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South Carolina tailback Marcus Lattimore was forced out of Friday night's Chick-fil-A Bowl after a big hit by Florida State cornerback Greg Reid left the star freshman with a concussion and a cut to his mouth.
Lattimore, who did not lose a fumble in the regular season, lost the ball when he was hit by Reid on South Carolina's first possession. Linebacker Kendall Smith picked it up and returned it 46 yards as Lattimore remained on his back.
Trainers hurried off the sideline to surround Lattimore before the play ended. He was helped off the field and had an ice pack on his chin for the Gamecocks' next possession.
''I didn't really know he was hurt until a couple plays after,'' Reid said following Florida State's 26-17 victory. ''But that's just football.''
The injury was first reported only as a cut. Coach Steve Spurrier said after the game that Lattimore suffered ''a little bit of a concussion'' and was taken to a hospital at halftime for stitches. Spurrier said Lattimore was still at the hospital after the game.
The hit from Reid was not a helmet-to-helmet blow. Spurrier said Lattimore was hit under his chin, leading to the cut in his lip.
Lattimore, a first-team all-Southeastern Conference pick, led South Carolina with 1,198 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns before the bowl game.
He had three catches for 48 yards and only one carry for a loss of a yard before leaving with the injury.
South Carolina turned to Brian Maddox, who had 12 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown, and Kenny Miles, who had 10 carries for 70 yards.
