THE Daily
Thursday, October 15, 2026
MISSISSIPPIAN theDMonline.com
Volume 115, No. 8
HOMECOMING IS HERE! Many parts of the University of Mississippi and Oxford are new. Our college spirit and traditions still remain.
New attendance policy awaits review by faculty senate
Meet the Homecoming Court
MISS OLE MISS Julia Case GAVIN GALLEGOS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
MR. OLE MISS Jack Turrentine
SEE PAGE 2
SEE PAGE 2
HOMECOMING KING
HOMECOMING QUEEN
Traylan Williams
Lucy Huthnance
SEE PAGE 3
SEE PAGE 3
OC Williford opening the Sept. 22 ASB Formal Senate with a prayer for the two Ole Miss students who had recently died.
DYLAN THOMAS
University News Editor
The University of Mississippi Associated Student Body has been developing a proposed attendance policy that would add three new cases for university-wide excused absences since fall 2024. This semester, student government
leaders are finally bringing their proposal to the faculty senate. The current university attendance policy gives instructors the responsibility to set attendance policies for their classes and to include their policies on the course syllabus. The university offers guidelines for what “better class atten-
dance policies” include but does not mandate what instructors should include in their policies. The guidelines do state that students should not be penalized for absences associated with legal, civic or military duties.
SEE ATTENDANCE PAGE 4
PAGE 2 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026
Julia Case chooses joy as 2026 Miss Ole Miss LUISA BARSAGLINI A&C Staff Writer
Julia Case, a senior integrated marketing communications major from Covington, La., was named Miss Ole Miss 2026 on Thursday, Oct. 8. Though the idea to run initially came from her friends, Case said their encouragement helped her recognize her own desire to represent the university. “I ran for Miss Ole Miss because of the encouragement and mentorship of others. Over the last couple of years, people would jokingly tell me to run, but as my junior year wrapped up, I realized that my time here at Ole Miss had flown by,” Case said. What began as a running joke among friends became a genuine goal as she recognized the qualities others saw in her. “All of the moments of gratitude for the people and place of our university came together, and I couldn’t help but want to share it,” Case said. “All of the jokes of being Miss Ole Miss turned into genuine support, and I started to see in myself what so many had seen before.” As Miss Ole Miss, Case hopes to encourage students to approach their col-
lege experiences with joy, even during difficult times. “I hope to continue on the mission of encouraging all students to live with joy over their four years here,” Case said. “‘Joy does not hide from difficulties but rather embraces them fully’ is a truth that has made me the woman I am today.” During her campaign, Case partnered with Doors of Hope Transition Ministries, a nonprofit organization that helps unhoused and at-risk families achieve stability. She used her social media presence to promote fundraisers and volunteered at the organization. Case said she hopes to use her new platform to strengthen the connection between the Ole Miss student body and the organization while continuing to represent the university. Working with Doors of Hope reinforced Case’s belief that joy can be found in the most challenging of circumstances. “(Doors of Hope members) embrace people at some of their lowest moments and meet them with joy,” Case said. “I hope my platform continues to connect the student body with this wonderful organization.” Case said she faced crit-
icism during her Miss Ole Miss campaign, though she did not a specific person. “One thing I have learned is there will always be critics — often negative, rarely constructive, but formative nonetheless,” Case said. “While running for Miss Ole Miss, I can confidently say that the voice of one critic was quickly met with the support of many.” Case said the criticism was a sign her campaign was making waves. “Criticism also has been a sign of impact for me,” Case said. “If I wasn’t doing anything notable, there would be no notes to be taken.” For students considering a run for Miss Ole Miss in the future, Case emphasized the importance of prioritizing one-on-one connections with voters rather than executing a flawless campaign. “There were countless times over my last four years — especially (during) my campaign — that things felt uncontrollably wrong,” Case said. “Luckily, perfection was never the goal; connection was.”
CONTACT THE A&C DESK AT thedmfeatures@gmail.com
MADISON TWIDDY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
‘Put the focus on philanthropy’: behind Jack Turrentine’s Mr. Ole Miss campaign ADA C. RICHARDSON A&C Staff Writer
Following a runoff election, Jack Turrentine was announced as Mr. Ole Miss 2026 on Thursday, Oct. 8. Turrentine, a senior public policy leadership and rhetoric double major from Knoxville, Tenn., has been heavily involved on campus since h i s freshman year.
However, he did not always plan to run for Mr. Ole Miss or know what platform he would run on. That decision came about recently. “It was something that I had thought about for a long time and I kind of went back and forth (on),” Turrentine said.
“A couple months later, I heard about the Holman Fund. At that point, I was like, ‘I’m going to run for Mr. Ole Miss, so… I might as well run for Mr. Ole Miss with this organization.’” What began as an immediate sense of belonging has grown into a lasting appreciation for the Ole Miss community. Turrentine said the support he has received from fellow students motivates him to give back to the university. “When I stepped foot on campus my junior year of high school, I closed my eyes and saw myself as a student here,” Turrentine said. “It felt like a puzzle with every piece falling to make the university an even better fit in my life.” For Turrentine, that sense of belonging extended beyond his first impression of campus. The community he found at Ole Miss continues to shape his decisions and inspires him to give back to the university. “The Ole Miss community means everything to me,” Turrentine said. “The love and care the student body has shown me and so many of our peers drives me in every decision I make. I wake up every morning with the goal of giving as much of myself back to this campus as I physically can.” For Turrentine, giving back is rooted in the lasting impact Ole Miss has made on his life and his belief that the
MADISON TWIDDY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
university’s community extends far beyond graduation. “I hope that one day I’ll be able to give back as much as this university has given to me, (with) an understanding that that is not possible.,” Turrentine said. “The University of Mississippi is one of the few places in America where community doesn’t last four years but for the rest of your life.” The Christopher C. Holman Memorial Endowment for Student Emergencies is a campus fund that helps students pay for expenses during unexpected crises. A key point of Turrentine’s campaign was to draw attention to, and fundraise for, the Holman Fund. “My goal was just to go to every (Greek) house and ask them to donate to the Holman Fund,” Turrentine said. “I literally told them that I would appreciate their vote and it would be cool, but what would mean a million times more to the university, and would mean more to me, would be (donating) two dollars for the Holman Fund.” While campaigning, Turrentine focused on tabling and making true connections with the campus community. “I would say my focus was definitely face-to-face communication,” Turrentine said. “I think that’s what makes people come back and vote.” Turrentine wants to use his new title to bring more attention to
charitable causes at the university. “I really want to put the focus on philanthropy,” Turrentine said. “I think that there’s so many great philanthropies at Ole Miss that need so much help, but they don’t ever get talked about.” Turrentine said that he also hopes to join with this year’s Miss Ole Miss, Julia Case, to bring more attention to these philanthropic causes moving forward. “I really want to put a focus on having those face-to-face conversations and having me and Julia (Case) travel around campus and try to hit as many different groups of students and talk about those different things,” Turrentine said. Turrentine said that without the support of the people around him, he would not have achieved the position of Mr. Ole Miss. “It was the support of all the people around me who just took the time to call me on Tuesday night or on Wednesday, just to talk to me and tell me that it was going to be OK to keep going,” Turrentine said. “The people … showed up for me when we were at the table for 11 hours on Tuesday, just to stay with me.”
CONTACT THE A&C DESK AT thedmfeatures@gmail.com
THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026 | PAGE 3
What to know about Homecoming King Traylan Williams MATTHEW LATHAM News Staff Writer
Traylan Williams is a senior law studies major with a minor in criminal justice from Cleveland, Miss., who was selected as the 2026 Ole Miss Homecoming King. Williams was officially announced as the Homecoming King on Oct. 6 — a moment he will never forget. “Even though I was running unopposed, it just felt like … I still had doubts a little bit. It just felt … unreal,” Williams said. Having graduated from Cleveland Central High School in 2023, Williams steered away from his interest in playing collegiate tennis to attend the University of Mississippi. “I played tennis in high school. … I had a couple of offers … (from) community colleges,” Williams said. “But Ole Miss was one of the main (schools) that I saw as attractive and scenic.” The university’s affordability was another motive the in-state college offered for Williams. “I got this scholarship (that) pretty much covered … all my college,” Williams said. “It paid for a good bit of my books. It’s called Ole Miss Opportunity.”
