The Battalion — September 24, 2026

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Thursday, September 24, 2026

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LIFE & ARTS: Former student uses platform to express political views

SPORTS: No. 23 A&M football heads to Death Valley seeking first SEC win

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PUBLICATION NOTICE

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Aggie researchers developing novel treatment for livestock parasite USDA funds research at A&M to combat screwworm infestation By Ariadni Maria Pappa News Reporter Texas A&M researchers are developing a new treatment for the New World Screwworm that could give ranchers another option for treating infected livestock as the parasitic fly threatens agriculture. The $1.86 million USDA-funded project led by A&M brings together researchers in chemical engineering, entomology and veterinary science from A&M and Texas Tech. The team is developing a spray that combines botanical and synthetic compounds to kill screwworm larvae that nest in the wounds of livestock. For Phillip Kaufman, Ph.D., the project’s co-principal investigator and head of the Department of Entomology, the goal is not only to kill the larvae but also to help address the damage they leave behind. “What we’re trying to do is to create new products that will allow veterinarians, ranchers, and the broader agricultural community to treat the [screwworm] wound,” Kaufman said. “Essentially, the aim is to kill any larvae that we may have missed when we try to take them out, but also promote healing of that wound.” That is where the project differs from long-term efforts to control the screwworm population. Sterile fly programs, which stops the screwworm from reproducing, can reduce populations over generations, but they do not provide immediate treatment for an animal that is already infested. “Our approach is trying to solve the immediate emergency,” Mustafa Akbulut, Ph.D., the project’s principal investigator and a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering said. “Let’s say we see an animal, and it is infested by these eggs and larvae. The main question is, ‘How do we treat it quickly and efficiently?’” Rather than completely eliminating synthetic compounds, the team is testing whether plant-based or natural compounds can work alongside synthetic chemicals in a way that makes the overall treatment more effective. “If one chemical doesn’t do enough to kill [the screwworm], maybe having it act in two places will give us enough mortality that the insect does survive,” Kaufman said. “So together, they might work better.” For screwworm research, the combination represents a new direction in a field in which older treatments are no longer viable. “This is the first time we are developing a botanic synthetic combination as a treatment for infection,” Akbulut said. The team is not only developing the chemical formulation, but also working on how the treatment will reach and remain on an infected animal through a trifold option plan. “We are also optimizing the form factor of the treatment,” Akbulut said. “We are making a spray which will stick to the wounds and remain there, in addition to foam and adhesive.” The project further includes a microbiological component alongside the work focused on killing the larvae. The ultimate goal is that eventually one application could address the two key problems posed by the New World Screwworm. “If our formulation can both eliminate the larvae and treat the wound in a single spray, then the objective of the project will succeed,” Akbulut said. “Ranchers don’t want to go into multiple rounds of application. They want to make it quick, one time, and efficient so they can resume their work.” The focus on creating a treatment that can realistically be used by ranchers and livestock owners is also reflected in the project’s structure. A&M is spearheading this million-dollar grant, while researchers at Texas Tech will conduct planned animal studies as the formulations move through testing. “Because this is now a national emergency, we have to do testing at all levels, and that is where our collaboration with Texas Tech comes in,” AkbuREAD MORE HERE lut said.

Photos by Rocio Salgado ­— THE BATTALION

Jackie Doss poses by doing a “Gig ‘em” in front of the newly opened locotion of JD Ranch Boutique on University Drive on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. The interior of the JD Ranch Boutique on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.

From brainstorm to business How Jackie Doss’ ‘22 class project became retail venture By Ava Loth Editor-in-Chief Gathering items from around her childhood home, Jackie Doss’ ‘22 earliest memories of retail were ones she created inside her own bedroom. From setting up a library of her own books to shelves of candy, an instinct to sell felt second-nature. The books and candy that she once “sold” to her parents have transitioned into fashion now sold to the Bryan-College Station community. On Aug. 7, Doss opened her second storefront of JD Ranch Boutique right off of University Drive. Looking back though, her plans for the boutique didn’t just start in her childhood room. In fact, the idea was woven together as she sat at a desk at Texas A&M. “I think looking back on my life, it does make sense that I’m doing retail, because it was always naturally what I was interested in,” Doss said. The signs of entrepreneurship creeped into multiple aspects of her life, and attending A&M was one of the later indicators that constructed her path. It wasn’t until she went to an A&M football game in eighth grade that Doss realized how much she resonated with what Aggieland had to offer. Doss’ drive to pursue entrepreneurship was steady throughout her time in college, and she wasn’t deterred by the obstacles she had to endure in her degree plan to do so — even when it came to professor Ed Rister’s ‘74, Ph.D., notoriously difficult senior-level class. While the syllabus didn’t require students to create a fully developed business, Doss thought that the effort she put into having a mock business for a class credit could, with a little bit of dedication, be something of substance. It wasn’t until Rister’s assignment that JD Ranch emerged as a clothing retailer. “I’m just gonna start this business in real time while I’m doing this fake project,”

Doss said. So, she did exactly that. Despite her project not winning the end-of-year class competition, a letter in the gradebook wasn’t what she was hoping to gain from the course. After earning her undergraduate degree, Doss decided she didn’t want her time at A&M to be over just yet. Despite having a greater workload now working toward a master’s degree in financial management, Doss never gave up on the idea, working tirelessly to find every opportunity to get JD Ranch exposure. However, when graduation came in May 2022, she wasn’t sure that applying to jobs was the path destined for her. But, when Doss stood one signature away from signing a lease for a storefront in Downtown Bryan, she got cold feet. Instead, she forewent the idea of self-employment, and got a job at a local bank to save up for a few more years. But just as predicted, her heart wasn’t in banking, as she spent any free time she had to expand her brand into something that could, one day, become her full-time job. Doss credited the time she spent working at the bank as laying the foundation for many fundamentals in running the boutique. “After work, I would go to the storage units and get content, pack orders, just do stuff for the boutique every night,” Doss said. “ … I learned a lot of things at the bank, and looking back, if I wouldn’t have done that, I don’t think I would be where I’m at today because of how much I learned about myself, about finance, about owning a business.” Resigning from the position two years later to give the boutique her undivided attention was the leap of faith she needed to realize its potential. Just one week later, a pop-up at a country music festival in Georgetown, the Two Step Inn, was the glimpse of courage Doss needed to commit to the boutique full time. “That was kind of like a very pivotal moment in my career, because that music festival was in my hometown, and it kind of changed my life, honestly,” Doss said. “I acquired so many new customers. I met so many people, and I think it was just what I needed to give me the courage to pursue it.”

