Oregon star quarterback Dante Moore was carted off the field and taken to the hospital by ambulance after taking a brutal late hit to the head from USC linebacker Desman Stephens on Saturday night at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Moore attempted to slide on a tuck-and-run, and Stephens came in with a late hit that slammed Moore’s head to the ground. Stephens was ejected for targeting, in what NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay found to be an easy ruling.
The horrible scene as Oregon QB Dante Moore is carted off and taken away in an ambulance at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge on the call for NBC. https://t.co/Do9vWFEsvc pic.twitter.com/MpU82lMf47
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 27, 2026
Stephens was also seen smiling and celebrating the play with his USC teammates while Moore was motionless on the ground for several minutes.
After the game, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning met with the media and referred to the hit that injured Moore as a “disgusting play.”
Dan Lanning didn’t hold back when addressing the targeting play that injured Dante Moore. pic.twitter.com/oAQgWMzfpw
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 27, 2026
“Our guys respect the game,” Lanning said. “I don’t think you’d ever see that from our players. I don’t think you’d ever see that from our coaches. And, again, I don’t think that’s necessarily an indictment on [USC head coach Lincoln Riley], because I can’t speak to what I didn’t see. And I know he was quick to voice his concern for our players. So, I appreciate that from him.”
“But it’s a disgusting play,” Lanning continued. “You don’t want to see it happen. It’s disappointing that it happened. I’m praying that our player’s healthy, and I’m praying that their player can learn from that situation. Because that’s not a moment you want to be a part of.”
Additionally, Lanning took a shot at USC’s well-documented attendance issues.
Dan Lanning credits the @OregonFootball fans for packing out the Coliseum against USC tonight. pic.twitter.com/WYyJIYwHN5
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 27, 2026
“I watched three of their TV games; I haven’t seen a game packed yet,” Lanning explained. “But we were here; it was packed tonight. So, I guess when the Ducks show up, that’s how you fill out the Coliseum.”
And Lanning had a mic-drop moment to conclude the press conference.
Here is the video of Lanning https://t.co/c3ud0Oqf76 pic.twitter.com/mDoaApFiN8
— Matt Prehm (@MattPrehm) September 27, 2026
“Three wins against these guys,” Lanning said about his 3-0 career record against USC. “I guess if you’re interested in winning football games, and you’re from this area, you should go to Oregon. If you want to go to a Chris Brown concert, go here.”
Moore reportedly had movement in all of his extremities at the hospital.
No. 20 Oregon won 41-27 over No. 12 USC to improve to 3-1 (1-0 in Big Ten play) on the season.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at Awful Announcing and The Comeback.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@awfulannouncing.com.