Williams believes he has undergone a lot of change over the last three years at Ole Miss. He credits his involvement on campus for his character development. “Three or four years ago to now, I had come a long way. … If you talk to a friend of mine, they’ll tell you …‘He’s a more introverted person. He don’t come out of his room … but he’s still cool,’” Williams said. Williams is involved in Ole Miss Leadership Engagement Ambassadors, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Ole Miss Club Tennis and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He also serves as vice president of community service on the National Pan-Hellenic Council executive board. Williams noted that his involvement refined his leadership skills. “Having people that like to hold you accountable, but also love you … in a brotherly way, doing things like community service … and just representing your letters (is important),” Williams said. “It’s been good to me … more of a personal development type of thing.” Becoming the 2026 Homecoming King was a lofty goal Williams always desired, but he was not always confident he would achieve it. “I always knew,” Williams said. “My senior year
at Cleveland Central, they had the first-ever homecoming king, but they told me I couldn’t run. I always wanted to run for it, but I never also had the courage. I was thinking I could probably do something like it in college.” Williams’ campaign slogan was “Tray’s the Way,” which he credited to students that lived on his floor in Stockard Hall during his time as a resident assistant. Williams has served as an RA for three years, an on-campus job that he is grateful for in part because it covered his housing expenses. His campaign was centered around advocacy for mental health awareness. “(Mental health is) something I’ve struggled with personally back in high school,” Williams said. “I feel like it’s an underlooked topic in a lot of ways … and I wanted to highlight that with my campaign.” Williams will participate in Homecoming festivities, such as riding on a float during the parade and escorting 2026 Homecoming Queen Lucy Huthnance at halftime of the football game against Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 17. He plans to organize events and initiatives to raise money and awareness for the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education or the University Counseling Center.
After college, Williams hopes to attend law school or pursue graduate studies in criminal justice. From the quiet kid at Cleveland Central to an involved student on the Ole Miss campus, Williams hopes his journey inspires others to aim high. “Don’t limit yourself,” Williams said. “I feel like the sky is not the limit. It’s more so the beginning of what you can do. … Just believe in yourself and trust in God.”
CONTACT THE NEWS DESK AT thedmnews@gmail.com
Lucy Huthnance hopes to share her faith as Homecoming Queen ALY BRADSHAW News Staff Writer
Lucy Huthnance was crowned the 2026 Homecoming Queen on Oct. 6. Huthnance is a senior elementary education major from Houston, Texas, who grew up in a family of University of Mississippi alumni. “As a third-generation Rebel, I grew up loving Ole Miss, but I grew into loving its people,” Huthnance said. “Getting to represent the people that I have … (fallen) in love with is such a gift.” Because of her family’s connection to the university, Huthnance has always had an appreciation for the university and its traditions. “My grandpa came to Ole Miss, so we just grew up coming to games here and visiting Oxford,” Huthnance said. “It’s just been a lifelong dream to come to Ole Miss.” Now, years later, Huthnance is creating her own legacy as Homecoming Queen. Throughout her time at Ole Miss, Huthnance has been involved in many campus organizations. She is a member of the Chi Omega sorority and the Ole Miss Ambassadors program. The student ambassador program is a way for students and alumni to tell the univer-
sity’s story. Student ambassadors give tours to prospective students throughout the year. “Whenever I give a tour, I always say, ‘If you love Ole Miss, it will love you back,’” Huthnance said. “I feel like that’s how my experience has gone. It made me super confident in myself — it’s given me friendship and a community that I know will last a lifetime.” Huthnance said her role as a student ambassador has been meaningful because she can spread her appreciation for the university. “It’s been so sweet to see Ole Miss through the eyes of someone who’s coming for the first time again,” Huthnance said. She also said her involvement in Pinelake College, a campus ministry program run by the Pinelake Church Oxford Campus, has been significant in her inspiration for her campaign. “I hoped, honestly, just to shine a light for the Gospel and hopefully share God’s love through my actions and the words that I say,” Huthnance said. “If somebody came to my table, I hoped that they would just be more curious about who Jesus was today than they were yesterday.” She said her involvement in Pinelake College is “hands down” one of the best parts
of
her college experience. “It just makes such an incredible community at Ole Miss, and I think it really (refocuses you) in a really distracting college culture,” Huthnance said. Huthnance’s Christian faith is very important to her, and she aspires to channel her faith through her actions. “I hope that (others) see more Jesus in me than they do my name,” Huthnance said. “I hope that they see Jesus in me in the way that I talk and walk and act.” She described the campaign as an outward celebration of getting to love the place she has always admired. Throughout her campaign, Huthnance received support from friends, family and members of Chi Omega. “Chi Omega helped fund a lot of my campaign,” Huthnance said. “I had friends that sat at a table for me literally for hours a day, and they were just so excited for me.” Huthnance said her sorority has helped her make lifelong friendships. “I’ve gotten to make so many friends and live with just some of the best girls, and have friends that I know will be there on my wedding day,” Huthnance said. She also said her family has been there for her throughout
the entire process and was excited to see her win. “My family was ecstatic — they are all coming up for the (Missouri) game, and my parents came during election week to be with me,” Huthnance said. “They really just showed up during election week, Homecoming week and now they are coming for the game.”
MADISON TWIDDY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
CONTACT THE NEWS DESK AT thedmnews@gmail.com
MADISON TWIDDY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
PAGE 4 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026
ATTENDANCE
Since making these revisions, ASB has been working to finalize its presentation to the faculty senate set for Dec. 1. “The leadership of faculty senate, as part of a larger working committee tasked with working through the student attendance policy, recently met with ASB leadership and had a productive talk in finalizing the policy to bring before the faculty senate at the December meeting. ASB leadership have been invited to present it then,” Chair of faculty senate John Lobur said. “In every likelihood, (the) faculty senate will vote on the policy in the same meeting.” Williford mentioned two main concerns from the faculty senate and other professors regarding the proposed attendance policy. The faculty senate’s primary concern is whether the proposed policy would limit professor freedoms. “A lot of (the members of the faculty senate) have just been worried about the policy impeding on their academic freedom just because right now, their attendance policy is completely up to professor discretion, which we, as ASB, understand that that’s very important for professors,” Williford said. “That’s not something that we want to completely take away, which is why we have implemented a lot of academic discretion within the current proposed draft.” The second concern is in regards to students falsifying documents to get out of class. “Just because there are … people that fabricate or falsify information, bad actors are not a reason to not have a policy,” Williford said. How does UM’s attendance policy compare to other schools? The attendance policy proposed by ASB is partly inspired by the attendance policies of Mississippi State University and other SEC schools. Mississippi State excuses absences for the following conditions: bereavement, severe illness, participation in a university activity, participation in legal
proceedings or administrative procedures, religious holy days, military duties and mandatory admission interviews for professional or graduate school continued from page 1 that cannot be rescheduled. “These approved excused absences are not subject to instructor direction in course attendance penalties,” the Class ASB is hoping to add three Attendance and Reporting Abnew scenarios to the universences policy said. “Death in sity attendance policy that a student’s immediate family would allow for excused abto include a student’s parent, sences: a student’s attendance legal guardian, sibling, grandat a university event, including parent, grandchild, spouse or NCAA-sanctioned competitions partner, as well as natural, ador Ole Miss Athletics events; in opted and/or in-law children.” cases of major medical proceMississippi State’s policy dures or in bereavement-related emphasizes that an excused absences for one calendar week. absence cannot result in an acPHOTO COURTESY: AUDREY DUFRENE Bereavement refers to the ademic or attendance penalty, death of an immediate family Audrey Dufrene including the use of drop grades. member or a significant person “Excused absences shall with whom the student had a not result in attendance or to their fullest capabilities.” despite my absolute best efrelationship. The addition of forts, was totally out of my grade penalties,” the policy Personal experiences bereavement into the universisays. “Use of a drop grade will prompt students to support control,” Dufrene said. “I was ty policy is a major priority for being deducted points for solebe considered as a penalty.” bereavement policy ASB President OC Williford. ASB’s proposed atIn light of student testi- ly wanting to be at my father’s “Bereavement was not the tendance policy also in- monies regarding negative funeral or with family when reason that the attendance polcludes this stipulation. classroom experiences af- I could barely concentrate.” icy was brought to our attenLydia Horton is a senior “Instructors shall provide ac- ter the deaths of family and tion — that would have been commodations for missed class- friends, Williford stands firm journalism and psychology the athletics,” Williford said. es and/or coursework related to that this policy revision is nec- double major from Texarkana, “But when we further did a deep excused absences,” ASB’s pro- essary for student wellness. Texas, whose childhood friend dive into the need for an upposed undergraduate attendance Audrey Dufrene is a senior died at the beginning of her graded attendance policy, one policy says. “Accommodations public policy leadership ma- sophomore spring semester. of the main conversations that Horton reported similar exinclude making up, in a timely jor from Shreveport, La. Her kept coming up was bereavemanner, missed coursework. father died during the spring periences to Dufrene, wherein ment-related class absences While specific accommodations semester of her freshman year. most of her professors were unthat were not necessarily exare left to the discretion of the While most of Dufrene’s derstanding with one exception. cused in a reasonable manner.” “I went up to (my professor) instructor, the use of drop grades professors were understandCollaboration with the should not be used as an accom- ing of her need to miss class … in-person because I knew he faculty senate modation for excused absences.” and return home for her fa- had a very strict attendance poliThe faculty senate has disWilliford believes having ther’s funeral, Dufrene felt cy. We have to submit our homecussed the attendance policy and university-sanctioned time to that two of her professors did work at the beginning of class offered suggestions since ASB grieve without penalties for not extend the same grace. every day and take a quiz,” Horfirst introduced the proposed • Former Special with the ‘Hey, FederalI ton said. “IAgent … told him, missing class within the pe“One (professor’s) words expolicy in December 2024. ASB have aatfuneral on this day — riod of one calendar week pressed vague condolences and • Practiced his privately owned lawI’m fir worked with UMatter and the UM be here.’ … HeSquar was is ultimately a positive for (granted) partial participationthenot samegoing place,tobeing the Oxford Testing Center to incorporate like,the ‘Oh well, I teach thisand secthe student and their work. for absences, a class for which • Taught Mississippi DUI Law 5 the faculty senate’s suggestions. tion again at 1 o’clock, if you just “If a student is experienc- participation makes up a ratherProcedure courses each and every sem A joint governing council to comeyears. into that class.’” ing a death in their immediate large chunk of the grade,” Du-for want 29 consecutive composed of ASB members, Horton’s usual class time family, they’re not going to be frene said in her testimony to faculty senators, graduate stu• A member of theThe Chancellor’s Trust at was 11 a.m. funeral she was in the mindset to be continuing ASB. “It felt like no true underdent council and staff council 1981. coursework and to be taking ex- standing was taken into account.” set to attend was approximately members convened in spring • Former Municipal for the 5.5 hours away.Prosecutor Horton said sheC ams to their fullest potential,” Participation points are 2025 before becoming an official felt put off by this interaction. Williford said. “As a university, awarded based on performanceyears. committee in January 2026. The “Wanting me toJudge come we have the responsibility to be• Former in classSpecial discussions. • Former Municipal Court forinto the Agent Dufrene with the said Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). group fully approved a revised class two hours after I’ve had providing our students with the she views the loss of participationyears. attendance policy proposal in privately owned law fiarm funeral for 45 consecutive years - loca for somebody … resources to allow our students• Practiced points asat ahispunishment for be•Square, Former Vice President and President o March 2026, which then unanthe same place, being the Oxford Downtown, Oxford, Mississip is an appalling thing to ask to demonstrate their knowledge havior within students’ control. • Former Special Agent with the Federal Bu Association; member of the Mississipp imously passed the ASB Senate. • Formerthey Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and what have learned “The death of DUI my Law father, • Taught the Mississippi and 5ofdiffsomebody,” erent CriminalHorton Law andsaid. Crim • Practiced at his privately owned law firm • Appointed by the Mississippi State Barf • Practiced at his privately owned law firm for 45 consecutive years- located at the same What’s next? Procedure courses each and every semester at the University of Mississi place, being the Oxford Square, Downtown, Oxford, Mississippi. theAttorney sameASB place, being the Oxford Square, Ethics andand theAttorney facultyViolation senateD forFederal 29 consecutive years. • Former Special with the Bureau of Investigation • Taught the Mississippi DUIAgent Law and 5 different Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure (FBI). Mandatory Rules concerning the Pract • Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 diff courses each practices and every semester the University of Mississippi 29 consecutive years. years continue to be in conversation • Still at his atprivately owned law firmforfor 55 consecutive • being AUniversity member of the Chancellor’s atwith the University of Mississippi sinc • A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at The Mississippi since1981. Procedure courses each and every semeste Vice Chairman and Chairman and serv - located at the same place, theofOxford Square, Downtown, Trust one another ahead of ASB’s • Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City 1981. of Oxford, Mississippi for over 6 years. Oxford, Mississippi. for 29 consecutive years. upcoming presentation on the • A Founding Member of the National C • Taught theCourt Mississippi DUI and 5Mississippi different Law and • Former Municipal Judge for the CityLaw of Oxford, forCriminal 8 years. proposed attendance policy. • Former Municipal Prosecutor for City of Mississippi for ove • Athe member ofOxford, theSchool. Chancellor’s Trust at the Harvard Law Criminal Procedure courses and every atmember the University • Former Vice President and President of the each Lafayette County Barsemester Association; Whether or not faculty sen1981. of the Mississippi Bar Association, etc. years.years. of Mississippi for 29 consecutive • Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Atto • Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi Commission on Attorney passes Prosecutor the attendance • A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at the University of Mississippi• Former Municipal for thefor City • Former Municipal Court Judge for theate City of Mississippi 8 Advocacy forOxford, DUIit,Defense. Ethics and Attorney Violations of the Canon of Ethics and All Mandatory Rules 1970 since 1981. rn.:��� policy will then go to two oth. concerning the Practice of Law. 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Top 100 Trial Law 8(FBI) years. • Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National Advocacy for • Former Special Agent with Federal Bureau of Investigation (Available for appointments 7 days atheweek) • Former Vice President andyears President of tha DUI•Defense. Former Vice President and President of the Lafayette County BarState While the faculty senate’s sig• Practiced at his privately owned law fiOrganization. rm for 45 consecutive - located • Appointed by the Mississippi Bar to the Mississippi Commission o • Practiced at his privately owned law firm for 45 consecutive years- located at the same • Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys of MississippiBar for Client Satisfactionetc. Award Association; member of the Mississippi. Mississippi Ba Association; member of the Mississippi Association, place, being the Oxford Square, Downtown, Oxford, Mississippi. nature of approval is not necthe same place, being the Oxford Square, Downtown, Oxford, by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys. Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations of the Canon of Ethics and All • Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AW • and Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi Commission • Taught the Mississippi DUI Law and 5 different Criminal Law Criminal Procedure • Appointed thethe Mississippi State Bar essary proposal reach • Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the the National Trial Organization. Mississippi State Bar to onetoA Mandatory Rules the Practice ofbyfor Law. Occupied theto position Taught Mississippi DUIofLaw and 5the diff erent Criminal Lawgiven and Crimina Attorney Ethics Attorney Violations ofLawyers theconcerning Canon Ethics courses each and every semester at the University of Mississippi on for 29 consecutive years.and • Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations those councils, Williford stat-o • Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 from the Mississippi and since1981. All Mandatory Rules Procedure concerning the Practice of Chairman Law. outstanding contributions to the practi • A member of the Chancellor’s Trust at The University of State Mississippi courses each andOccupied semester the18 University Chairman and and servedatfor years. of Mississippi Bar given to one Attorney in the State Vice each year for outstanding contributions toevery the Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice ed that its approval would give positions and Chairman and served for 18 practicethe offor law. • Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Oxford, Mississippi over 6 years.of Vice Chairman for consecutive years.of the National • Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Missis • A29 Founding Member College for DUI Defense conducte Vice Chairman and Chairman and served the proposal more legitimacy. • Voted years. “Best • Former Municipal Court Judge for the City of Oxford, Mississippi forAttorney 8 years. in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awards. AHarvard member of theSchool. Chancellor’s the University of Mississippi since • A Founding Member of•the National College for DUI DefenseTrust•atMember Law the American Association “IfofMember (the) faculty does • Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys. • Former Vice President and President of the Lafayette County Bar Association; member • A Founding of the senate National Collo conducted at Harvard Law School. 1981. of the Mississippi Bar Association, etc. • Member of the National League of Renowned Attorneys- Top 1% not pass it, it will still have to Harvard Law School. • Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the Natio • Selected as States one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the • Member of the National League of Ren • Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi•Commission on Attorney Awarded the United Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNCC. go to the councils, but it’s very • Former Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Oxford, Mississippi for over 6 Advocacy for DUI Defense. National Advocacy for DUI Defense. Ethics and Attorney Violations of the Canon of Ethics and• Member All Mandatory Rules • Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorne • Awarded the United States Congression of the American Jurist Institute - Top 10 DUI/DWI Attorney for Mississippi concerning the Practice of Law. Occupied the positions of Vice Chairman important toDefense. have faculty sup• Chairman Selectedand as one of the Topyears. 10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi for ClientAdvocacy for DUI • Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top Criminal Defense Selected as100one the TopAttorneys. 