The turnover from weekend pop-ups to her first storefront, located in the Post Oak Mall, was something that, while may be small in square footage, was no small accomplishment or coincidence. “Everyone starts from somewhere, and this was my somewhere, and I’m proud of it,” Doss said. Doss described that she didn’t find success with luck. Even when presented with doubts and obstacles, it was continued hard work that kept her idea afloat. “I think I feel like I’ve proved that, you know, if you believe in something enough and you push hard enough and you put yourself out there and people see that you’re truly passionate about what you’re doing and you’re not just out here trying to like, you know, just make a living, but you care about what you’re doing, you can be successful,” Doss said. But with an owner-operated boutique, Doss relied on her family’s support while still trying to get the boutique set up and completely on its feet — her sister, Jessica, standing out in particular. Doss expressed that much of what she has accomplished couldn’t have been possible without her sister by her side. According to Doss, Jessica never questioned her willpower, mainly because she never doubted that she was fully capable of accomplishing what she set her heart on. “To me it was just what I needed, because she believed in me,” Doss said. “More than I did in myself at the time.” Jessica now serves as JD Ranch Boutique’s first full-time employee, her sister ultimately giving her the opportunity to officially work alongside each other for Doss’ dream. Now living the dream she once could only imagine, Doss drew it back to her involvement at A&M, giving props to the opportunities she was presented with, mixed with dedication, that got her to where she is today. “A&M has so many clubs and organizations,” Doss said. “Whatever you’re interested in, there is a club for it. And you should get involved. Like, I totally believe in that because I was so involved, and it changed my life.”

LIFE & ARTS

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09.24.2026

Steve Carassco IV ­— THE BATTALION

Jared Shult ‘25 poses for a photo in front of Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.

How Jared Shult ‘25 makes Aggies feel seen Influencer demonstrates that political beliefs don’t define what it means to be an Aggie By Ian Curtis Senior Enterprise Reporter While making his way through the MSC after then-No. 10 Texas A&M football’s Red, White and Blue Game, Jared Shult ‘25 — clad in his blue “Standing for America” T-shirt with his Aggie Ring prominent on his right hand — didn’t stand out from legions of fans making their way through the crowded halls. Yet to many Aggies, Shult is an enigma. The Austin-based content creator’s social media feeds — where he boasts over 500,000 combined followers between TikTok, Instagram and X — seem to merge worlds, from Coachella and NASCAR to game days at Kyle Field and even posts needling various Republican politicians and public figures. In recent years, the influencer, who began his online career by playing music and filming lifestyle videos — and performing locally on Northgate as a student — has transformed into what USA Today called one of “the left’s best-known young straight White men.” “For a while it was like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to make anybody upset, or … I want to try to fit in more,’” Shult said. “And now, I’ve gained that confidence where I’m like, ‘At the end of the day, this is who I am. I’m not going to fake who I am.’” Shult said everything he posts is authentic to who he is: a Texan born and raised, and a proud Aggie who lives by A&M’s Core Values. “For me it was important to be like, ‘Hey, like I go to A&M, I go hunting, I love NASCAR, but like I also am cool with gay people,’” Shult said. “ … A lot of people assume that just because you’re an Aggie, you think a certain way. But a lot of people I’ve met post-graduation, there’s a big variety. So I think it’s important to have that representation.” Move to politics Shult, a Frisco native and third-generation Aggie, said he began to shift toward political posting in the wake of the 2024 presidential election. He attributes the shift to developing his own beliefs at A&M and feeling like an outsider after seeing so many of his peers celebrate the election of President Donald Trump. “There’s a lot of people that were hurting,” Shult said. “And so for me, it was like I can showcase who I am and what I believe, and I don’t feel like that negates who I am as an Aggie or anything, either.” That hasn’t always been a smooth process at a school like A&M, Shult said, which has a reputation — at times embraced by the System itself — for being one of the nation’s most conservative public universities. “I felt the energy in the room shift,” Shult said. “And the way that people treated me oftentimes changed, because it was like, ‘Oh, I was a part of the group.’ I was at the tailgate, or I was at the game with them, or … we were dancing at Hurricane Harry’s, or whatever. Then there’s information about me that changes, and it’s like, ‘Oh, like, he’s not really fully a part of [the group].’” His outspoken support for left-leaning causes, such as the opposition to the border wall being constructed in Texas’ Big Bend region — and his derision of Republicans such as Texas Attorney General and U.S.

Senate candidate Ken Paxton — is something that Shult believes directly spawned from A&M’s Core Values. He said he sees it as part of his duty to point out where the state’s leadership fails to follow them. “The biggest thing to me is I don’t ever want to be a hypocrite,” Shult said. “And so if I am going to be out there proudly as an Aggie online, then what I say and what I do and the way I carry myself should reflect the values of the university that I’m representing, and so that’s important to me. … I’m saying an Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do. Then I’m not going to tolerate somebody who’s actively lying and supporting that. I’m going to call that out.” Nationally, political analysts have focused on how the popularity of political influencers like Shult may reflect changing preferences among Gen Z voters — Yale’s Spring 2026 Youth Poll showed a large swing left among college-aged voters — as some campaigns have even taken to partnering with content creators. While Shult has found common ground with certain Texas figures, like U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, Shult said it’s important for him to remain true to himself and only post about what he authentically believes. Though he admits his political posting has cost him certain brand partnerships, he says he couldn’t live with himself if he felt forced to hide his true beliefs. “I’m big on trying to be independent,” Shult said. “Because then it just looks like you’re getting paid to say what you’re saying. But, like I said before, I’m not gonna post something I don’t actually believe or think. … If I post about a candidate, it’s because I genuinely believe in them. Or if I talk bad about a person or a candidate, it’s because I don’t believe good things about them.” Digital divide On X — which Shult notes is the platform where he tends to “clap back” most often — he has made it a habit of bluntly mocking various Republican politicians and other public figures, including recent posts calling Paxton a

