LOS ANGELES — UCLA is prepping for both Oregon quarterbacks Dylan Raiola and Dante Moore this week. Whether Moore will play in Saturday’s Big Ten showdown in Eugene remains to be seen after he suffered a concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens II on Sept. 26.
Both No. 13 Oregon (3-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) and No. 21 UCLA (4-0, 2-0) are coming off their bye weeks, but the Bruins are waiting to see if Moore is healthy enough to line up against them or if Raiola and Moore will each take snaps.
Raiola was 19 for 25 for 289 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions when he came on in relief of Moore in the 41-27 victory over USC. Moore has completed 69.7% of his passes this season for 926 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions.
“They are both similar,” UCLA coach Bob Chesney said. “Neither of them are putting the ball down and running around a whole lot. Just two different style of balls that are coming out of their own hands. They can both execute their offense at a really high level. They are both very good football players. You can’t think about who’s going to be out there or not. You have to prepare for both. They are still going to give the ball to the running backs. They are still going to give the ball to the tight end. They are still going to take their shots and find their matchups with their two receivers.”
The Oregon fight song blared over loudspeakers during UCLA’s practice on Tuesday morning in Westwood, as Chesney attempts to recreate the atmosphere his players will encounter when they visit Autzen Stadium this weekend.
“The Cal game was a good start for us,” Chesney said in preparing for the road environment. “Obviously, it’ll be a little bit of a step up. At the same time, we are doing everything we can to deal with noise. We are playing a football game out there 11-on-11 and what’s happening on the outside can’t affect what we are doing on the inside.”
UCLA worked some of its Wildcat offense while senior quarterback Nico Iamaleava threw the ball accurately during the live session. Iamaleava targeted seniors Landon Ellis, Semaj Morgan, Brayden Loftin and junior Russell Weir.
“We need his best, and we need everybody’s best,” Chesney said. “It’s not just any one guy. A lot of it goes through (Iamaleava). He’s done a phenomenal job up to this point of getting everyone into the play calls and handling his business the right way. Protection, keeping himself safe, and getting the ball out quickly. Doing all the things he needs to do, and he’s got to be spot on come Saturday. It’s day one, day two of the new stuff, and he’s done a good job up to this point.”