Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was taken to hospital for further evaluation after a targeting hit during the Ducks' 41–27 win over No. 12 USC on Saturday, 26 September. Oregon coach Dan Lanning called the play 'disgusting' after the game and said Moore was moving and in recovery.
Moore was scrambling for a first down early in the second quarter when he began his slide. USC linebacker Desman Stephens II continued towards him and made contact with Moore's head and chest with his shoulder. Moore's head struck the turf, and Stephens was ejected for targeting.
A scary moment as Oregon QB Dante Moore is knocked out by a USC defender. pic.twitter.com/ZV7Rl8lTZv
— Underdog CFB (@UnderdogCFB) September 27, 2026
The game was delayed for about 15 minutes as medical staff treated Moore on the field. He was taken from the Coliseum in an ambulance to Los Angeles General Medical Center for further evaluation.
An Oregon spokesperson said Moore had movement in all of his extremities and was being evaluated. Lanning offered a similarly cautious update after the game, saying: 'He's in recovery, so I don't want to speak too soon, but he's moving. He has the ability to move. So we'll continue to assess him.'
Lanning Condemns the Hit
Lanning did not provide a diagnosis or speculate about Moore's recovery. His strongest comments were reserved for the play itself.
'It was a disgusting play,' Lanning said. 'You don't want to see it happen. It's disappointing that it happened.'
Stephens was disqualified after officials ruled the contact constituted targeting. The penalty establishes a rules violation, but does not by itself establish that Stephens intended to injure Moore.
The incident also triggered a confrontation between players, with both teams receiving unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties. Lanning said his attention was on Moore and his players rather than the reaction on the USC sideline.
Oregon Finishes Without Moore
Dylan Raiola replaced Moore and immediately took over the Oregon offence. The Nebraska transfer completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, leading a second-half comeback that produced 270 yards and four touchdown drives.
Oregon improved to 3–1 with the victory in its Big Ten opener, while USC fell to 4–1. The Ducks scored 28 second-half points, including Dakorien Moore's go-ahead 29-yard touchdown catch from Raiola with 8:35 remaining and Jordon Davison's clinching two-yard run with 2:03 left.
Moore had been one of the most closely watched quarterbacks in college football entering the season. He was a Heisman Trophy candidate and a highly regarded NFL prospect after throwing for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns during Oregon's 13–2 campaign in 2025. His sudden departure changed the game's complexion and forced Raiola into the spotlight against a ranked conference opponent.
Stephens Remains Part of USC's Aftermath
Stephens was ejected from the game but remained with the USC team after the penalty. Coach Lincoln Riley was later asked why Stephens was still with the team.
'Because he's on our football team,' Riley said.
Riley also expressed concern for Moore after the game and said he hoped the Oregon quarterback would make a speedy recovery. Lanning said he appreciated Riley's response.
The exchange came after a tense aftermath on the field, when players from both teams confronted one another before the game resumed. The confrontation resulted in unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties, but the game continued without further ejections.
Moore's Medical Status Remains Unclear
The available information provides an early update, not a medical diagnosis. Oregon has confirmed movement in Moore's extremities and that he was being evaluated, but no specific injury diagnosis or timetable for his return has been announced.
Moore's condition is now the immediate concern for Oregon after a victory that otherwise belonged to Raiola and the Ducks' second-half comeback. The quarterback's status will be closely watched as Oregon enters its bye week.
Raiola supplied the comeback. Moore's health is now the bigger story.