coward for refusing to debate Talarico and needling LSU football head coach Lane Kiffin and Trump. Shult acknowledged that it’s antagonistic, but pointed out that it’s not inauthentic. “When people rage bait and they say things that they don’t actually believe in, and they get clicks, I don’t respect that at all,” Shult said. “I think it’s stupid. I’m not saying something I don’t believe in. It would just be like, ‘I know this is gonna get engagement, because I’m gonna make them mad.’” Of course, that has drawn plenty of hate — large portions of it from online burner accounts — from sections of A&M’s student body and the broader community. Shult hasn’t taken the bitterness to heart, he said. Pinned on his Instagram account is a carousel with photos of himself captioned with a hate comment on each slide. He captioned the post, “A lot of hate for a guy who is just chillin.” “They basically made it sound like I was no longer an Aggie,” Shult said. “I was

like, ‘I’ve been an Aggie my whole life.’ Like both my parents went there. I’m very invested in the culture. I love A&M. I love the state of Texas. Like, this is where I’ve grown up and where I want to live forever, and then it was like just because I think that healthcare is too expensive and we should make some common sense solutions and then not build a wall in Big Bend, I’m like a crazy, radical leftist.” Shult said that part of his mission is to show Aggies that they don’t have to choose between being open about their political stances or open about how much they love A&M. “To anyone at A&M that feels like they’re the only one that isn’t conservative or isn’t a hardcore Republican, you’re not the only one, and I think my content is an effort to show that,” Shult said. “ … A lot of people that end up being progressive feel like they’re not allowed to be a part of that, of the Aggie culture, because they don’t fit that, and I think my message is, you can believe that we, everyone, should have equality, but also be yelling the loudest and waving your towel at … Kyle Field.” Throughout his journey as a content creator, Shult has also educated himself more on how the state’s political processes work, he said. He’s been combining his education from A&M with his own outside research, from reading former state Rep. Brian McCall’s book “The Power of the Texas Governor: Connally to Bush” to a plan to attend portions of the Texas Legislature’s upcoming session. As for where that takes him in the future, Shult said who’s to say. “Maybe someday I [will] run for office for something, but at this point, it’s too early to call, right?” Shult said. “Right now, it’s just enjoying life, going to different events around the city or going to A&M games, and continuing to just grow my information level. Before I can decide to run for something, I want to make sure I’m prepared and that I know more.”

09.24.2026

LIFE & ARTS

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Photo by Jayden lorizzo ­— THE BATTALION

The Sister Cities mural highlights shared values in five languages at the Clara B. Mounce Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026.

Mural in Bryan reaches beyond borders Library in Historic Downtown Bryan. The

friendship as one of the strongest migrating

spirit of that. It reminds us that art and

“When Sister Cities reached out, it was a definite yes,” Library System Director of BCS Public Libraries Bea Saba said. According to the creator of the mural, German artist Enrico Pense, the mural depicts each Sister City through regional symbolic animals and key phrases. In the mural, the jaguar represents Salamanca, Mexico, where the animal is considered sacred. Jaguars have long resided in Mexican symbolism, seen in Aztec symbols of war, folk masks and Olmec civilization statues. Next, the deer resembles the calm, forested region of the Ardennes that surrounds Bastogne, Belgium. As Belgium’s most American city, the deer sports a star-spangled beanie. In the middle is a blue jay for Bryan, an intelligent, socialite bird representing the function of Bryan as a sister city and the library as a hub for information. Thereafter is the owl symbolizing Torun, Poland, celebrating the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus and the curiosity for other cultures. Finally, the crane of Northern Germany represents Greifswald, Germany, telling the story of distant connections and eternal

Each country’s character in the mural has a unique aesthetic that connects it to both its origin and its sister cities. For instance, Germany’s crane, sporting a monarch butterfly on its shoulder, represents the Bryan-College Station Public Library System and its ability to connect and educate people around the globe through reading. “The library will always be a place where people gather to share stories, right?” Saba said. “So this mural represents the values of global friendship, cultural understanding and the importance of community partnerships.” Situated beside Carnegie Alley, Clara B. Mounce Public Library is one of Bryan’s oldest hubs for knowledge. As one of three libraries in the BCS Public Library System, it became a necessary haven for the community. With the mural now on the face of this intersection, it highlights an important part of town and, hopefully, sparks curiosity in passersby about the art. “When we think about different cultures, BCS Sister Cities is pretty much an organization that works to exchange culturally,” Saba said. “And this project, it reflects the

sign a poster for World Fest, he made his first-ever trip to Texas. “Back then, I was staying at the same hotel where I was accommodated now, 10 years later,” Pense said. “The hotel manager actually [asked] me to paint the pool wall. But unfortunately, it never happened.” Pense, who is from Bryan’s sister city of Greifswald, painted throughout his childhood. He said he experimented with colors and styles until people enjoyed his work so much that he decided to turn doing murals and wall design into a profession. “This project means a lot to me of course, I feel truly honored to be a part of it,” Pense said. “In Bryan, I met so many incredibly kind people who are genuinely interested in connecting with other people.” As part of the grant from the City of Bryan, BCS Sister Cities brought back READ MORE HERE the decorated

