Thursday, October 29, 2015
Volume 100 Issue 19
www.studentprintz.com PAGE THREE
PAGE FOUR
NEWS Pageant
F E AT U R E
OPINION
S P O RT S
Professors explain how USM paves way to legal careers.
Famed thinker criticized for controversial statements.
Eagles to face tough UTEP team on Saturday.
Law school
Alpha Phi Alpha to host Miss Black and Gold on Saturday.
PAGE SEVEN
PAGE SIX
Germaine Greer
Football
BREAKING NEWS
‘As offensive to many as the swastika’
Protesters spur USM to remove state flag from campus Nan Buti
Printz Reporter Following the controversial decision to remove the state flag from the University of Mississippi’s campus, The University of Southern Mississippi no longer flies the state’s colors as of yesterday. Campus police lowered the flags from their poles late Wednesday morning per USM President Rodney Bennett’s order. They replaced both the Southern Miss and Mississippi state flags with American flags, the three flying high in front of the Lucas Administration Building at the front of the Hattiesburg campus. Soon after, a demonstration against the Confederate flag took place at noon. The crowd continued to grow as word spread about the demonstration. Nearly 40 people demonstrated with signs, banners and chants in an effort to get the flag removed. Susan Hrostowski, associate professor of social work and organizer of the event, gained a significant amount of support and reaction from the protest that was planned just 24 hours prior to its occurrence. Hrostowski was joined by faculty, students and staff of the School of Social Work. “The Confederate battle flag represents violence, oppression and hate to many Mississippians and to people all over the world,” Hrostowski said. “Such a symbol does not reflect the best Mississippi has to offer. It is as offensive to many as the swastika. Preserving this symbol, for whatever reasons the opposition may express, only serves to embolden those who maintain policies and practices of oppression. We do not propose to bar anyone from flying this flag at their homes, or putting it on their cars or wearing it on t-shirts. We are asking that this flag not fly over public buildings and institutions or represent our state.” Bennett released an email to the USM community shortly after the flags’ removal, stating his decision’s reasoning. In the email, Bennett ordered the Mississippi state flag to be taken down on
all USM campuses. Bennett’s vision is supportive of the demonstrators’ efforts. “I have chosen to raise American flags on all University of Southern Mississippi flagpoles to remind the university community of what unites us,” Bennett said in the email. “We have all chosen to work, study and live in a country in which debates like those around the state flag of Mississippi can take place and ideas can be civilly expressed and advanced. While I love the state of Mississippi, there is passionate disagreement about the current state flag on our campuses and in our
student government made a 3315 vote last week to remove the emblem from its campus. Ole Miss removed the state flag from its campus on Oct. 26. Two days later, USM joined the movement. USM is the fifth public university in the state that does not fly the flag; others include Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University (which removed the flag in 2001). Counter-protesters arrived at the demonstration carrying a Confederate flag. “To me, it’s sad since we’re the
To take it down feels like you’re rejecting everything you are and how far you’ve come, as if you’re spitting on all the progress you’ve made. - Christine Miller, junior psychology major
communities. I am looking forward to a time when this debate is resolved and USM raises a state flag that unites us.” In June, the university released a statement, which includes its position on the state flag controversy: “The University of Southern Mississippi is educating the next generation of leaders for Mississippi and beyond, a group that includes diverse individuals from more than 60 countries, every region of the United States and every corner of Mississippi. Our commitment to inclusion compels us to recognize that the current state flag does not represent the spirit of all Mississippians, and as such should continue to be discussed in an educated and civil manner.” The change received traction after the University of Mississippi’s decision to take the state flag down after the
state of Mississippi, and we’re supposed to be proud of who we are and how far we’ve come,” said Christine Miller, junior psychology major and counter-protester carrying the Confederate battle flag at the protest. “To take it down feels like you’re rejecting everything you are and how far you’ve come, as if you’re spitting on all the progress you’ve made.” It is not yet known whether the removal of the flag is temporary or permanent. However, the Student Government Association Senate is continuing to actively obtain the thoughts, opinions and concerns of the student body through civil efforts. “This is organic,” said Nathan Barron, senior political science major and SGA senator. “This is from the ground up and that is what we want in Senate. For the
Brittany Stewart/Courtesy Photo A university police officer takes down the Mississippi state flag on the Southern Miss campus Wednesday morning.
