Illinois lineman Thornton carted off field at game with NIU, tests show strained neck

Illinois lineman carted off field, strains neck

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — An Illinois football spokesman says offensive lineman Hugh Thornton suffered a strained neck during Saturday’s game against Northern Illinois.

Spokesman Kent Brown said Thornton underwent tests at a local hospital after being carted off the field during the third quarter. Brown says all the tests were negative.

Thornton was blocking ahead of running back Mikel LeShoure when he appeared to drop his head and make helmet-to-helmet contact with a Northern Illinois defender.

Thornton spent several minutes laying still on the field as medical personal strapped him to a stretcher. The 6-5, 310-pound sophomore from Oberlin, Ohio, was driven away on a cart.