Tamaivena’s twin part of dominant D
UNM linebacker’s brother contributes to USU’s winning effort
Sitiveni Tamaivena, a linebacker for New Mexico, made sure to attend the 13th annual New Mexico Bowl at Dreamstyle Stadium on Saturday.
Tamaivena, who recently wrapped up his senior season for the Lobos, wanted to see his twin brother Suli play as a linebacker for Utah State, which defeated North Texas 52-13.
Sitiveni, who is known as, “Siti,” walked onto the field after the game to congratulate his brother and celebrate with Suli’s family.
Siti said he was proud of his brother and he wasn’t surprised by the Aggies’ dominating effort. After all, Utah State beat UNM 61-19 in Logan on Oct. 27
Suli had two tackles and was part of a dominating defensive effort that picked off North Texas quarterbacks four times.
BIRMINGHAM: UNM baseball coach Ray Birmingham said Utah State had a special place in his heart, as his cousin Matt Wells was the Aggies’ former coach who left to become the head man for Texas Tech.
Birmingham visited a New Mexico Bowl tailgate party, consisting mostly of Lobo fans, and told many of them he is happy for Wells.
Wells had two assistant coaching stints with the Lobos, 2007-08 under Rocky Long and 2010 with Mike Locksley.
DPOG: DJ Williams was named the New Mexico Bowl Defensive Player of the Game after recording two of the team’s four interceptions, yet he quickly gave the credit to his defensive teammates and interim head coach Frank Maile, who has been the Aggies’ codefensive coordinator.
Maile would not reveal his future, saying he’ll start on those plans today as his focus has been on the New Mexico Bowl. Maile was the Aggies’ co-defensive coordinator this season and became the team’s interim head coach after the former coach Wells left to lead Texas Tech. Utah State’s new coach, Gary Andersen, added former Utah linebackers coach Justin Ena to be the Aggies’ defensive coordinator.
“I’ve been very thankful for Coach Maile,” Williams said. “He knows how I feel about him. He’s a great coach. Everybody knows that. But I wish you could see how great of a person he is. That’s something you really can’t see unless you’re with the team. I’m thankful that he stayed. Whatever he does I’m happy for him. And I know he’s going to be great where ever he’s at.”
Maile said Utah State’s defensive game plan allows for many players to create turnovers or make big plays. That resulted in the Aggies leading the nation with 22 interceptions.
Williams also revealed that Utah State’s defense has a nickname. He said it’s, “D.S.D.,” as in Dark Side Defense.
GRADUATION: North Texas linebacker Brandon Garner was one of 11 seniors who were involved in a makeshift graduation ceremony on Friday.
The team made sure to record the ceremony on video for Garner, North Texas sports information director Jordan Stepp said. Garner’s family did not travel to Albuquerque for the New Mexico Bowl and instead had made plans to be in Denton, Texas for the North Texas graduation.
BREAKING RECORDS: Utah State broke several New Mexico Bowl and team records against North Texas. The Aggies also broke a Mountain West Conference record.
They finished wtih 618 points to break the MWC single-season points record of 604 set by BYU in 2001.
A reporter asked Maile if breaking a record held by BYU held any special meaning for him, as he played for USU.
“I didn’t know that but that makes it even more special,” Maile said. “Any time we break records as a program where I played ball I take pride in that. I’m excited about any success we have.”
The Aggies’ 24 points in the second quarter were the most points scored in a quarter by any team in the New Mexico Bowl. The 52-13 result produced the largest margin of victory in bowl history.