students to get involved, and now that we know that the flag has been down, it has become exciting news.” Barron offered a resolution in the SGA Senate to remove the state flag from campus. Students are encouraged to contact their respective senators directly via email and express their opinions through the Speak Up Southern Miss application on the Southern Miss SGA website. “I would like to encourage every
student to voice his or her opinion regarding this current event,” SGA Vice President Kyle Stoner said. “The SGA senators represent the voice of the student body, and I have challenged the senators to research and formulate their thoughts and opinions based on the thoughts and opinions of their constituents in order to be as informed as possible for further decisions made by the SGA Senate.”
Page 2 | Thursday, October 29, 2015
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NEWS
ON CAMPUS
ON CAMPUS
Fraternity prepares for pageant Alexis Ware Printz Reporter
The Mu Xi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., will host the Miss Black and Gold Pageant, its annual scholarship pageant, on Nov. 1. The Miss Black and Gold Pageant consists of female students who are in good academic standing with the university competing for the title to represent the fraternity. Fraternity member Justin Keys works as the pageant director. “We’ve been working very hard over the last few months to get our 14 contestants ready for Sunday,” Keys said. “We have a lot of surprises and things that traditional pageants wouldn’t have.” The pageant includes swimwear, talent and evening gown categories, as well as an on-stage question. The winner of the pageant gets the chance to compete against the other schools in the state and then in
ON CAMPUS
Thursday, October 29, 2015 | Page 3
the regional or national pageant. Last year’s winner, Lenzie Blake, a senior elementary education major, qualified for the state pageant and placed first runner-up. Blake said the title allowed her to show the young women and girls from her neighborhood and surrounding areas that anything is possible. “The title of Miss Black and Gold is so much more than just a title to me,” Blake said. “This crown means that I have a way to really publicize the issues that matter to me while being supported by the strong and phenomenal men of Alpha Phi Alpha, more specifically the Mu Xi chapter housed here at Southern Miss.” As Miss Black and Gold, Blake promoted her platform Queens Uplifted as well as support for children with autism. She worked with organizations on campus as well as in the community to bring awareness to autism. “The ultimate goal of Queens Uplifted is to serve as a support
system for all women, especially those who fail to see just how beautiful they truly are,” Blake said. “It is my vision to see women of all ethnicities and backgrounds accepting themselves and having the confidence.” The 2015 pageant contestants will also have the chance to promote positive causes. Each contestant was required to raise a minimum of $200. To supplement these funds, people attending the pageant can donate money to the contestant of their choice, as well as vote via text for the People’s Choice Award. “Ten percent of what we make will go to our top philanthropy which is March of Dimes,” Keys said. The Miss Black and Gold pageant presents entertainment that promotes scholarship and community. It is open to all students and will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms.
Students exhibit art celebrating Edgar Allan Poe
University Libraries to host Poe reading for Halloween Hiba Tahir
Printz Reporter University Libraries will host a spooky reading of some of Edgar Allan Poe’s works on Oct. 31, at 6:30 p.m. in the Little Building on 403 North Main Street. The event will capitalize on the macabre themes in Poe’s work amid a Halloween setting featuring dim lighting and readings of some of Poe’s scariest works. The event is part of semesterlong programming focusing on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. It is sponsored by The Big Read grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which funds programming to “support innovative reading programs designed to encourage people to read, discuss and celebrate Poe’s writings,” according to USM’s website. Partners for all events include the College of Arts and Letters (School of Mass Communications and Journalism, Department of English, Department of Art and Design, Department of Theatre) and the libraries of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County. Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his mysterious and macabre tales in some of the earliest manifestations of the short story. In his “Philosophy of Composition,” Poe revealed that he sought two invariably necessary things in his writings: complexity and suggestiveness. He believed that the latter, however ambiguous and indefinite in meaning, imparted “so much of that richness,” often confused with “the ideal.” The richness to which Poe referred was just one inevitable byproduct of his “single effect”—a literary device utilized by authors to ensure every aspect of a work contributes to a particular effect predetermined by the author.
