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Raiola Leads Oregon After Stephens Targets Moore Injury

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 2:08 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Desman Stephens Ejected

USC linebacker Desman Stephens II targeted Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, carting him off in Los Angeles.
Stephens was ejected, causing a 15-minute delay and a team melee.
Backup Dylan Raiola replaced Moore, completing 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Coach Lincoln Riley wished Moore a speedy recovery.
Moore was taken to L.A. General County Hospital and showed movement in all extremities.

Summary

Raiola Joins Oregon

NCAA targeting rule defines a sliding quarterback as defenseless, giving Oregon an automatic first down.
Penalty moved Oregon from the USC 13-yard line to the 7-yard line.
Dylan Raiola, ranked No. 21 in the 2024 class, transferred to Oregon on Jan. 12, 2026.
He is the son of former Nebraska and Detroit Lions lineman Dominic Raiola.
Oregon’s defense must shoulder responsibility without Moore, who was on Walter Camp, Maxwell and Davey O’Brien watch lists.

History

Historical Context

In 2008 the NCAA football rules committee added a nationwide targeting rule that ejects players and imposes a 15-yard penalty for hits on defenseless opponents. The rule immediately affected programs such as USC and Oregon, with coaches like Lincoln Riley now required to emphasize safety today as the enforcement continues.

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Desman Stephens Ejected

USC linebacker Desman Stephens II targeted Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, carting him off in Los Angeles.
Stephens was ejected, causing a 15-minute delay and a team melee.
Backup Dylan Raiola replaced Moore, completing 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Coach Lincoln Riley wished Moore a speedy recovery.
Moore was taken to L.A. General County Hospital and showed movement in all extremities.

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