Michigan State’s matchup with No. 25 USC came to a sudden stop just ahead of halftime late Saturday night in Los Angeles as linebacker Wayne Matthews suffered a scary injury that required him to be carted off the field and taken to the hospital by an ambulance.
A collision with USC running back Jordan Waymond led to the co-captain spending about 10 minutes being assessed by medical staff, having his jersey cut off and carefully transported into the ambulance.
Following the game — won by the Trojans — players from both teams came together in the middle of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to pray for Matthews in a moment of solidarity that was powerful for USC coach Lincoln Riley.
“This game is obviously competitive and everybody gets into it, obviously it’s our livelihood here. But at the same time, there’s things more important than it,” Riley said during a USC radio interview. “When you see anybody down there whether it’s on your team or anybody else’s that has a scary injury like that, your heart goes out to them. We’re all human beings out there at the end of the day. Heard some potentially positive news and we’ll all be praying for his full recovery.”
A Michigan State spokesperson said Matthews’ motor skills were intact following his arrival at LA General Hospital.
MSU coach Jonathan Smith shared that most of what he had been told ahead of his postgame media session were “positive signs” but there’s still a question as to whether he will travel back with the team or stay in Los Angeles.
Matthews is in his second season with the Spartans, transferring from Old Dominion following three seasons with the program.
“It was awful seeing him go down like that,” D-lineman Alex VanSumeren said. “He’s a great leader, he’s a huge piece of our defense. We are just wishing him the best with him and where he’s at right now.”