The
S TUDENT P RINTZ
September 23, 2013
www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
Volume 98 Issue 9
ON CAMPUS
Forensics Society brings home awards Alan Rawls Printz Reporter After being active for two years, The University of Southern Mississippi’s Forensics Society brought home several honors in a pair of debate tournaments. The Forensics Society participated in the University of Louisiana-Lafayette’s Swing on the Swamp debate event, which was held Sept. 12-15. Ten colleges and universities from Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas were represented at the event. A team of nine Southern Miss students attended the event and ranked fourth in the Overall Sweepstakes. They finished ahead of Louisiana-Lafayette and Texas A&M and several other schools. In individual events, USM ranked fourth; in debate, USM ranked second.
Courtsey photo/ Southern Miss Forensics Society
Members of the Southern Miss Forensics Society pose before their debate tournament this weekend in Louisiana. The team finished ahead of Louisiana-Lafayette, Texas A&M and other universities at the Swing on the Swamp tournaments last weekend.
“Attending this event was very special for my teammates and I,” said Kianna Mitchell, a sophomore broadcast journalism major. “The first tournament of the year is always the
most fun. You get to see the friends you have made from other teams again and you get back into ‘debate’ mode.” Brandon Hersey, a senior political science major, made a
significant impact at the tournaments. Hersey received the second place debate speaker award and placed fourth in individual sweepstakes in the first tournament. In the second
tournament, he placed first and second in impromptu speaking and extemporaneous speaking, respectively.
See FORENSICS, 3
IFC BID DAY
Becky Vu/Printz
Senior Phi Kappa Tau member Mark Ruebelowski celebrates the arrival of new pledges during bid day on Saturday Sept. 21.
NEW DEPARTMENT CHAIR
HARRY POTTER
Becky Vu/Printz
Saturday’s rain did not slow down Sigma Phi Epsilon pledges during bid day activities on Saturday Sept. 21 as pledges ran to their new brothers.
WEATHER
SOCCER
Monday
86/69 Tuesday
82/68 Wednesday
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INDEX Calendar ....................... 2 News ............................. 3 Feature.......................... 4 Opinion.......................... 6 Sports............................ 7
Calendar
Page 2, Student Printz
The
Student Printz
Serving Southern Miss since 1927
Executive Editor Carly Tynes carly.tynes@eagles.usm.edu 601.266.4266 Managing Editor Kathryn Miller kathryn.miller@eagles.usm.edu Chief Copy Editor Chris Greene chris.greene@eagles.usm.edu Copy Editor Courtney McNichols courtney.mcnichols@eagles.usm. edu News Editor Monicia Warner monicia.warner@eagles.usm.edu Sports Editor Joshua Campbell joshua.m.campbell@eagles.usm. edu Design Editor Taylor Fesenmeier taylor.fesenmeier@eagles.usm. edu Art Director Christopher Little christopher.little@eagles.usm.edu Webmaster Chris Greene chris.greene@eagles.usm.edu Designers Joshua Byrd Gerri Ducksworth News Content Adviser Chuck Cook 601.266.4288 chuck.cook@usm.edu Ad Graphic Designer Katherine Frye katherine.frye@eagles.usm.edu Advertising Manager Lesley Sanders-Wood 601.266.5188 lesley.sanders@usm.edu Advertising e-mail printzad@usm.edu
Find us online at: www.studentprintz.com
The Student Printz is published every Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. Signature Offset of Hattiesburg provides printing services. Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publications manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Mark Your Planner 23 24 25 26 27 10 a.m. Men’s Rugby Tabling TCC Atrium
10 a.m. Lifeline Campus Ministry | Life Application Night JGH 115 11 a.m. Delta Sigma Theta | Homecoming Public Relations Union Lobby
8:30 a.m. SGA | Homecoming Elections TCC Center, Library Plaza, LAB Lobby 9 a.m. Delta Sigma Pi | Bake Sale JGH Lobby
10 a.m. Men’s Rugby Tabling TCC Atrium
11 a.m. Pre-Sales for The Southerner Yearbook TCC Atrium
11 a.m. SMAC Fall Event Tabling JGH Lobby
12 p.m. Panhellenic Extension Presentations/New Member Convocation TCC Ballrooms 1 & 2
5:30 p.m. CRU | Student Gospel Leadership Class TCC 228
5:15 p.m. Phi Beta Sigma | NPHC Greek Show Union/Hub Plaza
4 p.m. CRU | Student Gospel Leadership Class Union Room A
7 p.m. Alpha Kappa Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma Program JGH 115
6:30 p.m. Episcopal Church at USM Worship and Dinner Danforth Chapel and Student Activities HUB
6 p.m. Freshman Associates Freshman Forum TCC 216
9:30 p.m. Phi Beta Sigma: March of Dimes Tabling Union Lobby & TCC Atrium
