Dante Moore injury: Ducks star out with concussion after ugly hit leads to USC suspension

(Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is “expected to return” this season after suffering a concussion versus USC on Saturday night. Moore was injured on a scramble ahead of halftime, on a scary play that left the Ducks quarterback motionless on the turf, and sparked a melee on the field in the aftermath of the hit. Moore was scrambling for yardage in the red zone, and took a hit to the head from Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens. You can see the play here: Scary scene as Oregon QB Dante Moore is taken off on a backboard after taking this hit. Was the projected No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but opted to return to school. Hoping he’s okay. pic.twitter.com/TjTa3PSSeX — Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) September 27, 2026 After the play the game was stopped for several minutes, before Moore was placed on a stretcher, taken off the field via a cart, and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Speaking after the game, won by Oregon by a final score of 41-27, Ducks head coach Dan Lanning provided this update: “He’s in recovery, so I don’t want to speak too soon, but he’s moving; he has the ability to move. So, we’ll continue to assess him, but I don’t want to speak too soon, but he’s moving.” As Moore was being evaluated on the field, Stephens was spotted celebrating and smiling. While USC head coach Lincoln Riley did not address that moment after the game, stating that he did not see Stephens on the sideline after the hit, the team announced on Sunday that the linebacker will be suspended for USC’s next game. Stephens also issued this apology: USC is suspending Desman Stephen II for one game. Here statements from Lincoln Riley and Stephens: pic.twitter.com/e06j7uXLxf — Paolo Uggetti (@PaoloUggetti) September 27, 2026 Moore had completed 8-of-10 passes for Oregon before leaving due to the injury. He was replaced by Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola, who completed 19-of-25 passes for 289 yards and a pair of touchdowns in relief of Moore. Oregon is heading into a bye week, and the Ducks next play UCLA on October 10.

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