Oregon coach Dan Lanning calls out ‘disgusting’ hit that injured Dante Moore

Oregon coach Dan Lanning called the play that knocked starting quarterback Dante Moore out of the Ducks’ 41-27 win over USC “disgusting” during his postgame news conference.

“He’s moving, he has the ability to move, so we’ll continue to assess him, but I don’t want to make any speculation on further thoughts on that until we have more information with him,” Lanning said of Moore.

USC defensive back Desman Stephens II charged forward to tackle Moore on a run play. Moore slid late and Stephens didn’t change course, lowering his shoulder and running into Moore’s head. Oregon players and fans were more offended after Stephens celebrated the play and smiled while Moore was treated on the field before being transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Under new targeting rules, Stephens was allowed to return to the sideline to cheer and watch the rest of the game following his ejection.

Lanning said he did not see Stephens’ celebration because he was focused on Moore and his team.

“Our guys respect the game,” Lanning said. “I don’t think you’d ever see that from our players.”

He added that USC coach Lincoln Riley did express immediate concern about Moore.

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“I’m praying our player’s healthy and I’m praying their player can learn from that situation,” Lanning said.

Riley opened his news conference by saying, “First I hope Dante is OK ... wish him a speedy recovery.”

Riley later said he didn’t see Stephens celebrating and that he was on the USC sideline in the second half “because he’s on our football team.”

It was nearly a half decade ago that Lincoln Riley, dressed in a slick blue suit and glossy cardinal tie, stood atop the Coliseum’s rooftop deck, grinning as he gazed out across the field below. He’d just been introduced as USC’s new head coach, and in that moment, anything felt possible for the future of Trojan football. Riley, at the time, was one of the most renowned young coaches in college football. And as he surveyed the scene, he painted the picture of a day when the Trojans were back on top and the Coliseum was hallowed ground once again.

“This place,” Riley said that day, “is going to be the mecca of college football.”

But less than five years later, as final seconds ticked away on a 41-27 loss to Oregon on Saturday, fans trudged toward the exits, many of them surely wondering how much longer they’d accept the current state of USC football.

No. 20 Oregon 34, No. 12 USC 27, end of game

USC started on its 25 after a kickoff.

Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass and the two-minute timeout was triggered.

Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for nine yards. Bowman tossed an incomplete pass. Waymond Jordan ran for five yards. Maiava passed to Bowman for two yards and to Carson Tabaracci for six yards. Riley Wormley ran for one yard, moving the ball to the USC 48 with 40 seconds left.

On fourth-and-one, USC called timeout.

Maiava ran for three yards. Maiava passed to Bowman for one yard and USC called timeout. Maiava tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-nine with 23 seconds left, Maiava tossed another incomplete pass.

On fourth down, Maiava passed to Zacharyus Williams for 16 yards.

Maiava’s final throw was intercepted by Oregon’s Koi Perich with four seconds left and Oregon ran out the clock on a win.

No. 20 Oregon 41, No. 12 USC 27, 2:03 left in the fourth quarter

Oregon started on the USC 49 after the turnover on downs.

Jordon Davison ran for two yards. Dylan Raiola passed to Messiah Hampton for six yards. Davison ran for one yard. On fourth-and-three at the USC 42, Raiola passed to Evan Stewart for 15 yards.

Dierre Hill Jr. ran for 14 yards and another nine yards, moving the ball the USC 4. Hill ran for two yards and USC called timeout with 2:49 remaining.

Davison ran for a two-yard touchdown.

Oregon hit the extra point.

No. 20 Oregon 34, No. 12 USC 27, 7:19 left in the fourth quarter

USC started on its 25 after the touchback.

Jayden Maiava tossed the ball deep down field and Tanook Hines had to break up the pass to avoid an interception. Maiava passed to Zacharyus Williams for 21 yards.

Riley Wormley ran for three yards. Maiava was under pressure and tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-seven, Maiava’s deep pass intended for Kayden Dixon-Wyatt was off target and incomplete. On fourth-and-seven, Maiava’s pass intended for Williams was broken up by Brandon Finney.

