The injury occurred following a head-to-head collision in the third quarter.
Mayville State University quarterback Matthew “Matt” Donovan, 23, remains in a medically induced coma after suffering a severe head injury during a college football game against Simpson University on September 19.
The 23-year-old has been a key player for the team and is widely respected by teammates and coaches. Donovan received emergency treatment on the field. He was then airlifted to Fargo, where doctors performed emergency brain surgery to reduce pressure caused by the injury. Surgeons removed portions of his skull to relieve dangerous pressure on his brain. Donovan is the starting quarterback for the Mayville State Comets, an NAIA football program based in North Dakota. Donovan’s brothers were football players, and his father is a coach.
The university said Donovan underwent emergency brain surgery that lasted more than two hours. The pressure was “many times” higher than the normal level of four, according to the school. Broc Threinen, Donovan’s former coach at Kasson-Mantorville, said the family is passionate about the sport and everything related to it. Donovan is among the toughest people he knows, both psychologically and physically, Threinen told KARE News . Donovan suffered the injury during a routine football play in the third quarter against Simpson University, according to Mayville State. Teammate Kelby Azure said the incident left players shaken.“There’s so many emotions other than you’re just praying he’s okay, because with an injury like that it can go zero to 100 real quick,” Azure told Valley News.
