The Oregon Ducks lost starting quarterback Dante Moore early in the team's statement win on the road over the rival USC Trojans, but the initial news surrounding the star passer is positive.
Moore was motionless on the field inside the LA Memorial Coliseum after taking a brutal hit to the head from USC's Desman Stephens II. Several minutes later, Moore was placed on a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance to a local hospital. CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer report that Moore was diagnosed with a concussion, but he is not believed to have suffered any other injuries.
The Ducks could be without Moore as he goes through the concussion protocol, but he is still expected to return to the field at some point this season. Moore did travel
home to Eugene with the Ducks after the win, according to On3's Pete Nakos, and will get time to rest and recover. Oregon has a bye next week before hosting Moore's former team, UCLA, at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 10.
Oregon star QB Dante Moore suffered a concussion last night vs. USC but, on a positive note, isn’t believed to have sustained any additional injuries, sources tell me and @chris_hummer for @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 27, 2026
Will go through concussion protocol but is expected back at some point. pic.twitter.com/oinSBeXYTX
If Moore is not ready to play by then, the Ducks will stick with Dylan Raiola, who threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns in relief to guide Oregon to the road win. Raiola's former program, Nebraska, will come to Eugene on Oct. 17, potentially setting up a showdown for the transfer quarterback between his past and present.
Dan Lanning told reporters after the win that he had not seen Moore since the injury occurred, but he noted that Moore had movement and was "in recovery" at the hospital. There is no timeline for Moore's recovery, but the initial news around the star quarterback is positive, and the Ducks made it clear that their effort on Saturday was in his honor.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon QB Dante Moore concussed, returned with Ducks to Eugene
