Overview
- Mayville State quarterback Matt Donovan suffered a helmet-to-helmet head collision during the third quarter of the game on Saturday and collapsed on the field before emergency crews removed him by ambulance.
- Medical staff quickly discovered a brain bleed and Donovan was life-flighted about 60 miles to Fargo, where surgeons performed a craniotomy to remove portions of his skull and lower dangerous intracranial pressure.
- After a two-hour operation Donovan was admitted to the intensive care unit and remains in a medically induced coma, with clinicians reporting that his pupils reacted to light, which they described as an encouraging sign.
- Teammates, coaches and the Mayville community reacted emotionally at the game, the team resumed play and completed a dramatic 42-41 comeback, and supporters have organized public messages and fundraising for the family.
- Donovan’s sister launched a GoFundMe to cover lodging and medical costs that had raised nearly $30,000 by Sunday, and further medical updates have been promised as doctors continue to assess his condition.