NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms brought an absolutely terrible take to the table on Saturday evening about the targeting hit in Oregon-USC that sent quarterback Dante Moore to the hospital.
After USC linebacker Desman Stephens II went in for an illegal, dangerous hit
on Moore as the latter was clearly sliding, Simms threw some of the blame at Moore for, in his view, sliding late and putting Stephens in a "no-win situation.""Dante Moore, I do think, slid very late, and put the defender in a kind of no-win situation," Simms said on the halftime segment.
Simms at least said that he felt Stephens should have been more careful, but how in the world do you blame Moore for this? He was sliding, taking himself out of the play with plenty of time for Stephens to
avoid contact. The USC linebacker made a terrible choice to go in for the hit anyhow, making Simms' analysis look pretty ridiculous.
Here’s the video for folks who missed it. https://t.co/dHelNjNBpP pic.twitter.com/O4m63jnV4x
— Erik Skopil (@Erik_Skopil) September 27, 2026
Of course, fans and media members called out Simms for this eye-rolling take.
Chris Simms on the NBC halftime show thinks Dante Moore slid late and put the USC defender in a "no-win" situation.
— Logan Brown (@LoganABrown) September 27, 2026
Not sure how you can watch that play and what Desman Stephens did after that and come to the conclusion that it wasn't intentional.
Chris Simms’ take was putting part of the blame on Dante?
— Alex Tam 譚汶材 (@alexctam) September 27, 2026
Yikes.
Chris Simms on the NBC halftime show called the Dante Moore hit a “Debby Downer” moment, blamed Dante Moore for the hit, and said you have to feel sorry for the DB. Wild.
— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) September 27, 2026
Yo, Chris Simms, this halftime analysis on the Dante Moore hit ain’t it.
— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) September 27, 2026
I'm shocked by what I'm hearing from Chris Simms during the NBC halftime show. He believes Moore slid late and put the defender in a bad spot. Puts the blame primarily on Oregon's quarterback.
— Erik Skopil (@Erik_Skopil) September 27, 2026
Maybe Chris Simms should sit out for a couple of weeks with Desman Stephens II.
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) September 27, 2026
Shocking. Chris Simms now defending blatant dirty play by USC. Do better @NBCSports
— Chris Sullivan (@NEWSGUYSULLY) September 27, 2026
Chris Simms with a moronic take trying to blame Dante Moore who’s not a known runner for this.
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) September 27, 2026
SMH. pic.twitter.com/pMKvZRAF8B
Chris Simms… not a great halftime take on the hit on Moore.
— Todd Strain (@TODDSTRAINNBCSD) September 27, 2026
Is Chris Simms kidding me? Late slide? What a cop out!
— 95.3 The Score (@953TheScore) September 27, 2026
@NBC Chris Simms blaming the QB for a dirty hit that put him in the Hospital is about as bad of a look as there is. Embarrassing. #GoDucks #For5
— FQOregon🦆 (@FQDucks) September 27, 2026
What in the world, man.
Is Moore okay?
He's apparently got movement in all of his extremities, per Oregon coach Dan Lanning, which is a great sign.
Dan Lanning on halftime radio interview notes that Dante Moore was "moving his extremities" before being taken off.
— Erik Skopil (@Erik_Skopil) September 27, 2026
"We're getting him checked out. Obviously we've got to be very thorough with that looks like. We're all praying for him right now."
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Chris Simms' awful Dante Moore targeting take got ripped by fans
