A college quarterback is fighting for his life after suffering a devastating brain injury during what his coach described as an otherwise routine football hit.
Mayville State University quarterback Matt Donovan was seriously injured Saturday, Sept. 19, during the Comets’ game against Simpson University in North Dakota.
Donovan, 23, suffered what his family described as a head-to-head collision before later collapsing. Doctors discovered a brain bleed, and he was flown to Fargo for emergency treatment, according to a fundraiser organized by his sister, Ashley Klar.
Once in Fargo, Donovan underwent more than two hours of brain surgery. Mayville State said surgeons removed portions of his skull to relieve dangerous pressure on his brain before he was transferred to the intensive care unit.
His family identified the procedure as a craniotomy.
The first signs after surgery offered doctors and loved ones some hope. Mayville State said Donovan’s eyes reacted normally to light Sunday morning, prompting his neurosurgeon to describe the previous night as “a win.”
By Monday, another encouraging update had emerged.
Donovan’s family said his cranial pressure remained low and stable and that doctors had taken him off paralytic medication. He remained heavily sedated as his medical team continued monitoring him.
Coach Rocky Larson said the frightening injury did not come from what initially appeared to be an unusually violent play.
“It was a clean hit, a very normal hit for a football game,” Larson told Valley News Live, adding that he believed Donovan had absorbed harder hits earlier in the contest.
Larson said Donovan initially appeared to have suffered the type of concussion coaches frequently see in football.
But within minutes, it became clear the situation was far more serious.
“You don’t see an ambulance on a field every day,” Larson said.
Official game records show Donovan’s final recorded plays came during a Mayville State possession in the third quarter. The Comets ultimately staged a dramatic comeback and defeated Simpson 42-41.
Local reporting said Mayville State trailed 21-14 around the time Donovan left the game before eventually winning in the final seconds on a touchdown and two-point conversion.
Donovan’s teammate Kelby Azure said players have struggled to process what happened.
“There’s so many emotions,” Azure told Valley News Live, saying the team’s focus remained on Donovan and his recovery.
Support has quickly spread well beyond the football program.
Klar launched a GoFundMe titled “Support Matthew Donovan’s Recovery,” saying donations would help cover medical expenses as well as lodging and meals for relatives staying near Donovan during his hospitalization.
The fundraiser can be found here: Support Matthew Donovan’s Recovery
Simpson University also publicly expressed support for Donovan and his family following the injury.
The incident has drawn particular attention because Larson said the play itself did not immediately stand out as exceptionally severe — underscoring how difficult traumatic brain injuries can sometimes be to judge based only on the appearance of a collision.
For now, Donovan remains hospitalized as doctors closely watch his brain pressure and neurological condition.
His family and teammates say they are taking his recovery one day at a time.
“Prayers are working,” Larson said while relaying the family’s latest message. “He’s continuing to improve.”
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