Oregon State's Storm Woods taken off field in ambulance

Daniel Uthman | USA TODAY Sports

Oregon State sophomore running back Storm Woods was immobilized and taken to Utah's University Hospital on Saturday night in Salt Lake City after being injured while pass blocking.

Woods was protecting quarterback Sean Mannion from the Utah pass rush with 8:12 left to play when he was hit in the head while diving to block. He lay on the ground for an extended period and showed no signs of movement while an ambulance came out onto the Rice-Eccles Stadium field. After being strapped to a gurney, he moved his left arm and made a thumbs-up sign with his right arm.

At 2:28 a.m. ET, Oregon State spokesman Steve Fenk emailed USA TODAY Sports of Woods' condition: "Awake and moving all extremities."

The injury occurred with the Beavers ahead 37-31 and driving in the fourth quarter.

Woods, Oregon State's starter at the position, was a preseason candidate for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's most outstanding running back.

Oregon State lost, retook and lost the lead in the game's final five minutes before winning on its first possession of overtime, 51-48.

Oregon State got more good news in the wee hours of Sunday morning when Coach Mike Riley tweeted that Woods was going to be on his way back to Corvallis, Ore.