Please correct me where I am wrong as I don't understand all the football rules but....

1. As far as I understand the nanosecond a QB starts to slide they are down.

2. Looking at the stills Dante starts sliding while the defender is still somewhat upright.

3. His "tackle" was aimed at the shin level of an upright runner so I think he would have done a more traditional tackle if he thought Moore was running.

4. So by my understanding his shoulder missile was intentionally aimed at where he thought Moore's head/shoulder area was going to be.

So I just don't get the excuse making even by so called experts victim blaming Moore for sliding late. I have watched it over and over and looked at stills and cannot grasp how that can be anything but an intentionally head seeeking hit on a runner that is by rule already down.

Then USC allows that utterly half hearted "apologies" to come out. They both seemed fake and insincere. I would much rather no apology be issues than a scumbag in sheep's clothing apology come out. Heck, Chris Simmspleton issued a seemingly more sincere apology.

I didn't hate USC at all before but they are now part of my Unholy Hate Trinity with OSewe and The Montlake Bundyies...welcome SoCal Orenthals.

Insert every curse word here.

Agreed. Not to mention everyone knows the QB is going to slide. It's absolutely just a matter of touching him down when he does. Should be a rule in fact.

The guy was trying to injure him. He was headhunting. He lunged forward, and loaded his elbow for the kill shot. And despite hitting with his shoulders, the elbow motion was for more momentum.

He would have hit him with his helmet if it were allowed. It was viscous, malicious, and highly intentional.

Ever since that Pitt QB faked a slide, and they changed the rules so QBs couldn't do that, it has been obvious players are trying to hurt QBs that slide. All players have to do is breakdown and wait for the slide. Then walk up and tap him on the shoulder pads.

It's not even debatable.

The plays when RBs and WRs make an unconventional move is when you see hits like that. That is the only time you give a defender the benefit of the doubt. And those should be a five yard penalty and an automatic first down.

People are making excuses for guys to intentionally injure QBs that will always slide in the open field.

AAAaaannnddd. Pictures tend to say a thousand words! ⬆️

All we had to see was the celebration afterwards to know it was intentional.

Nice right plant foot for the drive into Dante... absolutely obvious from this angle.

1 hour ago, Mike West said:

It's absolutely just a matter of touching him down when he does.

In college, you don’t even need to touch a player when his knee is down, he’s down.

Not sure about the NFL.

2 hours ago, OregonDucks said:

In college, you don’t even need to touch a player when his knee is down, he’s down.

Not sure about the NFL.

He’s automatically down in the NFL as well. The reason is they don’t want defenders to even think about touching the QB on a slide.

1 hour ago, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

He’s automatically down in the NFL as well. The reason is they don’t want defenders to even think about touching the QB on a slide.

Exactly...

Breakdown to tackle, you know he will slide. If he doesn't, you're prepared to tackle him.

In the game there were 2 other roughing/targeting the QB hits.

There was at least 1 blatant late hit out of bounds. There were many chippy hits, slaps and chirping.

I think USC was encouraged to try and play "tough". Without any real mature direction from coaching staff, the play escalated out of control quick.

Coaches need to be held accountable too.

I’ve seen this type of hit play out in college football for many years. In every instance but this one, the defensive player had a dejected look on his face because he knew he had to go sit on the sidelines and not play football with his teammates.

This is the first time I’ve seen a player celebrate and be fine with sitting on the bench for 3 quarters. He acted no different than a man who was going to receive a bounty payment.

The only way this jagoff could’ve been more tone deaf is if he wore number 32 and brown leather gloves.

I could not help but think that if I had been the one who intentionally hit Dante leaving him damaged on the field my reaction would have been to feel guilty, concerned for his health, disappointment in myself, and shame, even disgust for what I had done to him. The fact that some players on that team found that hit a cause for celebration speaks volumes about character and should be used as a teaching moment for everyone who suits up to play. We don't need a book of rules or a bunch of game officials to tell us what constitutes good sportsmanship. A sense of fair play and our conscience would be enough.

On 9/28/2026 at 2:55 PM, Dr Hilarius said:

All we had to see was the celebration afterwards to know it was intentional.

Thats the part that bothers me the most.

Maiava might be concerned ?

15 hours ago, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

I’ve seen this type of hit play out in college football for many years. In every instance but this one, the defensive player had a dejected look on his face because he knew he had to go sit on the sidelines and not play football with his teammates.

This is the first time I’ve seen a player celebrate and be fine with sitting on the bench for 3 quarters. He acted no different than a man who was going to receive a bounty payment.

The only way this jagoff could’ve been more tone deaf is if he wore number 32 and brown leather gloves.

I totally thought the same thing, Kiffin set this up. They talked about taking heads off. Whole team acted like it they knew it before it happened. The only thing missing is the thick gold chain transfer to the 🥇 winner. 🏆