7:15 p.m. Phi Beta Sigma: Alain L. Locke Oratorical Contest Union Room B
8:30 a.m. SGA | Homecoming Elections TCC Center, Library Plaza, LAB Lobby
11 a.m. USM Quidditch Team | Tabling TCC Atrium
11 a.m. USM Quidditch Team | Tabling TCC Atrium 6 p.m. Residence Life | Study Paws Kennard-Washington Lawn 6 p.m. Stage Monkeys of Hattiesburg Improv Comedy: Show JGH 116
7 p.m. Phi Beta Sigma Program TCC 229
Message from University Police Concerning Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety The University of Southern Mississippi continues its efforts to provide a safer campus environment for pedestrians and cyclists. From pedestrian and bicycle friendly plazas to more shared bicycle and pedestrian sidewalks, the University will examine additional projects to provide even safer ways for those who choose to walk and bike. With these improvements, users of our sidewalks and plazas need to be aware of some safety concerns. Cyclists and pedestrians must be aware of their rights and responsibilities. Pedestrians have the right of way on all sidewalks and plazas. Cyclists using sidewalks should be cautious of pedestrians and operate in a safe manner, and be prepared to act appropriately when in close proximity of pedestrians. Bicyclist using roadways for transportation routes must follow the “rules of the road” just as motorists should. Basic pedestrian safety rules include: • DO NOT read or USE CELL
PHONES while crossing the street. Direct your full attention to traffic. • Obey signs and signals. Use pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and signs, and look in all directions before crossing. • Stop, look left – right- left before crossing. Walk, don’t run. • Be alert, especially in bad weather. Concentrate on what’s happening around you. • Walk on sidewalks. If you must walk in the street, walk single file, face traffic and stay as close to the edge of the road as you can. • Always cross the street at intersections or crosswalks. Don’t enter the roadway from between parked cars or other obstacles. • Don’t assume a vehicle is going to stop for you; the driver may not be paying attention or see you. Make eye contact to be sure you are seen. • Be visible at night. Wear white or light-colored clothes, retro reflective stripes and carry a flashlight.
Safety Tips for Cycling on campus: • Practice defensive cycling Ride defensively and expect the unexpected. Pass with care. Watch for vehicles turning into your path, and never assume you know what a driver intends to do. • Watch for hazards Regularly scan the roadway for cars, pedestrians, and unexpected hazards such as potholes, glass, and roadside trees that limit visibility. Ride at least two feet from the road edge to avoid debris and allow space to maneuver. • Keep control of your bicycle Keeping both hands on the handlebars allows you to make quick turns and stops. In rain, allow three times the normal distance to stop. • Use common sense Do not put your life or the lives of others in danger with careless riding. It’s not worth it. Remember, no matter who is at fault in an accident, the bicyclist always loses. • Always wear a helmet A helmet does four things for you: makes you more visible, keeps your head cooler in the sun, helps gain motorists’ respect and, most importantly, protects your head. • Use lights at night Using a white headlight and rear reflector at night always makes the cyclist more visible. Adding a taillight or amber reflector is also advisable. For ex-
tra visibility, wear lightcolored clothes with reflective tape. • Obey traffic signs, signals and laws Bicyclists must operate their bicycles like motorists. Obeying laws helps you be taken seriously by motorists. • Use hand signals Hand signals tell motorists and pedestrians what you intend to do. Signal as a matter of courtesy and protection. • Ride on the right with traffic Ride with traffic. Motorists aren’t looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the roadway. Bicycling on the wrong side is particularly dangerous at intersections, roadway curves and on the crest of hills. • Turning left Bicyclists can make a left turn by: 1) Signaling, yielding to traffic, moving into the left lane then turning left; or 2) Riding straight across to the farside crosswalk, then walking bike across the road. • Riding through intersections When you’re going straight through an intersection, move to the through-lane, avoiding the right-turn-only lane. Don’t ride to the right of a right-turning motorist. • Motorists: Pass with care Motorists should provide a reasonable safe distance (five feet) from a cyclist when passing.
