USC radio crew draws fan backlash for blaming Dante Moore after Desman Stephens II hit
Oregon QB Dante Moore was concussed on a hit by USC's Desman Stephens II. USC radio announcer Pete Arbogast said Moore ducked into it and it wasn't targeting, which drew fan criticism.
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The story, neutrally told
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore suffered a concussion in Saturday's game against USC after a hit from Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens II. NewsweekN “Oregon quarterback Dante Moore suffered a concussion during Saturday's matchup against USC after taking a brutal hit from Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens II.” Read at Newsweek ↗ BreitbartR “Moore was knocked unconscious and later diagnosed with a concussion.” Read at Breitbart ↗ Both outlets describe Moore as having given himself up at the end of a scramble, with Stephens hitting him high as he went down. BreitbartR “despite Moore obviously giving himself up on the play, Stephens launched himself at the head and neck area of the sliding quarterback” Read at Breitbart ↗ NewsweekN “Moore gave himself up with a feet-first slide at the end of a quarterback scramble” Read at Newsweek ↗ USC radio play-by-play announcer Pete Arbogast said on the broadcast that Stephens went in helmet-first but that Moore had ducked into the hit. NewsweekN “Stephens went in helmet first, but he kind of ran into Dante Moore who ducked into that hit,” Read at Newsweek ↗ BreitbartR “Arbogast summed up his thoughts by saying he believed Stephens had not targeted Moore.” Read at Breitbart ↗
Arbogast also said he did not see Moore put his feet out first and that it did not look like targeting to the broadcast team. NewsweekN “Not a feet-first slide. More of a knee slide. It didn't look like targeting to us.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Both outlets say co-analyst Shaun Cody's facial expressions suggested he disagreed with Arbogast. NewsweekN “Shaun Cody's facial expressions in the booth indicate he did not agree with Arbogast's assessment.” Read at Newsweek ↗ BreitbartR “glanced at the camera with a look that suggested he completely disagreed with his co-host” Read at Breitbart ↗ Oregon's football program posted the radio call in its "Ducks vs Them" video on Monday night, and fans criticised it on social media. NewsweekN “the Oregon football program posted the latest edition of "Ducks vs Them"”“This USC radio call is under serious scrutiny from college football fans.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Some of the fan comments quoted were harsh, including one suggesting Arbogast should issue a statement, and another calling the comments "flat out blind bias". BreitbartR “Dude needs to issue a statement. Whether that’s before or after he’s fired is up to them,” Read at Breitbart ↗ NewsweekN “Disgusting and flat out blind bias!!” Read at Newsweek ↗ Newsweek reports Stephens was ejected for targeting and that USC later suspended him for one game over his "unacceptable" actions. NewsweekN “Stephens was ejected from the game for targeting and the USC football program later issued a one-game suspension” Read at Newsweek ↗ Breitbart adds that Oregon coach Dan Lanning said the team would proceed with an abundance of caution on Moore's future. BreitbartR “Every concussion is different, and we are going to move forward with an abundance of caution” Read at Breitbart ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Straightforward sports-news report on the backlash to the radio call, giving the game context and Arbogast's full quote.
- Emphasis
- Arbogast's full comments, fan reaction, Stephens' ejection and suspension.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not include Lanning's update on Moore's condition.
- Charged language
- “brutal hit”“serious backlash”
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Opinionated take that condemns the hit and ridicules Arbogast's explanation, led by fan outrage.
- Emphasis
- Arbogast's blame of Moore, Cody's reaction, fan calls for a statement or firing, and Lanning's update.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Stephens' ejection or the one-game suspension by USC.
- Charged language
- “malicious hit”“vicious hit”“Embarrassing”“explain it away”
What every side reports
- Dante Moore was concussed after a hit from USC's Desman Stephens II on Saturday.
- Pete Arbogast said Moore ducked into the hit and that it was not targeting.
- Shaun Cody's expressions suggested he disagreed.
- Fans criticised the radio call online.
Where accounts differ
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Character of the hit and whether Moore was at fault
- Centre
- Says Moore slid feet-first and Stephens delivered a brutal blow; notes Stephens was ejected for targeting and suspended by USC.
- Right
- Calls it a "malicious" and "vicious" hit, said Moore was "obviously giving himself up", and treats Arbogast's account as trying to "explain it away".
Dante Moore person
Moore is described as the injured player who gave himself up; Oregon's coach says the team is being cautious about his return.
“we are going to move forward with an abundance of caution to ensure we make the best decisions for Dante and his future” — Breitbart
USC Trojans organisation
USC's radio announcer said the hit did not look like targeting, while the football program suspended Stephens for one game, per Newsweek.
“It didn't look like targeting to us.” — Newsweek
“the USC football program later issued a one-game suspension” — Newsweek
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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USC Radio Crew Facing Serious Backlash for Reaction to Dante Moore Injury
Mixed Reports the backlash against the radio crew with fan quotes, alongside facts on the hit and the suspension.
Right2 articles
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Fans Blast USC Radio Broadcast Team for 'Embarrassing' Call of Illegal Hit on Dante Moore
Critical Frames the radio call as an embarrassing attempt to excuse a malicious hit, amplifying fan anger.
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USC radio announcer's description of the Dante Moore hit is one of the most embarrassing things ever
- 29 Sep 16:55 First BreitbartR Fans Blast USC Radio Broadcast Team for 'Embarrassing' Call of Illegal Hit on Dante Moore
- 29 Sep 18:55 +2h NewsweekN USC Radio Crew Facing Serious Backlash for Reaction to Dante Moore Injury
- 30 Sep 14:09 +21h 14m Fox NewsR USC radio announcer's description of the Dante Moore hit is one of the most embarrassing things ever
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.