Oregon's Moore carted off vs. USC after taking hit to head

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks leaves the field on a stretcher in the first half of a game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Ben Liebenberg / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was carted off in the second quarter of Saturday night's game against USC after taking a hit to the head while sliding on a scramble.

A scrum ensued after the play, and the referees had to separate the two teams. Trojans defensive back Desman Stephens received a targeting penalty and was disqualified from the game.

Moore stayed down for several moments while medical personnel attended to him. He was carted off on a stretcher after his helmet was removed. NBC's broadcast reported that Moore was moving his legs and fingers before being transported to Los Angeles General Medical Center.

The 21-year-old has been Oregon's starter since the start of last season and is projected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft. He completed 68.5% of his throws for 849 yards with nine touchdowns and zero interceptions entering Saturday's game.

Backup quarterback Dylan Raiola entered the contest once Moore exited, and the junior finished off a touchdown drive a couple of plays later. Raiola and wide receiver Evan Stewart put up Moore's No. 5 after scoring the touchdown.

Raiola was a five-star recruit in the 2024 class and spent the first two years of his college career as Nebraska's starter before transferring to Oregon. He'd thrown for 4,934 yards with 34 touchdowns in 23 career games before relieving Moore against USC.

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