San Diego State Football: 3 takeaways from win over UNLV

1. Football offers a chance for Las Vegas community to come together

The Las Vegas community was still in pain after the mass shooting outside the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino claimed 58 lives and left hundreds more injured. It was a painful incident that will stick with the city long after it fades into history. It has generated a nationwide conversation about guns, crowd safety, and how to move forward.

On Saturday night, both official and spontaneous commemorations of the victims took place around Sam Boyd Stadium. Both teams wore decal ribbons, with UNLV sporting special helmets and San Diego State wearing a smaller version on the back of their helmets.

Pregame ceremonies remembered the victims of the massacre, with 58 balloons released into the Nevada sky and one of the survivors brought in by wheelchair for the coin toss. Fans around the stadium also sported signs and banners that remembered the fallen. For a community where emotions continue to run high in the wake of the tragedy, the contest provide a chance to come together in a show of support and strength.

Next: Complete first round NFL Mock Draft after Week 5

Though the Rebels were unable to provide a win for the home crowd, it was still a night that will be remembered around the college football world for a long time to come. Saturday illustrated the power of sport to unite during good times and bad.