Oregon's Dante Moore Leaves Game With Serious Injury

The Oregon Ducks quarterback took a hard hit to the head and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.

by Michael Sakuraba

Sep 26, 2026

Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks

Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

It was a scary moment at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday when Oregon quarterback Dante Moore took an ugly hit to the head, leaving him motionless on the field.

The hit came in the second quarter of the Ducks’ game against the USC Trojans as Moore started to slide after a 10-yard rush into the red zone. As Moore was sliding, USC defender Desmond Stephens II targeted the quarterback’s head with a gruesome hit. Moore’s head slammed back onto the turf, and the quarterback lay motionless.

While not confirmed, Moore appeared to be exhibiting the fencing response to the hit, which is usually indicative of being knocked unconscious. NFL fans will recognize the pose from hits on quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa, and most recently, Kyler Murray. The injury tends to lead to a concussion and at least a one-week absence from playing.

Moore lay motionless for several minutes before being helped onto a stretcher and rushed off the field into an ambulance. It was confirmed that Moore had movement in his hands and feet while he was on the stretcher. Moore was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated for his injury.

The 21-year-old is off to another strong start in his senior season with the Ducks. In three games before Saturday’s, Moore has completed 61 of his 89 pass attempts for 849 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions. Moore was replaced by former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola.

Moore made headlines last year when he returned to Oregon for another season rather than declaring for the NFL Draft. He is still considered to be one of the top picks in a stacked 2027 draft class, which also includes Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. CBS has Moore projected as the number one pick off the draft board for next year’s NFL Draft.