The Oregon athletic department revealed on Sunday evening that signal-caller Dante Moore was diagnosed with a concussion following Saturday’s victory over USC, though he did not incur any further physical trauma.
The injury occurred when USC linebacker Desman Stephens II struck Moore as the quarterback was giving himself up on a slide. The impact caused the back of Moore’s head to forcefully slam against the playing surface. Medical personnel removed Moore from the field on a spine board before he was loaded into an ambulance and rushed to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
“Although Dante was diagnosed with a concussion during yesterday’s matchup, we are relieved that both his CT scan and MRI showed no structural damage or other complications,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning stated. “Because head injuries require individualized assessment, we will proceed with extreme care to guarantee Dante’s long-term well-being and career are prioritized. We extend our deep gratitude to our medical professionals, alongside the medical teams at USC and LA General County Hospital, for their rapid and diligent efforts to provide Dante with first-rate medical attention.”
In Moore’s absence, former Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola took over at quarterback. Raiola completed passes for 289 yards and a pair of touchdowns, guiding the Ducks to a 41-27 triumph over the Trojans. Following the victory, Oregon climbed to No. 15 in the newly released AP Top 25 poll on Sunday, whereas USC dropped to the No. 18 spot.
Following the collision, Stephens was disqualified from the contest for a targeting penalty and subsequently received a one-game suspension from head coach Lincoln Riley on Sunday. The linebacker was seen celebrating the tackle while Moore lay motionless and seemingly knocked out on the ground. Although Riley mentioned in his postgame press conference that he missed the celebration live, he issued a Sunday statement condemning Stephens’ behavior as unacceptable, and the player has since expressed regret.
“The behavior Desman displayed in yesterday’s contest falls short of our standards and does not represent the values of USC football or who he is as an individual,” Riley expressed in his release. “He recognizes his error, embraces his punishment, and intends to grow from this experience. Everyone in the Trojan community is rooting for Dante’s complete healing, and we extend our warmest thoughts to him and those close to him.”
As a result of the suspension, Stephens is barred from participating in the Trojans’ Week 5 matchup with Washington.
Raiola is set to lead the Ducks’ offense as the starting quarterback until Moore receives medical clearance. The weekend clash marked Raiola’s second appearance for Oregon, following a two-year stint as Nebraska’s starter after arriving there as a highly touted five-star prospect. The Ducks have a bye in Week 5 ahead of their October 10 game against UCLA.
Following Oregon’s defeat against Indiana in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Moore chose to remain with the program for the 2026 campaign. Despite being projected as a potential top-two selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, he decided to return for another shot at winning a national championship. With the triumph over the Trojans, Oregon improved its record to 3-1, rebounding from their Week 2 defeat to Oklahoma State. Meanwhile, USC, having started their schedule in Week Zero, now stands at 4-1.
