LOS ANGELES -- Star Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was carted off the field and taken off by an ambulance after a late hit by USC linebacker Desman Stephens II during the second quarter of the Ducks' 41-27 win on Saturday.
Moore has movement in all of his extremities and is being evaluated thoroughly at Los Angeles General County Hospital, according to a team spokesperson.
"We're getting him checked out," head coach Dan Lanning said in his halftime radio interview. "Obviously we've got to be very thorough with that looks like. We're all praying for him right now."
On a first-down play in Trojans territory, Moore scrambled up the field before attempting to slide. As he was headed toward the ground he was hit hard by Stephens, with his head slamming into the ground.
Moore remained on the ground while a fight between both teams broke out at midfield. Coaches had to separate several players. Stephens was called for targeting and disqualified, and both teams were given unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
After being examined by the training staff for an extended period of time while still laying on the field, Moore was put on a stretcher and placed on a cart. He was then driven off the field and moved onto another gurney before being put into an ambulance near the tunnel leading onto the field.
Quarterback Dylan Raiola, who transferred to Oregon from Nebraska, replaced Moore. Raiola threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Evan Stewart on his first attempt.
Moore, who was widely projected to be a top draft pick in the 2026 NFL draft, opted to return to Oregon after a stellar junior season. He was a preseason Heisman Trophy contender and had thrown for 849 yards and nine touchdowns leading into Saturday's game.
