USC has added another punishment for Desman Stephens II after his hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore sent the Ducks’ starter out of Saturday’s game at the Coliseum.
The linebacker was already tossed for targeting in the second quarter after lowering his shoulder into Moore as the quarterback slid to finish a scramble. Moore was later carted off the field and taken to the hospital. A later update said the injury was a concussion with no further damage, leaving open the possibility that he could return after Oregon’s bye week.
Now Stephens will also miss Saturday’s game against Washington, USC announced.
The situation got uglier after the play. Stephens was seen celebrating on the sideline while Moore remained on the turf, and video of him high-fiving teammates spread quickly. That moment only intensified the reaction to a hit that had already drawn heavy criticism.
The fallout extended beyond the field, too. Fans flooded Stephens’ account with angry messages after the celebration clip circulated, and he eventually locked his Instagram profile to cut off the harassment.
Saturday wasn’t short on chaos elsewhere in the stadium. A brawl also broke out in the Coliseum stands as players were tangled up on the field, marking the second fan altercation at USC’s home stadium in as many games.
Stephens, a junior from Michigan, had started for USC throughout the 2025 season and had built a reputation as a productive tackler before this play changed the conversation around him. The suspension now adds another consequence to a moment that overshadowed Oregon’s 41-27 win and put Stephens at the center of a national debate over dirty hits.
For Oregon, backup Dylan Raiola came in and helped rally the Ducks to the victory, while Moore’s recovery points toward a possible October 10 return against UCLA if he clears concussion protocol in time.
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Oregon Fans Are Livid Over Chris Simms After Dante Moore Hit
The hit on Dante Moore was the kind of moment that stops a game in its tracks, and it immediately put Oregon fans on edge as the Ducks quarterback ended up hospitalized after the collision with USC linebacker Desman Stephens II. Even before the broader debate settled in, the focus in Eugene was on Moores condition and the kind of physical finish that can change the feel of a rivalry game in an instant.
Chris Simms only widened the divide during halftime, when he defended Stephens to some extent and suggested Moore had slid late, leaving the linebacker in a no-win situation. That take lit up Oregon fans on social media, who were already furious over the play and had little patience for any explanation that seemed to soften it. [Read more 🡒]
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 🡒]