?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLanning: Yeah, preparation, you know, a lot of preparation has been put in by Dante, works really hard, being on the same page. So several of those plays that he's made are checks, you know, based on coverages as well. So to piece all those pieces together, it's a lot of hard work on his part and work by the wideouts knowing that they're going to be where he trusts them to be.
Battle Scars
Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Brandon Finney Jr. (4) intercepts a pass intended for Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the third quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesQ: How has Brandon Finney Jr. responded to his tough game?
Lanning: Yeah, he's always a next play guy, right? And I think it's going to be learning moments for him, but ultimately, he's a guy we'd all go to war with any day. You know, when you go against good players, that's part of understanding that moments like that can happen. And that's not a surprise. You have an expectation that moments like that will happen at some point this year. It's about how you respond, and he's already responded. So got a lot of confidence in him.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEmotions in Check
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, and USC head coach Lincoln Riley shake hands before the game as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.Q: How do you stay calm and focused in a rivalry game like this?
Lanning: There'll be a lot of the same messaging from that standpoint of, go out there and do your job is the best way you can control and I know that our guys are gonna have a high level of emotion in this game. They're gonna have that, but it's definitely an important rivalry to us. This game means a lot. It's probably the number one question I get asked when I'm out on the road with donors and sport groups and talking about our university about this game. It's one that I struggled with early on when I was here. You know, to start, they had some success against us, so it means a lot to me. It's one that I want to have success in. And they're well coached. I mean, Chad does a good job. They have good players. They've done a really good job in talent evaluation, their quarterback’s playing as well as anybody right now. Got good wide outs, got a good back. I know they've been a little banged up. It sounds like they're getting healthy, similar to us, you know, we've been banged up. So ultimately, though, you see a complete team, you know, and then two fan bases that don't like each other, which makes it fun.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLethal Weapon
Nov 22, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) passes the ball during the first half against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesQ: What makes Washington’s quarterback so good?
Lanning: When saw him last year, I knew that, okay, this guy's gonna be a really good player. The speed is is unique at quarterback. I don't think there's anyone we've seen that can run like he runs this year, and he can make really impressive throws as well. He has some wideouts that he can go to. So when he's on, man, they're dangerous. They're really dangerous, and it's hard to get him off. So he plays really well. Can make all the throws. Can run with his feet, you know, tough guy to get down.
Scouting the Competition
EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks looks onto the field during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Autzen Stadium on November 14, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)Q: What are your thoughts on the new-look Huskies defense?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLanning: Yeah, I think they've got a little bit more versatility that I've seen from the past, a lot of variety that they can pitch their game plan. Defense, you’re going to see new stuff each week not necessarily carry over from the previous week. They've got good talent on that side of the ball, but the variety makes it a challenge, four-down, three-down fronts, multitude coverages, you know, some middle-closer, certainly some some high safety looks that we've seen in the past, but a lot of variety off of that as well.
Culture Shock
Nov 22, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch during the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesQ: What improvements have you noticed in the Huskies since last season?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLanning: Yeah, it takes a while for culture to set in, it takes a while to get your players there. I mean, guys playing inspired, and I can't speak to exactly what the huge growth moments are for them, but the quarterback development is really impressive schematic and you know, the pieces they're carrying, the variety that they carry. I mean, it's a real challenge, and it takes some time to get all that in, you know, and it seems like it's really in for them now.
Thankful
EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 22: Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks poses with Noah Whittington #6 of the Oregon Ducks on the field at Autzen Stadium before a game against the Southern California Trojans on November 22, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)Q: What are you thankful for?
Lanning: Man, so much to be thankful for. You know, has to start with family for or me, for sure. Thankful for the opportunity to coach here at Oregon and coach the people that I do, work with who I do, you know there’s a lot of benefits, a lot of things to be thankful for. And if it's Thanksgiving, I've got to go dark meat, Turkey. Man, I don't know how you can pass that up.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCaught My Attention
Nov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes punter Rhys Dakin (9) kicks the ball out of the end zone for a safety as Oregon Ducks wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan (11) and linebacker Nasir Wyatt (32) pursue during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesQ: What have you noticed from Nasir Wyatt?
Lanning: Yeah, he's hard to block, man, and it's the same things we saw when we started recruiting, that this guy's going to be able to make an impact on quarterbacks. I mean, he's got speed, he's got athleticism, really natural pass rush ability, and that's showing up for us, so really glad we got him out there.
Incredible Vote of Confidence
EUGENE, OREGON - NOVEMBER 22: Tosh Lupoi of the Oregon Ducks stands on the sidelines against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Autzen Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)Q: How much growth have you seen from Tosh Lupoi
Lanning: Tosh is unbelievable coach, right? I learned from him getting the opportunity to work together in this in this setting, with me as the head coach. But I've learned from him, I think, when I was a GA at Alabama, and he is a relentless worker and unbelievable guy at preparing. He'll make an outstanding head coach when the opportunity comes that he wants, and it makes sense for him, anybody that wouldn't look at him be crazy. I mean, he does an unbelievable job, and has a reputation of doing an unbelievable job as a recruiter. But that's not all that he is. He is as an unbelievable coach. He can coach every position on defense, understands offense, ball, puts in the time and effort so it when he gets his opportunity, I know he'll kill it, and at some point that will happen. And I always talk about, you know, my goals for our staff and really myself, is for me to be able to help people advance, for opportunities for themselves that make a lot of sense. And well, that happened this year for Tosh, I think it has to make unbelievable sense for him for it to happen. And same for Will. And same for several coaches on our staff. We got a bunch of coaches that are going to be phenomenal head coaches when they get to coaches when they get that chance, but we also have a really good product here, that a lot of these guys have said no to a lot of great opportunities because they don't want to leave what we have here. So will he get that opportunity someday? I hope he does if he wants that. And same for all the other coaches on our staff, because they're certainly deserving. We get to have a great team here because of what they've done. And the great thing is our players understand that that’s how opportunities work. Man, you go places. You work really hard. The next opportunity comes, and it'll be the same for the players that are on our team. You work really hard, you do a great job, and at some point you get the opportunity to go be in the NFL, so we'll see how that all goes. The number one thing that can impact that is how we perform, right? And if we perform really well on Saturday, it's going to continue to create more opportunities for us. And if that happens, then that's going to be, you know, me accomplishing some of my goals, where other people get to accomplish theirs, so we'll see how it all plays out. There's some great coaches we got here. I hope they get the opportunities that they deserve down the road, for sure.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBitter Rivals
Nov 14, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning calls for a time out during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesQ: How do you get a relatively new group of players prepared for a rivalry game?
Lanning: Yeah, you show it to them. You educate them on it, you know, show them the history of the game. We did some of that this morning. Try to illustrate to them what it looks like and compare it to other atmospheres they have been around.
Tight Window Trouble
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.Q: What makes their cornerbacks so difficult to handle?
Lanning: Size, they compete. Again, they use a variety of techniques. They do a good job of getting cloud, but they also play press and get hands on. I think they can show up when it comes to tackling, but the length, It makes it hard to throw in tight windows, for sure.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Notable quotes in Dan Lanning's press conference before USC Trojans
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