U.S. EDITIONTHEWEEKLYOBSERVER.COM

HOME  /  SPORTS  /  LOS ANGELES

TARGETING CALL, THEN A SIDELINE-CLEARING SCUFFLE

Oregon QB Hospitalized After Vicious Hit Sparks USC Brawl

Dante Moore was carted off after a helmet-slamming hit — but his backup rallied Oregon to a road win anyway.

OS

BY OBSERVER SPORTS DESK

The Weekly Observer

SEP 28, 2026 · 1 MIN READ
fXinEMAIL

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was taken off the field on a stretcher Saturday night after a violent hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens slammed his head into the turf during a second-quarter scramble at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Moore was able to move his fingers, feet and arms before being transported to a hospital for further evaluation, according to Heavy.com.

Stephens was ejected for targeting, and a scuffle broke out at midfield between both teams before coaches separated players; both sidelines drew unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Oregon coach Dan Lanning was among those who blasted the hit afterward, per IBTimes UK.

With Moore sidelined, backup Dylan Raiola stepped in and threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover, leading Oregon to a comeback road win over USC and turning a scary moment into a signature performance.

SHARE THIS STORY