USC has suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II for one game following his conduct during Saturday’s game against Oregon, the program announced Sunday. Stephens will miss the Trojans’ Oct. 3 game against Washington.
Stephens came under scrutiny after a hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and his reaction while Moore received medical attention. In a statement, USC coach Lincoln Riley called Stephens’ actions “unacceptable” and said they did not reflect the program or Stephens’ character.
“He understands his mistake, accepts the consequences of his actions and will learn from this,” Riley said. “The entire Trojan Family wishes Dante a full recovery, and we send our best regards to him and his family.”
Stephens also apologized, saying his reaction in the moments after Moore was injured was “completely inappropriate and inexcusable.” He specifically acknowledged smiling or celebrating while another player received medical attention.
“I take full responsibility for my actions,” Stephens said. “That is not the person or teammate I want to be, and I will learn from this.”
Stephens apologized to Moore, his family and those who saw his reaction, adding that he hoped the Oregon quarterback would make a full and speedy recovery.
USC’s announcement resolves the question of whether Stephens would face discipline from the school: He will sit out one game. The statement did not address whether the Big Ten is considering separate action.
Lincoln Riley reacts to hit
USC’s coach allowed Stephens to return to the sideline rather than stay in the locker room after the ejection. He said after the game, he did not see his linebacker celebrating the hit with teammates.
“First of all, I want to say that I hope Dante is ok,” Riley said. “You never want to see that out of any opponent. No matter how competitive the game gets. These are all people at the end of the day on both sides. So we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Stephens set his Instagram account to private after the loss following dozens of negative comments on his posts pertaining to the hit.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning called the late hit “disgusting” and said there’s no room for decisions like that in college football.
Moore has been diagnosed with a concussion, sources told CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer.
Targeting rule changes
College football altered its punishment for targeting penalties this season, the biggest change aimed at lessening disqualifications, including no carryover on a player’s first targeting foul.
In essence, if a player is flagged for targeting in the third quarter, the suspension for the first half of the following game has been eliminated. If the same player gets a second targeting foul this season, he’ll miss the first half of the next game. A third targeting foul results in disqualification from that game and the entirety of the next game.
Since Stephens’ foul occurred during the second quarter, he’s eligible to play in the first half of USC’s next game against Washington on Oct. 3 unless he is suspended by the conference.
Stephens was not made available for comment after the game. The Big Ten has not made an official statement on the hit.
