The Duck Report: Raiola's new era

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Dylan Raiola doesn’t exactly shy away from the Patrick Mahomes thing.

Oregon’s backup quarterback garnered quite the reputation during his two years at Nebraska for mimicking many of the Super Bowl champion’s traits.

He wore the same number, had the same haircut and imitated many of his routines — to the point that Raiola’s emulation of the Kansas City quarterback is mentioned on his Wikipedia page.

Raiola met with the Oregon media for the first time earlier this week. And while the 20-year-old said he doesn’t necessarily “lean into” the reputation, he doesn’t hate it, either.

“I love it,” Raiola said. “I think that’s just a lot of outside noise. And there’s some things that, obviously, probably that I do that get taken over the hump.”

Things are a little different for the former 5-star quarterback in his first year in Eugene. Raiola has a new number — he’s ditched Mahomes’ 15 for Marcus Mariota’s 8 — and a new role.

After two years as Nebraska’s starter, Raiola will sit behind Dante Moore in 2026, with the expectation of taking over the No. 1 role in 2027.

“I think it’s just, obviously, you’ve got to humble yourself,” Raiola said. “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t take a couple practices to kind of get used to it. But at the same time, it’s all learning.”

Here’s the other thing that’s new: a clean bill of health after breaking his leg on Nov. 1 against USC.

“I feel great,” he said. “Obviously, there’s still things that I need to work through to kind of get back comfortable, whether it’s the balance of my feet. I mean, it’s just so weird. You’ve got to learn how to walk again, let alone take a drop and throw a football. So there’s so many baby steps that go into it. But I’m grateful to be 100 percent fully cleared.”

The modern star

Dakorien Moore (1) of the Oregon Ducks celebrates the first down against the Montana State Bobcats. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA

Dakorien Moore says he’s just following the path set by the veterans.

Last year, as a true freshman, the Oregon wide receiver looked up to teammates such as Malik Benson — guys who had been there, done that and carried themselves in a professional way.

Moore came to Oregon as a 17-year-old, so the older players’ experience was massive for the 5-star prospect who quickly worked his way into quarterback Dante Moore’s circle of targets.

But in truth, there’s never really been a path like Dakorien Moore’s at Oregon.

Sure, the Ducks have had true freshman sensations over the years. Royce Freeman hit the ground running in 2014. Penei Sewell was already Oregon’s best lineman in 2018.

But none of them had an experience quite like Moore, who has become one of the faces of the modern college football superstar.

The rebuild begins

Dana Altman, head coach of the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team, directs his players at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Feb. 25, 2026. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA

Dana Altman said he wasn’t caught off guard by the start of the transfer portal — a period that left Oregon’s roster with one player remaining on scholarship.

Some players wanted to leave. Some players the Ducks wanted to leave. It comes with the territory after the worst season of Oregon men’s basketball since Altman took over.

Rebuilding is a daunting task for the 67-year-old coach, who will be heading into his 17th season with the Ducks.

“Well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous,” Altman said. “Knowing the schedule we have in front of us, with the Big Ten and the nonconference, with some of the games that we have — we got to get the right guys.”

Off to the races

Diza Hilles waves to the crowd during the 2025 Boston Marathon. Credit: MarathonFoto Credit: MarathonFoto

No, the Boston Marathon isn’t generally something I keep close tabs on.

This year is a little different.

First, my old beat partner — and former Oregon jumper — Andrew Greif will be running this year. I asked him yesterday how his legs were feeling.

“About as well as I could hope. Now it’s just about executing,” Greif said. “God, I sound like a coach.”

And then there’s this: 28 Lane County residents will be competing in this year’s race.

Our Sarah Lorge Butler has the preview.

Duck of the week

Natasha George, Beach Volleyball

The Oregon beach volleyball team reached new heights in the 2026 season, with its 3-2 win over Santa Clara on Sunday giving the Ducks a program-record 16th win of the season. Sparking the win was Natasha George, who moved into a tie with former UO standout Bea Wetton for most individual wins (45) in Oregon history.