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What began as the celebration of a Homecoming/Farmers Bowl tradition became an afternoon that nobody who was at Jerome Berg Field on the afternoon of September 19, 2026, will ever forget. In a game filled with emotion, heartbreak, courage, and determination, the Mayville State Comets delivered one of the most remarkable victories in program history, overcoming a 15-point deficit in the final minutes of the game to defeat Simpson University, 42-41, at the very last second. The dramatic comeback played out against the backdrop of a situation far bigger than football, as starting quarterback Matt Donovan suffered a severe head injury during the third quarter and left the field by ambulance. Soon after, he was airlifted to Fargo for emergency surgery. Coaches and players did not know the extent of Matt’s injuries until after the game.
Mayville State University is experiencing historic enrollment increases for the Fall Semester of 2026. This follows a trend of record enrollment increases over the last several years. The headcount of 1,223 is an all-time record for Mayville State, a nearly 8% increase over the Fall Semester of 2024. The FTE (full time equivalent) figure for the Fall Semester of 2026 is 879, the highest in the history of the university. This is a 2.57% increase over the fall of 2025, and a nearly 11% increase over the fall of 2024. At 699, the number of full-time students enrolled matches the highest-ever number of full-time students achieved in 1995. The number has grown by more than 6% since last fall, and by 9.8% over the Fall Semester of 2024.
We are CometProud of this year’s Homecoming honorees. They are Performing Arts Hall of Fame inductees Teresa (Berry) Agnes, Portland, N.D., Dr. Jane Braaten, Bismarck, N.D., and Charity Stegman, Cavalier, N.D. Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are Patti (Eastgate) Aanenson, Larimore, N.D., Kasie (Braaten) Windfelder, Navarre, Fla., and Rammie (Braaten) Olson, Fargo, N.D., and Distinguished Service Award recipients are Tom Capouch, Portland, N.D., and Lowell Nelson, Grand Forks, N.D. Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductees are Andy Braaten, Carrington, N.D., Jeryl “Murph” Thompson, Drayton, N.D., Brad Walsh, Bismarck, N.D., and Jennifer (Hegna) Walsh, Bismarck, N.D., and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are Nancy (Johnson) Berg, Pierre, S.D., Chuck Bush, Zeeland, Mich., Wade Grinde, Spring Grove, Minn., and Kermit Johnson, Davenport, N.D.
Homecoming/Farmers Bowl 2026 was a tremendous success, bringing together students, alumni, friends, and community members to celebrate everything that makes Mayville State special. From honoring outstanding alumni and hall of fame inductees, touring the exciting Old Main renovation, and gathering for socials and reunions, to the Ceremony of Remembrance, parade, corn and hot dog feed, tailgating, a big win for Comet football, and the Farmers Bowl Auction, the weekend was filled with tradition, connection, and Comet pride.
A heartfelt thank you to the many volunteers who dedicated their time, talents, and energy to make Mayville State’s annual Homecoming/Farmers Bowl celebration such a memorable experience. From socials and a banquet to the parade, the corn and hot dog feed, the Ceremony of Remembrance at the Military Honor Garden, tailgating, and so much more, the efforts of these incredible people helped to bring our alumni, campus, and community together.
When people think about college students, they often picture classrooms, textbooks, and campus activities. At Mayville State University, students are doing much more than pursuing degrees. Every day, they are helping to fill critical workforce needs across the region, while supporting local businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, agriculture operations, and public service entities while simultaneously earning their college education.
