Northwestern Football: What does Clayton Thorson’s ACL injury mean?
By Dana Becker
The high experienced by Northwestern football during a recent Music City Bowl victory over Kentucky continues to lose some luster, as the school confirmed star quarterback Clayton Thorson suffered a torn ACL.
Thorson, a junior, announced plans to return to the school last year instead of entering the 2018 NFL Draft. In a release by Northwestern, they said plans are for the 6-foot-4 signal caller to work with the athletic training staff in Evanston, Illinois ahead of surgery in mid-January.
Northwestern announces QB Clayton Thorson has a torn ACL in his right knee. No timetable for his return.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 2, 2018
As for when Thorson might be ready to compete again, that is unknown at this time. Typically, 9-to-12 months is needed for a complete rehab from a torn ACL, though, athletes have shown the ability to return quicker.
Following the win over Kentucky, Wildcat head coach Pat Fitzgerald believed the injury to his star quarterback was nothing serious. Further tests revealed a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Thorson finished his second season as the full-time starter by completing 262 of 434 passes for 2,844 yards with 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He directed the Wildcats to seven consecutive wins to finish the regular season, including three straight in overtime vs. Iowa, Michigan State and at Nebraska.
Three times this past season Thorson – an all-Big Ten selection – threw for over 300 yards, including a 23-for-30, 370-yard showing in a 49-7 victory over Bowling Green, along with 356 yards in the three-overtime thriller vs. the Spartans.
As a sophomore, Thorson was 280-for-478 for 3,182 yards and 22 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. He also played as a freshman, throwing for 1,522 yards and seven more scores.
Thorson’s 27 career wins as the starting quarterback are most in school history, as are his 44 career touchdown passes. He also ranks second in passing yards, completions and total offense.
Currently on the roster at quarterback are sophomore TJ Green, the son of former NFL standout Trent Green, freshman Andrew Marty and freshman Aidan Smith. Matt Altivi, who replaced Thorson vs. Kentucky, is a senior.
Next: Predicting all 41 bowl games and CFB Playoff
Northwestern opens the 2018 season at Purdue on August 30. They just finished off a 10-3 season, the third 10-win campaign in three years, and also won back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history.