Rocky Larson didn’t think much of the head-on collision that hit Matt Donovan in the third quarter of Mayville State’s game against Simpson University on Saturday. In fact, Donovan, though shaken up, got to his feet and made his way toward the sideline. But things quickly changed here after.
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First, the medical staff rushed in, and then, just as quickly, the ambulance arrived on the field. Donovan then had to be airlifted to the hospital, and only after this did the severity of the injury come to light.
Doctors discovered a brain bleed and had to immediately perform emergency surgery, a procedure that lasted more than two hours. Surgeons even had to remove portions of Donovan’s skull to relieve the pressure building inside his brain.
“For context, the pressure in the average person’s brain is a 4,” Mayville State said in a statement. “His was many times more than that.”
Donovan was then placed in a medically induced coma and taken to an intensive care unit. This development comes as a shock to many. Larson, in fact, mentioned that the collision itself didn’t look unusually violent.
“It was a clean hit, a very normal hit for a football game. I thought he got hit 5-6x harder in the game. It wasn’t a vicious hit or anything like that,” Larson said.
The entire incident was difficult to process not just for the fans or his family, but also for his teammates, as cited by Kelby Azure.
“You don’t even know what to think. There’s so many emotions other than you’re just praying that he’s okay. With an injury like that, it can go from 0 to 100 real quick. Everyone there is pulling for him,” Azure said.
The Simpson University Red Hawks, the team that Mayville State and Donovan faced, also released a statement on their X account expressing their sadness over the incident and offering their support to Donovan and his family.
“The entire Simpson University community is praying for Matt, his family, his teammates and coaches, and the Mayville State community. We pray for God’s strength, comfort, and healing to surround Matt and all those who love and support him,” the statement read.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding Matt’s recovery, his family is doing everything to make sure the treatment goes on without hiccups. His sister, Ashley Klar, has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help the Donovan family cover medical bills and other expenses.
As of Tuesday, $82,053 had been raised, with the family hoping to raise another $13,000 approximately to reach their goal and support Matt’s ongoing treatment.
“Matthew is now recovering in the ICU, and our family is staying close by as we take things one moment at a time during this incredibly difficult and uncertain season,” the GoFundMe page read.
After a small but encouraging sign emerged on Sunday, when Donovan’s eyes responded normally to light, a development his neurosurgeon described simply as “a win,” his family offered another update.
On Monday, Donovan’s family mentioned that his cranial pressure remained low and stable. He was still heavily sedated, but doctors had taken him off paralytic medication. Larson also shared a message from the Donovan family for everyone continuing to support Matt.
“Prayers are working. He’s continuing to improve. He’s hearing us and he’s hearing the state of North Dakota. Let’s keep pulling for Matt, he’s going to get out of this,” Larson said.
Before making his mark with the Comets, Matt Donovan was a standout at Kasson-Mantorville High School in Minnesota.
Like his older brother Riley, Donovan starred for K-M’s football team during his high school career. His condition has brought sorrow to the entire team and the program, with his high school head coach describing it as the most difficult time of the coach’s career.
Mayville State Coach Opens Up After Matt Donovan’s Frightening Injury
While Donovan got his treatment, the team had to continue with the game. Axel Anderson took over at quarterback after the injury. Later, QB Aiden Marcussen also stepped in and helped with a last-second touchdown to secure a 42-41 victory. However, head coach Rocky Larson remained emphatic about his injured quarterback.
“And it’s not just Mayville, Portland. It’s the Fargo-Moorhead area, it’s the Grand Forks area, it’s the whole state of North Dakota, it’s the Midwest. People are pulling together and praying for this kid to get through this, and he is tougher than nails. He’s gonna get through it. He’s gonna fight to get through it, and he’s got so many people pulling for him. He’s got no choice but to get through it,” said Larson in his conversation with the media.
Matt Donovan grew up playing football with his father, Terry Donovan. Donovan later became the quarterback for Kasson-Mantorville High School in Minnesota, where his father served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator.
Terry spent 14 seasons with Kasson-Mantorville before taking the head coaching job at La Crescent-Hokah in 2022.
Matt spent four years as a varsity starter for the Komets, leading their triple-option attack and earning team captain honours twice.
During his senior season at Kasson-Mantorville in 2021, he rushed for more than 2,000 yards, passed for over 800 yards, and helped K-M reach the Class 4A state championship game.
Beyond football, Matt also excelled in hockey for Dodge County. In three varsity seasons, he recorded 43 goals and 90 points, finishing as the Wildcats’ second-leading scorer on the 2021 Class 1A state runner-up team.
He is a multi-talented man, and it’s unfortunate to see what has happened to him. The latest developments offer a ray of hope, but uncertainty remains.