USC Misses Big Win Over Oregon Despite Knocking Out Ducks QB

USC dealt Oregon a crushing blow before halftime Saturday, knocking Ducks quarterback Dante Moore out of the game on a controversial hit.

As Oregon rallied around its injured teammate in an increasingly heated atmosphere at the Coliseum, the Ducks produced a response that changed the game.

In the process, they may have delivered a major setback to USC’s hopes of putting together a special season.

With backup quarterback Dylan Raiola leading an offense that became nearly unstoppable after halftime, No. 20 Oregon defeated No. 12 USC, 41-27, in front of a season-high crowd of 75,500. The Coliseum emptied noticeably during the final minutes.

Raiola stole the spotlight from USC starter Jayden Maiava, guiding Oregon to scoring drives that produced 34 points over a little more than a half.

After the Trojans tied the game early in the fourth quarter, Raiola found Dakorien Moore in the front corner of the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown. USC cornerback Elbert Hill IV closed too late on the play.

Unable to slow Oregon, USC gambled on fourth down near midfield on its next possession. Maiava’s pass for Zacharyus Williams fell incomplete after being broken up, turning the ball over on downs with 7 minutes, 15 seconds remaining.

Oregon answered by converting a fourth down of its own near midfield, extending the drive and draining valuable time. Jordan Davison later took a pitch and was pushed into the end zone by his teammates on a 2-yard run with 1:55 left, putting the Ducks (3-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) in position to secure their fifth straight win over the Trojans (4-1, 1-1).

For USC coach Lincoln Riley, the loss represented a stunning failure in a defining moment. After four frustrating seasons that ended without a College Football Playoff appearance, Riley needed to show that he merited the program’s massive investment and considerable patience.

The result also strengthened the growing belief that Riley has been unable to match Oregon coach Dan Lanning, who has now won all three meetings between the two coaches.

Riley will face difficult questions about the direction of his team, a defense that surrendered 504 yards and the way USC players handled the situation surrounding Moore’s injury.

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In a disturbing moment late in the first half, the rivalry between Oregon and USC intensified dramatically.

Moore escaped the pass rush and sprinted beyond the USC 15-yard line before attempting to protect himself by sliding.

Instead, Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens II delivered a jarring forearm to Moore’s head, triggering a chaotic confrontation on the field.

Moore remained motionless as several flags flew, while players exchanged words and shoved one another. Assistant coaches stepped between the teams during the heated scrum. The situation grew even more contentious when Stephens appeared to gloat on the sideline alongside teammates who celebrated the hit.

Stephens was penalized for targeting and ejected, with USC leading 7-3 at the time. Officials also assessed offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties to both teams.

Following a lengthy delay, medical personnel placed Moore on a stretcher and carried him from the field before he was taken to an ambulance at the bottom of the tunnel. The stunned crowd applauded. Raiola entered in relief — the same quarterback whose season ended last year while playing for Nebraska after he suffered a right ankle injury against USC.

Raiola’s first pass was a 3-yard touchdown, giving Oregon a 10-7 advantage.

He completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Maiava finished 23 of 42 for 326 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw an interception in the end zone with four seconds remaining.

With Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana and a surging UCLA still on the schedule, the defeat leaves USC with little room for error before the end of September.

The cheer that could be heard in the final seconds said it all.

“Let’s go Ducks!”