Public library revealed mural partnership comes as part of a project from flocks. learning have the power to bring people tothe City of Bryan’s Arts & Culture Devel“The mural leaps forward in how Bry- gether across languages, borders and backhonoring international partners opment Grant, which seeks to elevate the an-College Station sees itself as an inter- grounds.” cultural experience throughout the Brazos national community,” Board Secretary of When Pense was approached by Sister through BCS Sister Cities Valley. BCS Sister Cities Chuck Martinez said. Cities in 2016 for an opportunity to deBy Chuma Ozuzu Life & Arts Writer In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower saw a vision where Americans, who were trying to make do with the remnants of World War II, could strive for peace and prosperity with geographical neighbors far and wide. Thus, Sister Cities International was created to form relationships with other countries and celebrate cultural differences, one city at a time. In 1989, a Sister Cities International chapter opened in Bryan-College Station with its first connection being in Kazan, Russia. Fast forward to 2026 and the BCS Sister Cities family has grown to four sisters, with members in Bastogne, Belgium; Greifswald, Germany; Salamanca, Mexico and Toruń, Poland. With the 20th commemoration of World Fest and Global Engagement Week around the corner, BCS Sister Cities took an opportunity to express its connection with international communities in artistic fashion. Over the summer, the organization unveiled a mural at Clara B. Mounce Public

Bryan TX Songwriter Festival returns Kyle Hutton ‘92 brings musical showcase back for its second year in Downtown Bryan By Rogelio Pena Life & Arts Writer Bryan-College Station has always been a place with a strong musical essence, from developing songwriting legends Lyle Lovett ‘79 and Robert Earl Keen to the recent winner of “The Voice,” music performance junior Aiden Ross. This culture will be showcased in Downtown Bryan on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9-10, at the second annual Bryan TX Songwriter Festival, featuring a wide variety of singer-songwriters with stories to share. Organized by Kyle Hutton ‘92 and his nonprofit, The Real Life Real Music Foundation, the festival encourages the progress of music and songwriting in the community by inviting hand-picked singer-

songwriters to perform and giving local artists an opportunity to share their music. “It always seems like there’s somebody that’s out in the audience at a songwriter show and they’re there because they are trying to learn how to be a songwriter,” Hutton said. “And so it’s like one generation inspires the next generation, inspires the next generation.” The festival will be organized into two parts: a section that will be free to the public at the south end of Downtown Bryan, featuring Radney Foster, Blue Water Highway and others. According to Hutton there is also a VIP experience that is located in more intimate venues around downtown, featuring artists such as Chuck Cannon, Bruce Robinson and other performers. The performers at the festival will span across multiple genres, from country and blues to indie and rock; however, despite the wide-reaching variety of performers, Hutton said he and the organizers of the festival put immense care into who they plan to bring out to perform. “There’s a little bit of everything …

treat the festival like a buffet,” Hutton said. “You’re there because you know its quality. We’re not going to put anybody on stage that we don’t think has the potential to inspire the people that are watching.” Performers will include songwriters who are returning to where they first began their music career, such as Dub Miller ‘97, who said he finds beauty in having the opportunity to perform for his community again. “The [Aggie] cult is real, and you take ownership of that … and as a representative of this something that allows you to contribute to this thing that’s larger than ourselves,” Miller said. Another performer, Jamie Lin Wilson ‘03, first picked up a guitar while she was studying at Texas A&M. “It’s really nostalgic for me to get to go back, because that’s where I learned how to do it,” Wilson said. All profits from the event go back into music support for the community through The Real Life Real Music Foundation, Hutton said. The goal of the foundation is to inspire

and provide the resources for younger generations to continue creating and appreciating music. “It’s an opportunity for us to, in our community, put on an event that actually ends up perpetuating more music after the event,” Hutton said. “Because we have dollars that we can use to sponsor and help bring artists to town and help with music education in schools and that kind of stuff.” According to Hutton, the organizers of the event care deeply about the art of songwriting and being able to share that with their community. “We try to make something that inspires and really helps grow somebody from wherever they are to a deeper appreciation of the craft of songwriting,” Hutton said. He also believes that music has a beautiful way of developing community, and that everybody who comes to the festival will leave with a reinforced appreciation of it. “You know, there’s not very many things that I’ve come across in this human experience that [beat what] we’re having, that unites people more than music does,” Hutton said.

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OPINION­­­­­

09.24.2026

Opinion: Bo French’s vision betrays A&M values everyone to gather in support of, or in

Republican nominee for Texas Railroad

That vision directly contradicts the Core

the students that watch sports — have been at the forefront of recent political debates about cultural assimilation and what it means to be an American? For example, our most infamous rival, Texas — or TU if you’re a real Aggie — celebrated a big win on Sept. 12 against Ohio State. While this game should have been a highlight for many of the students who were there supporting their team, it quickly turned into vile discourse after

remark against the students featured in the photo. In his post on X, Bo French claimed that this photo, which predominantly featured people of South Asian heritage, was a “problem” and that the issue was “far worse than anyone imagined.” The students captured in that photo weren’t making a political statement. They weren’t campaigning. They weren’t trying to represent anything other than the fact that they love their school and were excited about a football game. French has refused to apologize for the harmful words he said about these students, and has opened the floodgates for many social media users to perpetuate hate speech of their own against our fellow Texans. This is where the conversation becomes bigger than UT, bigger than our decadeslong rivalry and bigger than football. Whether you are an Aggie or you go to that godforsaken school in Austin, you are not seeing some narrow version of what the state politicians promote, but the real one. The one built by generations of immigrants and communities who came here for opportunities and stayed because they found belonging. While many viewers deny that college sports are not political in nature, why do these otherwise politically ambiguous events become the face of culture wars for the sake of politicians who would otherwise turn a blind eye to the unity on display? When political figures use sports as a stage to push exclusionary narratives, they aren’t protecting Texan culture — they’re rewriting it. They’re suggesting that only certain identities are welcome in the stands, on the field or in the future of this state.

those values say anything about ethnicity. All of them say everything about character. As Aggies, we have a responsibility to stick up for everyone, not just the people who look like us, think like us or grew up where we did. The spirit of Aggieland has never been about exclusion. It’s about showing up for your community, especially when someone is being treated unfairly. It’s ridiculous that we have to entertain a candidate for an elected position who can make horrific remarks about Texans without severely altering their status as a candidate. This is exactly why communities like ours matter. Aggies are taught that Leadership is rooted in Integrity, that Respect is non‑negotiable and that Selfless Service means standing up for others even if there is no personal gain. If we claim those values, then we can’t shrug off rhetoric that targets Texans for simply existing. We no longer live in the era of John Wayne — who, ironically, wasn’t even born in Texas — where individualism reigns supreme and conflicts are settled by guns. That mythologized version of Texas has never reflected the full truth of who actually lives here. Today’s Texas is something different, something better: a place where it doesn’t matter where you’re from, what you look like or what heritage you carry with you. The Texas we live in now is built by millions of people whose stories, cultures and communities make this state stronger. Don’t let Bo French dissuade you from the truth of our great state.

