Arizona to honor Hemmila with helmet stickers, patches

Published Aug. 31, 2016 4:10 p.m. ET

foxsports

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona players will wear helmet stickers and coaches will have patches on their hats this season to honor offensive lineman Zach Hemmila, who died in early August.

The Wildcats also will hold a pre-game ceremony before Saturday night's game against Brigham Young at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Coach Rich Rodriguez said Wednesday that Arizona also may have another ceremony before its home opener against Grambling State on Sept. 10.

A 22-year-old senior, Hemmila was found dead in his apartment on Aug. 8. The cause of death is unknown.

Hemmila, from Chandler, played 13 games last season and was expected to compete for the starting center job this year.