USC linebacker celebrates after brutal hit sends Oregon QB Dante Moore to hospital

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Some hits in football are worth celebrating. Plays that can change a game and send the sidelines and fans into a frenzy.

This was not one of them. 

USC junior linebacker Desman Stephens II was ejected Saturday after delivering a vicious forearm to the head of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who had begun sliding near the Trojans’ 15-yard line early in the second quarter.

Moore stayed down motionless on the field as he was placed on a stretcher in a scary scene.

However, what followed was the kind of scene that drains the electric atmosphere from a sold-out Coliseum. Players began jawing and pushing each other. Coaches rushed onto the field to separate them. 

Desman Stephens just took Dante Moore’s head off. He’s going to be ejected for sure. Look at all the flags down on the field and a stretcher is coming from Moore. This is awful. I don’t care what side you’re on. pic.twitter.com/IaA2HcnTOI

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) September 27, 2026

Medical personnel surrounded Moore, eventually getting him onto a gurney and into the back of an ambulance where he was quickly transported to a nearby hospital. 

Stephens was flagged for targeting and promptly ejected. Both teams also received offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

But the ugliest part may have come afterward.

As Moore was being tended to following a hit serious enough to require an ambulance, Stephens was seen celebrating and exchanging high-fives with USC teammates on the field and sideline.

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

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Talk about a terrible look. 

Football is violent by design. Defenders are taught to play fast, hit hard and impose themselves physically. But there is a difference between aggression and recklessness, and there should certainly be enough awareness to understand when celebration is appropriate and when it’s not. 

The Coliseum crowd understood it. As Moore was taken from the field, USC fans rose and applauded the injured Oregon quarterback — a classy gesture during an otherwise disturbing sequence.

Moore left after completing 8 of 10 passes for 77 yards. Backup Dylan Raiola entered and immediately threw a 3-yard touchdown pass, giving Oregon a 10-7 lead.