Michigan State has come under fire for their handling of a hit on quarterback Brian Lewerke during Saturday’s game, and their response to it won’t exactly satisfy the concerns of those who had them.
Lewerke took a knee to the head in Saturday’s game and appeared a bit shaken, but stayed in the game. He threw a pick-six on the very next play, and ultimately did not miss any time and did not even appear to be examined.
On Tuesday, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said that Lewerke simply told everyone on the sideline he was good to go and never went through the concussion protocol. Lewerke also said he was fine.
Dantonio said Lewerke did not go through concussion protocol, told coach he was good, motioned back to trainers. Was not examined after game either.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 12, 2019
Lewerke told reporters today after Dantonio's comments that he is not experiencing any concussion-like symptoms and that he is OK, other than a sore neck. https://t.co/QIEXuoCMPo
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 12, 2019
That doesn’t make it better. There is no way that anyone involved could have known in that moment that Lewerke would have no concussion issues. The hit to the head looked severe and someone should have put their foot down and forced Lewerke to get checked out as a precaution. The fact that Dantonio seems so unconcerned about it is a serious misstep, too.
