Jerry Kill improving after seizure

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MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota coach Jerry Kill is showing signs of improvement and resting comfortably at a hospital after suffering a seizure late in the Gophers' home opener against New Mexico State.

Team physician Pat Smith said in a statement Sunday that all tests have come back normal and further testing will continue as necessary. He said it's too early to discuss further details, including when Kill might be released from the hospital.

"Coach Kill is in good hands and is receiving the very best in medical care," athletics director Joel Maturi said in the statement. "Right now the reports we have received from our medical staff are positive and I am very pleased that he continues to show steady signs of improvement."

The school said no further updates on Kill's condition Sunday, but the team hopes to provide more information Monday.

Kill collapsed on the sidelines with seconds to go in Saturday night's game at TCF Bank Stadium, which New Mexico State won 28-21. It was the third time in his coaching career that Kill has had a seizure on game day. He was taken from the stadium by ambulance, a scene that silenced the stadium and had players and coaches from both teams kneeling on the field in prayer.

Smith said Saturday night that the 88-degree temperature coupled with dehydration might have played a role in the seizure. Smith said the Gophers were fully aware of Kill's history of seizures and gave the coach medication to sedate him.

Kill twice had seizures late in games while coaching at Southern Illinois, once in 2001 and again in 2005. He also collapsed and had a seizure while taping a television show in 2006. Each time, he returned to work without missing a game.

Kill has been taking medication to control the seizures for years, some of which doctors say stem from his treatment for kidney cancer.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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