The Washington Huskies won't have to face USC linebacker Desman Stephens on Saturday after Trojans coach Lincoln Riley suspended him for one game following a brutal targeting hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore.
The Clarkston, Michigan native and former four-star recruit in the 2024 class delivered a controversial hit on the Ducks' star passer with just over 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Moore was carted off the field and did not return in the Trojans' 41-27 loss to coach Dan Lanning's team.
Stephens made two tackles as a freshman in 2024 when UW beat USC 26-21 at Husky Stadium. Since then, the 6-foot-3, 250-pound linebacker grew into a starter for the Trojans going into the 2026 season, which makes his absence crucial as Jedd
Fisch and the Huskies travel to Los Angeles to face Riley and USC at 4:30 p.m. on October 3.
NEWS: USC has suspended Desman Stephens for one game. He will not play vs. Washington. pic.twitter.com/KwxkgLf4nD
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 27, 2026
Without Stephens, the Trojans are expected to turn to former UW linebacker Devan Bryant and Ta'Mere Robinson, a pair of fourth-year defenders, and potentially third-year Jadyn Walker, who is listed as an "OR" starter behind Bryant at one of two linebacker positions on USC's depth chart.
The Huskies' offense has struggled this season without a consistent run game and sits at No. 129 in the country with 115 rushing attempts. The offensive line has not lived up to the expectations set by Fisch and the players in fall camp, but the Trojans' defense has been equally bad through the first five games of the season.
USC ranks No. 99 in the FBS, allowing 26.4 points per game heading into its next Big Ten test against UW. Conversely, Fisch's Huskies are tied for No. 84 in the country, averaging 28 points per game and trending downward.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: USC Trojans LB Suspended For Upcoming Game Vs. Washington Football