USC coach Lincoln Riley’s gamble on deep passes didn’t pay off and Oregon takes over on the USC 49.

No. 20 Oregon 34, No. 12 USC 27, 8:42 left in the fourth quarter

Oregon started on its 25.

Dylan Raiola passed to Messiah Hampton for three yards. Raiola passed to Jamari Johnson for 17 yards. Raiola tossed an incomplete pass. Jordan Davison ran for no gain. On third-and-10 on the Oregon 45, the Ducks were called for false start. On third-and-15 at the Oregon 40, Raiola’s pass sailed high as the pocket collapsed around him. Jide Abasiri was called for roughing the passer on the play after leaning forward on a late hit.

On first down at the USC 45, Dierre Hill Jr. ran for two yards. Raiola rolled out and passed to Dakorien Moore for 12 yards, moving the ball to the USC 31.

USC’s Prophet Brown broke up a Raiola pass intended for Evan Stewart. Davison ran for two yards. On third-and-eight, Raiola passed to Moore for a 29-yard touchdown. Oregon hit the extra point, pulling back ahead.

No. 12 USC 27, No. 20 Oregon 27, 12:41 left in the fourth quarter

On first down at the USC 38, Jayden Maiava ran for four yards. Maiava passed to Terrell for 22 yards. Maiava passed to Kaden Dixon-Wyatt for 14 yards. King Miller ran for 11 yards.

On first down at the Oregon 11, Maiava tossed an incomplete pass under pressure. Maiava passed to Tanook Hines for an 11-yard touchdown.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point to tie the game.

No. 20 Oregon 27, No. 12 USC 20, end of third quarter

USC started on its 25 after the punt return.

Waymond Jordan ran for 13 yards and time expired in the third quarter.

No. 20 Oregon 27, No. 12 USC 20, nine seconds left in the third quarter

Oregon started on its 25.

Dierre Hill Jr. ran for three yards. Dylan Raiola tossed an incomplete pass under pressure from USC’s Luke Wafle. Raiola passed to Jamari Johnson for four yards.

On fourth-and-three, Oregon punted. USC returned the punt its 25.

No. 20 Oregon 27, No. 12 USC 20, 1:32 left in the third quarter

USC started on its 25 after the touchback.

Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass toward the left sideline intended for Terrell Anderson. Maiave passed to Anderson for 28 yards. Waymond Jordan ran for no gain. Maiava passed to Tron Baker for 15 yards.

King Miller ran for one yard. Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for 12yards. Miller ran for six yards. Maiava tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-four at the Oregon 13, Miller ran for two yards.

On fourth-and-two, Oregon called timeout.

Caden Chittenden hit a 29-yard field goal to trim Oregon’s lead.

No. 20 Oregon 27, No. 12 USC 17, 5:55 left in the third quarter

Oregon started on its 25 after the touchback.

Dierre Hill Jr. ran for a loss of two yards. Dylan Raiola passed to Hill for three yards. Raiola passed to Jamari Johnson 34 yards. On first down the USC 40, Raiola passed to Johnson for eight yards. Raiola tossed an incomplete pass. On third-and-two Raiola passed to Hill for 28 yards. Hille then ran for a four-yard touchdown.

Oregon hit the extra point and pushed its lead back to 10.

No. 20 Oregon 20, No. 12 USC 17, 8:36 left in the third quarter

USC started on its 25 after the touchback.

Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass across the middle that was contested. King Miller ran for six yards. Miller ran for 11 yards. Maiava passed to Miller for 10 yards. Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for 16 yards. Waymond Jordan ran for three yards.

On second-and-seven at the Oregon 29, Maiava passed to Boobie Feaster for 27 yards. Waymond Jordan ran for one yard. Maiava then faked a handoff and ran left for a one-yard touchdown.

Caden Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 20 Oregon 20, No. 12 USC 10, 13:07 left in the third quarter

NBC reported Oregon coach Dan Lanning told the network injured quarterback Moore had movement in all of his extremities at the hospital and they were being thorough getting him checked out.

Oregon started on its 25.

