USC suspends LB Desman Stephens II for violent hit on Dante Moore
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
USC linebacker Desman Stephens II has been suspended for one game by head coach Lincoln Riley after a violent hit that left Oregon quarterback Dante Moore unconscious during a Week 4 game at the L.A. Coliseum on Saturday.
“Desman’s actions in last night’s game are unacceptable and are not reflective of USC Football nor of his personal character,” Riley said in a statement released by USC on Sunday. “He understands his mistake, accepts the consequences of his actions and will learn from this. The entire Trojan Family wishes Dante a full recovery, and we send our best regards to him and his family.”
Moore eventually needed to be carted off the field in the second quarter after taking a scramble upfield and sliding down. As he did, he was drilled by Stephens, who was shown by NBC cameras celebrating the hit. Moore eventually left the Coliseum in an ambulance.
USC’s statement included an apology by Stephens.
“Seeing a player injured like that is incredibly serious, and my reaction in the moments afterward was completely inappropriate and inexcusable,” he said. “Regardless of what was going through my mind at the time, there is no justification for smiling or celebrating while another player receives medical attention.”
Behind Dylan Raiola, the Ducks beat the Trojans 41-27. They host UCLA on Oct. 10. The Trojans take on Washington in Week 4.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
