Dan Lanning reveals touching moment from Bob Chesney on Dante Moore tragedy
Bob Chesney has spent the past year leaving his fingerprints all over UCLA’s football program. Now he’s marking them across the Big Ten.
After Oregon quarterback Dante Moore exited Saturday’s game in an ambulance against host USC, he was transported to a nearby hospital. On Wednesday, Ducks coach Dan Lanning appeared as a guest on “The Jim Rome Show” and said Chesney reached out to provide his services.
“He texted me as they were traveling back to LA and said, ‘Hey, if you need my help with Dante or anything and he’s still in LA, I’ll go check on this guy. I’m giving the team off tomorrow; let me know,’” Lanning said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for him and his program.”
Moore’s departure on Saturday came after he took a dirty hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens II.
Stephens II made a controversial decision after the play and was seen celebrating.
He was ejected from the game but still remained on the USC sideline. Trojans coach Lincoln Riley told reporters after the game that he is a member of the football team but was unaware of the celebration.
After the smoke cleared, Stephens II is facing a one-game suspension and won’t suit up in the Trojans’ Week 5 home game against Washington.
On Monday, Moore broke his silence after the play and released a post on Instagram, saying he’s “made progress.”
Oregon is on a bye this week, but Moore likely won’t play in the Ducks’ next game. Backup QB Dylan Raiola likely will be under center.
Raiola was brilliant against the Trojans, completing 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
The irony?
Oregon’s next opponent is UCLA.
Like the Ducks, the Bruins are also on a bye this weekend.
Chesney has the Bruins rolling with a 4-0 record and No.23 national ranking. UCLA posted a 54-3 road victory against Maryland in which the team ran for 266 yards and had four different running backs score touchdowns.
Earlier in the interview with Rome, Lanning said Chesney’s Bruins remind him of what Curt Cignetti has built with Indiana.
UCLA leads the Big Ten in rushing this season, averaging 281.5 yards per game. The reason for it has been running back Wayne Knight, who followed Chesney from James Madison to UCLA.
Knight is the Big Ten’s leading rusher with 445 yards this season, averaging 9.1 yards per game with nine touchdowns.