In a major matchup between Oregon and USC, Ducks star quarterback Dante Moore was carted off the field early in the first quarter after a late hit from Trojans' Desman Stephens II. Moore tried to slide after scrambling, but Stephens' late hit caused the back of Moore's head to slam into the ground. Stephens celebrated immediately after the big hit, and Oregon players shoved him, with things getting chippy while Moore was down.
Stephens was ejected for targeting. After staying on the field for several moments, the Oregon starting quarterback was carted off and then taken away by ambulance to a hospital following the play. Lanning didn't hold back after the game, calling out the play that knocked his starter out of the game, and reacting to a reporter asking about Stephens' celebration of the hit on Moore.
More news: Steve Sarkisian Calls Out Critics Over Texas’ Physicality After Tennessee Win "Our guys respect the game. I don't think you'd ever see that from our players," Lanning told reporters about the celebrating, later adding, "It's a disgusting play, you know? You don't want to see it happen.
It's disappointing that it happened. I'm praying that our player's healthy, and I'm praying that their player can learn from that situation." Lanning also said his remarks weren't an indictment of USC coach Lincoln Riley, because he didn't really see everything that happened on the field after the late hit. Moore left the game after completing 8 of 10 passes for 77 yards.
Backup Dylan Raiola came in to lead the team, finishing with 289 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 41-27 Oregon win, moving their record to 3-1 for the season. Although Raiola stepped up admirably as a backup, losing Moore is significant for the No. 20-ranked team. He was a preseason Heisman contender and was projected as a top NFL draft pick.
Through four games this season, he had tallied 926 passing yards and nine touchdowns with zero interceptions. The good news is that a team spokesperson said Moore had movement in all extremities, according to ESPN, and was being "evaluated thoroughly" after the hit. "He's in recovery, so I'm not going to speak too soon.
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