After a late hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, USC head coach Lincoln Riley announced a one-game suspension for linebacker Desman Stephens II.
“Desman’s actions at last night’s game are unacceptable and do not reflect USC Football or his personal character,” Riley said in a statement. STATEMENT. “He understands his mistake, accepts the consequences of his actions and will learn from it.”
The suspension comes amid controversy over the late hit that resulted in Moore leaving the Coliseum on a board and neck brace. After his ejection, he was seen on the sideline laughing, celebrating with his teammates, drawing criticism for showing little remorse.
“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during yesterday’s game,” Stephens II said in one STATEMENT. “To see a player hurt like that is extremely serious, and my reaction in the moments afterwards was completely inappropriate and inexcusable.”
Both teams had to be separated after the game as tensions boiled over with the quarterback being rushed to a local hospital. Sunday morning, CBS Sports reported that Moore was diagnosed with a concussion.
Moore is expected to return to the field at some point this season. Until then, head coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks coaching staff will turn to backup quarterback Dylan Raiola.
With Moore out, Raiola led the Ducks to a 41-27 victory over the Trojans for their first straight win of the season. He finished the game completing 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Now that Moore will be back at some point this season and the scare behind them, the Ducks now turn their attention to next week when they host an undefeated UCLA team. Meanwhile, the Trojans will stay at home to face Washington on Saturday night.