Monday, September 23, 2013
News on campus
Forensics, from 1 “Forensics for me is a rush,” Hersey said. “I love debating current events and hear[ing] new sides of arguments that I had never encountered before. I love it because even if I lose the round, I still end up learning something new and have that knowledge that will help me in the future. The Swing on the Swamp tournaments were just the beginning. Specific members of the Forensics Society are preparing to represent Southern Miss at the 2014 World University Debating Championship in Chennai, India. Steven Venette, advisor for the Forensics Society, said that “receiving an invitation to attend the world championship is a great honor; we must work diligently to prepare so that we can represent
Student Printz, Page 3
the college and university to the best of our abilities.” Though Michael Sims, a senior polymer science major, was unable to attend the first debate event of this school year, he will be one of two students attending the debating championship in India next year. “This really is the opportunity every debater dreams of having!” Sims said excitedly. “Above all, I just want to help prove that despite Southern Miss being a small-town university in the deep South, we’ve got what it takes to hang with schools like Yale and Oxford.” The success of the USM Forensics Society is impressive not only because of its invitation to an international competition, but because it is a young organization. According to Hersey,
Southern Miss didn’t have a debate team for some time. It was refounded in 2011 after more than two decades of inactivity. “Myself, Micheal Sims, Joshua Von Herman and Samantha Rayborn all competed in forensics in high school, and found it odd that the university did not have a collegiate team,” Hersey said. “My friends and I re-founded the team not only because we love the activity but we feel that civil discourse is one of the most important pastimes a young adult can engage in.” Members of the Forensics Society will travel to San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas, to compete in the Bayou City Swing on Oct. 18-20.
On campus
Julie Prestidge/Printz
Accounting student Blythe Dunaway accepted an internship at prestigious accounting firm Deloitte & Touche in London. The internship will begin in January 2014 and will last until April. She was one of six students accepted for international internships in London. Dunaway plans to graduate next May and become a Certified Personal Accountant.
Smith announced as department chairman Wilton Jackson Printz Reporter Bill Smith, a long-time member of the College of Business, was recently appointed as Chairman of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Smith has taught for over 30 years covering topics such as professional selling, creative marketing, marketing research and the marketing management capstone course. He received his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees with honors from Florida State University and doctorate from Louisiana Tech University. Smith also has noteworthy experience in the business industry where he worked as a technical sales representative for the Linde Division of the Carbide Corp. and materials manager for a multimillion dollar building materials exporter. Smith said economic development and tourism created a wonderful combination for the College of Business. “Each plays a vital role in helping create sustainable jobs and improving the standard of living for our citizens,” he said. The department’s new course curriculum was launched this fall. Based on academic and industry experts’ design, the program consists of connecting theory, practice and research together. These concepts serve to help students learn about the current tools and techniques for attracting, retaining and growing businesses. “With Mississippi being known as the hospitality state, our degrees in tourism allow
Bill Smith
Courtesy Photo
students to participate in a growth industry and learn true Southern hospitality,” Smith said. Southern Miss students will be able to understand industry practices necessary to succeed in entry-level managerial positions that lead to promising career paths. Smith received numerous awards such as the University’s Excellence in Teaching Award, and the Distinguished Marketing Award from the Hattiesburg Sales and Marketing Executives Organization. He’s also written articles that have been published in the “International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Administration,” the “Economic Development Review” and the “Journal of Economic Development.” For more information about the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and its programs, visit their website at http://www.usm.edu/business/economic-developmenttourism.
