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Idaho mourns loss of inspirational signee-turned-assistant who had bone cancer

Related Topics: Bone tumor

Former Idaho team captain Jace Malek died Sunday after being diagnosed with bone cancer just over a year ago. He was 18.

The running back from Spokane, Wash., signed with Vandals in 2015 but never got an opportunity to play in order to battle the disease.

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Malek served as a scholarship student assistant while undergoing treatment, which included having his right leg amputated last summer. He represented the Vandals as a team captain for last season’s opener against Ohio.

“I am thankful Jace Malek was part of our team,” coach Paul Petrino said in a statement Sunday.