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QB injuries at Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon and Mississippi State have altered 2026 season
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- QB injuries at Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon and Mississippi State have altered 2026 season
QB injuries at Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon and Mississippi State have altered 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Quarterback injuries have significantly impacted the Heisman Trophy race and the fight for playoff positioning this season.
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Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor and Oregon's Dante Moore are the latest quarterbacks to be declared out for the season. UCLA's Nico Iamaleava and Pitt's Mason Heintschel already were out for the year, and Ohio State's Julian Sayin might not return.
Mississippi State looked capable of a run at a playoff berth. Taylor was lighting it up, getting Heisman mention as the Bulldogs started off 4-0. But the team has lost all three games since he suffered a toe injury during a win over Missouri. He played hurt against Alabama, missed the game against LSU and tried to go against Oklahoma but didn't last. All were losses.
In the four games where Taylor was healthy, the Bulldogs averaged 43 points per game, including wins over South Carolina and Missouri. Since then, they are averaging 12.7.
Moore was among the Heisman favorites at the beginning of the season, and Oregon's offense was solid, even in a surprise early loss to Oklahoma State . But the Ducks have struggled to move the ball since Moore went down in the first half of a win over USC.
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Oregon averaged 50 points in its first four games and was 3-1. Granted, 84 points came against Portland State. But since then, the Ducks have averaged 14 points per game and are 1-2.
Oregon has used two quarterbacks since Moore was injured, the drop-off has been significant. Brock Thomas has had his moments, and Dylan Raiola looked great for a quarter in leading a rally for a close win over Nebraska, his former school. But the Ducks are struggling at 4-3 and have a tough schedule the rest of the way.
UCLA's Iamaleava was lost with a torn ACL against Oregon. The Bruins averaged 44.8 points in wins over Cal, San Diego State, Purdue and Maryland. They beat Oregon 17-15, then scored just 17 against Wisconsin and 28 against Michigan State with Ty Dieffenbach leading the way. They may need a little more to maintain their position.
MORE: Heisman Watch update heading into Week 9
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Ohio State's Sayin was considered a Heisman candidate along with receiver Jeremiah Smith. But now, Sayin is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury, and it's unclear how the Buckeyes will fare with backups Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair. The Buckeyes hung on to win the game against Indiana that Sayin was hurt in. They had a bye to regroup, and the first real test will be Saturday against USC.
Pitt's Heintschel was putting up massive numbers and led the Panthers to a 5-0 start before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee against Virginia Tech. He passed for more than 400 yards in two of his first four games. The Panthers have lost all three games since his injury, including a 52-23 loss to Miami.
