Oregon Beats USC 41-27 as Dylan Raiola Takes Over for Injured Dante Moore

Dylan Raiola relieved an injured Dante Moore and led Oregon to a 41-27 win over USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Big Ten Saturday Night.

Oregon defeated USC 41-27 on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in a game broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock as part of Big Ten Saturday Night. The matchup carried weight for both programs, with the outcome likely to influence the direction of each team's season.

USC won the toss and chose to take the opening possession rather than defer. The Trojans moved the ball through the air into Oregon territory and converted a fourth-and-one at the Ducks' 32-yard line, but the drive stalled when Bear Alexander sacked Jayden Maiava at the Oregon 11. A 33-yard field goal attempt came away empty, and Oregon took over at its own 15.

The Ducks needed one play to respond, as Jordon Davison broke free for a 45-yard run down the left side. The possession reached the red zone before holding penalties set Oregon back, and Gage Hurych put the Ducks ahead 3-0 with a 30-yard field goal.

USC moved in front on its next series. After an Oregon three-and-out gave the Trojans strong field position at midfield, Maiava delivered a 31-yard completion, and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt capped the four-play possession with a touchdown for a 7-3 lead.

The game changed on Oregon's answering drive. Dante Moore had just connected with Jamari Johnson on a 37-yard pass when, two plays later, he scrambled for a 10-yard gain and was forced out of the game by a hit that drew a targeting penalty on Desman Stephens. The report said Moore appeared seriously injured and left the field on a cart.

Dylan Raiola took over at quarterback and finished that drive with a short touchdown pass to Evan Stewart, restoring Oregon's lead at 10-7. USC tied the game at 10 on a 38-yard field goal. Oregon then mounted a possession built on a 20-yard Raiola completion to freshman Messiah Hampton and a fourth-down conversion at the USC 42, though a spectacular catch by Jamari Johnson was negated by another holding call, and the Ducks settled for a short fourth-down field goal and a 13-10 halftime edge.

At the break, Oregon held a 234-166 advantage in total yards. Moore was 8 of 10 for 77 yards before exiting, while Raiola was 6 of 8 for 63 yards and a touchdown. Davison had rushed for 61 yards on 11 carries, Evan Stewart had five catches for 37 yards and a score, and Messiah Hampton had three receptions for 31. Oregon was penalized four times for 45 yards, three on holding calls, while USC was flagged five times for 29.

Oregon scored in four plays to open the second half, with Raiola connecting with Dierre Hill Jr. on a 62-yard pass before Hill carried on the next two plays and reached the end zone for a 20-10 lead. USC answered quickly, as Maiava completed passes of 10, 16 and 27 yards and the Trojans closed the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to make it 20-17.

Raiola stayed productive on the next series, finding Jamari Johnson for 34 yards and Hill for 28 before Hill scored on a four-yard run for a 27-17 lead. USC cut the margin to 27-20 with a field goal after failing to score from goal-to-go. Oregon went three-and-out on the following possession, and USC crossed midfield as the third quarter ended, with the report noting that Oregon's defense continued to struggle as the Trojans moved the ball easily to begin the fourth quarter. The Ducks went on to finish off the 41-27 victory, with Raiola's relief work anchoring the result.