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Logan • Utah State running back Devante Mays' return from injury lasted one play.
Mays missed last week's 34-20 win over Arkansas State and did not start against Air Force on Saturday night at Maverik Stadium.
He entered the game for the first time late in the first quarter, took a handoff from quarterback Kent Myers and gained 2 yards. Mays did not get up, however. When he did, he was helped off the field while not putting any weight on his right leg.
There was no immediate update on Mays' condition.
Mays is a senior from Livingston, Texas. He rushed for 208 yards and three touchdowns in Utah State's season-opening 45-6 win over Weber State.
Mays' 2-yard gain on his only run against Air Force gave him 1,200 in his career. He is 21st on the Aggies' all-time list, 35 yards behind Joey DeMartino and Archie Gibson, who are tied for 19th.
If Mays is lost for an extended period of time, his absence could be critical. When Mays has rushed for over 50 yards, the Aggies are 7-3 over the past two seasons.
Falcons honor former quarterback
Air Force is honoring former star quarterback Dee Dowis by wearing a No. 6 decal on its helmets during the season.
Dowis, whose mastery of the Falcons' option offense made him a Heisman Trophy finalist, was killed in a traffic accident near Atlanta on Aug. 29. He was 48 years old.
Dowis was not heavily recruited out of high school, but he became the starter for head coach Fisher DeBerry as a sophomore. He remains the all-time leading rusher in Air Force history with 3,612 yards. He finished sixth in the 1989 Heisman voting.
Falcon coach Troy Calhoun was Dowis' teammate during his collegiate career.
"He was probably the most electric, dynamic and exciting football player in the history of service academy football — ever," Calhoun told the Colorado Springs Gazette. "And, yet, [he was] a better person. … Hands down the nicest and most humble human being, period."
Carmen emerging at linebacker
Through Utah State's first three games, senior linebacker Brock Carmen was tied for second on the team in tackles with 19.
He had a career-high 12 tackles in last week's 34-20 win over Arkansas State. His performance earned him Mountain West Conference's Defensive Player of the Week honors.
According to coach Matt Wells, Carmen's play is reflected in his commitment and effort during spring practice and the preseason.
"I worked on everything — football, the weight room, everything," Carmen said. "I know the playbook inside and out. … I'm playing faster, I think. Not thinking about things too much."
Carmen can play inside or outside, which adds versatility to Utah State's group of linebackers.
"Some of the reads and keys are different," Carmen said. "Outside, you're out there trying to control the edge — off the tackle or tight end. You pass rush a little more. Inside, you play the run more. Playing the pass, you are more in the middle."
Which position does Carmen like better?
"Whatever is going to help us win," he said.
Twitter: @sluhm