Michigan State linebacker Wayne Matthews III was carted off the field after suffering a serious injury in the first half of the team’s 45-31 loss at USC on Saturday night.

With 42 seconds left in the second quarter, the redshirt senior helped stop a two-yard rush from Trojans running back Waymond Jordan — but stayed down on the field after making the tackle. 

His teammates waved for the medical staff, who rushed to the field and examined Matthews during an extended timeout.

MSU trainers cut off his jersey and shoulder pads, placed him on a backboard and loaded him onto a cart. 

The Spartans linebacker gave a thumbs-up as he was carted off the field, a hopeful gesture met with an ovation from the crowd. 

Matthews was loaded into an ambulance and transported to Los Angeles General Medical Center. Michigan State later confirmed that his motor skills were intact. 

“Wayne Matthews III is a great leader for this defense,” defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren said. “We are just wishing him the best right now.”

In his second season with the Spartans after transferring from Old Dominion in 2023, Matthews has 24 tackles and one interception. 

He had just taken over as the squad’s “green dot” linebacker after Jordan Hall — a recent Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week — was ejected on a targeting call earlier in the game. 

Michigan State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) will resume conference play against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) at Memorial Stadium on October 4.