USC suspends LB Stephens after ejection for hit on Oregon QB Moore

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  Paolo UggettiSep 27, 2026, 02:30 PM ET

USC is suspending linebacker Desman Stephens II one game for his conduct in Saturday night's game against Oregon following a late hit on quarterback Dante Moore.

In the second quarter, Moore scrambled up the field and attempted to slide when Stephens hit him hard on the way down. Moore's head slammed into the ground, and he remained on the ground, where he was attended to by the medical staff for an extended period of time.

While Moore was still on the ground, Stephens ran around the field celebrating the hit and continued to do so with teammates even after he was called for targeting and ejected.

"Desman's actions in last night's game are unacceptable and are not reflective of USC Football nor of his personal character," Lincoln Riley said in a statement Sunday. "He understands his mistake, accepts the consequences of his actions and will learn from this. The entire Trojan Family wishes Dante a full recovery, and we send our best regards to him and his family."

Moore was eventually put on a stretcher and taken by an ambulance to Los Angeles General County Hospital. A team spokesperson Saturday night said Moore had movement in all of his extremities and was being evaluated thoroughly.

"It was a disgusting play," Oregon 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."

Multiple Oregon players called Stephens' hit a dirty play. While Stephens was ejected, he did come back out onto the USC sideline for the rest of the game. Asked why Stephens was allowed to come back on the sideline, Riley said it was because "he's on our football team."

Lanning said he didn't see how Stephens acted following the hit and that he would leave any further discipline up to either the Big Ten or Riley. As part of the suspension that Riley and USC announced Sunday, Stephens also issued an apology.

"Seeing a player injured like that is incredibly serious, and my reaction in the moments afterward was completely inappropriate and inexcusable. Regardless of what was going through my mind at the time, there is no justification for smiling or celebrating while another player receives medical attention," he said. "I take full responsibility for my actions. That is not the person or teammate I want to be, and I will learn from this. I am deeply sorry to Dante, his family and everyone who saw my reaction. It is not representative of USC or our program. I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery."

Stephens will miss the Oct. 3 matchup between USC and Washington.