Feature
Page 4, Student Printz
Monday, September 23, 2013
life
Is “Study Buddy” really your friend? Kirstie Lowery Printz Reporter A trend is rising among college students. Because of the stress they are constantly facing, many young men and women are turning to performance-enhancing medicines. While most people choose coffee and energy drinks to quell their fatigue and help them focus, according to www. montana.edu, many are now using pills. Common ADD/ADHD medications Adderall and Ritalin, were once the popular choice, but recently have been replaced with “Study Buddy.” These capsules are designed to help clear the consumer’s memory and
make concentration easier. These pills have many healthy ingredients that the human body often needs, such as Vitamin D3, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12. However, these cognitive enhancers also contain high amounts of caffeine, which, when mixed with other ingredients such as Vitamin B12, can be extremely harmful. These ingredients are also present in popular energy drinks, some of which are well known for causing heart problems. In an article on Forbes. com, readers were informed that the substances used to make energy drinks can cause consumers to have irregular heartbeats and in some
cases, cause death. Considering the fact that these pills are cre-
“
I think the ingredients in them are harmful, but people will find a way to get their hands on it whether the bookstore sells them or not.
”
Erin Howell ated with some of the same ingredients, students are becom-
ing concerned about whether such things should be sold at the campus bookstore. “Honestly, I feel pretty neutral to it,” said USM student Erin Howell. “I think the ingredients in them are harmful, but people will find a way to get their hands on it whether the bookstore sells them or not.” There are various side effects of pills designed to help students get better grades. Some of them include nausea, vomiting and irritability. There are also chances of feeling no effect at all, especially for those that are already used to high caffeine consumption. A lot of people who use these pills don’t realize they can af-
fect not only the body’s physical health, but can also alter the user’s mental state. “Study Buddy” pills are advertised as medication that will assist memory and alertness. The negative effect is that it keeps the consumer awake for longer periods of time, which can result in not getting the amount of sleep everyone needs. In the long run, lack of sleep can keep the body from functioning as it normally would. As a result, taking these pills can actually hurt students’ chances of earning better grades. While “Study Buddy” pills may or may not have a serious affect on consumers and college students, these target audiences need to be more aware of what is in them and what can happen as a result of taking them.
National
Mass shootings shape campus safety Nikki Smith Printz Reporter
Mass shootings have gained national attention after several tragic events occurred over the course of the last year. Just last week, another shooting happened in D.C., and Deseret News reported that a total of 16 shootings have occurred in 2013 alone. Because many of these shootings have taken place on school campuses across the nation, students may be wondering what they should do in the event of an active shooter on USM’s campus. University Police Department Chief Bob Hopkins has assured students that there are
several procedures and plans in place at Southern Miss to respond to shootings. He stressed that students should be aware of preparation steps and Eagle Alert notifications. Students can prepare by visiting the University Police web page on Southern Miss’ website and watching the active threat video. It shows students how to respond to a shooter and gives tools to lessen the situation. If students can get out of the building, they should exit as quickly as possible without drawing attention. If there is no exit route, students should barricade their classroom door, turn the lights off and hide. In the event that students are not able to do either of these, the
only choice may be to attack the shooter. Eagle Alerts offer up-to-date information, tell students what areas to avoid and where to seek shelter. Campus police officers encourage communication from students. Past events have shown that active shooters plan extensively, and they will usually talk about their plans or give an indication of what they’re planning. Students should be aware and communicate with campus police if they witness something suspicious. “So many situations have been stopped because of this,” Hopkins said. “Prevention is just as important as knowing how to respond.”
