Michigan State said that linebacker Wayne Matthews III’s motor skills are intact after he suffered a serious injury late in the first half of the Spartans’ game at Southern California on Saturday night in Los Angeles.

With the Trojans in the red zone on first-and-9, Matthews was in on a tackle of running back Waymond Jordan with 42 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Upon making the tackle, Matthews stayed down on the field and was attended to by Michigan State’s medical staff during an extended injury timeout.

After his shoulder pads and jersey were cut off, he was strapped onto a backboard and loaded onto a cart which transported him to an ambulance that took him to Los Angeles General Medical Center. As the redshirt senior was being carted off, Matthews gave a thumbs-up to teammates and the fans in attendance, receiving an ovation.

A second-year Old Dominion transfer, Matthews has appeared in 39 college games, recording 208 tackles (including two on Saturday), 3.5 sacks and one interception.

–Field Level Media