Oregon QB Dante Moore taken off by ambulance after late hit by USC - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — Just over a quarter into a matchup between No. 20 Oregon and No. 12 USC that was already jam-packed with emotion and saddled with plenty of stakes, Oregon star quarterback Dante Moore was carted off the field and taken by an ambulance after a late hit by USC linebacker Desman Stephens II.

The hit, which happened as Moore was attempting to slide on a scramble, slammed Moore's head into the ground and left him down on the field for an extended period of time. It also prompted a fight between both teams on the field. Stephens was ejected for targeting.

«It was a disgusting play,» Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said after the Ducks' 41-27 win. «The energy changed. A lot of guys on the sideline, they were emotional in that moment, including myself.»

After the entire team huddled around Moore, he was taken to nearby Los Angeles General County Hospital and a team spokesperson said he had movement in all of his extremities and was being evaluated thoroughly. Lanning provided a positive update after the game.

«He's in recovery, so I'm not going to speak too soon. But he is moving,» Lanning said. «He has the ability to move. So we continue to assess him.»

Moore, who was widely projected to be a top draft pick in the 2026 NFL draft and was a preseason Heisman contender, was replaced by Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola. With emotions running high after Moore's departure, Lanning called in his team for a prayer and the Ducks found themselves galvanized by his absence.

«Seeing him like that shook the whole team,» Raiola said. «But at the same time, we knew that it was our brother, and we were gonna fight for him.»

Said cornerback Brandon Finney Jr.: «It brought a team that was already connected even closer. It was all about