Michigan State LB Wayne Matthews III carted off on stretcher after collision at USC

Michigan State linebacker Wayne Matthews III was carted off the field late in the first half of Saturday night’s game against No. 25 USC after a violent collision near the goal line at the Coliseum.

The play came on a first-and-goal from the 9-yard line, when Trojans running back Eli Sanders took a handoff and was met head-on by Matthews and defensive end Quindarius Dunnigan. In the aftermath of the hit, Michigan State defensive lineman Ben Roberts tumbled over both defenders and into the pile.

Matthews immediately went down and stayed on the field as medical staff rushed to the field. His jersey and shoulder pads were cut off as trainers placed him on a backboard and carted him toward a waiting ambulance.

As he was driven away, Matthews raised a thumbs-up to the crowd, drawing an ovation from USC fans and a huddle of his Spartans teammates, who circled together in support before returning to the sideline. Matthews was transported to the LA General Medical Center Level-One trauma center for further evaluation. Per Michigan State, Matthews’ motor skills are intact.

The injury added to an already thin situation at linebacker for Michigan State. Jordan Hall, the Spartans’ usual defensive signal-caller, was ejected earlier in the half for targeting, leaving Matthews with the green dot on his helmet.

Matthews, an Old Dominion transfer now in his second season with the Spartans, has been one of the team’s most productive defenders this fall. Entering Saturday, he ranked second among all Spartans with 24 tackles, adding a tackle for loss and an interception. Only Hall, with 27 stops, had more.

No. 25 USC went on to win Saturday’s game 45-31.

(Photo: Luke Hales / Getty Images)