EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Rutgers starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan left Saturday's 42-14 loss at No. 24 Northwestern and did not return after sustaining a blow to the head 6 minutes, 25 seconds into the first quarter.

Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano told a Peacock sideline reporter at halftime that Lonergan was ruled out for the remainder to the game, but didn't elaborate on QB's condition.

“It’s tough, right? The third offensive play of the game, we lose Dylan again,” Schiano said after the loss dropped the Scarlet Knights to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten.

Lonergan was also injured late in Rutgers' season-opener against UMass on Sept. 3, then sat out a contest at Boston College on Sept. 11. He exited a home game against Indiana on Oct. 3 in the second quarter with an apparent head injury.

On the Scarlet Knights' first drive against Northwestern, Lonergan scrambled up the middle for a 5-yard gain, then slid forward to the ground at the Rutgers 45 with two Wildcats defenders closing in. Lonergan's momentum was finally stopped by Northwestern's Kobie McKinzie as the two players' helmets struck each other.

Lonergan remained down on the field for a couple of minutes, then was helped by staff to a medical tent. The senior was replaced by junior AJ Surace, who led a drive for a field goal. Third-string QB Sean Ashenfelder entered in the third quarter.

Lonergan jogged a couple of sprints on the sidelines, but did not attempt a return. He entered the game with 1,066 yards on 74 for 122 passing with 10 touchdowns in five games.

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