MANKATO — A former Minnesota State, Mankato football player who was gravely injured in a nightclub district attack has led the Mavericks onto the field for the team’s opener.

Isaac Kolstad returned to Mankato for Thursday night’s game against rival St. Cloud State.

Kolstad’s survival was once in question after he was punched and then kicked in the head in May. But the 24-year-old is out of the hospital and undergoing rehabilitation in the Twin Cities.

At a news conference before the game, Kolstad’s wife, Molly Kolstad, said she is hopeful he will be home sometime this fall.

Molly Kolstad also thanked the Mavericks team. Players plan to wear a (hashtag) 22Strong decal on their helmets in honor of Isaac Kolstad’s former player number.