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USC suspends linebacker after late hit on Oregon quarterback
Desman Stephens II will miss one game after his hit on Dante Moore, who was taken to hospital and reportedly diagnosed with a concussion.
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Event
USC suspends Desman Stephens II for one game after hit on Oregon quarterback
USC coach Lincoln Riley suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II for one game after his late hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. Stephens apologised for his reaction after Moore was injured and taken to hospital. Moore was diagnosed with a concussion, according to CBS Sports.
2 published stories · usc · source reliability 67%
Background
Why this event matters
USC coach Lincoln Riley suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II for one game after his late hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. Stephens was ejected and later apologised for his reaction after Moore was injured. Moore was taken to hospital for evaluation; CBS Sports, as cited by Fox Sports, reported he was diagnosed with a concussion.
event-brief
USC suspends Desman Stephens II for one game after hit on Oregon quarterback
USC coach Lincoln Riley suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II for one game after his late hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. Stephens was ejected and later apologised for his reaction after Moore was injured. Moore was taken to hospital for evaluation; CBS Sports, as cited
Reporting trail
Fox Sports | https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/usc-linebacker-desman-stephens-ii-suspended-one-game-late-hit-dante-moore | published 2026-09-27T19:16:06.000Z | primary sourceFox Sports | Reports the suspension, statements and injury account; its text is duplicated and truncated.CBS Sports, as cited by Fox Sports | Reported Moore’s concussion diagnosis.ESPN via retrieved same-event context | Specifies the game Stephens II is expected to miss.ESPN | https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/50043971/usc-suspends-lb-stephens-one-game-hit-oregon-qb-moore | published 2026-09-27T19:45:30.000Z | primary sourceESPN source | Reports the suspension, ejection, Moore’s hospital transport and evaluation, statements from Riley and Stephens, and the Washington game date.Retrieved cluster summary | Corroborates the suspension, hit, apology and scheduled absence; it is a summary, not an independent source.
Fact cards
entity brief
USC suspends Desman Stephens II for one game after hit on Oregon quarterback: key people and institutions
Key entities: Desman Stephens II, Dante Moore, Lincoln Riley, USC, Oregon.
faq brief
USC suspends Desman Stephens II for one game after hit on Oregon quarterback: key questions
What happened to Dante Moore? He was injured after a late hit, taken to hospital for evaluation and reportedly diagnosed with a concussion, according to CBS Sports as cited by Fox Sports. What action did USC take? Riley suspended Stephens II for one game. Which game is Stephens e
source brief
USC suspends Desman Stephens II for one game after hit on Oregon quarterback: reporting sources
Fox Sports | https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/usc-linebacker-desman-stephens-ii-suspended-one-game-late-hit-dante-moore | published 2026-09-27T19:16:06.000Z | primary source | Fox Sports | Reports the suspension, statements and injury account; its text is duplic
timeline brief
USC suspends Desman Stephens II for one game after hit on Oregon quarterback: timeline
After the hit: Moore was taken from the field on a stretcher and to hospital for evaluation. After the incident: Stephens was ejected and apologised for his reaction. 27 September 2026: Riley announced Stephens’ one-game suspension. 3 October 2026: ESPN reported Stephens is expec
Timeline
After the hit
Moore was taken from the field on a stretcher and to hospital for evaluation.
After the incident
Stephens was ejected and apologised for his reaction.
27 September 2026
Riley announced Stephens’ one-game suspension.
3 October 2026
ESPN reported Stephens is expected to miss USC’s game against Washington.
FAQ
What happened to Dante Moore?
He was injured after a late hit, taken to hospital for evaluation and reportedly diagnosed with a concussion, according to CBS Sports as cited by Fox Sports.
What action did USC take?
Riley suspended Stephens II for one game.
Which game is Stephens expected to miss?
ESPN reported he will miss USC’s 3 October game against Washington.
Did Stephens apologise?
Yes. He said his reaction after Moore was injured was inappropriate and inexcusable.
Why was Desman Stephens II suspended?
USC suspended him for one game after his hit on Dante Moore and targeting ejection.
What is known about Moore’s condition?
He was taken by ambulance to hospital for evaluation; no later update is included in the available report.
Which game will Stephens miss?
USC’s 3 October home game against Washington.