Referee's Concern Leads Baylor to Remove Injured Quarterback

Baylor University quarterback Charlie Brewer was knocked out of Saturday’s Big 12 Championship loss to Oklahoma.

The Baylor staff didn’t immediately identify Brewer’s potential concussion, but head referee Mike Defee noticed a difference in the junior quarterback and suggested he be examined.

“A lot of credit for Mike Defee for putting health first and for our guys for following through on what he said,” Baylor head coach Matt Rhule said after the game, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Brewer was wobbly when he ran off the field following a big hit with 12 minutes, 51 seconds remaining in the second quarter of Oklahoma’s 30-23 overtime win.

Brewer was back in the for next possession, but left the game after Defee told Rhule that he thought Brewer “seems off” and needed to be examined.

“Charlie Brewer got up and was unsteady walking to the sideline, told everyone he was fine, he was briefly examined by athletic training staff and went back and played,” Holly Rowe said on the ABC broadcast, according to Larry Brown Sports. “But Mike Defee, the head umpire of this crew, went to Matt Rhule and said I think we need to take another look at this kid. They’ve done more evaluation on the sideline. They’ve now taken him into the locker room for further head evaluation.”

Rhule told Rowe during halftime that Brewer was ruled out for the second half.

“He’s out. They’re going to evaluate him and just make sure he’s OK,” Rhule said. “Err on the side of caution, so he’ll be out for the rest of the game.”

Brewer completed 3 of 6 passes for 15 yards before he was replaced by Gerry Bohanon, who completed 4 of 15 passes for 56 yards and one touchdown. Jacob Zeno closed it out under center, completing 2 of 6 passes for 156 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown to Trestan Ebner. Zeno’s final pass fell incomplete on fourth-and-20 in overtime.

Oklahoma’s win vaulted the Sooners into the College Football Playoff, while Baylor will face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.