It’s the people that make our opposition to, their favorite sports for Commissioner Bo French took a screengrab Values Texas A&M claims to uphold: and unity. So why does it feel of a video from the official UT page and Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, state great — not their ethnicities entertainment as though sports — or, more specifically, made what can only be described as a racist Integrity and Selfless Service. None of By Wyatt Pickering Associate Opinion Editor Football season is in full swing, and with it comes the chance for every college student to gather and celebrate their soon-to-be alma mater’s win or loss against a variety of rival schools. These events are opportunities for

Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION

The Texas football student section chants “Mo Bamba” during Texas A&M football’s game against Texas at Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

Wyatt Pickering is a Business honors and finance senior and associate opinion editor for The Battalion.

Opinion: H2 … Oh, they’ve already passed out Except I know that’s not true, either.

conveniently located beside all bathrooms.

recognize that having a drinking fountain

Hold up, I can hear you saying, “If water is necessary for survival, shouldn’t it be free?” Most companies agree that it should be. Theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios provide free cups of water at all restaurant locations. Airlines like Southwest and United have free water during the flight. Even most bars, whose entire income is based on selling drinks, often give water for free. Texas A&M is no exception. There are free water fountains all over our main campus, from the Student Rec Center to the Liberal Arts and Humanities building. And, in all fairness, there are water fountains at Kyle Field. They might be inconveniently placed, but they do exist, and I would never complain about a few extra steps. Normally. But let me throw you into the reality of an A&M football game for a moment. You’re standing, as the ever-present 12th Man, for the duration of the game. Additionally, you are surrounded by thousands of people — also standing — blocking every staircase and pathway leading away from your seat. So leaving? It’s difficult. Once you’ve freed yourself from the hordes of people, you must now quest for a drinking fountain like it’s the Holy Grail. They are not, as you may suspect,

fountains on campus, there is no bottle filler. It’s similar in some ways to standing in an airport, downing whatever liquids you made the mistake of packing before going through TSA; you can’t take any of it with you, so drink up. After this ordeal, you may return to your stadium bench for another few hours and hope that you don’t get thirsty again, because if you do, the cycle will have to repeat all over again. To avoid making a fallacy of omission, I should add that students and fans are allowed to bring water into the stadium under the Kyle Field policies. Specifically, one clear, unopened plastic water bottle. As mentioned above, plenty to get any fan through the first quarter. How generous! I also wish to mention that I am not the only one who has taken notice of the struggle to stay hydrated. While I was at the Arizona State game, I overheard two girls talking. One was complaining about the soda fountains around the stadium. “Why can you refill Coke as much as you want, but not water?” she said. Why, indeed. I hesitate to offer solutions for this issue. I know little about economics, and even less about infrastructure and plumbing. I do have sufficient wherewithal, at least, to

Or an architect who will build some shade over the top decks. Yet despite the prevalence of this issue, I suspect it will go unsolved for some time. Leadership has not deemed it serious enough to rise to the top of the problem list. It begs the question: How far will things have to go? Will a freshman on the third deck need to pass out from dehydration, or a visiting fan from Colorado or some other temperate state have to collapse? It’s a question to ponder the next time we have an afternoon game in 96-degree weather.

Kyle Field needs updated drinking The human body is 60% water, and every And then, if by luck you do manage to underneath every seat at Kyle Field is a scientific and medical resource will agree find one of said water fountains, you must stretch. fountains or, better yet, free that water keeps your blood pumping imbibe as much liquid as possible from Still, I understand enough to know that a fluidly, your nerve cells functioning properly a germ-encrusted drinking spout. Chug, change needs to be made. We need updated water for overheated fans and your body temperature stable. chug, chug, because unlike the drinking drinking fountains or free water. By Marie Kneeland Opinion Writer The fall semester at Texas A&M is in full swing, and everyone knows what that means. It’s time to lather on sunscreen, grab that clear bag and disposable, unopened water bottle and trek out to Kyle Field for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff underneath the scorching Texas sun. I witnessed a terrific victory in then-No. 10 A&M football’s game versus Arizona State — a stark contrast to this past week’s devastating loss against Kentucky. I also witnessed people sweating away all their liquids, passing out and getting sunburnt until they matched the American red color theme of the third deck. Not the prettiest sight, I assure you. Thank goodness we all brought water. Don’t worry, it lasts for a while — almost halfway through the first quarter. And if you want more, you can always go buy it for the inexpensive cost of $6.99. Never mind that you can get a pack of 40 water bottles at any grocery store for less; college students have plenty of money to spare! Wait, that’s not right. Well, at least we don’t need water to survive.

Graphic by Allison Fernandes

Marie Kneeland is an English honors sophomore and opinion writer for The Battalion.

Illustration by Allison Fernandes — THE BATTALION

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Steve Carrasco IV ­— THE BATTALION

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CJ Smith ­— THE BATTALION

Jayden lorizzo ­— THE BATTALION

Clockwise from top left: Libero Gabi Rodriguez (1) reacts as outside hitter Natalie Ring (17) passes the ball on offense during Texas A&M volleyball’s match against SFA at Reed Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. Middle blocker Eliza Sharp (25) and setter Kirra Musgrove (14) block SFA opposite hitter Katherine Holtman (5) during Texas A&M volleyball’s match against SFA at Reed Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. The Aggies celebrate after a point during Texas A&M volleyball’s match against SFA at Reed Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026.

