This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Las Vegas • On Monday, the Utah State football team learned one of its own had suffered a death in the family.
Senior tight end D.J. Tialavea, already lost for the season with a foot fracture, lost his father, Don Tialavea. The Aggies unveiled a late addition to their helmets on Saturday afternoon in response: A sticker to honor him that they wore against UNLV.
The sticker, worn on the back of their helmets, feature the large initials "DT," underscored by "Sweet D" in smaller type. Equipment managers planned the sticker as a surprise for Tialavea, who could not travel with the program this week.
Injured Aggies suited up to go
Utah State played without receiver Brandon Swindall last week against Hawaii and lost Brian Suite and Ronald Butler mid-game.
Coach Matt Wells didn't comment on their health headed into Saturday's game, but all three suited up and played against UNLV. Suite briefly left the game in the first half after landing hard on his shoulder during a pass deflection, but returned a few downs later.
Briefly
Receiver Travis Reynolds has caught a pass in 19 straight games and leads the team with that streak. … Receiver Shaan Johnson caught his first career touchdown pass in the second quarter. … Utah State was held scoreless in the first quarter, only the third time this year that the Aggies have failed to put up points in the first period. … Running back Kennedy Williams, who saw time in the game, is a Las Vegas native and celebrated his 18th birthday on Saturday in his hometown.