Linebacker Wayne Matthews III suffered a scary injury shortly before halftime in Michigan State’s 45-31 loss over No. 25 Southern California on Saturday night.
On a first-and-goal run from Michigan State’s own 9-yard line, Matthews attempted a tackle on USC running back Waymond Jordan, appearing to make contact around his neck. Medical personnel rushed to his help, placing the senior linebacker on a backboard before transporting him to a waiting ambulance.
Matthews’ motor skills remain intact, and he was taken to Los Angeles General Medical Center, according to an MSU representative.
As teammates swarmed around him shortly after being taken on the medical cart, Matthews gave a fleeting thumbs-up. Medical personnel kept teammates away from Matthews as the cart took off.
Michigan State saw a rash of injuries in the first half. Michigan State lost starting left tackle Stanton Ramil to a leg injury and linebacker Jordan Hall to a targeting penalty. And the play before Matthews’ injury, safety Nikai Martinez and defensive tackle Quindarius Dunnigan collided head-first trying to tackle running back Eli Sanders. Both headed up the tunnel as Matthews was carted off, and as Dunnigan left the field, he stopped and said something to Matthews.
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