10 Best• Attorneys Mississippi in for Client served for 18 years. Member ofof the American Jurist Award by the •American Institute ofofDUI/DWI port,” Williford said. “AtInstitu 2025 LawyersSatisfaction in the State of Mississippi. • Former Municipal Court Judge for• the City of Oxford, Mississippi for 8 the • A Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense conducted at Harvard Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorne Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys. • Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Mississippi • Selected by the Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi’s Top 10 Attorneys, et end of the day, they’re the ones Law School. years. Satisfaction Award by the American Instit cetera. Lawyers Organization. • Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawy instituting the policy, and • Member of the American Society ofthe Le • Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National Advocacy for • Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 • Former Vice President and President of the Lafayette County Bar DUI Defense. • Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawye two Lawyers councilsin the following them Organization. State of Mississ Mississippi State Bar given to one the State of Defense Listing from of thesethe previously mentioned areas of practice does not Attorney indicate any in certification • Selected as one of the Top 10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi for Clienttherein. Satisfaction Award Association; member of thepractice Mississippi Bar etc. of expertise Mississippi each year for outstanding to the ofOrganization. willAssociation, be looking forfor what (the) by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys. • Recipientcontributions of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD MERIT 1989 fromM • Selected by OF the Attorney and Practice 104 Courthouse Square • Oxford, Mississippi 38655 law. faculty senate’s opinions (are) • Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWAR • Appointed by the Mississippi State Bar to the Mississippi Commission onfor • Selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Organization. 10 Attorneys, et cetera. the Mississippi State Bar given to one Attorney in the State each year • Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice … they place their vote.” the Mississippi StateofBar given to one Atto Attorney Ethics and Attorney Violations of when the Canon Ethics and All • Recipient of the DISTINGUISHED AWARD OF MERIT for 1989 from the Mississippi
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outstanding contributions to the practice ofpreviously law. mentioned areas of practice does Listing of of these outstanding contributions to the practiceof Mandatory Rules concerning the Practice Law. Occupied the positions • Voted “Best Attorney in-Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awa • Member of the National League of Renowned Attorneys Top 1% Vice Chairman and Chairman and served for 18 years. • Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississip • Voted “Best Attorney in Oxford, Mississippi” in the Grove’s Choice Awards. • Awarded the United States• Congressional Medal of Distinction by the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys • Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys. • AMember FoundingofMember of the National College Defense conductedofatP • Member offor theDUI American Association RNCC. DEFENSE of Persons charged orofarrested for: DUI, • Member the National League of Renowned Attorneys- Top 1% Harvard Law School. Member of- the League Renowned - TopDESK 1%Renow • Member of the American •Jurist Institute Top National 10 DUI/DWI Attorney • of Member of theAttorneys National League of CONTACT THE NEWS AT • Awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNCC. Public Drunk, MIP, Disorderly Conduct, Fake I.D., Resisting for Mississippi • Selected as one of the Top 50 DUI Attorneys in Mississippi by the National • Awarded the United States Congressional Medal of Distinction by RNC thedmnews@gmail.com of the American Jurist Institute - Top 10 DUI/DWI•Attorney for Mississippi Arrest, Petty Larceny, Possession• Member of Drugs and Paraphernalia, Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 • Awarded the United States Congressional DUI Defense. • Member of the American Society of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Criminal Criminal Defense Defense LawyersAdvocacy the Statefor of Mississippi and, ALL OTHER CRIMINAL MISDEMEANORS. Member -ofTop the 10 American JuristAttorney Institute f• inMember of the American Jurist•Institute DUI/DWI Lawyers in the State of Mississippi. • Selected by the Attorney• and Practice Magazine as one Mississippi’s Selected as one of the Topof10 Best Attorneys of Mississippi in for Client Mississippi Mississippi • Selected by the Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of Mississippi’s Top 10 Attorneys, et 10 Attorneys, et cetera. Satisfaction Award by the American Instituteofofthe DUI/DWI cetera. Expungement of Criminal Misdemeanors ListingTopof these • Member AmericanAttorneys. Society of Legal Member of the Society previously mentioned areas • of practice does not indicate any American certification of expertise therein. of Legal Advocates - Top 100 Crimina Awards.
State Bar given to one Attorney in the State each year for outstanding contributions to the • Member of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys practice of law.
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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026 | PAGE 5
Ole Miss HandBand debuts on the big screen at home football games
BRIDGET MCGUIRE A&C Staff Writer
While The Pride of the South band plays the national anthem before kickoff at Ole Miss football games, another type of band files onto the field: the HandBand. Dressed in navy blue shirts, white pants and white gloves, members of the Ole Miss HandBand perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” in American Sign Language. Reagan McCullough, the president of the organization, is a senior public health major and American Sign Language minor from St. Augustine, Fla. She said that the group’s presence on the field is a significant step toward making Ole Miss Football games more inclusive for the Deaf community. “All (we) want to do is really advocate for the Deaf community, and (we) want to do well because it is a big deal for us to be on the field to … provide accessibility like that,” McCullough said. After more than a year of meetings, emails and advocacy, the HandBand secured a spot on the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium jumbotron, allowing fans to watch the signing of the national anthem through a picture-in-picture display. “I think there’s just so many layers in order for it to happen,” McCullough said. “It shouldn’t be as hard for accessibility, but sadly, that’s just kind of how the world works.” Providing this kind of accessibility at football games is a large step for the university. With support from the university’s Depart-
ment of Communication Sciences & Disorders, the HandBand petitioned Ole Miss Athletics to include an ASL translation for the national anthem performance. HandBand made its first appearance on the jumbotron during this year’s 2026 season opener against Charlotte. McCullough hopes the performances will lead to larger visibility for the Deaf community. Although being featured on the jumbotron is a recent development, the HandBand has played a role in Ole Miss football traditions for over a decade. McCullough estimated that the organization’s members have signed the national anthem on the field before games for approximately 15 years. A typical game day for a HandBand member signing the national anthem begins an hour before kickoff, when they gather at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion to receive matching uniforms. Students wear navy blue HandBand shirts and white gloves so that their hands stand out in contrast to their uniforms. After changing into their uniforms, members rehearse several more times before finally taking the field 30 minutes before kickoff. HandBand athletic coordinator Nick McKee also meets with the singer of the national anthem before the performance to discuss the anticipated pace of the song. Students typically rehearse using Chris Stapleton’s rendition of the national anthem. However, live performances vary in speed, requiring HandBand members to adjust the pace of signing accordingly.
“(McKee) will always go up to who’s singing the national anthem and introduce himself, talk a little bit about what we do interpreting the national anthem and normally ask them what speed they’re going to sing at so that we can prepare a little bit in our heads if it’s going to be super fast or super slow,” McCullough said. Once on the field, interpreters position themselves on either side of the singer. Although the organization ensures each student is prepared to perform, signing in front of thousands of spectators can still induce stage fright. McCullough said that, even after years of signing, performing in the packed stadium can be intimidating for her. “Every single time you get on that field, you do feel a little bit of jitters and nervousness,” McCullough said. She recalled her experience signing during the highly anticipated LSU game, when the overwhelming noise from the crowd made it difficult to hear the national anthem. The addition of the jumbotron has also introduced heightened pressure. Still, McCullough encourages first-time performers to trust their preparation and rely on experienced fellow members. “(I tell members,) ‘You’ve practiced this. You know it. Just go ahead and do it,’” McCullough said. McCullough’s passion for ASL began long before her undergraduate career. Her hometown of St. Augustine, Fla., is home to the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.
ALANA BROWN-DAVIS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Ole Miss HandBand As a result of the prominent Deaf community in the town, McCullough had the opportunity to study ASL throughout high school. When McCullough began studying at the university, she enrolled in an introductory ASL course to fulfill a language requirement. Through the introductory class, she met Ronda Bryan, HandBand’s faculty coordinator, who pushed her to pursue an ASL minor. McCullough’s first introduction to the university’s HandBand was through the organization’s ASL rave at the end of fall semester her freshman year, where students sign lively songs for an audience. Today, the HandBand has approximately 100 members, all dedicated to promoting Deaf awareness and increasing accessibility throughout the Oxford and university communities. Beyond performing at football games, HandBand hosts
signing raves each semester outside of the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union. Members and ASL students learn and perform up to seven songs translated into ASL, attracting crowds of students, friends and family. The theme of this fall’s signing rave is musicals. McCullough is currently teaching members to sign “Defying Gravity” from the hit musical “Wicked.” Students interested in joining the HandBand do not need previous ASL experience. The primary goal of the organization is to expose any and all students to the Deaf community. “You do not need an ASL experience, because we will teach you all those signs,” McCullough said. “All we want to do is really advocate for the Deaf community, and (we) want to do that well.”
