The Oregon Ducks rolled into Los Angeles and snatched a huge 41-27 road win against the USC Trojans, but it was how they got there that’s got everyone buzzing. Dylan Raiola, stepping in for an injured Dante Moore, looked absolutely dialed in, showing confidence under center and proving Oregon is officially back on track.
Chaos Erupts After A Gut Punch Hit
Talk about a gut punch: Dante Moore, our senior QB, takes a brutal hit in the second quarter. A targeting call, clear as day, on USC’s Desman Stephens II while Moore was sliding after a first down! The dude was motionless, and then the USC sideline starts celebrating? Pure chaos erupted, both teams on the field, needing to be separated. That’s not just a penalty; that’s a statement, and Oregon was ready to respond. Moore went 8-of-10 for 77 yards before exiting, but that hit completely shifted the energy of the game.
Raiola Steps Up Big, The Ducks Feast
When one door closes, another one gets blown off its hinges! Dylan Raiola, rocking the green and yellow for the first time after his Nebraska days, stepped right into that fire. He didn’t blink. Moore’s last drive? Raiola finished it, hitting Evan Stewart for our first TD and holding up Moore’s No. 5. You love to see it! He ended up slinging it for 289 yards and 2 TDs on 19-of-25 passing. Meanwhile, Jayden Maiava for USC tried to keep pace with 326 yards and 2 TDs, but he also threw a pick and managed a measly 1 yard rushing on 6 carries. Our boys, Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison, were grinding it out on the ground, with Hill Jr. getting two TDs himself.
We headed into halftime up 13-10, pretty tight. But then the Ducks came out of the locker room like they chugged an espresso machine! Two quick touchdowns in under six minutes, with sophomore running back Dierre Hill Jr. racking up 12 points for us. USC tried to fight back, with Maiava rushing for a score and hitting Tanook Hines in the fourth, but it was all Oregon down the stretch. Raiola found Dakorien Moore for a clutch 29-yard grab. Our defense made a HUGE fourth-down stop. Then, to rub salt in the wound, our offense converted their own fourth-down with Jordon Davison punching it in for six. Forty-one to twenty-seven, game over, ballgame. That lackluster two-minute drill from USC was just icing on the cake.
What a win for the No. 20 Oregon Ducks, now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play! The No. 12 Trojans are reeling a bit at 4-1 overall, 1-1 in conference. Oregon has a bye week, then they’re off to face the other Los Angeles team, the UCLA Bruins. With Raiola stepping up like that, the future looks bright, even with Moore out. Get ready, Bruins, the Ducks are coming for you!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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