Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was transported from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum by ambulance on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, after sustaining a hit during a game against Southern California (USC). Moore was injured during the second quarter while sliding at the end of an 11-yard run. The hit, delivered by USC linebacker Desman Stephens II, led to Stephens' ejection for targeting and a suspension for his next game.
The incident occurred as Moore was completing a run to the USC 12-yard line. Stephens hit Moore in the head and chest with his shoulder, causing Moore’s head to strike the turf. Moore appeared to go stiff on the ground immediately following the contact. The play led to a confrontation between members of both teams, resulting in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for both Oregon and USC. Oregon coach Dan Lanning was seen speaking to USC players as he approached Moore.
Medical personnel treated Moore on the field for approximately 15 minutes, placing him in a neck brace and securing him to a stretcher. While being loaded into the ambulance, Moore was observed moving both of his hands. Following the injury, backup quarterback Dylan Raiola entered the game and threw a touchdown pass on his second snap. The No. 20 Ducks ultimately won the game against the No. 12 Trojans.
The disciplinary action taken by USC affects linebacker Desman Stephens II, who will miss the team's upcoming game against Washington. Stephens, a starter who recorded 89 tackles in the previous season, is a component of the Trojans' defense. The ejection and subsequent suspension also reinforce the enforcement of targeting rules, which are designed to penalize hits to the head area of defenseless players.
What happens next depends on medical evaluations of Moore's head and neck. The University of Oregon has not yet released a timeline for his return to the field. USC will play its next game without Stephens, who is eligible to return following the one-game suspension. The Ducks will proceed with Dylan Raiola at quarterback for as long as Moore remains unavailable. Further updates on Moore's condition are expected as he undergoes testing following his transport to the hospital.