Dylan Raiola passed to Evan Stewart for yards. Raiola passed to Dierre Hill Jr. for 62 yards. Hill ran for eight yards and then a one-yard touchdown.

Oregon hit the extra point.

No. 20 Oregon 13, No. 12 USC 10, four seconds left in second quarter

Oregon started on its 23 after a kickoff return.

Dierre Hill Jr. ran for two yards and then four yards. On third-and-five at the Oregon 29, Dylan Raiola’s pass was deflected and gathered by Messiah Hampton for 20 yards. Raiola’s next pass intended for Dakorien Moore was incomplete. Raiola passed to Jordon Davison for four yards. On third-and-six, Davison ran for yards. On fourth-and-one at the USC 42, Davison ran for one yard and the two-minute timeout was triggered.

On first down at the USC 41, Raiola tossed an incomplete pass intended for Hampton. Raiola passed to Evan Stewart for seven yards. On third-and-three, Raiola evaded pressure and heaved the ball up field. Jamari Johnson caught it with one hand at the one-yard line, but an Oregon offensive lineman was called for holding.

On third-and-13 at the USC 44, Raiola passed to Stewart for 17 yards. Raiola then passed to Hill for 12 yards.

On first down at the USC 15, Hill ran for six yards and USC’s Jaydn Waler was called for a face mask penalty.

Davison ran for three yards to the USC one.

On second-and-goal at the USC 1 with 24 seconds left, Oregon called timeout. Davison was dropped for a loss of one yard. USC defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren was injured on the play. USC then called timeout.

On third-and-goal at the 2, Davison ran for one yard. Oregon called timeout. On fourth-and-goal, Oregon’s Gage Hurych hit a 19-yard field goal.

USC got the ball on its 25 after the touchback.

Jayden Maiava took a knee and ran out the first-half clock.

No. 20 Oregon 10, No. 12 USC 10, 5:36 left in second quarter

USC started on its 35 after Oregon kicked the ball out of bounds.

Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Tanook Hines. King Miller broke a tackle and ran for 27 yards.

On first down at the Oregon 38, Elijah Paige was called for false start. On first-and-15, Maiava passed to Mark Bowman, who hurdled for extra yards and gained nine yards. Waymond Jordan ran for nine yards.

On first down at the Oregon 25, Jordan ran for four yards. Jordan ran for no gain. Maiava tossed a pass intended for Riley Wormley that was broken up by the Ducks’ Davon Benjamin.

Caden Chittenden hit a 38-yard field goal to tie the game.

USC started on its 35 after Oregon kicked the ball out of bounds.

Jayden Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intended for Tanook Hines. King Miller broke a tackle and ran for 27 yards.

On first down at the Oregon 38, Elijah Paige was called for false start. On first-and-15, Maiava passed to Mark Bowman, who hurdled for extra yards and gained nine yards. Waymond Jordan ran for nine yards.

On first down at the Oregon 25, Jordan ran for four yards. Jordan ran for no gain. Maiava tossed a pass intended for Riley Wormley that was broken up by the Ducks’ Davon Benjamin.

Caden Chittenden hit a 38-yard field goal to tie the game.

No. 20 Oregon 10, No. 12 USC 7, 9:11 left in second quarter

Dante Moore’s arms were moving as he was loaded onto a cart and removed from the field after a brutal late USC hit to the head. The crowd applauded Moore as he was driven away toward a nearby ambulance.

Dylan Raiola took over leading the Oregon offense.

On first-and-goal at the USC 7, Jordon Davison ran for four yards. Raiola faked a handoff and passed to Evan Stewart for a three-yard touchdown.

Oregon hit the extra point to reclaim the lead.

No. 12 USC 7, No. 20 Oregon 3, 10:12 left in second quarter

Oregon started on its 25 after the touchback.

Jordon Davison ran for a loss of one yard. Dante Moore passed to Messiah Hampton for five yards and to Evan Stewart for seven yards.

Davison ran for three yards. Moore passed for 37 yards and for another yard before a stunning play cleared both benches.

