Family Says Mankato Assault Victim Improving

MANKATO (AP) - A relative of the former Minnesota State, Mankato football player critically injured in an assault says the family is encouraged by improvements in his condition.

Isaac Kolstad's brother-in-law Mike Fleming writes on Kolstad's CaringBridge website that he has been taken off life support and is breathing on his own. Fleming says Kolstad remains in a coma related to brain injuries.

Prosecutors have charged former Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson, of Mankato, and Trevor Shelley, of St. Peter, with assaulting Kolstad. Shelley is accused of punching Kolstad and knocking him to the ground May 11 during an altercation in downtown Mankato as bars were closing. Nelson then allegedly kicked Kolstad in the head.

More than $65,000 has been raised online to support Kolstad, his wife, Molly, and young daughter.