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Meet Miss University Brooke Bumgarner MADELYN LASS A&C Staff Writer
Brooke Bumgarner, a junior public policy leadership and integrated marketing communications double major from Madison, Miss., won the 78th Miss University pageant on Oct. 11, but this year’s pageant is far from her first. After trying several sports and extracurricular activities during her youth, Bumgarner started her pageant career at 15 years old. “I entered my first local preliminary competition for Miss Mississippi’s Teen when I was 15 years old,” Bumgarner said. “It was a result of trying things like soccer and ballet and gymnastics and realizing that none of those were my strength.” Bumgarner quickly realized that pageants allowed her to do what she loves most: perform and connect with people. “I just saw (pageants) as an opportunity to (perform) and … be on stage, sing in the talent competition and connect with others through speaking in the on-screen questions and the interview process,” Bumgarner said. For Bumgarner, competing for Miss University means representing the Ole Miss community and setting an example for underclassmen. “I wanted to represent Ole Miss
as an upperclassman once I had experienced Ole Miss as a student for a couple of years,” Bumgarner said. “I think understanding Ole Miss is a huge part of Miss University, and I spent my freshman year seeking ways to better understand the place I love so much.” During the Miss University pageant talent portion, Bumgarner sang “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. “The purpose of that song was to just remind people of hope. I think today a lot of people need that, and I … wanted to use that song as a way to communicate a sense of light in a world that is kind of divided,” Bumgarner said. Along with the talent portion, each contestant also had an opportunity to speak about her community service initiative (CSI). The daughter of a public school teacher, Bumgarner was inspired to help younger students. Her CSI, Foundation of Future Leaders, focuses on aiding students to be future leaders. “My community service initiative is called the Foundation of Future Leaders, and it’s a student-centered initiative that focuses on building our future leaders through character development workshops and presentations in classrooms,” Bumgarner said. “I’ve spoken to about 10,000 Mississippi students, which has been such an honor.” Despite her commitment to
helping fellow students and community members, Bumgarner recognized the negative association some have with pageants. “Something that I really do pride the Miss America organization on is the fact that we are the leading scholarship provider for women,” Bumgarner said. “I think a lot of people have a stigma about pageantry that isn’t true, and honestly, my undergraduate tuition is paid because of this organization.” According to the Miss America Foundation, the organization makes over $5 million in cash scholarships available each year across local, state and national competitions. Bumgarner hopes to accomplish many more acts of service as the university’s 78th Miss University, with an emphasis on connecting students and giving incoming freshmen a sense of belonging. During her time as Miss University, Bumgarner plans to deliver at least 25 character development workshops to the Oxford-Lafayette community, partner with student organizations to increase involvement on campus, create an alumni network for past Miss University winners and raise money to fund local classrooms. Being a leader comes with its own plethora of responsibilities and challenges. Bumgarner is involved in several organizations on campus, including Chi Omega,
HOB CARLETON / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Brooke Bumgarner accepts the title of Miss University in the Gertrude Ford Center for Performing Arts on Oct. 11. the Columns Society and Ole Miss Ambassadors. On top of being Miss University, Bumgarner was recently elected junior maid in the 2026 Homecoming Elections. “Just by nature, I am a very Type B person, but competing in the Miss America organization has shown me that I need to have Type A tendencies in place to keep my head on straight,” Bumgarner said. “For example, my Google Calendar looks like a bag of Skittles because it’s just all over the place.” Her pageant experience and drive to serve the Oxford community have given Bumgarner the tools to be a leader. In the Miss
University interview, a behindthe-scenes category where contestants are privately interviewed, Bumgarner was able to connect with judges on a personal level. “The Miss University interview was about 10 minutes long, and that was just 10 minutes to communicate my heart, but not just about who I am as a person, but ultimately, my love for Ole Miss and all it’s given me, and the ways that I hope to give back to it through this role,” Bumgarner said.
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PAGE 6 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026
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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026 | PAGE 7
How do Ole Miss and Missouri stack up? REAGAN TAYLOR
Assistant Sports Editor
The No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels will host the No. 13 Missouri Tigers on Oct. 19 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in what is shaping up to be a meaningful and playoff-impacting week of football. Several Rebels transferred to Missouri during the offseason. With familiarity and top-tier talent, there is a lot to break down position to position. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leads the Rebel offense and has done so since Austin Simmons was injured early last season. Simmons transferred to Missouri following the season and has seen abundant success. Simmons has 1,287 yards, 13 touchdowns and one interception this season. Chambliss has been a Heisman-favorite this season and has put up 1,435 yards, 11 touchdowns, with four interceptions. On the ground, he has added 113 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. While both quarterbacks are among the best in the conference, Chambliss holds a rather favorable upper hand.
Running backs For the Rebels, Kewan Lacy has charted 230 yards on 46 carries with five rushing touchdowns but has missed significant time due to lingering injuries. Makhi Frazier has 153 yards on 30 carries, and JT Lindsey has 25 carries for 86 yards. Shekai MillsKnight scored a 35-yard rushing touchdown against Vanderbilt and has likely earned himself more snaps. Missouri’s main back is Jamal Roberts, who has emerged as one of the top running backs in the conference. This season, he has rushed for 200 yards in back-to-back games and been named an SEC Player of the Week. He has scored eight touchdowns this season. His presence is crucial, and he has been carrying the running back room himself, due to Ahmad Hardy being out with an injury since the beginning of the season. The Ole Miss backfield seems to have the upper hand in this matchup because of its depth and amount of running backs who can step up and produce. Offensive line The Rebels have allowed nine total sacks for 48 yards
lost this season. The Tigers have allowed just six. Missouri hosts All-SEC left tackle Cayden Green alongside several other veterans. The unit ranks 11th in offensive line rankings across the country according to Yahoo Sports. The Rebels have several veterans such as Patrick Kutas and Tommy Kinsler IV who add experience to the group, and Yahoo Sports has Ole Miss ranked 23rd in offensive line rankings. While both lines are strong, the Tigers have a slight upper hand. Tight ends Ole Miss has lots of flexibility and upside in its tight end room. Luke Hasz has eight receptions for 47 yards, and Caleb Odom has 13 receptions for 201 yards and a touchdown. Both are reliable for the Rebels. Missouri uses tight ends more for blocking rather than receiving. Brett Norfleet is the main star at tight end for the Tigers and has just nine receptions for 80 yards. With tight ends serving many roles, saying one team’s position group is better is not really fair, since the tight ends’ responsibilities vary based on scheme and situation.
ALEXIS TITUS / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Cayden Lee dodges a defender against Washington State on Oct. 11, 2025 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Wide receivers The Rebels and Tigers compare well at wide receiver. The main star for Missouri is Ole Miss transfer Cayden Lee. He is a security blanket for Simmons and has 616 receiving yards on 41 receptions. The Rebels have much more depth at wide receiver, including Deuce Alexander, Traylon Ray, Horatio Fields and Johntay Cook II. Alexander is the Rebels WR1 and has 32 receptions for 503 yards. Defensive line Missouri’s defensive line is more favorable than the Rebels.’ The Tigers have produced 18 sacks this season and only allow 78.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks eighth nationally, whereas the Rebels have allowed an average of 176.4 rushing yards per game. The Rebel defensive front has also struggled to break the line and get a significant amount of sacks. Ole Miss only has nine this season and has struggled to play complete games, produce sacks and stop the run. Secondary The Ole Miss secondary has struggled with consistency this year but seemed to mesh well and finally click against Vanderbilt. Missouri, however, does a better job of limiting explosive plays and produces more turnovers. Ole Miss allows 28 points per game, and Missouri gives up about 17.7 points per game. The Tigers show more promising signs of playing as a unit. Linebackers Missouri’s Nicholas Ro-
driguez leads all of FBS with 63 total tackles, and teammate Robert Woodyard Jr. has 31 tackles and an interception so far. Missouri has a dominant linebacker corps. The Rebels have lots of depth and strength in their linebackers, but their stats do not compare to Missouri’s. Hybrid linebacker Suntarine Perkins has lots of SEC experience but only 17 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries this season. Luke Ferrelli has 34 total tackles and a sack this season. Missouri holds the upper hand in this positional comparison. Kicker Ole Miss kicker Lucas Carneiro is one of the best kickers in the country. His powerful leg is a major advantage for the Rebels. Carneiro is 80% on field goals and has completed all extra point kicks in 2026. His longest field goal is 57 yards. Missouri’s kicker is Blake Craig. He is 66.7% on field goals, with his longest kick being 52 yards. He has made every extra point kick this season. Carneiro is clearly the better kicker for this matchup because of his clutch ability.
