Pittsburgh defensive back Cruce Brookins should’ve been removed from Saturday’s college football game against North Carolina State due to concussion concerns. At least for one play.
However, he did not leave the field.
This kind of thing is not super uncommon in college football, or football in general, but that does not excuse the lack of protocol. It was a scary moment that went completely unchecked.
Cruce Brookins took a hit to the head.
The play in question took place during the first half. Wolfpack running back Daylan ‘Hollywood’ Smothers took a handoff up the middle on what appeared to be a funky variation of slow mesh.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound ball-carrier cut back to the right side at the line of scrimmage as Brookins came downhill from the sideline.
He had a direct line to Smothers, who lowered his noggin to brace for the incoming hit. As did the 195-pound defensive back.
Their heads collided at the point of contact, and Newton’s First Law of Motion stopped them both dead in their tracks.
Smothers pushed forward to pick up another yard or two as Brookins stood up wobbly. His body flopped uncontrollably while he tried to regain his bearings.
Here’s the hit from Hollywood Smothers on Cruce Brookins and the stumble afterwards. That looked scary. pic.twitter.com/8DcEO3QazW
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) October 25, 2025
Brookins also held his facemask like he was in a daze after he finally got his feet back under him. Here’s another look:
Get that man a doctor!!!! pic.twitter.com/4aRXeRpE8h
— Cardinal Companion (@CardsCompanion) October 25, 2025
That does not look like a voluntary motion.
Pittsburgh did not take him out of the game.
To be completely honest, I do not know who deserves blame for the lack of care for Cruce Brookins.
Part of the responsibility falls on the officials to signal down for an injury stoppage. A very small part of the responsibility falls on Brookins’ teammates to suggest he get checked. Brookins himself must also be held accountable for not leaving the game. He won’t, but he should. That was scary!
With that being said, most of the liability falls on the medical and coaching staff at Pittsburgh. Anyone who saw the way Brookins’ body reacted to the hit to the head should’ve called for him to come out.
To not check the defensive back for a concussion is irresponsible. Maybe he would’ve been cleared to continue anyway, but he never even went to the injury tent so we don’t know.
What I do know is that Cruce Brookins went helmet-to-helmet with Hollywood Smothers and could not walk away from the hit without looking like he got sucker punched by a ghost.