Gophers' coach still hospitalized; condition improved

Coach Kill on stretcher
Minnesota coach Jerry Kill is taken off the field in the final seconds of the Gophers football game against New Mexico State, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. New Mexico State won 28-21. Kill remains hospitalized but in good condition.
Paul Battaglia/ASSOCIATED PRESS

University of Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill remains in the hospital, but in good condition after suffering a seizure Saturday during a game at TCF Bank stadium.

Team physician Pat Smith declines to say exactly when Kill will be released. It could be as early as Monday evening. Kill is doing well and resting comfortably, Smith said.

"He's alert, eating, not on any IVs. He has undergone extensive testing, both labs and procedures, all of which have been totally normally," Smith said.

Smith predicts Kill will be back on the sidelines by Saturday when the Gophers take on Miami University of Ohio.

This latest episode was most likely caused by dehydration, fatigue and stress, Smith said.

Kill has suffered similar seizures in the past and takes medication to prevent them. He is also a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2005. Kill's staff and players had been aware of his history of seizures and the potential for him to suffer an episode such as he did on Saturday.

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