High-performing Aggie newcomers to face first SEC opponent at Reed Arena No. 16 A&M volleyball opens conference slate confident amidst rotating roster By Kynlee Joyner Managing Editor Last time Texas A&M volleyball faced a Southeastern Conference opponent, it stepped onto the court at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, to face 1-seed Kentucky for the national championship title. As confetti floated in the air and players took their cut of the net, there was a sense of familiarity to the 12th Man. There were players who had been with A&M for their entire collegiate career; players who helped build a national championship program from the ground up. Now, when No. 16 A&M volleyball steps onto the court in front of the 12th Man to face South Carolina, those same faces won’t be seen from the stands. Instead, a cohort of newcomers will look across the net at their first-ever SEC opponent. Non-conference play has introduced the Aggie faithful to many new faces on head coach Jamie Morrison’s roster. From standout transfers to impactful high school commits, this season’s lineup can only be described in one word: rebuilt. With only one returning starter and a handful of players who have faced SEC foes, entering conference play could be daunting, but Morrison thinks otherwise. “If you look at the amount of growth, again, I don’t think there’s a team in the country that got better at the rate that our team did,” Morrison said in a press conference on Sept. 21. “I don’t think anybody can match that, so that’s all you can ask

for as a coach. … In terms of prepping for conference, I think we’re further ahead than I probably even thought this team was capable of growing.” And a vital part to that growth has come in the form of new additions to the starting six. Among the standouts are fifth-year outside hitter Natalie Ring, junior middle blockers Kaia Castle and Eliza Sharp and the sole starting freshman, libero Gabi Rodriguez. Non-conference play led to a 7-5 start for the Aggies. A glance at that record may make it easy to write the team off for some, but it’s a reflection of the ranked competitors Morrison and Co. lined up to prepare A&M for conference opponents. “It’s interesting because you don’t want to lose matches, but I think in order for people to grow to their full potential, they have to be put into tough situations where they’re forced to grow toward the edges of what they need to go do,” Morrison said. “I think when you play a tough schedule against really good opponents, there’s this stretching that happens that like, ‘Oh, I need to go be that good.’ And then if you do it over time, all of a sudden that becomes a habit of, ‘I have to be good like that.’” In non-conference play, 7 out of 12 opponents that the Maroon and White faced were ranked. Though walking away with only two wins against ranked competitors, Morrison believes it has made the players stronger both on and off the court. “There’s been a lot of lessons learned, and we’ve talked a lot this season about the losses that we had were learned through heartbreak,” Morrison said. “They were lessons learned through heartbreak, and just make sure that those stick, not just for the season but for life. For the career of volleyball but also some of the things

that we teach beyond volleyball. … I think there’s something we learned within each of them.” With rebuilding comes many lessons learned. And a lesson that the 12th Man has been shown is to not underestimate a new face. Newcomers for A&M have dominated the court through the non-conference slate, adding team-high metrics to the stat sheets. Ring, a Marquette transfer, has been a vital addition to A&M’s pins. She recorded a career-high night in kills with 15 against Cal Poly on Aug. 29, leading the team with 122 total kills on the season. What she lacks in hitting percentage, sitting at a season average of .192 — the lowest among starting attackers — she makes up for in game IQ. She doesn’t approach with a kill-the-ballat-all-costs mentality, instead opting for reading the defense, allowing her to consistently find the holes in coverage — something Morrison praised her for in a postgame press conference after the win over Cal Poly. Holding down the backcourt, Rodriguez leads the team in digs with 160 on the season — 92 more than any other player on the team. In only nine games, Rodriguez became the A&M record holder for fastest to achieve 100 career digs in their collegiate debut season. Furthermore, the freshman not only leads the team’s defense on the back row but is tied for first on the team in service aces with 13. Her ability to cover the court and make defensive saves will be a vital factor in conference play. Rodriguez had a career night against No. 6 Wisconsin on Sept. 11, recording 20 digs in the match, but she wasn’t the only Aggie who had a night to remember. In the same game, Castle added 19 kills to the stat sheet, her highest in a single game this season. With 72 kills and 38 blocks, Castle

has been a staple at A&M’s net. However, the junior was notably missing from this week’s Tuesday matchup. In a post-game conference after the win over Rice on Sept. 22, Morrison gave no indication of Castle’s absence, stating only that her presence in the SEC opener is “questionable.” While Castle’s status is currently unknown, another key player was missing from the Tuesday lineup. In the matchup against then-No. 20 Creighton, Castle’s counterpart suffered an ankle injury. “We’re a little banged up right now across the board,” Morrison said. “So just with her … it’s an ankle, so it’s nothing career ending at this point, but it’s obviously disappointing. She started the season off with an injury and handled it as well as anybody could possibly handle an injury and put every ounce of effort into getting back, and I just talked to her when we got off the bus yesterday about doing just that.” Like Castle, Sharp’s return for Sunday’s matchup remains in the air as they assess the injury day by day, according to Morrison. Sharp leads the team in total blocks, tallying 59 in non-conference play and recording a career night with 10 stuffs against then-No. 21 Indiana on Sept. 2. Her presence on A&M’s front row has been a vital piece to the puzzle, from defense to finding her sweet spot on the slide. While key players may be confined to the bench, Morrison is confident in the team’s ability as it welcomes South Carolina to Reed Arena on Sunday, Sept. 27. “I think we’re in a really good spot playing a really, really high level of volleyball, competing in the right way,” Morrison said. “We’re getting more and more consistent with the way we practice and the way that we play. I’m really excited for what’s going to happen in conference play.”

