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Katie Hnida, first woman to score in Division I-A football, might need liver transplant

College Football, New Mexico Lobos

SANTA FE, N.M. -- A former University of New Mexico kicker who was the first female to play and score in a Division I-A football game faces months of recovery after becoming seriously ill from an adverse reaction to a prescribed medicine.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the family of Katie Hnida says the 37-year-old's condition has stabilized but that she might need a liver transplant.

Hnida played three seasons, from 2002 to 2004, with New Mexico.

She became the first woman to play in a Division I-A game in December 2002 when she unsuccessfully attempted an extra point against UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl.

She became the first woman to score in a Division I-A game in August 2003 when she kicked two extra point attempts for New Mexico in a game against Texas State-San Marco.

Hnida never appeared in a game during one season with Colorado before transferring to New Mexico.

Ashley Martin of then I-AA Jacksonville State became the first woman to score at the Division I level in 2001.

Information from ESPN Stats and Information and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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