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PAGE 8 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026
Ole Miss Rebels seek to tame the Missouri Tigers
ISAAC SCHEER
Sports Staff Writer
After a massive road victory last weekend, the No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels will return to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to face No. 13 Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. The Tigers have already toppled some big opponents this season, and the Rebels will look to avoid an upset. After a relatively quiet start to the season, Missouri suffered a 31-24 road loss to No. 16 Mississippi State in Week 4, but since then, the Tigers have obliterated opponents. They took down Florida, who was ranked No. 8 at the time, 4517, and they are fresh off a 27-6 win over Texas A&M. The Tigers enter this matchup feeling solid about their performances. Missouri poses plenty of threats for the Rebels, and key among them is the offense led by former Rebel quarterback Austin Simmons. Head coach Pete Golding spoke about how Simmons has improved since he left Ole Miss. “(Simmons’) comfortability within the scheme has improved week in, week out,” Golding said in a press conference on Monday, Oct. 12. “The decision-making process (has
improved). He’s only turned the football over one time. That comes with maturity, … with understanding of the system.” Since Simmons left for Missouri in January, he has been outstanding and statistically similar to Trinidad Chambliss this season. Simmons has thrown for 1,434 yards, just one yard shy of Chambliss’ total. The similarities do not stop there: Chambliss has a completion percentage of 70.1%, and Simmons’ percentage is 64.8%. Chambliss has 11 passing touchdowns, and Simmons has 14. While the stats are similar, Chambliss has been arguably more dynamic thanks to his mobility. The Rebel quarterback has logged 113 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, compared to Simmons’ 26 yards and no rushing touchdowns. Simmons’ lack of running is not necessarily a weakness for the Tigers. Jamal Roberts, one of the best running backs in the nation, is an excellent option. Roberts currently ranks second in the country with 828 rushing yards on 147 carries, and he leads Missouri with eight touchdowns. “(Roberts) gets the most yards after contact right now, which is something that has been an issue for us on tape,”
Golding said. “We’re going to have to do a really good job in the run game, obviously hopefully to stop the run game, make them one-dimensional.” Simmons also leans on wide receiver Cayden Lee, another former Rebel. This season, Lee ranks fifth in the nation in receiving yards, and he has five touchdowns to show for his workload. “The offense, especially in the pass game, goes through Cayden (Lee). We know what type of player he is, no doubt. Very elusive, elite route-runner,” Golding said. “(He) really understands what they’re trying to do conceptually. (He) has a really good football intelligence … so (we) definitely have to look around to know where he is on every snap that he’s in the game.” The Tiger defense should not be counted out, either. Missouri has held opponents to 17.7 points per game, which is good for fifth in the SEC. That stat is thanks in large part to linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez, who is tied for the most total tackles in the country with 63. On the other hand, the Rebel defense has been heavily criticized for the entirety of the season, and it will continue to be a cause for concern against the Tigers. However, the Rebel defense looked good against Vanderbilt, and there
JACK KIRKLAND / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
Shekai Mills-Knight receiving a pass during the game against Vanderbilt on Oct. 10 in FirstBank Stadium. is potential for a comeback. Against the Commodores, both cornerback Antonio Kite and safety Nick Cull logged interceptions. Edge rusher Blake Purchase recorded a strip sack, allowing Edge rusher Suntarine Perkins to scoop up the ball and run in for a touchdown. This Saturday, the Rebels will look to both take advantage of opportunities that may arise and create opportunities for themselves. The final factor that likely will play a role in the matchup is Ole Miss’ home field advantage. It is common knowledge that SEC road environments pose a huge threat to visiting
opponents. The Tigers’ big win over Florida came in Missouri, and their loss to Mississippi State was on the road. When the Rebels’ streak of 14 wins at home is factored in, the situation looks better for Ole Miss. Overall, the Tigers are a very formidable opponent. With Ole Miss on a potential upset watch, this is a must-win game for the Rebels to affirm they are back on track toward the playoffs.
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A different kind of Homecoming: former Rebels return to Oxford
BRADFORD PERKINS Sports Staff Writer
When Ole Miss welcomes Missouri to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for Homecoming on Oct. 17, former Rebels Austin Simmons, Cayden Lee and Chris Graves Jr. will return to Oxford, but this time on the opposing sideline. All players spent the previous three seasons with Ole Miss. While Homecoming traditionally brings people together and alumni back to campus, this SEC matchup will provide a different kind of reunion. Each player made contributions during his time at Ole Miss before transferring to Missouri following the 2025 season. “It’s going to be fun seeing Cayden (Lee) and Austin (Simmons),” quarterback Trinidad Chambliss said in a postgame press conference on Saturday, Oct. 10. “Seeing the success they have is a really cool scene. It’s going to be fun to play them. It’s going to be weird to see them in different colors.” Austin Simmons Simmons spent
three seasons with the Rebels from 2023 to 2025, developing as a quarterback before transferring to Missouri. In addition to football, Simmons was a dual-sport athlete, spending time as a pitcher with the Rebel baseball program. The southpaw balanced responsibilities between the two sports before eventually stepping away from baseball to focus exclusively on his football career. After redshirting in 2023, Simmons served as the backup to Jaxson Dart during the 2024 season, appearing in nine games. One of his most memorable performances came during Ole Miss’ 28-10 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs on Nov. 9, 2024. With the Rebels trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Dart suffered an ankle injury that left him sidelined temporarily. Simmons entered the game and completed 5-of-6 passes for 64 yards, leading a 10-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a 9-yard touchdown run by Ulysses Bentley IV. Dart eventually returned, but Simmons’ performance helped the Rebels respond to
an early deficit and got them on the way to one of their best wins in recent memory. Following Dart’s departure for the NFL, Simmons ultimately earned the starting quarterback job entering the 2025 season. He opened the season throwing for 341 yards and three touchdowns against Georgia State. However, his time as the starter was cut short during the second game against Kentucky when he suffered an ankle injury. That injury opened the door for Chambliss, who replaced Simmons against Kentucky before taking over as the starter against Arkansas the following week. Chambliss continued to lead the offense, while Simmons saw limited time even after recovering from his injury. During his time at Ole Miss, the Miami native completed 64of-107 passes for 1,026 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions across 17 appearances. After the 2025 season, Simmons transferred to Missouri, where he continued his college football career.
Through six games of the 2026 season, Simmons has thrown for 1,434 yards, 14 touchdowns and just one interception for the Tigers. Cayden Lee While Simmons spent much of his Ole Miss career developing at the quarterback position, Lee established himself as a contributor in the Rebel receiving corps early. Lee spent three seasons at Ole Miss from 2023 through 2025, appearing in 38 games. As a freshman in 2023, Lee recorded five receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns while beginning to carve out a role for himself in the Rebel offense. His role significantly expanded during the 2024 season, when he finished with 57 receptions for 874 yards and two touchdowns. That season marked his most productive year in Oxford, as he became one of Dart’s most reliable targets. Following his performance that season, the Kennesaw, Ga., native earned third-team AllSEC recognition from Phil Steele and College Football Network.
During the 2025 season, Lee continued to play a major role in the offense, recording 44 receptions for 635 yards and three touchdowns. During this season, Lee was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. Across his three seasons at Ole Miss, Lee totaled 106 receptions for 1,623 yards and seven touchdowns. Following the 2025 season, Lee transferred to Missouri along with Simmons. The move reunited the two players who had previously shared the field in Oxford and provided the Tigers with another experienced SEC receiver. Through six games of the 2026 season, Lee has recorded 42 receptions for 616 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 14.7 yards per catch for the Tigers.
