USC Suspends Desman Stephens II
USC suspended Desman Stephens II after a late hit sent Oregon QB Dante Moore to the hospital.
What happened
USC suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II for one game after his late hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore during Saturday’s game. Moore was taken to a hospital after the hit, was carted off on a stretcher, and was later evaluated in Los Angeles. The hit came as Moore slid on a scramble, when Stephens struck him in the head and neck area. Officials called targeting, a rule barring dangerous hits to defenseless players, and ejected Stephens. USC coach Lincoln Riley called the action unacceptable, while Stephens apologized for his reaction afterward. Oregon coach Dan Lanning called the hit disgusting. Moore suffered a concussion and is expected back this season.
From the left
Left-leaning outlets framed the story as a safety and accountability case, centered on a dangerous hit and USC’s response. The Guardian led with the blow as a late hit to a sliding quarterback, calling it “disgusting” in its own headline framing. It also cited Lincoln Riley’s condemnation, while Oregon coach Dan Lanning’s account kept attention on the emotion that followed.
From the right
Only one right-leaning outlet we track covered this: FOX News, under the headline “USC linebacker suspended after vicious hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore”.
USC suspends linebacker vs. UW after dangerous hit on Oregon QB
USC suspends LB Desman Stephens II for hit on Oregon QB Dante Moore - UPI.com