The Dante Moore injury overshadowed everything at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. Oregon’s starting quarterback was strapped to a stretcher and carted off in the second quarter after a late hit while sliding, and backup Dylan Raiola came off the bench to steer the Ducks to a 41-27 win over USC.
Moore was taken to Los Angeles General Medical Center for evaluation. The broadcast reported that he had movement in all of his extremities, and he was still undergoing tests as the game went on. There was no further update from Oregon on his condition by the final whistle.
What happened on the Dante Moore hit
With 10:05 left in the second quarter, Moore scrambled for 10 yards to the USC 13 and went into a slide. Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens II made contact with his head and shoulder area as he went down, and Moore’s head struck the turf hard.
Targeting was called and upheld on review, so Stephens was ejected and Oregon got an automatic first down. The game was held up for several minutes while medical staff stabilised Moore, moved him onto a cart and then into a waiting ambulance. He had been sharp before the hit, completing 8 of 10 passes for 77 yards.
Dylan Raiola answers the call for Oregon
Raiola, who transferred in from Nebraska, needed one snap to make an impact, hitting Evan Stewart for a touchdown on his first play. He finished 19 of 25 for 289 yards and two touchdowns, and the second of those settled the game: a 29-yard strike to Dakorien Moore with under nine minutes to play that put Oregon ahead for good.
Tight end Jamari Johnson was the top target with seven catches for 119 yards, while running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. combined for three rushing touchdowns.
USC left frustrated again
Jayden Maiava threw for 326 yards on 23 of 42 passing with two touchdowns and an interception, but USC’s defense never got home, finishing with no sacks and just four tackles for loss. It is now five straight wins for Oregon in this series, and the Trojans have not beaten the Ducks since 2016.
What comes next
Oregon have a bye before their meeting with UCLA, which gives the medical staff time to assess Moore properly. Whatever the diagnosis, the sight of him leaving the Coliseum on a cart was the image of the day in college football, and every Ducks fan will be waiting on the next update. USC turn their attention to Washington.
