The final minutes of a tight game between No. 18 Houston and Cincinnati came with concern that went well beyond who was going to win.
Bearcats wide receiver JV Gibson had to be carted off the field after he was on the receiving end of a vicious hit from Houston defensive back Jordan Allen in the end zone with 6:59 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Cougars holding on to a 24-17 lead.
The collision occurred after a third-and-10 pass from JC French IV intended for Gibson fell incomplete as the wide receiver was crossing over the middle. After the ball had already gone past Gibson, Allen laid him out, knocking him off his feet and onto the turf. Gibson was being held by the defensive player marking him, Jalen Mayo, who was whistled for pass interference.
Allen was called for a late hit and targeting, which was upheld after a video review, resulting in Allen's ejection.
After the play, Gibson was immediately tended to by team medical personnel, was placed on a backboard, loaded on to a cart and taken off the field.
Here's the latest on Gibson's injury:
JV Gibson injury update
After the play ended and flags were thrown, Gibson remained on the turf at Houston's TDECU Stadium.
Cincinnati team trainers immediately rushed out to tend to Gibson and as the fifth-year wideout was being examined, players and coaches from Cincinnati and Houston came out on the field in a show of support. That group of people on the field included family members of Gibson, who were wearing his No. 11 jersey.
The Fox broadcast crew noted that Gibson rolled over "somewhat," was showing "appreciable movement," and was alert and talking.
"I saw the family member down here with him give a thumbs up and say he was going to be alright," Fox sideline reporter Josh Sims said.
According to the broadcast, Gibson was loaded into ambulance and was set to be transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.
Two plays after Gibson was injured and the penalty on Allen as assessed, French ran for a 2-yard touchdown to tie the game (following the extra point) with 6:21 remaining.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JV Gibson injury update: Cincinnati WR stretchered off field on backboard after scary hit
