Oregon vs USC Recap: Ducks Win 41-27 After Dante Moore Injury
- 🔑 Oregon beat USC 41-27 on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the LA Memorial Coliseum, with the Ducks improving to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play; USC fell to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in conference games.
- Oregon starting quarterback Dante Moore left the game in the second quarter after a hit from USC’s Desman Stephens while Moore was sliding; Stephens was flagged for targeting and ejected. Moore was taken from the field for evaluation.
- Backup quarterback Dylan Raiola threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns in relief, and running back Dierre Hill Jr. added two second-half rushing touchdowns as Oregon pulled away after USC tied the game in the fourth quarter.
- USC quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 326 yards and two touchdowns, but the Trojans’ defense could not slow either Oregon quarterback; USC has now lost five straight meetings in the rivalry, with its last win over Oregon coming in 2016.
- As of Sunday morning, 27 September 2026, in-game broadcast updates said Moore had feeling in all his extremities; no further medical details or return timeline had been publicly confirmed. No odds, spreads, or win-probability figures are used anywhere in this recap.
Oregon beat USC 41-27 on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with backup quarterback Dylan Raiola leading the Ducks to the win after starter Dante Moore left the game hurt. No. 20 Oregon fell behind briefly late in the game before pulling away, handing No. 12 USC (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) a fifth straight loss in the rivalry. Here’s how the game played out, what happened to Moore, and what is known about his condition as of Sunday morning, September 27, 2026.
What was the final score of Oregon vs USC?
Oregon won 41-27, improving to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play in what was the Ducks’ conference opener. USC fell to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten games. The teams met at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Oregon finished with 504 total yards on the day. Here’s how the two starting quarterbacks compared through the air:
| Quarterback | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|
| Raiola (Ore) | 289 | 2 |
| Maiava (USC) | 326 | 2 |
Oregon running back Dierre Hill Jr. added two rushing touchdowns in the second half.
What happened to Dante Moore?
Oregon starting quarterback Dante Moore left the game in the second quarter after a late hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens while Moore was sliding to end a scramble. Officials ruled the hit targeting and ejected Stephens from the game. Moore stayed down on the field for an extended period, was placed in a neck brace, and was taken off on a cart; the game was paused while he received medical attention. He did not return, and Dylan Raiola took over at quarterback for the rest of the game.
What is known about Dante Moore’s condition?
As of Sunday morning, September 27, 2026, the only confirmed update was that Moore had feeling in all his extremities, relayed during the game broadcast; no diagnosis, hospital status, or return timeline had been made public. We are not speculating beyond that confirmed detail, and this piece will need updating once the school or Moore shares more.
How did Dylan Raiola perform in relief?
Dylan Raiola threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns after replacing Moore, and Oregon’s offense didn’t slow down with him at quarterback. The Ducks scored on the majority of their possessions across the game, and Hill’s two second-half rushing touchdowns kept USC from ever pulling ahead for good.
How did USC come back, and how did Oregon answer?
USC tied the game in the fourth quarter before Oregon scored again to pull away for good. The Trojans, who got 326 passing yards and two touchdowns from Jayden Maiava, closed the gap in the second half and knotted the score with just under 13 minutes left. Oregon answered with another touchdown, and its defense then stopped USC on downs to seal the win.
Was there a penalty on the hit that injured Moore?
Yes — officials flagged Desman Stephens for targeting and disqualified him from the rest of the game. Oregon coach Dan Lanning addressed the play afterward, calling it “a disgusting play.” USC has not issued its own public statement disputing the officiating decision.
How does this fit into the Oregon-USC rivalry?
Oregon has now beaten USC five straight times, a streak dating back to 2019, and USC’s last win in the series came in 2016. Saturday’s game was Oregon’s Big Ten opener and the two programs’ first meeting of the 2026 season; both teams continue conference play in the weeks ahead.
What’s next
Oregon leaves Los Angeles at 3-1 with a rivalry win despite losing its starting quarterback for the rest of the game, while USC drops to 4-1 and will look to regroup in Big Ten play. The bigger story to watch is Dante Moore’s recovery — we’ll follow up once Oregon or Moore’s camp confirms more than the single update given Saturday night. For now, what’s certain is the final score, the quarterback change it forced, and Dylan Raiola’s performance in relief.