What happened to Jacolby Criswell? Injury update doesn’t look good for UNC’s Starting QB vs. UConn

On By Littum

The North Carolina Tar Heels were already down early against the UConn Huskies in the Fenway Bowl, but things only got worse. Starting QB Jacolby Criswell suffered an injury that could keep him out for the rest of the game, pushing backup Michael Merdinger into the lineup.

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Latest Jacolby Criswell Injury Update

With UNC down 3-0 with 4:57 left in the first quarter, Criswell and Co. facing a 2nd and 16 after a false start.

On just the second play of the team’s second offensive drive of the game, Criswell came up the middle for seven yards but was swung hard and landed heavily on his left shoulder.

After being tended to by trainers on the field, Criswell went to the locker room with his left arm visibly hanging.

It is unclear if he will be able to return at this time. He left the contest with one completion for seven yards and the aforementioned seven-yard run.

Who Is North Carolina Backup QB Michael Merdinger?

With Criswell out, Merdinger, a three-star true freshman, took over under center.

Merdinger did not throw a pass in the regular season, and his first attempt in the Fenway Bowl fell incomplete.

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The 6’3″, 200-pound QB was born in Tel Aviv, Israel before moving to the United States when he was eight. He is believed to be the first ever Israeli-born athlete to play in the FBS.

In his final season at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Merdinger nearly set school records with 2,850 passing yards (second) and 26 TDs (third). He is also a bit of a dual threat as he has competed in track and field.

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