Desman Stephens II didn’t waste any time scrubbing his online presence after that brutal hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore this past Saturday, deactivating his Instagram account in the immediate aftermath. That targeting ejection for Stephens, a USC linebacker, totally overshadowed Oregon’s 41-27 victory over the Trojans, a victory that almost feels secondary to the chaos surrounding it.
The Hit That Rocked The Game
You saw it, right? Stephens delivered a shot so hard that Moore had to be stretchered off the field. This wasn’t just a tough tackle; it sent the Oregon QB to the hospital. Seriously. The whole thing sparked an immediate scuffle on the field, a total blow-up you could see coming a mile away after a hit like that. Stephens got ejected, no surprise there, but the drama didn’t end when the ref tossed him.
Riley’s Sideline Logic
Even after getting thrown out, Stephens stayed right there on the USC sideline. People were talking, wondering why a player ejected for targeting, especially after an injury like Moore’s, wouldn’t head to the locker room. When USC head coach Lincoln Riley was asked about it, his answer was straight to the point: “Because he’s on our football team.” That’s it. No more, no less. It’s a quote that definitely raised some eyebrows. With Moore hospitalized and the video of the tunnel scuffle doing the rounds, the fallout from this game is just starting.
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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