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Photos by Adriano Espinoza ­— THE BATTALION

Clockwise from top: The Aggie kick return team scramble to recover a dropped kick during Texas A&M football’s game against LSU at Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. Freshman running back Jamarion Morrow (23) pushes towards the endzone during Texas A&M football’s game against LSU at Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. Freshman wide receiver T.K. Norman (18) runs the ball during Texas A&M football’s game against LSU at Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

A&M pays visit to LSU for ranked matchup Aggies to return to Death Valley looking for first SEC win By Teagan Parker Sports Writer A hostile environment, a must-win situation and a rivalry dating back to 1899 are more than enough to set the stage for a weekend matchup in the Southeastern Conference. On Saturday, Sept. 26, No. 23 Texas A&M football will head back to Tiger Stadium for the second year in a row to face off against No. 10 LSU. With both teams beginning conference play 0-1, they will each undoubtedly be searching for redemption through a victorious Saturday night in Louisiana. The weekend’s contest marks their 61st matchup in program history, in which the Tigers lead 32-25-3. Last year, the Maroon and White recorded their first win in Death Valley since 1994, when the team won under College Football Hall of Fame head coach R.C. Slocum. Now, after making a few changes, the Tigers will welcome the Aggies back to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In terms of changes made, the one that

stands out the most is LSU’s new head coach, Lane Kiffin. Kiffin’s controversial departure from Ole Miss and the countless opinions surrounding him do not discredit the experience and pro-style offense that he brought with him to LSU. The Tigers’ offense currently ranks fifth in the SEC, averaging 40 points per game. Conversely, head coach Mike Elko’s defense hopes to serve as a remedy to Kiffin’s offense and its 209.3 average rushing yards per game. The top-25 encounter serves as the perfect opportunity for Elko’s defense to redeem itself postKentucky, when A&M allowed 408 total yards in a disappointing 31-21 loss. Nonetheless, A&M’s defense has held its opponents to an average of 17 points per game and will strive to continue the pattern against its upcoming opponent. Though it may prove challenging, the Fightin’ Farmers haven’t backed down yet. “We have a lot of pride in how we play defense here,” Elko said in his mid-week press conference on Sept. 21. “And I think we will rise to the challenge.” One challenge to Elko’s defense presents itself in redshirt junior quarterback Sam Leavitt. Leavitt previously played at Arizona State under head coach Kenny Dillingham before entering the transfer portal in January as the No. 1 QB in the

2026 class. In his short time with the Tigers this season, Leavitt has thrown for a total of 732 yards, averaging 244 yards per game with a 61.3% completion rate. However, in the team’s most recent loss to Ole Miss, Leavitt completed only 59.3% of his passes with one interception. Leavitt’s counterpart, senior QB Marcel Reed, has had his own struggles early in the season, but Elko has not lost his confidence in his starting field general. “There’s a lot of noise, you know,” Elko said. “He’s feeling like he’s gotta defend himself a lot … he’s got to be able to relax and play the way that he’s capable of.” But will Reed be able to block out the noise as he enters one of the most hostile environments in the SEC? He has already done so once. Reed’s history with LSU is one that many Aggies cherish, beginning with the blackout game at Kyle Field in 2024, when the then-backup came off the bench to lead the Aggies to a 38-23 comeback win. The freshest game on the mind of the 12th Man, though, is last year’s 49-25 victory at Tiger Stadium, paved by Reed once again. Currently 2-0 in games played against the Tigers, Kiffin’s team is surely not waving off the threat that Reed presents.

The starting QB for the Fightin’ Farmers has thrown for 632 total yards on the season and an average of 210.7 per game. As Elko stated, Reed must play the way that he is capable of. All sports fans know the grueling injury lists that never stop, and college football is no exception. A&M will be without junior wide receiver Terry Bussey, and LSU will miss junior safety Dashawn Spears. Bussey was confirmed to be out for the remainder of the season after he suffered a lower-body injury against Kentucky. The Timpson native earned 92 total receiving yards in his short season and sat at 13.1 average yards per catch. Spears is also confirmed to miss the entire season for LSU. The Tiger is out with an ACL injury that was sustained against Ole Miss. “He’s a really unique player,” Kiffin said about losing Spears. “… So that’s going to be really tough.” With loss, though, comes the opportunity to see someone else step up. Like Reed in 2024, will this game feature a breakout performance simply because a player has to come off the bench? The Aggies will answer this question as they head back to the bayou for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26.

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Crossing bylines: A&M at LSU Previewing the Aggies’ rivalry showdown in Baton Rouge with The Reveille’s deputy sports editor Rami Burks By Ian Curtis Senior Enterprise Reporter The Aggies took a tumble in the AP Poll after a 31-21 upset loss to the Kentucky Wildcats, while the Tigers weren’t able to handle then-No. 8 Ole Miss Rebel as head coach Lane Kiffin made his much-heralded return to Oxford, Mississippi. And with the loser of this Week 4 showdown entering October while staring down the barrel of a .500 record, it’s safe to say both squads are desperate for a win to right the ship at this stage in the year. With that in mind, I spoke to Rami Burks, the deputy sports editor of LSU’s student newspaper, The Reveille, about what Aggie fans can expect from the Bayou Bengals this week. Burks, who was raised as a fan of the Tigers before making her way to sports journalism after playing softball all her life, said that the hype around Kiffin and this year’s team has been immense, but that the fanbase isn’t overreacting to the loss to the Rebels. “Ever since everything that happened last night, there’s been a lot of camaraderie with the fans coming together, saying, ‘Well, you know, this is still Kiffin’s first season,’” Burks said. “Just being like, ‘Yeah, he’s a seasoned coach, but this is a team that hasn’t had time to really gel yet,’ and that ‘They have several more games to improve upon that.’” Offense: Leavitt in, Green out Kiffin’s move wasn’t the only high-profile addition that the Tigers made over the offseason. LSU replaced current Kansas City Chiefs QB Garrett Nussmeier with Arizona State transfer redshirt junior quarterback Sam Leavitt, who has been productive in his three starts so far this season. Leavitt — who earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors and was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year while leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship in 2024 — suffered a seasonending foot injury last year. But that hasn’t appeared to slow him down too much so far this season, as he ranks fifth in the Southeastern Conference in passing yards and first among SEC QBs in rushing yards, per ESPN. “Leavitt’s done absolute wonders, in my opinion,” Burks said. “ … He’s done a great job in everything that he’s done. Not throwing anything away as much as we’ve seen in the past from other quarterbacks, but just overall playing a more solid, tight game.” Burks said that a key aspect of Leavitt’s game has been the ability to use his legs as a legitimate running threat. Leavitt ranked second on the team in rushing against Ole Miss with 63 yards and a rushing score. That’s something that Tiger fans weren’t used to under Nussmeier, she said. “The run game has been the difference maker, in my opinion,” Burks said. “ … I think his ability to use his legs and to sneak through the different gaps that the defense is giving him, I think that that's going to be the biggest difference maker at the end of the day. And like I said, he’s only got so much more room to grow since this team is finally starting to come together.” One of Leavitt’s key targets this season has been junior tight end Trey’Dez Green, whose 222 receiving yards ranks 11th in the SEC. But Green went down hurt in the fourth quarter of the Ole Miss game — when he led LSU in both catches and receiving yards with four for 60 — which poses a challenge for the hosts, as Green is rumored to miss several games after being unable to put much weight on his right leg when he was helped off of the field in Oxford. His loss means the Tigers will be forced to pivot to a pair of junior transfer TEs against the Aggies, Burks said. “I think we’ll see a lot of shared time between [Malachi Thomas] and Zach Grace, just because there is such a big hole to fill there,” Burks said. “Obviously, Trey’Dez has played lockdown the last [three] weeks.” Into Death Valley While the Aggies had no trouble walking through the valley of death last season in a 49-25 victory, the Tiger faithful are fearing no foe as they draw comfort in Kiffin and his staff, Burks said. “LSU always plays [its] best whenever [it’s] doubted, in my opinion” Burks said. “We’ve seen it in every sport. The best coaches say it’s best to get kicked in the teeth early rather than in Week 8, so I think LSU is really going to come back with a vengeance entering this next matchup.”

