Overview
- On Sept. 26 Oregon beat USC 41-27 in Los Angeles after quarterback Dante Moore was removed on a stretcher following a targeting hit that has been diagnosed as a concussion.
- USC linebacker Desman Stephens II was ejected for targeting, remained on the sideline after the play, and the school later suspended him for one game for his conduct.
- Moore is currently in concussion protocol with no firm clearance for the Oct. 10 Autzen game, leaving backup Dylan Raiola — who completed 19 of 25 for 289 yards and two TDs in relief — the likely starter if Moore cannot play.
- Coach Dan Lanning has signaled he will not keep discussing the USC incident and has shifted focus to UCLA, whose new coach Bob Chesney has imported staff and transfers and whose running back Wayne Knight leads the nation in touchdowns.
- The episode has intensified scrutiny of USC’s defense and program discipline, raised questions about targeting enforcement and player safety, and could affect playoff implications depending on Moore’s recovery and results in the upcoming matchup.