Southern California Suspends Linebacker Desman Stephens for One Game
Southern California suspended linebacker Desman Stephens for one game following a dangerous hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and his subsequent celebration.
Raleigh Durham, NC, September 27, 2026 —
Southern California has suspended linebacker Desman Stephens for one game. The suspension follows a dangerous hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore during a recent contest, as well as Stephens’ subsequent celebration. The specific details regarding the timeline of the hit and celebration, beyond their occurrence in the same game, were not provided in the summary. The length of the suspension is confirmed as one game.
The decision was made by Southern California’s athletic department or football program, though the exact entity responsible for issuing the disciplinary action was not specified in the available information. The nature of the hit was described as “dangerous.” The summary also noted a “subsequent celebration” by Stephens in relation to the incident, which factored into the disciplinary decision.
No information was provided regarding any prior incidents involving Desman Stephens or Dante Moore. The summary does not specify the exact date of the game in which the incident occurred, nor does it mention the outcome of the game itself. The status of Dante Moore following the hit, including whether he sustained any injuries, was also not detailed. Similarly, the summary does not include details about any potential fines or other penalties that may have been considered or imposed beyond the one-game suspension.
The suspension means Stephens will miss one scheduled game. The identity of the opposing team for that specific game, and whether it is a conference or non-conference matchup, has not been disclosed. Further disciplinary actions, if any, are also not mentioned in the provided summary. The football program’s official statement or the rationale behind the severity of the penalty, beyond the description of the hit and celebration, were not made public in the information provided.
Story summarized from the original created by GREG BEACHAM and ANNE M. PETERSON, Associated Press on www.cbs17.com, see more information here.
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