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USC suspends LB Stephens one game after hit on Oregon QB Moore

USC suspended linebacker Desman Stephens II for one game after he delivered a late hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who was attempting to slide, and celebrated after Moore hit the ground. Stephens was ejected for targeting, but returned to the USC sideline for the rest of the game. USC coach Lincoln Riley called Stephens’ conduct unacceptable, and Stephens apologized and accepted responsibility.

Moore was taken by ambulance to Los Angeles General County Hospital after remaining on the field while medical staff attended to him; a team spokesperson said he had movement in all his extremities and was being evaluated. Oregon won 41-27, and coach Dan Lanning called the play disgusting. Stephens will miss USC’s Oct. 3 matchup with Washington.

AP college football Week 4 poll reaction: What's next for each Top 25 team

A look at this week's Top 25.

Florida jumps to No. 8; Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame top 3 again

Florida rose 13 spots to No. 8 in The Associated Press Top 25 after a 24-point victory over then-No. 4 Ole Miss. The move put the Gators in the top 10 for the first time in five years and gave them their highest ranking since 2020, under first-year coach Jon Sumrall. Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame remained the top three, while Miami reached No. 4 and Ohio State moved to No. 5.

Texas received 62 first-place votes after a 20-17 win over Tennessee in its first road game. Georgia received six first-place votes after beating Oklahoma and averaging 41.5 points per game against its opponents, while Miami and Indiana each received one first-place vote. The poll also included four new ranked teams as part of the broader reshuffling.

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The Trojans are trending down after a two-touchdown loss at home to Oregon, while Iowa looks like it could be a dark horse Big Ten contender

WATCH: Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck smears player's blood on his face after upset win over Washington

Minnesota defeated Washington 27-24 in an emotional cross-country road victory, its first such win since 2024. After linebacker Maverick Baranowski was cut by a cleat on the final play and began bleeding from his mouth, coach P.J. Fleck wiped the blood onto his own cheek and called them “Blood brother.”

Baranowski, a fifth-year senior who has spent his career with Fleck and Minnesota, made seven tackles, recorded a sack and intercepted a pass. Quarterback Drake Lindsey threw for 204 yards and three touchdowns, while Minnesota held Washington to 40 rushing yards. The Gophers next host Michigan before later playing Iowa, Indiana, UCLA and Penn State.

Dante Moore hit update: USC's Desman Stephens faces possible suspension after vicious late blow caused injury

USC linebacker Desman Stephens II could face additional discipline from the Big Ten after a hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore during Saturday night's loss. Moore was motionless for several minutes, was carried to a local hospital and was diagnosed with a concussion, according to sources cited in the report; Stephens was ejected. Any conference suspension would be separate from the targeting penalty, and an ejection alone does not automatically trigger one.

The Big Ten commissioner, Tony Petitti, has exclusive authority under the league's sportsmanship policy to penalize conduct that compromises competitive integrity, civility or respect. USC coach Lincoln Riley said Stephens could return to the sideline after the ejection and expressed hope for Moore's recovery, while Oregon coach Dan Lanning called the hit “disgusting.” Stephens remains eligible for the first half against Washington on Oct. 3 unless the conference suspends him, and the Big Ten had not issued an official statement.