Oregon QB Dante Moore Taken to Hospital Following Late USC Hit

A matchup between No. 20 Oregon and No. 12 USC had moved just beyond the first quarter when Ducks star quarterback Dante Moore was carted off the field following a late hit. The game already carried considerable emotion and stakes before Moore was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Moore was attempting to slide during a scramble when Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens II delivered the hit. Moore’s head slammed into the ground, leaving the quarterback down on the field for an extended period as a fight broke out between the teams.

Stephens was ejected for targeting, while Oregon’s players gathered around Moore on the field. The quarterback was transported to nearby Los Angeles General County Hospital, where he was being evaluated thoroughly.

A team spokesperson said Moore had movement in all of his extremities. Oregon coach Dan Lanning also provided a positive update after the Ducks completed a 41-27 win.

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“He’s in recovery, so I’m not going to speak too soon, but he is moving,” Lanning said. “He has the ability to move.”

Moore had been widely projected as a top pick in the 2027 NFL draft and was a preseason Heisman contender. Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola replaced him at quarterback for Oregon.

The emotions surrounding Moore’s departure remained high on the Oregon sideline. Lanning brought the team together for a prayer, and the Ducks found themselves galvanized by the absence of their quarterback.

“Seeing him like that shook the whole team,” Raiola said. “But at the same time, we knew that it was our brother and we were gonna fight for him.”

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“It brought a team that was already connected even closer,” cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. said. “It was all about making sure we had controlled aggression.”

Lanning worked through his initial reaction to the hit and challenged Oregon to play with passion “in between the whistles.” He believed the chippiness between the teams was likely to continue throughout the game.

“There’s some breathing exercises that go on,” Lanning said. “I thought our guys had unbelievable composure throughout the night.”

Multiple Oregon players described Stephens’ hit as a dirty play. Although Stephens was ejected, he returned to the USC sideline and remained there for the rest of the game.

Asked why Stephens was allowed to return, USC coach Lincoln Riley said it was because “he’s on our football team.” Riley opened his news conference by saying he hoped Moore was doing OK.

Lanning complimented Riley for asking about Moore’s health after the game. When asked whether Stephens should face additional discipline, Lanning deferred the decision to either Riley or the Big Ten while noting that “our guys respect the game.”

“We knew it was very dirty,” Oregon running back Dierre Hill Jr. said. “It lit a fire in me.”

Oregon’s physicality overwhelmed USC during the second half, when the Trojans were outscored 28-17. The Ducks’ offense did not appear to miss a beat without Moore, and Raiola finished with 289 yards and two touchdowns.

“The ultimate goal is to win,” Raiola said. “No matter how it happens, no matter, sadly, whoever goes down, the game of football doesn’t feel sorry for us.”

Lanning also took time during his news conference to enjoy the victory. He called out USC’s home attendance, saying he had not seen the Coliseum full all season before Oregon came to town.

“3-0 against these guys,” Lanning said. “I guess if you’re a good football player in the area, you should come to Oregon.”

Lanning finished with another line: “Or you can stay in L.A. and go to a Chris Brown concert.”

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