Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews says he’s OK after hit

Television cameras at last Thursday’s Ole Miss - Vanderbilt game twice showed Jordan Matthews vomiting on the field after absorbing a hard hit, but the Commodores receiver told the media on Tuesday it was due to being hit in the stomach rather than a concussion, as some were speculating.

''If you look at the hit, I definitely got hit in the stomach,’' Matthews said. ''I think people were worried that I went back out there too fast, but we have a top-notch training staff. They knew that there were no concussions symptoms. They saw that I felt fine. My eyes weren’t dilated and I wasn’t looking crazy, so they knew I was ready to play.’'

Matthews went through the ringer against the Rebels, also leaving the game at one point to get fluids after his body cramped up. But with concussions being the topic du jour in college football, many thought he was merely being a ‘tough guy’ and playing through it. He certainly wasn’t going to let a little ‘throw up’ stand in the way of a career night, as the senior had 10 catches for a career-high 178 yards in the heartbreaking loss.

''People try to make a big deal about it, but I think any of my teammates would have done the same thing,’' Matthews said.

So it looks like Matthews is fine and will be ready to go when Vandy hosts Austin Peay this week. Look for another big game from Matthews, who caught 94 balls for 1,323 yards and eight touchdowns last season on his way to being name All-SEC first team.