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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026 | PAGE 9
Week 7 looms heavy on playoff implications
COOPER FERGUSON Sports Staff Writer
This weekend, national attention will be divided across a slate of games with major College Football Playoff implications, including No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 13 Missouri. With six ranked matchups on the Week 7 schedule, some contenders will strengthen their playoff resumes, while others could see their postseason hopes take a significant hit. For Ole Miss, the matchup against Missouri represents anotht er opportunity to establish itself . as a legitimate playoff contender. With the expanded 12-team playoff field offering multiple paths to the postseason, a win over a ranked SEC opponent could prove valuable as the Rebels navigate the second half of their schedule. The Rebels look to strengthen their playoff campaign Ole Miss enters Week 7 at 4-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play following a 52-17 victory over Vanderbilt. After a setback against Florida, Ole Miss can build momentum against a Missouri team also ranked among the nation’s Top 15. Missouri comes to Oxford at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play after defeating Texas A&M 276. The Tigers’ recent performances, including their walloping of Flor-
ida, sets up a matchup between two teams looking to improve their position in a competitive SEC race. A victory would give Ole Miss another opportunity to strengthen its postseason resume against a ranked conference opponent. With several SEC teams competing for just a few playoff spots, the Rebels will need to capitalize on opportunities against quality opponents for the rest of the season, especially with matchups against Texas and Georgia looming. The stakes extend beyond the conference standings. A home loss would leave Ole Miss with less room for error as the season progresses, especially with more SEC matchups ahead. With six ranked matchups scheduled across the country on Saturday, the Rebels are not the only team facing an important test. Currently, Ole Miss has a 19.2% chance to make the playoffs, according to The Rooting Guide. A win over Missouri would boost those odds by 6.1%, while a loss would bump them down 12.1%. Six ranked matchups could reshape the national picture While Ole Miss hosts Missouri, several other games will feature postseason-bound teams facing ranked opponents. The slate includes No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Indiana, No. 6 Alabama vs. No. 14 Tennessee, No. 2 Notre Dame vs.
No. 8 BYU, No. 16 Mississippi State vs. No. 22 LSU and No. 18 Oklahoma State vs. No. 20 Houston. Each game gives a contender a chance to add a quality win while handing a potential playoff rival a loss. The most prominent matchup of the early window comes when two of the three most recent national champions, Ohio State and Indiana, face off in Bloomington, Ind. A rematch of last year’s Big 10 Championship, the implications for this year’s title game will become clear in Bloomington. With Indiana entering the weekend undefeated, the result of this game could significantly affect the conference race and the national playoff picture. Another major test comes in the SEC, where Alabama travels to face Tennessee. The annual rivalry, aptly titled the “Third Saturday in October,” gives both teams an opportunity to earn a ranked conference victory. For Alabama, the game also represents a chance to respond following its loss to Georgia, while Tennessee looks to strengthen its standing against another highly ranked opponent. The evening slate features another matchup between undefeated teams as Notre Dame travels to face BYU. Both teams enter the weekend undefeated, making the contest one of the most consequential games on the
GREYSON HOWARD / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN schedule. As an addings and the broader playoff race ed bonus, College Gameday heads to Provo, Utah, as the season reaches its midpoint. for the first time since 2009. Mississippi State’s trip to LSU and Oklahoma State’s matchup with Houston round out the six games besides Ole Miss and Missouri featuring ranked teams on CONTACT THE SPORTS DESK AT both sides. Those contests could thedmsports@gmail.com also influence conference stand-
Column: The SEC is beating each other up, and that’s a good thing REAGAN TAYLOR
Assitant Sports Editor
Many SEC fans gloat that in this conference, everything “just means more” — but it is time for fans to finally understand what that really means. It is easy for fans to hang their hats on the unapologetic, dominant nature of the SEC, but that mantra cannot be applied only when SEC teams play schools for other conferences. It must apply to conference games, too. You cannot boast that the SEC is competitive, then fret every time
a lower-ranked team beats a higher-ranked team. That is just the nature of the beast in this league. It has been said for years that “all we do in the SEC is beat each other up.” Anything can happen on any given Saturday; any team can beat any other team. The SEC is extremely competitive, and nothing is given to any of its 16 teams for free. SEC programs consistently face elite opponents all season long. ESPN and CFP are reportedly close to reaching an agreement on a 24-field team playoff. In the 2025 College Football Playoff, the SEC had five teams fill the 12 available slots. With talks of a
NOTICE OF ENACTMENT OF UNIVERSITY PARKING RULES & REGULATIONS The University of Mississippi Department of Parking & Transportation (DPT) in Oxford, Mississippi hereby gives notice of enactment of the University’s Traffic and Parking Regulations for the 2026-2027 academic year. These rules and regulations are enacted by the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning, State of Mississippi, and are effective from and after July 1, 2026. The full text of such rules and regulations are available at www.olemiss.edu/parking the website of DPT.
playoff expansion to 24 teams, more slots will become available. Excluding conference champions, the worst record among CFP teams last season was 10-2. The expansion makes room for more teams, especially 9-3 SEC teams who have more difficult schedules. A 9-3 SEC team will look much better than some 10-2 teams in other conferences due to the level of competition in the SEC and because of the conference’s nine-game conference schedule. The SEC does seem more chaotic this year than in recent years. The conference seems like a carousel of wins and losses. Ole Miss beat LSU, who beat Texas A&M. The Aggies lost to Kentucky, who lost to Alabama. The Crimson Tide beat Mississippi State, who beat Missouri, who beat Florida, who beat Ole Miss. The Rebels took down LSU 32-24. Then, the following week, Ole Miss lost to Florida 52-28. A week later, the Gators lost to Missouri 45-17. Missouri’s victory over Mississippi State was a close one, ending at 31-24. The Bulldogs lost to Alabama 56-23, and the Crimson Tide also took down Kentucky 45-17. With many of these matchups being ranked games, it can be hard to tell which team really is the best in the conference. Factors like home field advantage and bye week timing can impact wins and losses, further complicating outcome predictions. It boils down to the fact that most teams in this league are skilled enough to compete with one another.
GRACE ANN COURTNEY / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
While college football TV ratings have decreased overall, the SEC once again rises to the top. The Athletic reported that through Week 4, 27 games involving at least one SEC team that were Nielsen-registered totaled approximately 122.8 million viewers. Nielsen ratings measure how many people are watching something and who is watching it. Crowds are drawn to entertainment, and the SEC is entertaining. Something spectacular seemingly happens every Saturday. On top of that, the SEC is becoming the most NFL-esque conference in college football. In the 2026 NFL Draft, the SEC had 87 players selected. The Big 10 came in second with 68. The ACC and Big 12 each had 38 athletes selected — less than half the SEC’s total. On top of that, the SEC had a player from every school on
an NFL playoff roster last year. A majority of NFL teams can beat anybody in the league because all of the players are extremely talented. This year’s NFL season is proof. The New York Giants are 3-1-1 and first in the NFC East as a team that went 4-13 last season. NFL players are the best of the best, and that is why any matchup can be surprising and unpredictable. The SEC is becoming that way, too. Just last weekend, unranked Oklahoma (2-2) toppled undefeated No. 1 Texas. Though this whirlwind of wins and losses may become hard to keep up with, it is proof that the SEC is the place to be.
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PAGE 10 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026
Column: Ole Miss’ Week 7 game is a do-or-die matchup
RUSS EDDINS Sports Editor
No. 9 Ole Miss Football squares off against No. 13 Missouri on Saturday. Both teams have one loss in SEC play and can only afford one more if they want a good chance at making the College Football Playoff. This Week 7 matchup has quietly become a door-die, season-defining game. After Week 3, the Rebels had two wins over Top-25 teams: then-No. 24 Louisville and then-No. 7 LSU. Both of those teams’ seasons have gone sideways, with the Cardinals at 3-3 and Tigers at 4-2 through Week 6. Louisville is no longer ranked, and LSU is in danger of falling out of the Top 25. Worse yet, Florida is not the juggernaut everyone thought they were after the Gators pummelled the Rebels 52-28 in Week 4. The Gators have lost back-to-back games, sporting a 45-17 road loss to Missouri and
a 38-19 home loss to a South Carolina team with no prior wins in SEC play this season. Missouri ran into a hot Mississippi State team in Starkville, Miss., to begin SEC play and lost 31-24. Since then, the Tigers have defeated Florida and toppled a struggling Texas A&M team 27-6. All of that sets the stage for a vital Week 7 matchup. If the Rebels win, they can afford one more loss. Ole Miss still has No. 7 Texas on the road and No. 1 Georgia at home. A loss means the Rebels have to win out. Yet, this game is receiving little to no hype. The whole country knew about the Rebels’ game against LSU, and Florida also felt like a big deal, but this game against Missouri is flying under the radar. Head coach Pete Golding needs a solid, quality win. If the Rebels defeat the Tigers, there is no guarantee that Missouri will go on to have a great season the rest of the way, but, as of right now, it would go down as a qual-
ity win, and that will have to be good enough for the time being. Ole Miss has chances for other exceptional wins, with the No. 7 and No. 1 teams in the country still on the schedule. Plus, Oklahoma, despite being a massive disappointment, defeated Texas, and the Sooners are hoping to salvage the season and finish strong. Mississippi State looked like a real threat early in the season. The Bulldogs suffered a big loss to the second-best SEC team in Alabama. Only time will tell if that will last. If the Bulldogs can refire after their bye week, this year’s Egg Bowl could be more than a free win for the Rebels, like it has been for a few years. Beating Missouri may be the difference between being a CFP team and going to the Pop-Tarts Bowl. It could be the difference between going 10-2 and 8-4. A mature, well-led team like Ole Miss will almost certainly not punt on this season just because they have two losses, but it is not out of the question that
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Deuce Alexander evading Mason Lewis and Ricardo Jones in the second quarter of the game against Vanderbilt on Oct. 10 in FirstBank Stadium. this could be a season-defining game. Getting a second loss at this point in the season would be detrimental to playoff odds. Week 7 can be the point when the Rebels take off and never look back — or the point when Ole Miss fans start looking forward to baseball season early.
