Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke stayed in the game after taking a hit to the helmet during Saturday’s loss against Illinois.

Coach Mark Dantonio on Tuesday said the fifth-year senior didn’t go through concussion protocol, but the university released a statement Tuesday night that contradicts that statement and says he was checked out.

“The safety of student-athletes at Michigan State University is our No. 1 priority. Decisions on whether a player returns to competition after potentially suffering an injury are made by our medical staff, which does not report to our coaching staff or through the Athletics Department,” Dr. Anthony M. Avellino, who is Michigan State’s assistant provost for student health, wellness and safety, as well as the university’s health care chief medical officer and interim director of athletic medicine, said in a statement.

“Upon returning to the sideline late in the fourth quarter with under five minutes remaining in the game, Brian Lewerke was given a symptom assessment by our medical staff. After not showing signs of a concussion, he was cleared to play.

“As a precautionary measure, Brian was given further testing the following day, and was once again determined not to have a concussion.”

With more five minutes left in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 37-34 loss to Illinois, Lewerke carried the ball to his left and took a knee to the helmet from linebacker Dele Harding while diving forward to the ground. He appeared dazed and tight end Matt Seybert, after briefly checking on Lewerke, motioned to the Michigan State sideline. Lewerke got up from the turf, shook his head, and stayed in the game. The following play, he was intercepted by Sydney Brown, who returned it 76 yards for a touchdown. Lewerke was back on the field the following series.

“I’m fine,” Lewerke said after the game. “My head was ringing for a little bit, but it wasn’t anything serious I don’t think. It was a tough hit and it definitely rung my bell for a little bit, but I think I was fine.”

Asked after the game if Lewerke was feeling OK after taking the hit, Dantonio said “He seemed to be. We checked him.”

However, on Tuesday Dantonio said Lewerke didn’t undergo concussion protocol during or after the game.

“No, we didn’t go through any protocol,” Dantonio said. “We looked at him very quickly. I asked him and he said he's good, and he motioned that to our trainers as well, so he just went on with it.”

Lewerke, speaking with the media again on Tuesday, said he didn’t believe he experienced any concussion symptoms, only that his neck hurt.

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