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Cincinnati's Kiel awake, moving limbs after being stretchered off with neck injury

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel was awake and moving all four limbs while undergoing medical evaluation at the hospital following a scary-looking hit Thursday, the team announced.

Kiel was stretchered off in the first quarter against Memphis after taking a nasty shot to the head and suffered a neck injury according to head coach Tommy Tuberville.

After calling his own number, Kiel was hammered mid-slide by Tigers defensive back Chauncey Lanier, who was initially ejected for targeting before referees overturned the call upon video review.

In a chilling scene, Kiel lay on his back motionless as training staff lifted him onto a stretcher. According to ESPN's live broadcast, Kiel was able to respond to staffers as well as move his toes.

Scary targeting hit on Gunner Kiel

While Cincinnati did not offer any additional update on Kiel's condition following the 53-46 loss, he was able to join the rest of his team for the plane ride back home.

Kiel left last week's game against Miami (OH) with a head injury, but was cleared by Cincinnati medical staff to play Thursday.

The redshirt junior's first head injury dates back to Dec. 27 of last season, when he was forced from a game against Virginia Tech.

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