LAS VEGAS — Senior linebacker Keanon Cooper wore jersey No. 51 in the University of Minnesota’s football opener against UNLV to honor his former teammate and roommate Gary Tinsley, who died in the spring.

Tinsley, who died April 6 of an enlarged heart, was found by Cooper unresponsive in their dorm room. Cooper was listed as a starting weakside linebacker for the Gophers in the opener Thursday against the Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The Gophers also wore a GT51 patch on the front of the jerseys and a sticker on the back of their helmets to honor Tinsley.