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USC's Culture Under Fire After Oregon Loss and Dirty Hit
29 Sep
Summary
- USC suffered its first loss of the year to Oregon with a 41-27 score.
- A defensive player's celebration after a hit on Dante Moore drew criticism.
- Coach Lincoln Riley denied seeing the celebration, citing program culture.
USC football suffered its inaugural loss of the season on Saturday, falling to Oregon with a final score of 41-27. The game marked the Trojans' first encounter with a ranked opponent this year. Amidst the defeat, a controversial moment arose when a USC player delivered a hard hit on Oregon's Dante Moore, who sustained a concussion and left the field on a backboard.
Adding to the controversy, the USC player was observed celebrating the hit on the sideline. This reaction drew sharp criticism from commentator Colin Cowherd, who questioned the team's culture, describing it as too casual and immature. Coach Lincoln Riley stated he did not see the celebration but later issued a statement condemning the player's actions as unacceptable.
Following the incident, the player responsible was ejected from the game and subsequently suspended for one contest by USC. Riley emphasized that the player's behavior did not represent the program's values and expressed well wishes for Moore's recovery. USC is set to host Washington next Saturday.
