LA GRANDE, Ore. — A football player from Missoula, Mont., has died of a head injury suffered during Eastern Oregon's spring football game, school officials said.

Dylan Steigers, 21, took a blow to the head late in Saturday's scrimmage, and died Sunday at a Boise hospital, spokesman Tim Seydel said.

"It's hard to describe the emotions we all feel about losing Dylan," said Eastern Oregon president Bob Davies. "I sat with Dylan's family during the scrimmage, had a chance to connect with them. Dylan is an exceptional young man who loved to play football, and he had a bright future ahead of him. This is a loss we will feel for a very long time."

Steigers walked off the field after the collision, but later vomited on the sidelines, a sign of a concussion.

The trainer called 911 and Steigers was taken to Grand Ronde Hospital and later flown to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, school officials said. Doctors said he suffered an acute subdural hematoma as a result of the head injury.

"It is a difficult time for our coaches and players," said coach Tim Camp. "We will provide these fine young men with the mentoring and help they need to get through this very difficult situation."

Steigers joined the Mountaineer's NAIA football program this spring after transferring from the University of Montana. He was listed as a freshman receiver on the EOU roster.

Steigers graduated from Sentinel High School in Missoula in 2006, where he played for coach Pete Joseph.

"We had a heart-to-heart right before he left a month or so ago," Joseph said. "He was really excited about everything."

"He was an exceptional football talent. He played the game the way it should be played," Joseph said. "He had excellent physical tools, he played the game hard, he played the game fast, and he loved football. He played it the right way."

Steigers is survived by his parents, Tom and Cindy of Missoula; sister, Libby; girlfriend Liz Apostol and 2-year-old daughter, London.