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Oregon to start Brock Thomas at QB over Dylan Raiola: Ducks make key change as CFP hopes hang in balance

Oregon has made a surprising shift at quarterback ahead of their critical matchup with Nebraska, opting to start third-stringer Brock Thomas over Dylan Raiola. The decision comes as the Ducks seek to stabilize their offense and keep their College Football Playoff aspirations alive.

Thomas, a senior and Eugene native who joined the program as a walk-on in 2023, has limited game experience—just 15 pass attempts in his career, including a strong outing against UCLA where he completed 72.2% of his throws for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his lack of reps, Thomas has dominated practice this week, taking the majority of first-team snaps and earning the nod over Raiola, who struggled in the previous game with two interceptions and a completion rate below 32%.

Head coach Dan Lanning cited adjustments in play-calling and timing as key factors in the change, noting that Raiola’s opportunities hadn’t yielded success while Thomas thrived in a more structured offensive system. The move marks Thomas’s first career start and adds an element of unpredictability as Oregon faces a high-stakes game with their playoff hopes on the line.

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