Dan Lanning was not happy with how things turned out for Dante Moore following his injury in the No. 20 Oregon Ducks' clash with the No. 12 USC Trojans on Saturday evening.
Moore was scrambling up the field before attempting to slide during a play in the second quarter. As he was about to head toward the ground, USC linebacker Desman Stephens II hit him hard, which resulted in Moore slamming his head into the ground.
Moore remained down while a fight between both teams broke out at midfield. Coaches, including Lanning, had to separate several players. Following review, the officials assessed Stephens with a targeting penalty and disqualified him from the rest of the game and called unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both teams for the fight.
After the training staff examined him for an extended period of time while he still laid on the field, they placed Moore on a stretcher and put him on a cart. They drove him off the field and moved onto another gurney before putting him into an ambulance near the tunnel leading onto the field.
Lanning reflected on the events after the game, via reporter Ira Gorawara. He expressed how unfortunate it was for Moore to suffer that type of injury, while stating his full support for the targeting rules that ultimately ejected Stephens from the game.
“There’s a reason targeting exists in football, and it’s as clear as day targeting. It’s a shame that happened to a good player when, in my mind, that certainly could have been avoided,” Lanning said.
Article Continues BelowHow Dan Lanning, Oregon performed against USC
Dan Lanning and Oregon will hope for the best news on Dante Moore. Despite his exit from the game, Dylan Raiola stepped up as he helped the Ducks beat the USC Trojans 41-27 on the road.
Raiola performed well following Moore's absence. He completed 19 out of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. combined for 31 carries and 129 yards and three touchdowns in the run game.
Meanwhile, Jamari Johnson and Hill flourished with 11 receptions for 224 yards. Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore ended up being the touchdown scorers in the receiving corps thanks to Raiola's efforts.
The No. 20 Ducks will look forward to their next matchup, being at home. They are on a bye next week before resuming action in Week 6 when they host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10.

