Oregon QB Dante Moore Carted Off After Targeting Hit; Ducks Roll Past USC 41-27
The short version
- Dante Moore was injured on a targeting hit by USC linebacker Desman Stephens II and left the field on a stretcher in an ambulance.
- Stephens was ejected after review; both teams received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for a midfield fight.
- Dan Lanning called the hit 'as clear as day targeting' and defended the rule.
- Backup Dylan Raiola threw for 289 yards and two TDs as No. 20 Oregon beat No. 12 USC 41-27.
- Oregon has a bye before hosting UCLA on Oct. 10.
Dan Lanning backed the targeting rule after Dante Moore was injured on a hit by USC's Desman Stephens II, and Oregon pulled away for a road win.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was taken off the field on a stretcher during the second quarter of the No. 20 Ducks' 41-27 road victory over the No. 12 USC Trojans on Saturday evening.
The injury occurred as Moore scrambled upfield and began his slide. Just before he reached the ground, USC linebacker Desman Stephens II delivered a hard hit that drove Moore's head into the turf. Moore stayed down after the play.
The hit sparked a confrontation between the two teams at midfield, with coaches — among them Oregon head coach Dan Lanning — stepping in to pull players apart. Officials reviewed the play and ruled targeting on Stephens, ejecting him for the remainder of the game. Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were assessed to both squads for the fight.
Medical personnel examined Moore for an extended period while he remained on the ground. He was eventually placed on a stretcher, loaded onto a cart, and taken up the tunnel, where he was moved to a gurney and then into an ambulance near the stadium entrance.
Speaking with reporter Ira Gorawara after the game, Lanning called the situation unfortunate while voicing firm support for the targeting rule that removed Stephens from the contest. "There's a reason targeting exists in football, and it's as clear as day targeting. It's a shame that happened to a good player when, in my mind, that certainly could have been avoided," Lanning said.
With Moore sidelined, backup Dylan Raiola guided Oregon to the win, completing 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. The Ducks improved their position with the road statement against a ranked conference opponent.
The ground game contributed as well, with Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. combining for 31 carries, 129 yards and three touchdowns. In the passing attack, Jamari Johnson and Hill totaled 11 receptions for 224 yards, while Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore caught Raiola's touchdown passes.
Oregon now turns toward its schedule ahead. The Ducks have a bye next week and return to action in Week 6, hosting the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10.
The program's immediate focus, however, remains on Moore's condition, with the team hoping for positive news on the quarterback's recovery following the scary second-quarter incident in Los Angeles.
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