Courtesty Photo
Feature
Monday, September 23, 2013
INternational
Student Printz, Page 5
J.K. Rowling casts new spell April Garon Printz Reporter Potter-heads rejoice: The beloved author behind the enormously successful “Harry Potter” series has a new film in the works to satisfy our wizarding world cravings. J.K Rowling has agreed to write the screenplay of an upcoming Warner Bros. film set in the same magical world as the “Harry Potter” series. But it’s not a sequel that will branch off or add to the events that took place in the HP series. Instead, it’s about the adventures of the au-
thor of the Hogwarts textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” a required reading for first-years at Hogwarts and all hardcore HP fans. The author’s life story should be as interesting and exotic as his name: Newt Scamander. In a statement on Rowling’s official Facebook page, she said Warner Bros. came to her about the project and she immediately knew it was something she would be interested in pursuing. “I thought it was a fun idea, but the idea of seeing Newt Scamander, the supposed author of ‘Fantastic Beasts,’ realized by another writer was difficult,”
Courtesy Photo
Rowling said. “Having lived for so long in my fictional universe, I feel very protective of it and I already knew a lot about Newt.” It will be exciting to see what Rowling will reveal about Scamander in the movie, because “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” only provides a short “About the Author” page to tease readers’ imagination. According to the books, the magizoologist was born in 1897 and quickly rose through the ranks in the Ministry of Magic after completing his studies at Hogwarts. He took many research trips abroad during which he collected information on the magical creatures found in his best-selling guidebook. In her Facebook statement, Rowling assured fans that though the movie will not involve the events and characters of the “Harry Potter” series, fans will find the same familiar wizarding universe. “[The movie] is an extension of the wizarding world,” Rowling said. “The laws and customs of the hidden magical society will be familiar to anyone who has read the ‘Harry Potter’ books or seen the films, but
Newt’s story will start in New York, 70 years before Harry’s gets underway.” After the news broke about the film, fans began speculating about who should be cast to play the enigmatic and mysterious figure. Fansite favorites include British actors Matt Smith of “Doctor Who” fame, and Benedict Cumberbatch from “Sherlock.” Daniel Radcliffe released a statement that ruled out his chance of appearing in the film. “Fantastic Beasts” is part of an agreement Rowling made with Warner Bros. for a series of films. There may be a video game as well as other merchandise. According to the L.A. Times, Warner Bros. also has plans to distribute a planned BBC television adaptation of Rowling’s 2012 novel “The Casual Vacancy.” While a bestseller, “The Casual Vacancy” was met with some negative reviews and fan reactions. Rowling also wrote a mystery novel, “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” under penname Robert Galbraith which sold relatively well until the author’s true identity leaked, causing sales to soar. Heather Kahn, a senior pub-
lic relations major, said she was glad that Rowling chose the Newt Scamander project rather than continuing the “Harry Potter” series. Since she grew up with the “Harry Potter” franchise, she is excited to see how Rowling will approach adult characters. “With Newt Scamander also being an adult, I think it will eliminate any disconnect that older fans may have felt had Rowling chosen to write about younger characters like the Potter and Weasley children,” Kahn said.
Local
Fall brings variety of 5k races Megan Fink
Printz Reporter October 12 will kick off the fall running season with three 5K races: The Hillbilly 5k, the Zombie Fun Run and the Rattler Ramble. The Hillbilly 5k will take place at Lazy Acres Plantation near Meridian, about an hour and a half from Hattiesburg. It features obstacles including hay bales, a mud crawl and a little comical danger from the unsavory inhabitants of the “back 40.” The “back 40” is the large undeveloped land upon which the “angry” hillbillies reside. According to lazy-acres.com, “Should you encounter one of these hillbillies, maintain eye contact and slowly walk away. Oh, and if you hear banjo music... run!” “Last year, the people who finished said it was a ton of fun. Their only request was for more mud. So this time, there’s definitely more mud,” said Michael May, race director for the Hillbilly 5K. The proceeds will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of a local girl who suffers from the disease. For more details and registra-
tion, visit the Hillbilly 5K website. The Zombie 5k Fun Run will be hosted by the College of Nursing. “Participants can come dressed like zombies if they choose,” said Stephanie Sarver, senior class president of the USM College of Nursing. “Runners will be given the option to be chased by our zombies, and will be given flags to mark themselves with if they want to ‘run for their lives,” she said. The run will help fund the College of Nursing graduating class pinning ceremony, but profits will be shared with Edward Street Fellowship Center’s food pantry. “Nutrition is such a huge part of health care as a preventative measure against disease and as a tertiary measure in healing… Edward Street works to meet these needs, and we wanted to help them do that,” Sarver said. Students can sign up for the race Sept. 23 or Oct. 2 from 3-7 p.m. in Elizabeth Harkins Hall or on race day at Pride Field. The Rattler Ramble 5k is more of a trail hike than a run, which makes it different from the other two races. Race Director Audrey Jackson said, “A lot of the 5ks are about
pushing yourself really hard… this one is more of a relaxing type.” The run will take place at USM’s Lake Thoreau Environmental Center. The event starts at 3 p.m. to allow competitive runners to enjoy the stroll after a more vigor-
ous race. After the hike, participants can enjoy food from The Keg and Barrel. The proceeds will go to the upkeep of the Lake Thoreau Environmental Center. Runners can register by filling out the flier at www. pinebeltpacers.org.