Poe’s utilization of the single effect is on prominent display throughout much of his work and in most of this semester’s events. It has contributed to his appeal for many readers, and continues to keep his writing relevant and beloved. “Poe wanted to make sure his audience was impacted by his stories and poems,” said Jennifer Brannock, associate professor and curator of rare books and Mississippiana at the McCain Library and Archives. “The events so far have been very well-received with almost 100 people at the opening event and around 75 for the panel on Poe sponsored by the Department of English.” “The panel on Poe’s work was interesting and insightful,” said sophomore English major Madison Etheridge. “I’m excited for the events that the school (and) library has planned. It’s great to be a part of a celebration of such an influential author.” The Halloween reading is just one of three events scheduled for this week. On Wednesday, University Libraries hosted the exhibit opening of an Edgar Allan Poe-inspired exhibit in the Cook Library Learning Commons. Tonight, Rutgers University professor Meredith McGill will present “Caught Reading: Sensation and Absorption in Poe’s Tales,” a look at how Poe considered the reactions of his readers as he wrote his stories. Next month, Poe enthusiasts can look forward to story discussions, film showings and lectures, as well as a “Fall Art Walk.” In December, there will be a live theatrical performance called “On the Radio with Edgar Allan Poe” at Tatum Theatre. Many of the events are free and open to the public. For more information about upcoming events, visit The Big Read website.
Mary Alice Weeks/Printz
Sisters Lauryn and Hannah Heneghan look at a piece of art during the opening reception for the “Exquisite Dreams: Edgar Allan Poe Illustrated” gallery curated by students in The Department of Art and Design. The exhibit is located in the USM Cook Library Learning Commons and is part of a series of events hosted by the library celebrating the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe during October.
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FEATURE
ON CAMPUS
USM prepares future law students Lindsay Adkisson Printz Reporter
Admission to law school is earned through one’s performance and attributes, not his or her major. Student should choose majors that interest and best suit them to develop skills necessary for law school. The College of Arts and Letters offers several majors that will appeal to students pursuing law school and help them develop the skills to get there. The faculty and staff of the College of Arts and Letters are dedicated to helping students see the world from different perspectives, how to conduct in-depth, ethical research and how to communicate ideas effectively to different audiences. This is obtained through aspects such as religion, philosophy, political science, history, English, anthropology, sociology and interdisciplinary studies. The pre-law program is composed of three pathways including political science, philosophy and paralegal studies designed to ease the intimidation of law school based on a student’s interests. In this program, students are able to choose which way they view law, whether it is conceptual or factual. It is mainly for students who want to pursue studies in law immediately rather than waiting until law school. Philosophy is one of the leading majors for law school applicants. Philosophy majors learn how to think about situations from various viewpoints and develop a fundamental understanding
of them. The Department of Philosophy and Religion at USM has a dedicated pre-law major with courses such as logic, critical thinking, ethics, philosophy of law, political philosophy, contemporary moral issues and philosophy of human nature to prepare students for success in law school. “Philosophy majors do exceptionally well on the LSAT and have one of the highest acceptance rates into law school,” said David Holley, chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion. Political science is an obvious degree choice for many students pursuing law school. Students choosing this
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Law school is not easy. The purpose is to tear down what you think and rebuild it in a more legal way of thinking. - Michael Lavender, director of paralegal studies
pathway in pre-law will learn to view the world from multiple perspectives, to determine who the stakeholders are and what they have to win or lose in a given situation and to conduct effective evidence-based
research. “Around 30 percent of students that apply to law school study political science,” said Edward Sayre, chair of the Department of Political Science, International Development
and International Affairs. “Knowledge of political systems and political behavior allows students to better understand a variety of social and political perspectives, as well as how to think critically. Students are taught to understand and communicate the complexities of both the U.S. legal system and our constitutional structure.” The paralegal studies pathway in the pre-law program is part of a two-part division in the major. One track is the traditional approach and is for students seeking a career as a paralegal straight out of their undergraduate careers. The second track is the pre-law track and is geared toward preparing students for law school with aspects such as legal research and legal drafting. Law schools mainly focus on a person’s execution of the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The LSAT measures reading comprehension, logical reasoning and analytical reasoning. Institutions seek students with effective communication skills, determination and developmental reasoning. This past September, the Department of Philosophy and Religion and the Department of Political Science, International Development and International Affairs held Pre-Law Week to benefit students interested in law who may not know how to pursue it. Pre-Law Week aims to show these interested students the various pathways they can take to achieve a career in the legal field and better prepare them for their law school applications. Throughout the week, students participated in different events such as a mock law school class, classes on preparing for the law school admissions test, and a pre-law luncheon co-hosted by the Hattiesburg Young Lawyers Association and the Hattiesburg Area Bar Association.
