After Oregon quarterback Dante Moore took a brutal hit following an attempt to slide after a first down on Saturday against USC, it started one of the most fiery debates this college football season. Many claimed it was a “dirty hit”, including CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore, Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, and SEC Nation personality Chase Daniel who went as far as calling it the dirtiest hit I’ve ever seen. It seemed the only cool, calm, collected, and informed take came from NBC Sports’ personality and former NFL quarterback, Chris Simms.
Sunday Football Night in America host Chris Simms delivers the pregame show before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
During halftime, Simms was asked to put himself in Moore’s shoes and provide his take based on experience. After explaining that it was a “Debbie Downer moment” because no one likes to see someone get hurt and carted off the field. Fans and teams want to play at full strength. Then he shared something personal his dad told him in college after being announced as the starting quarterback for the University of Texas, “Christopher, when you get out there running around, make sure you get down in time, and don’t take any big hits.” Simms went on to say after explaining how defenders are essentially foaming at the mouth waiting for the chance to hit the QB in the open field, “You want to slide in plenty of time to keep your body safe.” It was an informed, common sense statement, based on his unique, relevant experience, but that didn’t sit well with many Oregon and college football fans outraged online.
Quarterback Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks runs with the football and slides to avoid a tackle from linebacker Desman Stephens II of the USC Trojans during a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sept. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles, Calif. (ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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Simms further analyzed the incident by explaining how hard the game is one defensive players nowadays. “You have to have a soft spot in your heart for defenders right now,” Simm stated. “You gotta think, Dante Moore is 6’3″ 220 pounds, he’s running at you, the defender [Desman] Stephens is bracing himself, getting ready to get low to make the tackle, so yes, you as a defender, have to know in this day and age that you have to be careful with the quarterback. But I would also say, Dante Moore slide very late, and kind of put the defender in a no win situation.” Again, it was informed analysis of a play that, in my opinion, too many people were framing in an unfair light, making Stephens out as a head hunter and Moore as an innocent victim that “clearly gave himself up” as Steratore claimed.
Simms then took to social media Sunday and apologized to “all college football fans” saying, “I clearly did not show enough sympathy for the situation.” Following an apology to Oregon Ducks fans, and head coach Dan Lanning, Simms said, “I mishandled the situation and I was wrong. I’m sorry for that.”
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning stands over quarterback Dante Moore as he is attended to after a hard tackle by linebacker Desman Stephens II during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dont @ Me host Dan Dakich, as do I, felt that apology was wildly unnecessary.
Dakich unloaded on Simms claim that he wasn’t sympathetic enough saying, “Bulls–t! You’re not there to show sympathy. You’re there to explain the situation based on your experience.”
“I don’t know why that’s a problem,” Dakich said. “I think Chris Simms is absolutely right here,” while reacting to Simms analysis of the hit on Moore.
“This was a quarterback going full speed and slide late,” Dakich stated, echoing Simms initial analysis.
A big issue within this incident was how Stephens reacted following the hit, which left Moore motionless on the field, leading to the Oregon QB being carted off the field. He was seen taunting, laughing, dapping up his teammates, and more unsportsmanlike conduct. Dakich addressed that saying, “All you have to say is that guy is an idiot and he should be suspended.” Simms actually scolded Stephens at halftime for his antics saying, “That was a bad look for USC.”
“There’s no reason for this apology. This is just soft a– bulls–t by Chris Simms,” Dakich said definitively.
Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart checks on quarterback Dante Moore as he is carted off the field after a hard tackle by linebacker Desman Stephens II during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Stephens has since been suspended one game by USC for his reaction following the brutal hit on Moore. “He understands his mistake, accepts the consequences of his actions and will learn from this,” Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley said. “The entire Trojan Family wishes Dante a full recovery, and we send our best regards to him and his family.”
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