No matter what kind of race you’re looking for, October brings plenty of opportunity for fun outdoor competition. Enjoy the weather, get some exercise and remember that fall break is just around the corner.
Courtesy Photo/npr.org
A runner tries to escape as zombies pursue him during the Run for Your Lives race. The 5K course is littered with obstacles — and the undead.
Opinion
Page 6, Student Printz
Monday, September 23, 2013
Faces of USM We ask, you answer. Abbe Adent Music Education Sophomore Daphne, AL
Interview and Photo by
April Garon
What has had the biggest influence on you since starting college?
“
The variety of professors and students I’ve met. I’ve encountered so many people with different ways of thinking and it has broadened by worldview. It is refreshing to be in a place that is conducive to personal expression.
”
Abbe
Why did you choose to study music?
“
Music sticks around. It’s the art form that sticks around the most—music that was composed long ago has the same effect on people now that it had when it was written. Ava Maria has been around since the 12th century, and it is still used today.
”
Abbe
AS WE SEE IT
LOCAL
The Student Printz’s Editorial Board
The importance of casting your vote Tuesday is a big day for Hattiesburg voters and students at The University of Southern Mississippi. Registered voters will head to the polls to elect the mayor of Hattiesburg, and students will elect members of their 2013 Homecoming court. We feel that it’s important for all of you to exercise your right to vote. There are many of us who may say, “I’m not voting today, my vote doesn’t even count,” but the last Hattiesburg mayoral election proved that thought process wrong. This will also be the first time that Southern Miss students will have the opportunity to cast their vote in a municipal election while school is in session. The politics of every election are over once the ballots are counted and a candidate de-
clared winner. However, this special election is giving Hattiesburg voters a second chance to make an appearance at the polls. Less than half of Hattiesburg’s registered voters cast their vote in the highly contested June 4 election that resulted in Tuesday’s special election. It doesn’t matter if you agreed with the outcome of the last election or the subsequent trial. If you are registered voter in Hattiesburg, it’s important to educate yourself on each candidate’s platforms before you cast your vote on Tuesday. Although it’s on a different scale from the mayoral election, USM’s Homecoming elections are a lesson in disguise. Yes, we know voting in Homecoming elections may not seem like a big deal to many of you, but
it’s the simple act of exercising your freedom and your right to vote that makes it a big deal. There are many students who come from other countries to study at Southern Miss who don’t have their voices heard in any elections, big or small. This small vote in a Homecoming election may be the only vote they ever get to cast. Many of you may exercise your right to vote once in Tuesday’s Homecoming election, but we encourage those of you who are registered to vote in Hattiesburg to vote in the mayoral election. This was an article of opinion by Carly Tynes, a writer for the Student Printz. Email questions or comments to carly.tynes@eagles. usm.edu
Courtesy Photo
Sports
Monday, September 23, 2013
FOOTBALL
Student Printz, Page 7
How the spread revolutionized the passing game Judge Lucas Printz Reporter
In 30 minutes of football, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers passed for 335 yards and five touchdowns. The 29-year-old quarterback’s halfgame performance easily surpassed the 2003 NFL average of 200.4 yards passing per game. What is behind the new aerial attack of the NFL? We are witnessing a change in the NFL that can be accredited to many different reasons. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson were taken in the 2012 NFL Draft and shared a unique ability to extend plays to throw first and run second. The three combined for 32 wins in the 2012 season, an unprecedented achievement for a trio of rookies.
