The Nittany Lions and Ducks meet again.<\/p>\n
Nine months removed from Penn State and Oregon\u2019s Big Ten championship match, the now-No. 3 and No. 6-ranked squads, respectively, meet again.<\/p>\n
Dan Lanning’s squad got the best of the Nittany Lions in the first meetings. There\u2019s plenty of returners for Oregon, but with game MVP Tez Johnson and quarterback Dillon Gabriel some of a few players off to the NFL, there\u2019s also new faces to get to know.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re spectating in the stands or putting together a scouting report for Penn State, here\u2019s some Ducks to hunt for in Saturday\u2019s White Out game.<\/p>\n
Dante Moore, quarterback<\/p>\n
Dante Moore\u2019s a player Penn State could\u2019ve seen last season had he stayed at UCLA. Moore, the No. 3-ranked player in 247Sports\u2019 2023 class composite rankings, originally signed with the Bruins and immediately got the reins, but struggled.<\/p>\n
After throwing for a 11:9 touchdown:interception ratio on a 53.5% completion percentage in his freshman season, Moore transferred to Oregon and sat behind Gabriel for the 2024 campaign. Now he\u2019s the starter.<\/p>\n
As the Ducks sit at 4-0, he has compiled as many touchdowns as his 2023 season but just one interception on a 74.7% clip. Last Saturday, he topped out with a 307-yard performance against Oregon State.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoung man that we recruited the heck out of,\u201d James Franklin said Monday. \u201cNow is playing really good football, no surprise there.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) makes a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo\/Lydia Ely)<\/p>\n
Lydia Ely | AP Photo<\/p>\n
The year behind Gabriel has worked so far, as his ability to make tough throws and improvise behind the line of scrimmage is what made Gabriel special.<\/p>\n
The stark difference is the experience level for the redshirt sophomore, so whether Moore can handle the tough crowd will be interesting to watch.<\/p>\n
Dillon Thieneman, safety<\/p>\n
If you search the origin of the Bugatti at a mobile home meme, Dillon Thieneman likely pops up. No, seriously.<\/p>\n
Thieneman spent his first two years at Purdue, and despite his team winning five games in his tenure, he starred as a rangy playmaker.<\/p>\n
Thieneman was a third-team All-American after notching 106 tackles and six interceptions his freshman year. He followed the campaign up with a 104-tackle season last year, including an eight-tackle performance in the 62-0 loss to Penn State.<\/p>\n
He transferred to Oregon in the offseason, and has tallied 16 tackles so far.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a dip in production, but the verdict isn\u2019t out for Thieneman yet. Regardless, that could change in his first big-time matchup of the year.<\/p>\n
Matayo Uiagalelei, outside linebacker<\/p>\n
After three sacks in the two games leading up to the Big Ten championship match, Matayo Uiagalelei was clearly one to watch. He recorded a blank sheet against the Nittany Lions, but don\u2019t erase him off the white board.<\/p>\n
Uiagalelei leads the Ducks in sacks at three currently and tallied 10.5 last season. He stands out as an explosive rusher off the edge, as he\u2019s expected to be a first-round selection in the 2026 NFL draft.<\/p>\n
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Quarterback Drew Allar (15) hands off to running back Nicholas Singleton (10) during the Big Ten championship football game between Penn State and Oregon in Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Indianapolis, Ind. The Ducks beat the Nittany Lions 45-37.<\/p>\n
Kate Hildebrand<\/p>\n
Penn State\u2019s offensive line has yet to hit full throttle, so he presents challenges especially this go around, even if the unit doesn\u2019t explicitly say it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a respected player. He\u2019s a really good player,\u201d guard Vega Ioane said of Uiagalelei. \u201c His name isn\u2019t brought up for no reason. He\u2019s a really good player but it\u2019s all about us going out there and dominating.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kenyon Sadiq, tight end<\/p>\n
For those who watched the conference title game, Kenyon Sadiq is a familiar name. He hurdled former Penn State cornerback Jalen Kimber en route to a 28-yard score \u2013 his second touchdown of the game.<\/p>\n
He wasn\u2019t much of a threat in the air last season, as he had occasional big gains, but those were his only touchdowns of the year. He\u2019s already up to three touchdowns on the year in 2025.<\/p>\n
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Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo\/Lydia Ely)<\/p>\n
Lydia Ely | AP Photo<\/p>\n
With nine catches for 155 yards, Sadiq has gotten more involved in Lanning\u2019s offense. His bread and butter is as a blocker, though, packing a punch and laying pancakes at 245 pounds.<\/p>\n
Penn State\u2019s defense has been strong, but is occasionally gashed for big plays. If that happens Saturday, Sadiq\u2019s likely somewhere in the vicinity.<\/p>\n
Bear Alexander, defensive tackle<\/p>\n
Bear Alexander\u2019s name is synonymous with the transfer portal \u2014 even Penn State had a shot at him last season.<\/p>\n
Alexander was with USC last season, but sat out due to disagreements on his role with the Trojans. He visited Happy Valley, but opted for Eugene, Oregon. He\u2019s a former four-star recruit, starting his collegiate career at Georgia.<\/p>\n
My random thought to start the week:There\u2019s many notable individual matchups between Penn State and Oregon, but very interested to see how Ducks DT Bear Alexander looks.Was a Penn State portal target in the offseason. 13 tackles, .5 sacks, 1 TFL so farpic.twitter.com\/bbUvQ6JJbY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Avery Hill (@official_aveee) September 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n He\u2019s up to 13 tackles, .5 sacks and a tackle for loss. Alexander has the size and the power to wreck the run game Saturday. There\u2019s still inconsistencies in his game, but he\u2019s not one for the Nittany Lions to sleep on.<\/p>\n Dakorien Moore, wide receiver<\/p>\n Last but not least, an unfamiliar name.<\/p>\n Dakorien Moore\u2019s looking to assert himself as a star in his freshman campaign. Out of powerhouse Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas, Dakorien was ranked the No. 4 player in the country for his class.<\/p>\n Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo\/Lydia Ely)<\/p>\n Lydia Ely | AP Photo<\/p>\n He\u2019s up to 12 catches for 207 yards and two touchdowns this season. The 5-foot-11 playmaker leads what cornerback A.J. Harris called a \u201cvery dynamic\u201d wide receiver room.<\/p>\n If Dante\u2019s able to buy enough time behind the line of scrimmage, don\u2019t be shocked if he\u2019s able to find a fellow Moore for a big gain Saturday.<\/p>\n MORE FOOTBALL CONTENT<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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