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(like som e used books); 43- River to the Moselle; 44- Staggering; 46- Fermented grape juices; 48- Canonized mlle.; 49- Eye membrane; 51- Border; 52- Type of shirt; 53- Breaks bread; 55- Sp. ladies; 57- Car transmission component; 61- Tooth covering; 65- Gumbo ingredient; 66- Rock concert venue; 68- Rejection power; 69- Follow; 70- Golden-touch king; 71- Isaac’s eldest; 72- Thesaurus wd.; 73- Actress Dunaway; 74- Auctioneer’s cry;
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DOWN
1- Queue after Q; 2- Kazan; 3- Financial institution; 4- Shed ___; 5- Guess; 6- Barely manage, with “out”; 7- Pool division; 8- Dictation taker; 9- Glamour rival; 10- 1994 Jodie Foster film; 11- Not difficult; 14- Kett and James; 15- Possibly; 20- Speed contest; 22- Sock ___ me!; 24- Balderdash!; 26- Sir ___ Newton was an English mathematician; 27- Dupe; 28- Scoff;
30- Weird; 32- Slightest; 33- Related on the mother’s side; 34- Street show; 37- Makes a loan; 40- Subscription continuation; 42- Remove the lard; 45- Jacob’s first wife; 47- Playwright O’Casey; 50Mr. T’s former group; 54- Letter cross-line; 56- Rescues; 57- Camp beds; 58- Acceptable; 59- Broad smile; 60- Mother of Helen of Troy; 62- You’ve Made ___ Very Happy; 63- And others, briefly; 64- Noisy; 67- Negative vote;
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THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026 | PAGE 11
Is mandated attendance effective or destructive?
It should be our liberty to choose whether or not to attend class without a penalty merely for an absence. NATALY TELLO
Opinion Staff Writer
Oddly enough, I sometimes reminisce over the crispy fall mornings of high school when I would wake up with a sore throat and miss class for a day or two. My absences were pardoned by a note written by my parents or a doctor. As a college student, however, it is not always that simple. Attendance policies at the University of Mississippi are largely at the mercy of each professor. The university’s current attendance guideline states that “it is the responsibility of the instructor to determine the attendance guidelines that best promote learning in a particular course.” Many classes strictly require attendance at all class meetings.
Attendance is taken by signing one’s name, scanning in with a student ID, completing a graded daily assignment or being recorded by the professor. Professors often adopt a policy allowing two to three allowed unexcused absences, after which they will deduct points from a student’s class grade for each absence. So, come rain or shine — or, more likely, fever or good health — a student must decide whether missing class for a cold is worth risking a letter grade. Jessica Hunter, a sophomore nursing major from Atlanta, spent nearly a month being in and out of class this semester due to recurrent hospitalizations. Hunter said only two of her classes required attendance. “I was very lucky to have professors that accepted my doctor’s note and have met with
me during office hours to catch me up to speed,” Hunter said. Despite her situation that forced her to miss quite a bit of class, Hunter understands the importance of attending class and why many professors require it. “Like big lectures, for biology or chemistry, it makes sense for attendance to be required,” Hunter said. “If you miss class, you’re missing valuable information.” Junior Kathleen Havens, an education major from Houston, had a similar situation that required her to miss class this past spring semester. Havens was hospitalized for about a week and had several courses with required attendance. Absences negatively impacted Havens’s grades in those classes due to missed participation points, but these penalties were eventually absolved. “My grades were bad when I got back, but I was able to make up for my work because of my excuse,” Havens said. Havens thinks attendance should not be mandatory. “I don’t think absences should affect overall grades, because your education is what you make of it. We all have things going on. Limited absences just add on to the stress,” Havens said. “We are all adults. It is your responsibility and your choice to go or not.” It is not just a student’s sickness that can act as a barrier to class attendance. Illness, injury NATALY TELLO/ THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN and death of friends and family
members are also legitimate reasons students need to miss class. Right now, there is no policy preventing students from receiving academic penalties for days they miss as a result of these issues. Grief has no timeline, and it looks different for every person. My friends and I have all, unfortunately, lost someone dear to us, and we have all handled it differently. Some of us saw our grades suffer, while others were forced to cope while still attending classes. Mississippi State has a clause in its attendance policy that allows for absences due to death, illness or injury of a student’s immediate family member. Mississippi State also excuses missed class days for professional and graduate school interviews and participation in legal proceedings. Since our university does not have a mandate like this, professors are technically able to decide on their own whether a court proceeding, job interview or visit to a family member in the hospital are valid excuses to miss class. While it is reasonable, to an extent, to mandate attendance, especially in an age of technology when many students are abusing artificial intelligence to get through school, mandated attendance has its faults. Plenty of students have friends scan or sign their name for them, while others do so themselves, then leave before the professor sees. Some stu-
dents attend class in-person but shop online, scroll on social media or refuse to pay attention to the lecture. Should attendance count if students are physically, but not mentally, present? It should be our liberty to choose whether or not to attend class without a penalty merely for an absence. Students who elect to miss class and perform poorly academically as a result should learn a valuable life lesson from facing the consequences of poor test results. While required attendance exists to hold students accountable, it can be an unrealistic expectation for most. At the very least, there should at least be policies in place by the university to provide academic protections for students facing death in the family or personal illness, instead of simply being left up to the professor. Nataly Tello is a sophomore English and journalism major from Hernando, Miss.
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Wearing white this weekend is a fashion sin As someone who has spent her entire life in the South, I was appalled when Ole Miss revealed this season’s color-of-the-game schedule calling for a whiteout game well into the fall. MACKENZIE MCDARIES Opinion Editor
Fashion traditions have taught us for decades that every outfit has a time and a place, especially in the South. You cannot wear linens during the evening, open-toed shoes during winter nor velvet during summer. Though many of these silent expectations have died out in recent years, there is one rule that is still widely acknowledged and followed: It is unacceptable to wear white after Labor Day. So, why on God’s green Earth did one of the most Southern institutions in the country request fans to dress in white for a football game in October? The precedent was that the whiteout game was always the first game of the year — typically, the only home game
prior to Labor Day. This was not simply a coincidence but an acceptance of the idea that wearing white after Labor Day is sacrilegious and should be avoided at all costs. As someone who has spent her entire life in the South, I was appalled when Ole Miss revealed this season’s color-of-the-game schedule that deviated from that norm and called for a whiteout game well into the fall. Of course, it is not a matter of life-or-death. Avoiding the color white after the end of summer is merely a fun Southern custom that many believe stems from the practicality of wearing the color in certain temperatures. At the end of the 18th and into the 19th centuries, wearing lighter fabrics and colors allowed for a greater ability to stay cool on hot summer days when air conditioning was not
yet publicly available. Oppositely, critics argue that this unofficial fashion rule was created by wealthy women who wore white during their summer vacations to communicate their socioeconomic status and create a visual class divide. Regardless of its origin, I think the idea of not wearing white after the start of fall is just a silly, innocent tradition in Southern culture, synonymous with sweet tea, haint blue porch ceilings and the New Year’s Day lucky meal (which I did actually eat every year growing up, though I cannot say that eating those black-eyed peas brought me financial prosperity — something that can be hard to come by with these Oxford prices!). At the end of the day, supporting the team and showing Rebel pride is the most important part of going to an Ole Miss Football game. Thus,
MACKENZIE MCDARIES / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
despite my aversion to doing MacKenzie McDaries is a juso, I will accept this cultural nior sociology and Arabic madefeat and wear an outfit with jor from Murfreesboro, Tenn. a hint of white, as requested by our beloved university. Perhaps, in the future, Ole Miss Football could consult a stylist before releasing the color schedule to prevent such a CONTACT THE OPINION DESK AT thedmfeatures@gmail.com blunder from happening again.
Opinion Policies: Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail.com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.
PAGE 12 | THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN | 15 OCTOBER 2026
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