hjnews
Utah State University is mourning the loss of Cornell Green, a men's basketball great and Athletics Hall of Famer who died on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the age of 86.
Green ranks among the most extraordinary figures in USU history. He earned All-America honors in both 1961 and 1962 and still holds the school records for career rebounds (1,067) and single-season rebounds (403, 13.9 per game in 1960). His 1,890 career points place him sixth on the Aggies' all-time scoring list.
During his time in Logan, Green helped lead Utah State to the NIT semifinals in 1960 and the NCAA Tournament in 1962, when the team finished eighth in the AP Poll—the highest final ranking in program history.
After his collegiate career, Green was selected by the Chicago Zephyrs in the 1962 NBA Draft, but he chose instead to accept a training camp invitation from the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Despite never having played a down of college football and having only one season of high school football as a junior, Green developed into one of the greatest defensive backs in Cowboys history.
Over his 13-year NFL career, all with Dallas, Green never missed a game. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time first-team All-Pro selection. He appeared in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl VI, and recorded 34 career interceptions, a mark that remains tied for fifth in team history nearly 50 years later.
Following his playing days, Green spent decades as an NFL scout for both the Cowboys and the Denver Broncos, earning AFC Scout of the Year honors in 2010. As a Broncos scout, he contributed to 11 division titles, six AFC Championships and three Super Bowl victories.
Green was a member of the inaugural Utah State Athletics Hall of Fame class in 1993.
USU Volleyball Falls to Boise State
Utah State's volleyball team lost to Boise State 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-21) on Thursday night at ExtraMile Arena.
In the first set, an early 6-1 run gave the home side the edge. Utah State mounted a comeback attempt with a balanced attack, as a 5-1 run featured kills from junior outside hitters Ava Nakai, Sami Blackett and Olivia Ruy, plus graduate middle blocker Sophie Scott. The Aggies cut the deficit to three points following a block from Nakai and junior middle blocker Ava Napierski, but they could not get any closer as Boise State took the set 25-21.
Boise State again jumped out early in the second set with a 5-1 run. Near the midway point, Utah State responded with a 4-0 burst featuring a block from Napierski and sophomore setter Silina Damuni, plus another kill from Ruy. After the Aggies clawed back within one, however, the Broncos went on an 8-1 run to close out the set 25-17.
In a bid to extend the match to a fourth set, Utah State came out in the third frame and used a 6-0 run to take control. Ruy, Scott and Blackett posted kills, while three straight blocks from Scott—twice alongside graduate opposite side hitter Lauren Bodily and once alongside Ruy—powered USU to a four-point lead. Boise State slowly ate away at the lead before using a 5-0 run to jump back in front. The Aggies twice cut the deficit to a single point but were unable to come away with the win as Boise State took the set 25-21 to clinch the match.
Originally reported by hjnews.