Freshman running back quits football team

Freshman running back Keith Gilliam, a prep standout from Texas, has left the Utah State football team, Aggie coach Brent Guy announced Friday.

"We were sad to see Keith leave," Guy said. "We made our best efforts to keep him here."

Gilliam, 5-foot-9, 205 pounds, was the Texas Class 4A offensive player of the year after rushing for 2,775 yards and 27 touchdowns in 16 games during his senior season at Kilgore High School.

Gilliam missed several days of fall practice, including the final scrimmage of the season on Aug. 25, to visit his gravely ill grandmother, who passed away during his visit.

At the same time, Gilliam was mourning the death of friend Thomas Herrion, a former offensive lineman for the University of Utah, who died just after a game in Denver while playing for the San Francisco 49ers.

Gilliam was listed fourth on the running-back depth chart behind Ryan Bohm, Marcus Crawford and Chris Forbes. He didn't play in the Aggies's season-openeing loss at the University of Utah last week.

TIME, TIME, TIME: When the Aggies kick off with UNLV next week, they will be playing only their second game in 46 days since opening camp.

The Aggies' home opener Sept. 3 with Nicholls State was canceled due to Hurricane Katrina, and after the loss to Utah Sept. 10, the Aggies had a bye.

"I wish we could play this week, having an open date," Guy said. "I would have liked to put one together back-to-back and see if we can make some improvements. Again, those are the conditions we are under."

Perhaps they should schedule a practice game with BYU, which also has the weekend off.

SPEAKING OF TIME OFF: Utah State didn't practice Friday to allow coaches to hit the recruiting trail, and they won't resume practice until Tuesday.

The coaches are seeing nearly two dozen high school and junior college football game in Utah and California this weekend.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: In a new tradition, Guy will name scout team players of the week, and last week, former Northridge quarterback Jase McCormick and defender Elijah Bonner received the honor for their work in preparing the Aggies for the University of Utah.

WAC ATTACK: With the Aggies kick off against the Rebels next Saturday, it will be the third consecutive game against a Western Athletic Conference opponent. After losing to New Mexico to start the year, the Rebels beat Idaho 34-31 last weekend on a late field goal.