Overview

• Matthews was injured with 42 seconds left in the first half while tackling USC running back Waymond Jordan and was immobilized on the field.
• He was carted to a waiting ambulance and transported to LA General Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma facility, for testing.
• Teammates and opponents gathered as medical staff cut off his jersey and secured him to a backboard; he gave a thumbs-up before being taken off, and play was delayed roughly 10–17 minutes.
• A Michigan State spokesperson said his motor skills were intact, and a program official later confirmed he flew back to Michigan with the team.
• The incident compounded depth issues after starting LB Jordan Hall’s targeting ejection and other injuries to Nikai Martinez, Quindarius Dunnigan, and LT Stanton Ramil; Michigan State has a bye before visiting Nebraska on Oct. 4.