USC suspends Desman Stephens II, apologizes after late hit on Oregon’s Dante Moore
USC also said Stephens apologized after the play, which left Moore hospitalized and under evaluation after a one-game suspension was announced.
- On Sunday, September 27, 2026, the University of Southern California suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II for one game following his dangerous late hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore during Saturday's contest.
- During Saturday's second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Stephens delivered a late hit to the sliding Moore, resulting in a targeting penalty and the quarterback's subsequent hospitalization.
- Following the hit, Moore was taken to Los Angeles General Medical Center, where he reportedly maintained movement in his extremities, while Stephens' subsequent on-field celebration sparked widespread criticism across social media.
- Stephens issued an apology taking "full responsibility" for his behavior as USC coach Lincoln Riley announced the suspension Sunday, labeling the linebacker's actions "unacceptable."
- While Stephens will miss USC's game against Washington on October 3, CBS Sports reported Sunday that Moore sustained a concussion and is not believed to have suffered additional injuries.
44 Articles
44 Articles
USC Football Takes Action Against Athlete Who Injured Dante Moore and Laughed Afterwards
Things got ugly between USC and Oregon in the second quarter of their Week 4 game, and Desman Stephens II was right at the center of it. The USC linebacker delivered a late hit on sliding Ducks quarterback Dante Moore, triggering a near-brawl and an ejection. But instead of keeping a low profile after the […]
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USC suspends Desman Stephens II 1 game over late hit on Dante Moore
By Field Level Media Sep 27 (Field Level Media) - USC suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II for one game, following his actions during Saturday's game against Oregon. Stephens was ejected, following a late hit to the head of Oregon quarterback ...
USC linebacker suspended after vicious hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore - NEW YORK TIMES POST
The USC Trojans suspended linebacker Desman Stephens for one game for his dangerous late hit on Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore on Saturday. The hit came in the second quarter of the Ducks’ 41-20 victory over the Trojans. Moore was scrambling and was clearly going to slide after getting more than enough yardage for a [...]
USC Player Suspended For Celebrating After Knocking Out Oregon's Dante Moore Out Cold With Vicious Hit
USC’s Desman Stephens will miss his team’s next game. On Saturday, Stephens delivered a brutal hit on Oregon QB Dante Moore that knocked Moore out of the game on a stretcher. After the hit, Stephens celebrated and taunted the Oregon sideline, which nearly led to a brawl between the two teams. On Sunday, USC head […]
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