Star Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was carted off the field and taken by ambulance after a late hit by USC linebacker Desman Stephens II during the second quarter of Saturday night's game in Los Angeles. Moore scrambled up the field before attempting to slide when he was hit hard by Stephens, with his head slamming into the ground. He remained on the ground while a fight broke out between both teams at midfield, requiring coaches to separate several players.

Stephens was called for targeting and disqualified, and both teams received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. After an extended examination by training staff while still on the field, Moore was placed on a stretcher, moved to a cart, and then transferred to a gurney before being loaded into an ambulance near the tunnel. Quarterback Dylan Raiola, who transferred to Oregon from Nebraska, replaced Moore and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Evan Stewart on his first attempt.

Moore, who was widely projected to be a top draft pick in the 2026 NFL draft, had returned to Oregon after a stellar junior season and was a preseason Heisman Trophy contender, having thrown for 849 yards and nine touchdowns leading into the game.