His family reported that he spent 16 hours breathing without help from a ventilator over the weekend.<\/p>\n
The update came Sunday, October 25, more than five weeks after Donovan was injured during a college football game.<\/p>\n
Family Reports Encouraging Progress in Nebraska<\/h2>\n
Donovan moved from Fargo to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, on October 19.<\/p>\n
His father, Terry Donovan, reported two periods of breathing without mechanical support.<\/p>\n
The first lasted 15 hours, followed by 16 hours the next day.<\/p>\n
Donovan still has a tracheostomy, according to the family update. His progress does not mean he has fully recovered.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, family members brought him to a church service.<\/p>\n
It was his first church visit since the injury.<\/p>\n
Afterward, relatives took him outside briefly so he could enjoy the sunshine.<\/p>\n
Terry Donovan said Matt squeezed a family member’s hand when asked whether he wanted to go outdoors.<\/p>\n
The family also described responses to questions during the outing. Those responses remain early and inconsistent.<\/p>\n
After the activities, Donovan spent much of the afternoon resting.<\/p>\n Donovan suffered the injury on September 19 during Mayville State’s homecoming game against Simpson University.<\/p>\n A helmet-to-helmet collision occurred in the third quarter at Jerome Berg Field in Mayville.<\/p>\n Emergency crews transported him by helicopter to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo.<\/p>\n Doctors found bleeding in his brain and performed emergency surgery to reduce dangerous pressure.<\/p>\n The surgery included a craniotomy. Surgeons removed portions of his skull to relieve the pressure.<\/p>\n Donovan was then treated in intensive care and placed in a medically induced coma.<\/p>\n On October 19, teammates gathered at the Fargo hospital as he left for specialized rehabilitation in Nebraska.<\/p>\n His family continues to request prayers for greater wakefulness, awareness, and further healing.<\/p>\n They are also hoping for progress during rehabilitation sessions and stronger responses to the people around him.<\/p>\n Donovan continues to receive specialized care as his recovery progresses.<\/p>\n The family’s latest update highlights important steps forward, although his recovery remains ongoing.<\/p>\n Donovan’s official Mayville State player profile<\/a> identifies him as a Comets quarterback.<\/p>\n Additional details about his progress were reported by WDAY Radio<\/a>.<\/p>\n The October 26 Valley News Live report<\/a> also covers the family’s update.<\/p>\n![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Matt-Donovan.png\")
<\/a>Injury During September Homecoming Game<\/h2>\n
Family Asks for Continued Prayers and Support<\/h2>\n