Photos by Abdurahman Azeez ­— THE BATTALION

Clockwise from top: Senior Reining competitor Anna Harris brings her horse to a stop during the reining portion of the Texas A&M Equestrian Maroon & White Scrimmage at the Hildebrand Equine Complex on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Senior Reining competitor Anna Harris rides during the reining portion of the Texas A&M Equestrian Maroon & White Scrimmage at the Hildebrand Equine Complex on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Head coach Tana McKay talks to the equestrian team before the reining portion of the Texas A&M Equestrian Maroon & White Scrimmage the Hildebrand Equine Complex on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Junior Reining competitor Aubree Leyva rides during the reining portion of the Texas A&M Equestrian Maroon & White Scrimmage at the Hildebrand Equine Complex on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.

A&M equestrian gets back in saddle 2025 SEC Champions set sights on 2026 season, opens competition up north with dual-opponent matchup By Roman Alarcon Sports Writer Texas A&M equestrian has its sight set on success this upcoming season, ranked No. 2 in the National Collegiate Equestrian Association pre-season coaches’ poll and with three returning All-Americans. After last year’s historic Southeastern Conference title and championship berth, the Aggies look to continue their winning ways in 2026. Despite a slow 5-5 start last fall, the Maroon and White captured an SEC title after heroics from All-American senior Moriah McQueen and All-SEC senior Kate Egan. In the first-round matchup against 1-seed Auburn, an eventual 11-8 win started with a 2-2 tie in Fences, with a notable performance from Egan, who tied Auburn’s impressive score of 81. After senior Nicole McMillon took the decisive point in the Flat discipline, the Fightin’ Farmers held the lead going into the Western Seat section. A hard-fought 3-2 loss in the Horsemanship section evened the event total — also

known as Reining — which just so happens to be one of the Tigers’ best events. After senior Caroline Buchanan scored the first point for Auburn, A&M swept the remaining points to earn an SEC Championship berth. In the SEC Championship, the Aggies secured a 4-1 lead through the Reining section, courtesy of outstanding performances from McQueen and second-team All-American senior Isabelle Gonzalez. From then on, the Bulldogs controlled the remainder of the event, as the Aggies barely held on for a 10-10 tie. The raw score tiebreaker was incredibly close, but a score of 1638.17 was just enough to push A&M over the edge for an SEC Championship victory. The title marks both its first SEC Championship and Conference Championship since its Big 12 win in 2011. “I couldn’t be prouder of this group,” head coach Tana McCay said about the victory. “They’re tough and resilient. We’ve been here the last five years, so it’s special to see that it’s finally paying off for these girls.” A&M then charged into the NCEA Championship, where it fell just short after South Carolina was declared victorious after a raw-score tiebreaker. The Aggies fell behind in the Western Seat sections, trailing the Gamecocks 7-3. The Fightin’ Farmers stormed back, earning a 7-3 win of their own when Jumpseat totals were tabulated, despite South Carolina outscor-

ing them 844.00-806.33. Although the event was tied 10-10, the raw-score tiebreaker told a different story: a crushing 1696.08- 1473.00 defeat. Despite the national championship loss, A&M enters the 2026-2027 season with high hopes, especially with an increased investment in the program. A renovation was in order for the Hildebrand Equine Complex, which now boasts a new locker room and updated general facilities. Moving into the pre-season Maroon & White scrimmage on Sept. 18, the team got insight into potential star athletes heading into this season. Within the Flat discipline, senior Lauren Kolbe paired with her horse, Splendid, to score 85, besting the second-highest score from sophomore Logan Thomas by four points. Sophomore Addy Kallay was awarded Most Outstanding Player in Horsemanship, despite senior Kendall Dirksen outscoring her 76-75.5. Senior Alida Treuting took MOP for Fences, earning a score of 85 with her horse, Johnny. Both teams were tied heading into Reining, but Maroon swept White thanks to sophomore Kennedy Marshall on her horse, Sissy, who scored 70.5. Junior Aubree Leyva and freshman Courtney Hammit both scored 71, ensuring a 14-8 Maroon win. A&M will visit Dover, Delaware, to face off against Minnesota-Cookstown and Delaware State in its first two meets of the 2026 season on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 8 a.m.

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The Battalion is published Thursdays in Fall 2026 (except university holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. The Battalion is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. Newsroom Phone: 979-845-3315 Email: editor@thebatt.com Website: http://www.thebatt.com Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local and national display advertising, email battads@thebatt.com. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

09.24.2026