Lanning Compares UCLA to Indiana, Shifting Focus After USC Taunts

Oregon coach Dan Lanning has pivoted from post-game taunts directed at USC to high praise for his upcoming opponent, UCLA. Lanning compared the current UCLA team to Indiana from the previous year, a squad that won the national championship in its second season under coach Curt Cignetti.

Lanning's comparison stems from UCLA's new head coach, Bob Chesney, who brought many of his staff and 11 transfers from James Madison, Cignetti's previous coaching position. "Extremely well-coached team, you’ve got two coordinators that were with him before," Lanning stated during his weekly media availability.

He highlighted the continuity within the UCLA coaching staff, noting that coordinators Dean Kennedy and Colin Hitschler have worked with Chesney previously. The No. 23 Bruins (4-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) are set to face No. 15 Oregon (3-1, 1-0) on Oct. 10. Both teams will be coming off a bye week.

Lanning elaborated on UCLA's strengths, stating, "They’re running the ball as well as anybody in college football, they create explosive plays, they’ve got good quarterback play and then their defense, they’re aggressive, they attack, they’ve got a lot of different looks, but they certainly present some challenges."

When asked about USC, specifically if a Trojans linebacker had reached out to Oregon quarterback Dante Moore after a hit that caused a concussion, Lanning indicated he was moving past the previous game. "I’m done talking about this game, guys," Lanning said of Oregon's 41-27 victory. "Let’s move to the next — I appreciate all the questions about this, but that game’s over with."

Lanning provided no update on Moore's condition, other than confirming he remains in concussion protocol. Should Moore be unable to play against UCLA, his former team, backup quarterback Dylan Raiola would likely start.

The upcoming game will serve as a rematch of sorts for Chesney and many of his current UCLA players, who faced Oregon in the College Football Playoff last December while at James Madison. The Dukes put up a strong performance in that game, outscoring Oregon in the second half of a 51-34 loss.

Lanning acknowledged the threat posed by UCLA's running game, particularly running back Wayne Knight, who has accumulated nine rushing touchdowns. "They’ve got some players that can play ball," Lanning said. "I mean, their running back is as good as anyone we’ll go against this year."