LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Virginia running back Perris Jones was immobilized on a flat board and carted off the field after being injured on a play late in the third quarter against No. 11 Louisville on Thursday night.
Jones caught a 7-yard pass from Anthony Colandrea and fumbled after a hard hit on his helmet by Cam’Ron Kelly with several other Cardinals nearby. Malik Washington scooped up the ball near the right sideline and dashed down the field for the go-ahead touchdown to make 21-14.
Spectators in L&N Stadium fell silent as Virginia medical personnel quickly rushed to tend to Jones as he lay on the turf and a cart quickly entered the field.
Players from both teams knelt for about 15 minutes as Jones was treated and gently lifted onto the board with his head wrapped between two pads, and then onto the cart as Cavaliers players gathered around.
Fans and players applauded Jones as the cart left the field. He was taken to UofL Hospital for observation.
There was no immediate word on Jones’ condition.
The subdued atmosphere soon charged up when play resumed as the Cardinals (9-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Coast Conference) rallied to tie the game at 24 with Brent Travelstead’s 35-yard field goal early in the fourth, followed by Jack Plummer’s 52-yard touchdown pass to wide-open Amari Huggins-Bruce with 6:20 left.
Virginia punted on the next possession and the Cardinals needed just one play to seize the lead for good as Guerendo quickly burst through a hole up the middle and rushed into the end zone, much to the delight of 44,628.
The victory put Louisville closer to clinching a berth in the ACC championship game.