Oregon Tops No. 12 USC 41-27 After Dante Moore Leaves on Stretcher

Backup Dylan Raiola threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns as No. 20 Oregon pulled away from No. 12 USC after Dante Moore was carted off following a targeting hit.

No. 20 Oregon defeated No. 12 USC 41-27 on Saturday, Sept. 26, at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, seizing command in the second half after starting quarterback Dante Moore left the game with an injury. The Ducks improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten, while USC fell to 4-1 and 1-1 in conference play. A season-high crowd of 75,500 was on hand, and many spectators had headed for the exits by the closing minutes.

The turning point arrived in the second quarter with the Trojans leading 7-3. Moore eluded the rush and scrambled past the USC 15-yard line, where he attempted to slide and end the play. Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens II instead delivered a forearm to Moore's head, drawing a targeting call and an automatic ejection. Players from both sides shoved and exchanged words near a scrum that included assistant coaches, and the teams were assessed offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

Moore remained down through a lengthy delay before being placed on a stretcher, carted off and transported by ambulance at the bottom of the tunnel as the crowd applauded. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning had to be restrained by members of his staff during the on-field commotion. Stephens was seen celebrating with teammates on the USC sideline after the hit.

The injury brought in Dylan Raiola, who was facing USC again after a right ankle injury against the Trojans ended his previous season while he was playing for Nebraska. Raiola's first pass went for a 3-yard touchdown that put Oregon in front 10-7. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns, and the Ducks produced 34 points in a little more than one half with him running the offense.

USC pulled even early in the fourth quarter before Raiola answered, finding Dakorien Moore for a 29-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone with cornerback Elbert Hill IV closing late. Still behind, the Trojans went for it on fourth down near midfield, but Jayden Maiava's pass for Zacharyus Williams was broken up and Oregon took over on downs with 7:15 remaining. The Ducks then converted a fourth down near midfield to extend their drive, and Jordan Davison finished it with a 2-yard touchdown run, taking a pitch and getting a push from teammates into the end zone with 1:55 to play.

Maiava finished 23 of 42 for 326 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the end zone with four seconds remaining. USC's defense gave up 504 yards in the loss.

Oregon has now beaten USC five consecutive times. The victory also made Lanning 3-0 in head-to-head matchups with Trojans coach Lincoln Riley, whose previous four seasons ended short of the College Football Playoff.

The schedule does not get easier for USC, which still faces Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana and UCLA this season. As the final seconds ticked away at the Coliseum, a chant of "Let's go Ducks" could be heard from the stands.