Moore, a top 2027 NFL Draft prospect, transferred to Oregon in 2023 and has led the team to a 2-1 record

NEED TO KNOW

• Dante Moore was injured during a game against the USC Trojans after taking a severe hit to the head
• The Oregon quarterback, 21, was stretchered off the field and taken to a waiting ambulance following the hit
• Moore, a top 2027 NFL Draft prospect, transferred to Oregon in 2023 and has led the team to a 2-1 record

University of Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was taken off the field after taking a severe hit to the head.

During the Ducks’ Saturday, Sept. 26, game against the University of Southern California Trojans in Los Angeles, the star quarterback, 21, scrambled on a play in the second quarter.

He took a slide, per USA Today, and USC linebacker Desman Stephen II hit him, sending his head slamming into the ground. Referees threw a flag, and Moore could be seen lying on the ground as Oregon staff rushed onto the field.

OMG terrifying hit on Dante Moore as he's sliding, hope he's ok pic.twitter.com/btSngnriAZ

— gmannVOLS (@gmannVOLS) September 27, 2026

Moore was placed on a stretcher after a few minutes with the entire Oregon team by his side, and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava also came to check on him. Moore was then put inside a waiting ambulance, and he did not appear to be moving, per CBS Sports.

NBC broadcast announcers shared just after halftime that Moore had been taken to a local hospital and was being evaluated by doctors.

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Meanwhile, a fight nearly broke out as Oregon players confronted USC defenders, and officials and coaches tried to break it up. Linebacker Stephen received a targeting penalty and was disqualified, and offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct flags were assessed to both teams for the scuffle.

Moore, originally from East Cleveland, Ohio, began his college career at UCLA in January 2023, and by December of that year, he announced he would transfer to Oregon. Although he was considered a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft, Moore did not enter the draft and opted to go back to school.

The star quarterback started his season this year as a potential starting quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft and has led Oregon to a 2-1 record thus far. He had thrown for 849 yards and nine touchdowns leading into Saturday’s game, per ESPN.

Dylan Raiola took over Oregon’s offense after Moore exited the field. Raiola, 21, started his two previous seasons at Nebraska before transferring to Oregon this offseason.

By halftime, Oregon was leading USC 13-10.

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