Dan Lanning provides key injury updates, talks USC ahead of big game

The Oregon football team has moved past its 84-0 drubbing of Portland State on Sept. 18 and ahead to the biggest game on its schedule to date against USC at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Saturday, Sept. 26.

With little room for error the rest of the season, the Ducks (2-1) take on a nationally-ranked Trojans (4-0) side hungry for a breakthrough win against a UO team looking to reassert itself on the nation scene.

Speaking to media ahead of the game, fifth-year Oregon coach Dan Lanning provided a series of key updates on injured players − including Jamari Johnson, Kendre Harrison and Jeremiah McClellan − and spoke at length about USC‘s offense and what the rivalry with the Trojans means to him.

Oregon offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu, center, leads the offensive linemen onto the field as the Oregon Ducks host the Portland State Vikings on Sept. 18, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
, Jamari Johnson and more

In a rare turn of form from the usually tight-lipped Oregon coach, Lanning revealed several key injury updates ahead of his team’s game against the Trojans.

The first, and most devastating to the Ducks, is that wide receiver McClellan broke his foot and will be out indefinitely. He suffered the injury during pregame warmups vs. Portland State.

“Fortunately, he’s a tough guy and certainly somebody we relied on and will rely on in the future,” Lanning said. “It’s just a matter of when we can be able to get him back.”

The other injury updates were much more positive. Preseason All-American tight end Johnson has returned to practice after sitting out Oregon’s games against Oklahoma State and PSU and reserve Harrison is also trending upwards after a late injury scare vs. the Vikings.

Lanning said that DB Carl Williams IV is back this week practicing after a scary collision at the goal line against Oklahoma State and that five-star freshman Jalen Lott has returned to practice but that he likely won’t play against USC.

Lanning didn’t shy away from talking up Oregon’s rivalry with USC at his Sept. 21 press conference. The talking point this week won’t be that this game is just like all the others.

“It’s certainly not just another game,” Lanning said. “It’s as intense as it gets. We talk about two teams that are competitive that want to be really good that have great talent. It means a ton to the fanbase. I think it’s only grown in my time, since I’ve been here, it means a lot to our team. The big thing is can you focus on the game and not the occasion? Try to be in the moment and focus on your preparation, your execution. But this is certainly a big game.”

Lanning is 2-0 in his five years at Oregon against USC and Oregon has won eight of its last 10 games against the Trojans dating back to 2009.

Now in his third season at USC, Trojan starter Jayden Maiava is as comfortable in coach Lincoln Riley’s system as he’s ever been through four games.

The senior has thrown for nearly 300 yards a game, 12 touchdowns and just one interception on a near 76% completion clip.

“He gives his wide receivers a chance,” Lanning said. “There’s some unbelievable catches that were made in the Rutgers game, but he puts the ball in places where they have a chance to go make a play on the ball and a lot of time your back’s to the ball as a DB and you really struggle when it’s in a tight window to be able to do that. He can extend plays with his feet, but he always keeps his eyes downfield. He’s a guy that can scramble to throw and have success.”

Maiava threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-27 Oregon victory last season, benefitting off some mistakes in eye discipline and coverage breaks last November.

Lanning says the Ducks will need to be much tighter in coverage this time around and to figure out how to avoid pass interference calls when the play breaks down.

“Can’t panic when the ball is in the air,” Lanning said. “We have to do a good job of that, certainly. Last year when we played them, that showed up a good amount. We were able to do a decent job against the run game and then the ball started getting thrown in the field. We had some pass interference calls, we have to try to create that in practice, because they do a really good job of that. But more than anything, do your job, have eye discipline, and then put yourself in position to be able to make a play on the ball.”

Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football and women’s basketball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at adietz@registerguard.com.