<P> Matthew `` Matt '' Saracen is a fictional character in the NBC / DirecTV ( The 101 Network ) television drama series Friday Night Lights portrayed by the actor , Zach Gilford . He is the former back - up quarterback of the Dillon High School Panthers before being thrust into the starting spotlight after Jason Street suffers a career - ending injury . His character is based on Mike Winchell from the source novel and the 2004 film Friday Night Lights . </P>
<P> Matthew `` Matt '' Saracen is a fictional character in the NBC / DirecTV ( The 101 Network ) television drama series Friday Night Lights portrayed by the actor , Zach Gilford . He is the former back - up quarterback of the Dillon High School Panthers before being thrust into the starting spotlight after Jason Street suffers a career - ending injury . His character is based on Mike Winchell from the source novel and the 2004 film Friday Night Lights . </P>
friday night lights what happened to matt saracen
friday night lights what happened to matt saracen
suffers a career - ending injury
suffers a career - ending injury