Oregon Coach Dan Lanning Previews Idaho in Season Opener: Aware Of Upset Alert

The Oregon Ducks kick off their 2024 season this Saturday against the Idaho Vandals. On Monday, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning provided insight into his expectations for the team in Saturday’s opener and emphasized the importance of approaching every opponent with respect and preparation.

Oregon football coach Dan Lanning leads his team onto the field before the game against Oregon State at Autzen Stadium Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. / Chris Pietsch/The Register Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

EUGENE- The Oregon Ducks kick off their first game of the 2024 football season this Saturday against the Idaho Vandals at 4:30 p.m. PT. Prior to Saturday's matchup, Oregon coach Dan Lanning offered insights into the Ducks' approach to the season opener, highlighting Idaho's explosive offense and talented players who Lanning believes are often underestimated. 

 “We've seen FCS teams give power five teams really hard games,” said Lanning. "We have to go be the best to be the best version of Oregon that we can be.” 

 Throughout Lanning's time at Oregon, he has emphasized the importance of not underestimating any team and always striving for growth, Saturday's game is no different. As the Ducks prepare for the highly anticipated 2024 season, Lanning emphasized the importance of playing sound football and putting the most prepared players on the field. Lanning's message to the team is clear: every opponent deserves respect, and every game presents an opportunity for improvement.  

Oregon Green Team wide receiver Tez Johnson carries the ball during the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Everything Oregon coach Dan Lanning had to say ahead of the Duck’s 2024 Debut:  

Lanning on players’ attitudes heading into the first game of the season:  

"You know, I think as a coach, you always enjoy all the time you have to get ready for games and to get your team ready to go out there and play. But I think our guys are certainly excited and ready to go hit somebody else and go play somebody else.” 

Lanning on Idaho: 

“Got a tremendous amount of respect for Coach, heck, and the job that he's done there at Idaho. He's really made them a really solid team and obviously a playoff team this past year, and done a good job of winning. They have some good stuff schematically that creates challenges for you.” 

Lanning on Idaho: 

“They've done a good job of acquiring players that I think can create matchups at times, and they just play really hard, they're well coached. They have an identity. I think they're a team that can run the ball well and obviously were really explosive last year.” 

Lanning on Idaho quarterback Jack Layne: 

“He's a really good passer, obviously, did a great job in the Idaho State game last year. Did well in the spring game. You can tell he understands where to go with the ball and trusts his guys to go get it. He throws it well and I think people probably underestimate his athleticism as well. He's a guy that can run and was a good player here in the state of Oregon.”  

Lanning on quarterbacks Austin Novosad and Dante Manning: 

"I think both those guys had really good fall camps. Did a good job in the spring as well. I think we have multiple quarterbacks can play winning football for us, so they both understand our system.”  

Dec 2, 2023; Moscow, ID, USA; Idaho Vandals wide receiver Jermaine Jackson (1) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Southern Illinois Salukis in the second half at Kibble Dome. Idaho won 20-17 in OT. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Lanning on the teams approach going into the Idaho game and the season as a whole:   

“We've seen FCS teams give power five teams really hard games. I think trusting the process, right? We know that we want to set the bar for us. What's our bar? What's our standard? What do we want it to look like? And being self-aware enough that you can go attack the things that you have to improve. And regardless of who you're playing, when you're playing, we always talk about our biggest opponent is Oregon, right? We have to go be the best to be the best version of Oregon that we can be.” 

Lanning on what he has seen from Idaho's film and how he approaches preparation:  

“They have a really dynamic returner that played at Weber State last year that's been really good. I think he had five kickoff returns for touchdowns. So he's had a lot of success. But that's, that's what you do. You go look at other opponents, and where are other places that those guys have been, and what their film looks like, and how it adds up and matches up with your team.” 

Lanning on Poncho Laloulu, Nishad Strother, and Charlie Pickard’s role on the offensive line: 

“They can play winning football. We'll send out the group that we think has done the best in fall camp to start the game. Long term, we have to be able to prepare and have multiple guys play multiple positions.” 

Lanning on the availability of Jahlil Florence, Dave Luli, and Gary Bryant Jr.: 

"I don't think Jahlil or Dave will be available. Gary I think could be available." 

Lanning on who will start at kicker:  

“I think we have a couple guys that can kick for us, whether it's [Andrew] Boyle or Atticus [Sappington], you know, even Gage [Hurych] and Grant [Meadors]. So I think you could see multiple guys there. Kickoff coverage is really important that's our first play on defense, so you have to respect who's back there and make sure you do a good job in your lanes.” 

 
 Lanning on newcomers' development in fall camp:  

“Yeah, just execution, you know, I think that's always a bigger leap for guys coming from high school to college is the amount of stuff that we ask these guys to absorb and do. And it doesn't matter how good a football player you are if you're not going the right direction or running the right route or doing the right assignment. So being assignment sound and playing relentlessly, that's what we look for.” 

Lanning on starters:  

"There's some guys that have established themselves as guys that have played winning football and are clear starters for us, but for us, it's about clocking in every single day."

Oregon Green Team defensive end Jordan Burch brings down White Team running back Jordan James during the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

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