Team dedicates USU game to memory of Harvey

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    By SCOTT BELL

    BYU players continue to prepare for Friday night’s game with Utah State in the wake of Terrence Harvey’s tragic death. For the first time, players and coaches talked to the media about their fallen teammate.

    “It’s been very difficult, no question,” said coach LaVell Edwards, “because it’s someone very close to us, especially with those who knew him well.

    “A tragic part about this whole thing is that we had just talked with his mother that day (Monday), and she was so excited about coming in this week, and getting a chance to see him play. It had been his lifelong dream to be a Division I football player, and to have this happen just adds tragedy to it.”

    Despite spending just three weeks with the team, Harvey was known as a friendly, outgoing person, and was missed by his teammates.

    “He was always excited, jumping around and just excited to be here playing college football,” said safety Jason Walker. “All he talked about ever since he got here was how hard he had to work to get all the extra classes in so he could make it here. His goal was to get to college football, and he made it.”

    The players will wear stickers on their helmets honoring Harvey for the rest of the season. Players hope to win for Harvey against Utah State.

    “We had a real good practice (yesterday),” said tight end John Moala. “I think we were inspired by Terrence’s death to just go out and hopefully dominate the game. Our main goal is to win one for him. It will give us something to put under our belts and say we need to get this win not for ourselves, but for our fallen teammate.”

    Once Cougar players do begin to focus on the game, they will have plenty to think about. Utah State comes into the game with a win over Utah, and close losses at home to Colorado State and New Mexico.

    “It’s the best Aggie team I’ve seen in a number of years,” Edwards said. “They had a chance to win those two games against Colorado State and New Mexico, particularly against New Mexico, and let them get away from them. I don’t think there’s any question they’ll be ready to play. They’ve had a week off and it’s a short week for us, so it’s going to be a great ballgame.”

    The Aggies are potent on offense. Sophomore running back Demario Brown averages 138.5 rushing yards per game. He missed two games earlier in the year due to injury, but is back at full-speed now.

    Quarterback Matt Sauk and receiver Nakia Jenkins form a potent passing combination. Sauk is averaging 215.3 passing yards a game, while Jenkins averages seven receptions and 89.5 yards per game.

    BYU will be thin in the secondary after Monday’s accident. Omarr Morgan’s return will be a big boost at cornerback, but the Cougars cannot afford any more injuries. Harvey, Roderick Foreman and Tony Fields all were top backups to Morgan and Ben Cook at the two cornerback spots. Jack Williams will be back from an injury to support Morgan and Cook, but after Williams, there is not any experience.

    Harvey will be honored with a moment of silence before Friday’s game. Fittingly, Harvey’s memory will come first, just as it has all week.

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