LOS ANGELES − Southern California coach Lincoln Riley explained the decision to suspend linebacker Desman Stephens II following the hit that injured Dante Moore and his subsequent celebration.
During USC's 41-27 loss to Oregon, Stephens hit Moore on the head with his forearm as the quarterback attempted to slide. Moore instantly went down and was in the fencing position, an indication of a concussion. After a near brawl broke out over Oregon players defending their star, Stephens was seen celebrating the hit as he made his way back to the sideline.
Riley said the decision to suspend Stephens for USC's upcoming game against Washington came after having a conversation athletic director Jen Cohen on Sunday, Sept. 27.
"I didn't see it during the game.
Obviously, I was disappointed with how he handled it," Riley told reporters on Tuesday, Sept. 29. "Knowing him like I do, do I think that do I believe deep down in my heart that he was celebrating over an injured player? No. I'm not gonna attempt to, it's a little difficult to describe to everybody sometimes what it's like in the arena when you haven't been in the arena. It's highly competitive. It's highly emotional, and so I'm disappointed with what he needs to be.
"He needs to have more awareness because it was a serious situation, we never want to see anybody down like that ever on any side. We're all humans at the end of the day. We compete hard against one another, but you never want to see that. Desman doesn't want to see that, so I'm disappointed with how he handled it, and that's why we made the decision to suspend him for a game."
The USC coach added Stephens is a young person "that made a mistake" and it's the coaching staff's job to educate him on what he didn't do right.
"The consequence is real, but we support him," Riley said. "He's a part of our family. He's one of ours. I look at him like a son. Even in a situation where you made a mistake doesn't change that."
Stephens will miss the game against the Huskies on Saturday, Oct. 3. The junior linebacker has played in all five games for the Trojans this season with 19 tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lincoln Riley explains decision to suspend USC's Desman Stephens II