The College of Arts & Letters hopes to put on another prelaw event in the spring. This event will be more geared towards helping students who are unsure about applying for law school. Michael Lavender, director of paralegal studies, said the department hopes to have a mock trial during the event. “Law school is not easy,” Lavender said. “The purpose is to tear down what you think and rebuild it in a more legal way of thinking.” Whether it is local or international, the pre-law program does its best to prepare its students for whatever law school may throw at them. Lavender also said the program has been able to give students many opportunities to prepare them for potential future experiences they may have. Students have visited federal courts in New Orleans and were able to talk to officials on the differences between Louisiana law and Mississippi law. The program has taken students abroad to Strasbourg, France, to sit in on a trial at The European Court of Human Rights allowing students to gain exposure to international law. Students were also able to discuss their experiences with other students from all over the world. This summer the program will be visiting Rome and studying how Roman law and Catholic law have led to what we have today. This will be another great opportunity for students to see their place in the law internationally. For further information about the pre-law program and how the College of Arts and Letters helps prepare students for law school, visit either the Department of Philosophy and Religion or the Department of Political Science, International Development and International Affairs.
FEATURE
Thursday, October 29, 2015 | Page 5
ON CAMPUS
National group challenges student writers Hiba Tahir
Printz Reporter Every November, hundreds of thousands of amateur and published writers nationwide sit down to pen 50,000-word novels as part of National Novel Writing Month. The month-long celebration of literary abandon was founded by freelancer Chris Baty in July 1999, and involved only 21 participants in its initial run. Baty, who was inspired by his work as an editor, jokingly named the challenge and came up with the seemingly impossible deadline. “I’d seen writers pull off miraculous feats when given impossible deadlines,” he said in a Terrible Minds interview. “To help make the whole thing less scary, we all got together after work and on weekends to write. That camaraderie, coupled with the stupid deadline, gave all of us the high commitment and low expectations that turn out to be a godsend when you’re writing a first draft of a novel.” Since then, the program has grown considerably. Last year, it boasted roughly 325,000 participants, and it now includes several additional programs like the Young Writers Program, the Come Write In program and
Camp NaNoWriMo. Each has its own specific rules, but all feature a distinct love for writing supported by legions of other literary fans, infinite online resources and exciting and relevant themes. This year’s NaNoWriMo theme is the NaNoWriMo library, “where the imaginary stacks eagerly anticipate the first-draft novels of 300,000+ participants around the world,” according to a NaNoWriMo press release. “National Novel Writing Month is a wonderful opportunity for people to dive into their imaginations and do one of the most crucial things in life: create,” said Grant Faulkner, executive director of National Novel Writing Month, in a recent press release. “Everyone has a story that needs to come to life, so the shelves of the NaNoWriMo library stretch endlessly. NaNoWriMo helps people find their voice in the act of writing and through the encouragement of the writers in the NaNo community.” The community Faulkner refers to includes 926 volunteer municipal liaisons who coordinate hundreds of local, in-person writing events with help from local businesses, libraries and community centers.