On second-and-nine at the USC 23, Moore ran for 11 yards and brutally hit late as he was sliding. Desman Stephens II lowered his shoulder and slammed Moore in the head. Stephens, who celebrated after the play, was called for an obvious targeting violation and players from both teams had to be separated after the play. Refs assessed a blanket unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for every member of both teams.

Medical staff quickly brought the cart out and treated Moore for an extended period on the field.

No. 12 USC 7, No. 20 Oregon 3, 12:57 left in second quarter

USC started on its 42 after the punt.

Waymond Jordan ran for six yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for six yards and Oregon was called for illegal hands to the face.

On first down at the Oregon 31, Maiava tossed an incomplete pass intened for Waymond Jordan.

Maiava then tossed a pass deep across the middle over the top of Dixon-Wyatt’s right shoulder for a 31-yard touchdown.

USC was called for a false start and was moved back five yards on the extra point. Chase Chittenden hit the extra point.

No. 20 Oregon 3, No. 12 USC 0, 14:08 left in second quarter

Oregon started on its seven-yard line after the USC punt.

Dierre Hill Jr. ran for one yard and time expired in the first quarter. Dante Moore tossed an incomplete pass. Moor ethne passed for three yards.

Oregon punted to the USC 42.

No. 20 Oregon 3, No. 12 USC 0, 22 seconds left in first quarter

USC started on its 20 after Boobie Feaster’s 17-yard kickoff return.

King Miller ran for one yard. Jayden Maiava passed to Tron Baker for 12 yards. Miller ran for two yards. Maiava tossed a screen pass to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for 13 yards.

Riley Wormley ran for a three-yard loss. Maiava’s pass intended for Tanook Hines was high and incomplete. On third-and-13, tossed an incomplete pass intended for Dixon-Wyatt that was broken up.

USC punted to the Oregon 7.

No. 20 Oregon 3, No. 12 USC 0, 3:34 left in first quarter

Oregon started on its 20 after the missed field goal.

Jordan Davison ran for 45 yards to the USC 35.

Davison ran for one yard. Dante Moore passed to Jamari Johnson for 10 yards. Dierre Hill Jr. ran for three yards and another seven yards.

On first down at the USC 14, Davison ran for six yards, but Oregon was called for holding.

On first-and-20 at the USC 24, Moore passed to Johnson for eight yards. USC’s Christian Pierce was called for roughing the passer on the play.

On first-and-goal at the USC seven-yard line, Davison ran for a one-yard loss. Davison ran for three yards, but Oregon was called for holding. On second-and-17, Moore passed to Evan Stewart for five yards. On third-and-12, Moore tossed an incomplete pass.

Oregon’s Gage Hurych hit a 30-yard field goal.

No. 12 USC 0, No. 20 Oregon 0, 9:05 left in first quarter

USC started on its 35.

King Miller ran for four yards. Jayden Maiava passed to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt for 20 yards.

Miller ran for no gain and then for two yards. On third-and-eight at the USC 39, Maiava passed to Mark Bowman for seven yards.

On fourth-and-one at the Oregon 32, Miller ran for two yards.

Riley Wormley ran for four yards. Maiava was sacked for a loss of six yards as his protection quickly collapsed. On third-and-12, Maiava passed to Dixon-Wyatt for 18 yards.

Maiava escaped a tackle and ran for three yards. Maiava’s pass was deflected and fell incomplete in the end zone. On third-and-seven, Maiava was sacked for a loss of four yards by former Trojan Bear Alexander.

Caden Chittenden missed the 33-yard field goal wide right.

No. 12 USC 0, No. 20 Oregon 0, 15:00 left in first quarter

USC won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.

Oregon kicked the ball out of bounds at the USC 6.

USC started on its 35.

In USC’s first three dominant wins of the football season, its opponents combined to convert about one-third of third-down attempts and made one fourth-down conversion in three attempts.

On Saturday, in a rocky 42-35 win over Rutgers (0-3, 0-1 Big Ten) that saw the 12th-ranked Trojans (4-0) give up 292 passing yards, nearly get outgained overall and suffer multiple injuries in the secondary, the Scarlet Knights converted six of 11 third downs and made three of four fourth-down tries.