A hypothesis of this new trend is the recent change of the college game. More schools have moved from a read-option offense to a spread. Instead of quarterbacks reading defensive ends on handoffs they are reading cornerbacks and linebackers and getting the ball out quicker. This system is prevalent around college football and is run USM head coach Todd Monken. Today, the name of the game is scoring points in bunches. The quarterbacks that are coming into the league every year are the guys who are running this system in college and already possess the mindset on how to attack a defense. Aaron Rodgers, Michael Vick and Colin Kaepernick share a similar dual-threat technique to the 2012 rookies. The veteran trio averages 330 yards in the air while also averaging 33 on the ground
so far during the 2013 season. But how do we explain the elite pocket-passing quarterbacks of Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning? After all, Brady broke the all-time single-season passing touchdowns record in 2007, Brees shattered the all-time single-season yards passing record in 2011 and Manning threw for seven touchdowns in this year’s season opener. The offensive schemes in football have changed. Instead of traditional under-center formations, new schemes that utilize spread attacks give the quarterback more opportunities. This scheme allows quarterbacks to have a wider view of the defense and give him distance from defensive ends before the center even snaps the ball. Even Alabama has made a scheme change to utilize the pistol and spread attack. While they still ground and pound with the best of
them, they are doing so from various formations that cause matchup problems all over the field. The schemes no longer have blocking fullbacks or tight ends but rather athletic receiving tight ends like Rob Gronkowski or agile, fast running backs like Reggie Bush. These elite dual-threat weapons are faster than bulky linebackers that also have to worry about stopping a running game. Receivers are getting bigger, faster and stronger every year. Calvin Johnson broke the all-time singleseason receiving yards record in 2012. At 6 feet 5 inches, 236 pounds, the elite receiver was able to torch the secondary and overpower defenders to gain yards after the catch. With an average height of 5 foot 11, cornerbacks are already at a disadvantage when they can’t jam receivers at the line of scrimmage. The final reason behind the new
passing league is defensive players are scared to hit receivers or quarterbacks which could draw a penalty, fine, ejection or suspension. Defensive players have to time hits perfectly, something that is very difficult to do with how high-paced the game is today. Offensive coordinators understand the rule changes and constantly call for their elite tight ends and slot receivers to run routes in the middle of the field. A concussive hit ten years ago would now be a deflected tackle and extra yards after the catch. Coordinators utilize these rules and dial up 40-55 passing attempts a game. The game revolves around the quarterback and those who protect him or hunt him down. As more rules change in favor of the offense, you should expect those old records to be broken soon.
NATIONAL
NCAA’s targeting rule hurting the quality of play Joshua Campbell Sports Editor It is becoming increasingly hard to stop the passing game in college football. One of the reasons why is because of the new targeting rule. By rule, if a defensive player targets a defenseless receiver or hits the offensive player above the shoulders maliciously, the defensive player will receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and automatic ejection. While preventing concussions is at a premium, the rule is damaging the game. In 2012, the play of the year was undoubtedly South Carolina defensive end Jadaveon Clowney’s hit heard around the world on Michigan running back Vincent Smith. However, with the targeting rule,
Clowney would have been penalized and ejected. By all accounts, it was a clean play in many people’s eyes. Clowney busted through the line, squared up Smith and hit him so hard that his helmet landed five yards away. NCAA officials announced that they would have called this hit “targeting.” The play of the year would have resulted with a penalty and ejection. That is despicable. In the first week of the season, 10 players were ejected for targeting offensive players. For a player to be ejected from simply attempting to make a tackle or jarring the ball loose from a receiver is the wrong way to go about making the game safer. The only thing this rule will accomplish will be making tackling
poorer both in results and fundamentally. When a defensive player loses his fundamentals tackling, it puts him at a higher risk of injuring himself or the ball carrier. To understand why this rule is damaging, you have to go to the root of what drives the rule. Defensive players, defensive backs specifically, are supposed to make hits to jar the ball loose. During a play, decisions are made by players in milliseconds as to where to run, position their body and where to hit a player. While a player has control of their own body, they usually cannot predict what move the player they are trying to hit is going to do. For instance, if a receiver catches the ball and attempts to go to the ground right after, he becomes a sinking target. The defensive back
has no time to adjust and will hit the receiver’s head or neck area; although, he had no intention to. Thus, he will be flagged and promptly ejected. How are defenders supposed to play under those rules? What this rule does is cause players to let up before making contact and allowing the receiver to catch the ball cleanly. This goes against everything players have been taught since they first put on pads. The targeting rule will have a major effect on a game with major BCS implications and there is no way around it. With how frequent it has been being called and will continue to be called, there just isn’t any way it won’t. Rules are put in place to both make the game safer and improve the quality of play on the field. Tar-
geting will only reduce the quality of play by making defenders play differently and will cause star players to be ejected for doing what they are taught to do, make a play. Football is a violent game by nature and the NCAA has taken steps to make it safer; however, they dropped the ball on this one. It is impossible to understand the reasoning behind ejecting a player for playing the game the way he was taught. The NCAA has to face the facts. Ejecting a player for “targeting” will not improve the game. It is going to cost a team a game with great importance and ruin defenders’ confidence. The NCAA is going to have to wake up and change this rule quickly. A flag is plenty enough punishment.