Chelsea Brown, circulation specialist at Cook Library, is Hattiesburg’s municipal liaison. Although Brown is no longer a USM student, she took classes last November and knows how demanding NaNoWriMo might sound. “It’s difficult when you’re a student, I won’t lie,” she said. “Tack on life and a full-time job, it feels almost impossible.” She advises students to look at the 50,000-word goal in more manageable parts. About 1,600 words per day—or four pages of double-spaced text— will allow writers to have the full 50,000 by the end of the month. “I find it’s easier when you change how you view it,” Brown said. “Most students write already for class. They know how long it takes to write certain lengths. By viewing the goal in a different way, it makes it a little less daunting, especially when they can do something that they can’t for their classwork—make it all up.” Brown moved to Hattiesburg a little over two years ago and decided to attend NaNoWriMo events in hopes of meeting like-minded people. She met her closest Hattiesburg friends there, as well as the writers group she currently attends to
workshop her writing. “NaNo is about more than just getting the words on the page,” Brown said. “It’s about linking writers together, about creating a community.” There are several events scheduled to take place on campus and throughout the community during this year’s NaNoWriMo, with help from University Libraries and Hub City Writers, the local Wwriters’ group. There will be a kickoff party at the Lakes at Turtle Creek Apartments’ clubhouse at 11 p.m. on Oct. 31, where writers can meet to share snacks and give last-minute story advice before November begins. Throughout the month, writers will have several opportunities to write together. On Sundays, writers can meet at Books-A-Million at 2 p.m. On Mondays, they meet at the Cook Library Art Gallery at 6 p.m. On Thursdays, they meet at Java Werks at 6 p.m. “The benefits of writing in a group of writers are they can keep you on track by putting a stop to all the procrastinating and distractions writers can face when secluded and to work through plot problems authors may find that lead to
writer’s block,” Brown said. On Nov. 20, University Libraries will host a “Night of Writing Dangerously,” modeled after the national organization’s annual event held in San Francisco. The event will be in the Cook Library Art Gallery beginning at 5 p.m. for food and 6 p.m. for writing and continuing until midnight. “Usually everyone brings a dish to share and we set up a potluck table so writers can snack throughout the six hours of writing,” Brown said. “I also suggest bringing headphones because sometimes you just get in the zone.” The month culminates in a “Thank God It’s Over” party, where writers celebrate a job well done with dinner, whether they’ve reached the 50,000word goal or not. Brown’s advice to potential novelists is simple: “Just write. Don’t edit. Don’t let your mind make you feel like what you’ve written isn’t good. Just write it. You can go back and edit later. But you have to get it down on paper first. You can edit what isn’t good, but you can’t edit what isn’t there.” Interested writers can sign up and keep track of their word count on the NaNoWriMo website.
Interested in writing your own novel? Log on to nanowrimo.org to start to today!
Write a novel in a month! Track your progress. Get pep talks and support. Meet fellow writers online and in person.
OPINION
Page 6 | Thursday, October 29, 2015
LIFE
Feminist opposes acceptance of transgender women Camille Myrick Printz Reporter
Iconic feminist Germaine Greer recently made blunt comments on behalf of transgender women, saying they aren’t women at all. She even went so far as to say that any person supporting transgender women is delusional and reinforcing sexist roles. The quotes I will discuss throughout this piece were said in response to a petition demanding Cardiff University to cancel Greer’s guest lecture because of statements she made questioning the validity of transgender women’s identities. In light of this sensitive subject, I will try to be as respectful and understanding as I can. First of all, let me point out that Greer is severely confused on the definition of gender. The term “sex” refers to biological characteristics that distinguish male from female.
It can even be argued that there are more than two “sexes,” if you include individuals who are born with both male and female reproductive systems. “(Trans) women are not women. They do not look like, sound like or behave like women,” Greer said. The concept of gender is an exclusively social construction. Our culture defines gender stereotypes, deciding how a “normal woman” acts, looks and sounds. These stereotypes constantly evolve over time. For example, in the 1950s, the normality was for women to stay at home, be docile, subservient and goddesses of the domestic arts. Today, women are more free to pursue careers, not have children and wear pants. By definition, transgender people are individuals who march to the beat of their own drums, defying social norms by pursuing an identity that doesn’t reflect their sexual organs.
