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UA football will honor Zach Hemmila before BYU game

Posted at 2:47 PM, Aug 31, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-31 21:26:30-04

Arizona Football will honor the late Zach Hemmila before Saturday's Cactus Kickoff against BYU. The Wildcat senior offensive lineman passed away in his sleep earlier this month.

There will be a pregame ceremony. Coaches will wear patches on the back of their hats. And, players will have decals on the back of their helmets.

"It sounds cliché to say but he really was a big teddy bear.," said senior tight end Josh Kern. "He was always happy and fun to be around."

"I'd  like to honor him at senior day," added senior linebacker Cody Ippolito. "Just because he's not here. His family, I guarantee, will be here that last game.

The program has been using the hashtag Forever65 on social media, to honor Hemmila, who wore that number.

The season opening game against BYU will take place at University of Phoenix Stadium, near Hemmila's hometown of Chandler.