Northwestern's Thorson carted off after ugly knee injury

Northwestern looks as though it will be without Clayton Thorson for the remainder of the Music City Bowl on Friday, as the star quarterback was carted off after suffering a gruesome knee injury.

The Wildcats ran a trick play early in the second quarter with Thorson handing the ball to Jeremy Larkin, only to have the running back throw the ball back to him on a pass pattern. Thorson caught the ball for a 24-yard gain, but his knee bent awkwardly as he hit the ground.

The cart immediately came out for the junior standout and he was taken to the locker room, receiving well-wishes from both teams as he left the field.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has thrown for 2,809 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.