College football fans had plenty to say after Chris Simms weighed in on the hit that sent Oregon quarterback Dante Moore to the hospital during Oregon-USC.
The play itself became the night’s biggest flashpoint when USC linebacker Desman Stephens II delivered the hit that knocked Moore out of the game. Plenty of fans wanted Stephens suspended, or at least ejected. Simms went in a different direction during NBC’s college football halftime coverage, arguing that Moore slid “very late” and put the defender in a tough spot.
“Dante Moore, I do think, slid very late, and put the defender in a kind of no-win situation,” Simms said during the segment.
He also said Stephens and the Trojans appearing to celebrate the hit was a “bad look” for them. But that wasn’t enough to calm down viewers, especially given how many already see Simms as a contrarian voice who tends to stir the pot.
The reaction on X came fast and hard, with some fans flat-out calling for him to be fired.
“Fire Chris Simms for stupidity,” one user declared on X.
“Flop of a take. Is he trying to be hired by ESPN?” asked another.
“Chris Simms can go home,” a third wrote.
“Worse pathetic stupid (expletive) take ever (Simms). Shameful.
Should be removed. Wasn’t late not at all just stupid disgusting.
@NBCSports should be embarrassed with this (expletive) on tv.”
“The most disgusting analysis of a dirty hit I’ve ever seen. Chris Simms should not be allowed back on television.”
There’s a time and place for deep, complicated analysis, but this wasn’t it in the eyes of a lot of fans watching Moore go down. And Simms, for his part, doesn’t seem especially bothered by online backlash, so he’ll likely shrug off the noise and keep it moving.
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USCs Response To The Dante Moore Hit Will Anger Oregon Fans
USCs punishment of linebacker Desman Stephens came down after a dangerous hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore in the recent matchup, adding another flashpoint to a rivalry that already had plenty of edge. Stephens was ejected from the game, then stayed on the sideline afterward, a detail that drew criticism in its own right, while his later public apology did little to quiet the noise around the play.
For Oregon, the bigger concern is Moores health, and reports that he is in good spirits after suffering a concussion offer at least some relief. Still, the one-game suspension for Stephens is the kind of response that will leave Ducks fans frustrated, especially after a hit that changed the tone of the game and raised questions about how the situation was handled in the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Lanning Twisted The Knife After USC Lost Dante Moore
The No. 20 Ducks walked out of a rivalry win over No. 12 USC with more than just another statement victory, and Dan Lanning did not waste the moment. After the game, the Oregon coach talked through Moores recovery status and addressed the targeting penalty that led to the injury, all while making sure to highlight the work Dylan put in on the field.
Lanning also took a moment to praise Dylans performance and, with a coachs grin, pointed to his 3-0 record against USC. For Oregon, it was the kind of postgame backdrop that comes with beating a ranked rival, especially when the win leaves one side dealing with a costly injury and the other side savoring the edge it earned. [Read more 🡒]
Oregons USC Win Leaves One Big AP Poll Question
Oregons win over No. 12 USC gave the Ducks a rsum boost that should matter when the AP Poll comes out, especially since they managed to finish the job after losing starting quarterback Dante Moore to injury during the game. It was the kind of result that usually carries weight with voters, not just because of the opponent, but because of the way Oregon handled a difficult in-game turn.
The bigger question now is how far that pushes the Ducks up when the new rankings are released. A move into the neighborhood of 14th seems possible, but the picture is complicated by several other results around the country that could shuffle teams in front of or behind Oregon, leaving the final poll reaction a little less straightforward than the win itself. [Read more 🡒]