Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart was arrested for driving under the influence early Sunday morning in Springfield, Oregon, following a traffic stop on Highway 126. Head coach Dan Lanning addressed the matter on Monday, stating the incident failed to meet program standards and discipline would be handled internally.
Police Arrest Evan Stewart for DUII During Traffic Stop
The Springfield Police Department stated that an officer pulled over a vehicle driven by Evan Stewart at approximately 5 a.m. on October 18, 2026, on Highway 126 near Mohawk Boulevard. During the traffic stop, the officer suspected driver impairment and initiated an investigation. The officer developed probable cause to arrest Stewart for driving under the influence of intoxicants, known as a DUII.
Authorities transported Stewart to the Springfield Municipal Jail, where he was booked at approximately 7 a.m. He was released about an hour later at 8 a.m. to a third party whose name matches teammate Dakorien Moore. Police confirmed that earlier that morning, officers pursued speeding vehicles in the west Centennial area of Springfield before terminating that chase, and Stewart had no involvement in that unrelated incident. The Springfield Police Department indicated that separate online rumors concerning street racing involving Oregon players were unfounded.
NEW: Media release from Springfield PD regarding Oregon WR Evan Stewart’s arrest for DUII. https://t.co/lniQDLhjy3 pic.twitter.com/eTK3rtqpxd
Dan Lanning Addresses Program Standards
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning met with reporters on Monday evening and addressed the arrest directly, emphasizing that the situation falls short of expectations within the football program.
Just to start things off first, obviously there’s an incident this weekend that didn’t match our standard here in our program. There will be appropriate action taken, still gathering some details what the situation looks like. But that will be handled internally. I’m not going to respond to any other questions about that. I’m going to handle that with our guys.
Dan Lanning, Oregon Head Coach, via On3
Lanning added that the situation overshadowed the team’s success from the previous weekend, calling it disappointing. While the program has internal policies regarding player conduct, Lanning did not specify what punishment Stewart might face or whether he would miss upcoming playing time. A University of Oregon athletics spokesperson confirmed in a statement that the athletic department was aware of the incident and actively gathering information.
Injuries and Legal Issues Affect Ducks Roster
The legal situation compounds existing roster challenges for the Ducks, who have dealt with multiple injuries across the offense. Stewart sat out Oregon’s 17-14 victory over Nebraska at Autzen Stadium due to an undisclosed injury after entering the week listed as questionable and dropping to doubtful. Through five games this season, Stewart leads the team in receptions with 27 and receiving yards with 352, while tying for the team lead with four touchdowns. Before transferring to Eugene ahead of the 2024 season, the fifth-year senior played two seasons at Texas A&M, catching 53 passes for 649 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman followed by 38 catches for 514 yards and four scores as a sophomore out of Frisco Liberty High School in Texas. He missed the entire 2025 season due to an injury after recording 48 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns during his first year with the Ducks.
Oregon carries a 4-2 record into its upcoming matchup and is scheduled to travel to face Illinois, which holds a 3-3 record, on October 24 with kickoff scheduled for noon PDT from Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
More on Dan Lanning
Springfield Police tell KATU news that an Evan Stewart was booked in Springfield Municipal Jail at 7 a.m. on a DUII charge.We were told that he was released at 8 a.m. to a third party, Dakorien Moore.#OregonFootball https://t.co/39M9aYNtkR
From the Springfield (Ore.) police department, on the DUII arrest of Oregon WR Evan Stewart and the other report of speeding vehicles (Stewart not implicated). pic.twitter.com/4QTTRWcL9t
Dan Lanning’s full statement on Evan Stewart’s DUII this weekend.I asked him about the racing incident that had been speculated about online involving Oregon players.He said this statement covered any incidents that happened this weekend. pic.twitter.com/gGlPPvV0pW
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning on Monday evening addressed the arrest of wide receiver Evan Stewart, saying the situation does not meet the standards expected within the program and that appropriate action will be taken.https://t.co/HCliEaunk6
Dan Lanning opens by addressing the Evan Stewart situation, and says that it was "not up to their standard" and that it will be handled internally without answering any questions on the matter