​LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Dante Moore of the Oregon Ducks leaves the field on a stretcher in the first half of a game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ben Liebenberg/Getty Images) GettyThe hit that knocked Oregon quarterback Dante Moore out of Saturday night’s game against USC was already one of the most disturbing moments of the college football weekend.Then Chris Simms weighed in.Moore was carted off the field and transported by ambulance after USC linebacker Desman Stephens II hit him high as he began to slide in the second quarter. Stephens was ejected for targeting, but Simms used NBC’s halftime coverage to argue that Moore’s late slide put the defender in an almost impossible position.That take immediately drew heavy criticism online.Chris Simms Questions Dante Moore’s Slide After USC HitAwful Announcing shared Simms’ comments during NBC’s halftime coverage, when the former NFL quarterback first called the injury a “Debbie Downer moment.”“It was a Debbie Downer moment,” Simms said.Simms then referenced advice his father, Phil Simms, gave him while he played quarterback at Texas, telling him to get down in time and avoid major hits as a runner.“I guess you have to have a soft spot in your heart for defenders right now,” Simms said. “Dante Moore is 6’3, 240 pounds, he’s running at you. The defender 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’m going to also say, Dante Moore I do think slid very late and put the defender in a kind of no-win situation.”Chris Simms calls the Dante Moore situation a “Debbie Downer moment” & thinks Moore slid late, putting Desman Stephens in a “no-win situation.” Simms adds that Stephens/USC celebrating was a “bad look.” Nicole Auerbach floats Big Ten punishing them under sportsmanship policy. pic.twitter.com/NrEstFEezH— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 27, 2026Moore was hurt with 10:05 remaining in the second quarter after scrambling for a first down. Stephens struck him above the shoulders as Moore went into his slide, leaving the Oregon quarterback down for several minutes.Stephens was flagged and ejected for targeting.Moore was placed on a stretcher and taken by ambulance to Los Angeles General Medical Center. NBC reported that he had movement in his arms and legs while being transported. Oregon had not announced a diagnosis as the game continued.Chris Simms Blasted Over Dante Moore CommentsThe backlash to Simms’ explanation arrived almost immediately.Yahoo Sports described the take as “awful” and noted that fans ripped Simms for appearing to shift some responsibility toward Moore after such a violent result. Sports Illustrated also noted that Simms’ comments drew criticism during halftime.Fans acro