‘I don’t think you’d ever see that from our players’: Oregon coach calls out ‘disgusting’ USC hit and celebration
The Oregon Ducks notched a statement win over the USC Trojans on Saturday evening, but it came after a scary situation and some controversy.
Midway through the second quarter, Oregon star quarterback Dante Moore was knocked out of the game by an illegal hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens. In the aftermath of the hit, Stephens was seen smiling and celebrating with his teammates while Moore was still getting medical attention. After the game, Oregon coach Dan Lanning expressed his displeasure.
Illegal Hit on Dante Moore
Around the 10-minute mark of the second quarter, Moore broke free from the pocket and scrambled for a first down deep inside USC territory. However, as he attempted to slide to protect himself from the incoming hit, Stephens lowered his shoulder and delivered a massive blow directly to the head of the defenseless quarterback.
Following the hit, Moore immediately went into an involuntary fencing position, appearing to indicate that he had lost consciousness, as medical personnel from both sidelines quickly rushed over to attend to him.
NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay breaks down the brutal hit on Oregon star QB Dante Moore delivered by USC’s Desman Stephens (who was shown celebrating the play as Moore was still down on the field).
The scene also resulted in unsportsmanlike conduct on both teams/every player. pic.twitter.com/OTE0U1KG7Q
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 27, 2026
While Moore remained down on the field, both benches emptied, with players from both sidelines rushing onto the field.
Amidst the whole chaotic scene, Stephens was seen throwing his arms up in celebration of the big hit. He was also captured on camera multiple times smiling and high-fiving teammates following the hit as Moore was still on the ground awaiting an ambulance.
Moore was eventually taken from the game in an ambulance, while Stephens was disqualified for the remainder of the contest.
‘It’s a disgusting play’
After the game, Oregon coach Dan Lanning was asked about the play and the response from Stephens. Lanning admitted that he didn’t see the celebration from Stephens because he was focused on his own team, but he said it was “really disappointing” to hear that he was celebrating in that situation.
“You know, I didn’t see any of that. If that’s the way somebody else was operating, it’s really disappointing,” Lanning said after the game via Bri Amaranthus. “In that moment, for me, I challenge myself to focus on the moment and what I can control. Their team has absolutely nothing to do with what I have to do, or we have to do. We try to have a singular focus.”
Lanning went on to express his displeasure that a player would celebrate a hit that caused serious injury like that and made it clear that he would not expect his players to do that in that situation.
“Our guys respect the game. I don’t think you’d ever see that from our players. I don’t think you’d ever see that from our coaches,” Lanning said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily an indictment on Coach Riley, because I can’t speak on what I didn’t see. He was quick to voice his concern for our player. So I appreciate that from him.”
That said, he did not mince words when discussing the play itself.
“It’s a disgusting play,” Lanning said bluntly. “You don’t want to see it happen. It’s disappointing that it happened. I’m praying our player’s healthy, and I’m praying their player can learn from that situation, because that’s not a moment you want to be a part of.”
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