Against one of the worst teams in the Big Ten, USC’s high-powered offense and a clutch pick-six from cornerback Prophet Brown were enough to survive the defense’s late-down struggles for a fourth consecutive win. However, with No. 20 Oregon (2-1) coming to the Coliseum on Saturday with a star quarterback in Dante Moore, that might not be possible.

On Oct. 20, 1928, the William & Mary Indians and Catholic University of Washington Cardinals met under the lights at Cary Field in Williamsburg, Va. Just a year earlier, in 1927, the two football programs made history, taking part in the first night college football game played on the East Coast. Thousands had come to watch that night and marvel at the temporary lights illuminating the field.

Their rematch, by comparison, was largely lost to history. William & Mary used “a thrilling avalanche of forward passes” and “set their teeth grimly to stage a gigantic comeback” in the third quarter, according to a Newport News story at the time. But Catholic blocked the final extra-point attempt and prevailed 13-12.

The significance of their 1928 meeting, nearly a century later, really had nothing to do with the result. In fact, it wouldn’t be fully understood until much later, when the great-grandson of two men on opposite sides of that matchup emerged as one of college football’s most promising freshmen.

When USC and Oregon meet Saturday at the Coliseum, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Trojans coach Lincoln Riley. A win could catapult USC into serious contention for the College Football Playoff. A loss could send its season into a sudden spiral. And looming over it all are questions about the coach’s future — questions that could be answered, at least in part, by the Trojans’ performance this week.

“It’s definitely an important game,” Riley said Tuesday. “There’s no question about it.”

But ask his star quarterback if there’s any extra motivation this week to beat Oregon, and you won’t exactly get the same sentiment.

Welcome back to the Times of Troy newsletter, where we’ve reached a critical fork in the road for the Lincoln Riley era.

The soft part of the schedule is behind USC. Oregon awaits next Saturday. The time is now for Riley and USC, just like the billboards around L.A. have been insisting for months.

That this moment arrives after Saturday’s uninspiring escape from Rutgers only amplifies the pressure on USC’s coach. Against arguably the worst team in the Big Ten, the Trojans were once again plagued by many of the same road woes that Riley has failed for four years to solve. USC’s defense, now on its third coordinator under Riley, was largely a disaster. Even the offense, with another Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, looked clunky and out of sync.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — After eight tumultuous trips into Big Ten country over two seasons, Lincoln Riley figured ahead of his third that he had learned something about how rough the road could be. Just twice in those eight tries had USC left L.A. and managed to return home with a conference win.

So at the start of a third Big Ten road slate, Riley resolved to have his Trojans better prepared. They had experience to build on now, after all. They even borrowed a plane from the Arizona Cardinals, with special lie-down seats for added comfort. All of this in anticipation of a team that lost its first two games to Boston College and Massachusetts.

And yet, in spite of all that, Riley and the Trojans still found themselves right back in the same precarious position Saturday, bogged down by bad football on both sides and fighting for their life on the road against one of the worst teams in the Big Ten.

Why has it been so hard for USC football to compete for a national title after setting the standard in college football during Pete Carroll’s tenure?

(Harrison Freeman / Los Angeles Times Studios )

Times USC beat reporter Ryan Kartje spent the past four years conducting more than 100 interviews, gaining new insight into the football program’s dramatic rise, fall and difficult push to return to national relevance.

Today, we begin sharing that story with you in “House of Troy,” a new narrative podcast from L.A. Times Studios available now on Spotify and Apple.

The pass looked doomed the moment it left Jayden Maiava’s hands.

It was third-and-long, midway through the second quarter last November in Eugene, Ore. USC was down just a score, and Maiava, the Trojans’ big-armed quarterback, was trying to make something happen. But the receiver he’d locked in on was unavailable and an Oregon edge rusher was charging at him unchecked. So Maiava let one fly down the middle of the field, and the pass sailed into a crowd of Duck defensive backs.

That regrettable interception, one of two for Maiava that day, ended up being one of the turning points in that game — and in a 2025 season that fell one win short of the College Football Playoff. The loss to Oregon last season served as a rude awakening for USC and Maiava, a reminder of how far both still had to go before reaching their potential.