A frightening incident occurred during one of the biggest college football matches of the Saturday slate. Dante Moore, the star quarterback for the No. 20 Oregon Ducks, had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance during the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The incident took place in the second quarter when USC linebacker Desman Stephens II delivered a brutal, late hit on Moore.
How did the incident unfold?
There were 10 minutes and 5 seconds remaining in the second quarter, with the score standing at 13-10. On a first-down play, Dante Moore was scrambling with the ball—meaning he was running himself to gain yardage. He began to slide while in USC territory; under NCAA rules, a quarterback's slide signifies the end of the play, meaning he should not be hit.
However, just as Moore started his slide, USC linebacker Desman Stephens II rushed in and struck Moore directly on the head with his forearm. The impact was so severe that Moore's head slammed against the ground, and he collapsed instantly. His body began to convulse, a sight that terrified everyone present.
A hush fell over the stadium. Oregon's trainers and medical staff rushed onto the field. Moore remained on the ground for 8 to 10 minutes. During this time, a scuffle broke out between players from both teams at midfield; Oregon's offensive linemen clashed with USC players. Coaches Dan Lanning and Lincoln Riley had to intervene to break up the fight.
The referee immediately penalized Stephens for "targeting" and disqualified him from the game—effectively ejecting him. Both teams also received penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Scene of the Ambulance Transport
Dante Moore was first placed on a stretcher and then transported off the field on a cart. The NBC broadcast reported that Moore was able to move his fingers and toes and rotate his hands, which was good news. This indicated a lower risk of spinal injury.
He was moved from the cart to another stretcher and taken to an ambulance stationed near the tunnel. Oregon players gathered around him, offering prayers. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava also came to check on Moore.
He was transported to L.A. General Medical Center. Oregon issued an official statement noting that "Moore has movement in all his limbs and is undergoing evaluation."
Coach Dan Lanning said on the radio at halftime, "We are getting him checked out. We have to be very careful with injuries like this. We are all praying for him."
Who is Dante Moore?
Dante Moore is a key player for Oregon. He played his freshman season at UCLA in 2023 before transferring to Oregon in 2024. Last season, he recorded 3,565 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, helping the team achieve a 13-2 record. He was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team.
He had a spectacular start to this season, tallying 849 passing yards and 9 touchdowns in three games. He was even considered a contender for the Heisman Trophy.
Dylan Raiola Steps Up
After Moore was injured, backup quarterback Dylan Raiola—a transfer from Nebraska—took the field. He threw a touchdown on his very first pass, boosting the team's morale.
In this high-pressure game, Raiola completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. With his help, Oregon... They defeated USC 41-27. This victory has kept Oregon's College Football Playoff hopes alive.
The Dirtiest Hit
On social media, this is being described as the dirtiest hit of the season. Former NFL QB Chase Daniel tweeted, "This is the dirtiest hit I've ever seen... kick this guy out for the season."
The video shows Stephens celebrating on the sideline after the hit, which has further angered people.
The Big Ten and the NCAA will now review the hit, and Stephens could face further suspension. NCAA rules regarding "targeting" are very strict, especially when a quarterback is sliding.
All eyes are now on Dante Moore's health report. Along with the joy of victory, Oregon fans are also concerned about their star quarterback.
