Oregon beats USC after Moore leaves with head injury

Oregon defeated Southern California 41-27 on Saturday in Los Angeles, overcoming the loss of starting quarterback Dante Moore after he was hit in the head while sliding. USC linebacker Desman Stephens II was penalized for targeting and ejected from the game. Oregon coach Dan Lanning said Moore was moving and in recovery, but the team would continue assessing him and he would not speculate about the quarterback’s condition. Moore was injured in the first half after scrambling for a first down and beginning to slide. Stephens made contact with his head, according to game accounts, and officials called targeting. Moore was taken for medical evaluation, and an Oregon spokesperson said he had movement in all his extremities. The reports provided no later diagnosis or medical outcome. The hit prompted an emotional reaction on the field, with players from both teams involved in a confrontation as Moore remained down. Both teams were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, according to one account. Lanning said the moment affected players on Oregon’s sideline, while USC coach Lincoln Riley also expressed concern about Moore’s health after the game.