Oklahoma wide receiver Keontez Lewis was carted off the field on a stretcher Saturday (Oct. 5) after a frightening collision with a brick wall during the Sooners’ game against Kent State.
The incident occurred early in the first quarter when quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. threw an overthrown pass to the back of the end zone. Lewis, attempting to make the catch, crashed headfirst into the unpadded brick barrier that sits just beyond the field at Owen Field.
Lewis lay motionless on the grass as trainers and medical personnel rushed to his side. After roughly 10 minutes of on-field treatment, he was placed on a stretcher and carted off. His Oklahoma teammates surrounded him and cleared a path as he was taken away, with the crowd silent in concern.
The game was scoreless with 10:37 remaining in the first quarter at the time of the injury, just the Sooners’ second offensive play of the afternoon. The brick wall that lines much of Owen Field has long drawn scrutiny for being unusually close to the playing surface, and Saturday’s incident is likely to renew safety discussions about the stadium’s design.
Later in the game, there were positive updates on Lewis’s condition. According to Sooner Sports Network, Oklahoma’s in-house radio broadcast, X-rays came back negative, and Lewis was awake and walking around in the locker room by halftime. The SEC Network broadcast later reported that he was taken off-site for further evaluation, but that initial signs were encouraging.
Following the incident, Oklahoma football’s official X (formerly Twitter) account posted a prayer emoji in support of Lewis, as fans and players alike sent well wishes for his recovery.
Lewis, a junior and key target in the Sooners’ passing attack, entered Saturday’s game with 17 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns this season.