Southern Miss Sports
Box Score: Women’s Volleyball
9/20 vs. Chattanooga L, 3-2 9/20 at Ole Miss L, 3-0 9/21 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette L, 3-2
Upcoming Games
Women’s Soccer
09/23/13 All Day Men’s Golf at Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic South Bend, Ind. (Warren Golf Course)
Women’s Golf
09/24/13 All Day Men’s Golf at Fighting Irish Gridiron Golf Classic South Bend, Ind. (Warren Golf Course)
9/20 vs. Alcorn State W, 10-1 9/22 vs. Auburn L, 6-0
9/20 at Lady Paladin Invitational 14th of 16 9/21 at Lady Paladin Invitational 13th of 16 9/22 at Lady Paladin Invitational 14th of 16
09/27/13 7 p.m. Women’s Volleyball at UAB Birmingham, Ala. 7 p.m. Women’s Soccer at North Texas Denton, Texas 09/28/13 9:15 p.m. Football at Boise State Boise, Idaho 09/29/13 1 p.m. Women’s Soccer at UTEP El Paso, Texas
Sports
Page 8, Student Printz
SOCCER
Monday, September 23, 2013
Auburn defeats USM soccer in last non-conference match Alan Rawls Printz Reporter
The Auburn Tigers (4-4-1) handed the Southern Miss soccer team (6-2-2) their first loss since the Sept. 6 match against the University of South Alabama. The Tigers defeated the Golden Eagles 6-0 on Sept. 22 in a match that saw only three shots by the USM offense. Brittany Taylor, the freshman Southern Miss goalkeeper, made four saves despite losing the match. The Southern Miss defense had their hands full, as Auburn’s offense remained solid throughout, getting off 19 shots, ten of which were on goal. Each of Auburn’s six goals was scored by a different player. Only two Golden Eagles managed to make shots. Forward Danica Roberts recorded one in the first period while Anya
Michael Kavitz/Courtesy Photo
The Southern Miss soccer team travels to Auburn University to play the the Tigers on their home turf Saturday Sep 21.
Koren recorded two. Auburn’s goalkeeper was solid though, Alicen Wright, made two saves
that helped her turn her debut into her first win. Auburn played strong and
won the match despite having four offside penalties and six fouls. Southern Miss had seven
fouls and no offside penalties. USM head coach Mohammed El-Zare wanted to put the match behind him. “Obviously, we are disappointed with the loss, but we have to put this one behind us. Our focus right now has to be on the start of conference play on Friday,” El-Zare said. “This was a good match to prepare us for that.” The Golden Eagles’ visit to Auburn on Sunday was the team’s final non-conference match of the season. USM plays their first Conference-USA match on Friday, Sept. 27, against North Texas (6-2). USM will have a tough match in Denton, Texas, this Friday. The Mean Green have shut out TCU and Oklahoma, and their only losses were to Virginia Tech and nationally-ranked Wake Forest. North Texas is also undefeated at home this season.
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