Senior guard Dace Richardson broke his left ankle in the first half of the game and two former Quad-City high school stars – Brett Greenwood and Colin Sandeman – suffered serious head or neck injuries in the second half.
Richardson, who has missed much of the past two seasons with what was once thought to be a career-ending knee injury, is definitely out for the foreseeable future. He was helped to the sideline and eventually taken to the lockerroom on a cart.
“That was just a terrible thing to see,’’ offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga said. “Not so much for us but for him. With everything he has been through, it’s just awful.’’
Richardson had been one of only two offensive linemen to start every game this season and he was named last week to a mid-season All-American team by CBSSports.com.
Greenwood also was taken away on a stretcher after a head-on collision with fellow safety Tyler Sash although the former Pleasant Valley star was back on the sideline in street clothes after the game.
Sash said he and Greenwood were both going to tackle Michigan State receiver Blair White when White went to the turf, leaving the two Iowa players to go helmet to helmet.
“I felt horrible because that’s my guy,’’ Sash said.
Sandeman was knocked out on a jarring tackle by MSU’s Jeremy Ware after catching a short pass in the fourth quarter. Ware incurred a 15-yard penalty by standing over Sandeman and taunting him.
Running backs Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher also suffered minor injuries in the game although both returned to action.
