One of college football's biggest games of the season turned frightening on Saturday when Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was knocked motionless by a late hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens II, who was ejected for targeting as Moore was taken from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum by ambulance.
The hit
Early in the second quarter, Moore scrambled and had begun sliding near the Trojans' 15-yard line when Stephens delivered a vicious forearm to the quarterback's head. Moore stayed down without moving as medical personnel rushed onto the field; a stretcher and cart were brought out, and he was eventually loaded into an ambulance bound for a nearby hospital. Stephens was flagged for targeting and promptly ejected.
Tempers flare
As Moore lay on the turf, players from both sidelines began jawing and pushing, and coaches ran onto the field to separate them. Officials restored order and assessed offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both teams. At halftime, Oregon coach Dan Lanning told the broadcast that Moore was "moving his extremities" and being thoroughly checked: "We're all praying for him right now."
The ugly aftermath
The sequence drew further anger when Stephens was seen celebrating and exchanging high-fives with USC teammates while Moore was still being tended to — a terrible look that drew swift condemnation. The Coliseum crowd responded differently: USC fans rose and applauded the injured Oregon quarterback as he was taken from the field.
The game goes on
Moore departed having completed 8 of 10 passes for 77 yards. Backup Dylan Raiola came in cold and immediately threw a 3-yard touchdown pass, giving Oregon a 10-7 lead; the Ducks took a 13-10 advantage into the halftime break.
Sources: New York Post, Ducks Wire (USA Today)
The hit
Early in the second quarter, Moore scrambled and had begun sliding near the Trojans' 15-yard line when Stephens delivered a vicious forearm to the quarterback's head. Moore stayed down without moving as medical personnel rushed onto the field; a stretcher and cart were brought out, and he was eventually loaded into an ambulance bound for a nearby hospital. Stephens was flagged for targeting and promptly ejected.
Tempers flare
As Moore lay on the turf, players from both sidelines began jawing and pushing, and coaches ran onto the field to separate them. Officials restored order and assessed offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both teams. At halftime, Oregon coach Dan Lanning told the broadcast that Moore was "moving his extremities" and being thoroughly checked: "We're all praying for him right now."
The ugly aftermath
The sequence drew further anger when Stephens was seen celebrating and exchanging high-fives with USC teammates while Moore was still being tended to — a terrible look that drew swift condemnation. The Coliseum crowd responded differently: USC fans rose and applauded the injured Oregon quarterback as he was taken from the field.
The game goes on
Moore departed having completed 8 of 10 passes for 77 yards. Backup Dylan Raiola came in cold and immediately threw a 3-yard touchdown pass, giving Oregon a 10-7 lead; the Ducks took a 13-10 advantage into the halftime break.
Sources: New York Post, Ducks Wire (USA Today)