If transgender people are defined in this way, they don’t have to act like a woman or a man, because they are already acting outside of social stereotypes. A second topic Greer addressed in her rebuttal was the topic of Caitlyn Jenner being named Glamour magazine’s “Woman of the Year.” “I think misogyny plays a really big part of this; that a man who goes to these lengths to become a woman will be a better woman than someone who is just born a woman,” Greer said. I don’t know why Greer’s womanhood is so threatened by transgender women. Her implication that male-to-female transgender individuals is an act of hatred against women is completely ridiculous. We should treat each other with mutual respect, and fight tooth-andnail to be equal, not more or less than each other. If you have a male anatomy, but claim you are woman, you are woman. I am a writer, but there is nothing in my biology that can prove that. I say I am a writer and I act upon that claim, therefore I am a writer. Transgender individuals claim and act upon the claim, therefore they are. Do not think I am trying to reduce being transgender to a career choice. That is what makes it all the more disgusting that Greer would demonstrate such insensitivity to this demographic. At a very young age, most transgender people feel they
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were born as the wrong sex. That’s bigger and deeper than changing your major. The petition filed by Cardiff University students states: “Greer has demonstrated time and time again her misogynistic views towards trans women, including continually misgendering trans women and denying the existence of transphobia altogether.” Greer, I will pay for your plane ticket from Fantasyland to the Deep South. Transphobia is very real, I assure you. This doesn’t even constitute an argument. Finally, I would just like to address
a personal reason why Greer has rubbed me the wrong way. She advocates for giving up celibacy and monogamy. Rationally, this is a contradiction of feminism. As a married woman, it is very disturbing to think of monogamy no longer being a norm in our culture— not to say it doesn’t work for other relationships. To do away with it altogether? The thought of sharing my husband in any way makes me physically ill, and I honestly don’t understand how a feminist can support taking away exclusive love from a woman. Oh, Greer, don’t even get me started.
NATIONAL
Bush’s burn rate out of control J.D. Rimann Printz Reporter
At a recent closed-doors meeting with donors in New York City, Republican presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio reportedly ended a call for donations by emphasizing to the assembled bundlers, “No one’s ever dropped out of a presidential campaign because they ran out of ideas. They dropped out because they ran out of money.” As the third quarter of fundraising draws to a close, this truth is becoming more and more apparent across the Republican field. Already Scott Walker and Rick Perry have seen their cash dry up due to the brutal combination of a high burn rate—the burn rate is the rate at which a campaign spends money in excess of inflow—and low donations. Now it appears that Rand Paul is also experiencing these funding issues, with even his fellow Kentucky senator and GOP majority leader Mitch McConnell urging him to abandon his increasingly quixotic quest for the presidency and instead focus on his senate reelection bid. To be fair, however, none of the above candidates were supposed to be powerhouse financial juggernauts. That label was applied to Jeb Bush, whose stated goal was
to have $100 million in campaign donations before even declaring his candidacy, engaging in what the political press corps dubbed a “shock and awe” campaign which would use its massive cash on hand and Super PAC funds to scare off other Republicans from even entering the race and crushing those who did with a swarm of ad-buys and luxury resort confabs with GOP bigwigs. Seventeen GOP candidates later, that strategy appears to have failed—miserably. Not only have a swarm of other candidates entered the field, but now it appears that the unthinkable is more than just thinkable, but actually happening: the mighty Bush fundraising juggernaut has gone off the rails. Around Miami and Washington, rumors swirl that more and more donors are either pulling back or contemplating pulling back from Bush’s campaign, at least for a moment. A combination of poor debate performances, unforced errors and gaffes on the campaign trail, and that pesky last name have all happened of course, but these were expected. What was not expected was the abject failure of the Bush campaign to exploit its financial advantage in almost any way. The Bush campaign has an astonishing 87 percent burn rate at the moment, which effectively
means that for every $100 that the campaign receives it immediately spends $87 worth of it on things ranging from luxury resorts for meetings to private charter jets for the candidate. This burn rate stands in stark contrast to that of the average presidential campaign (roughly 60 percent, according to Politico) and in marked contrast to that of presumed primary Bush challenger Marco Rubio (about 40 percent). While the Bush campaign announced acrossthe-board cuts yesterday as they move to get “leaner,” it appears that donors are getting very restless with the current results, a restlessness which could have fatal results for Jeb’s campaign. This is the worst possible place for Jeb to be right now. The two whom many see as his most serious opponents, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, are raising nearly as much money while doing better in the polls, especially in the early voting states. He has failed to neutralize any of his initial disadvantages— wooden speaking, lack of passion, perceived sense of entitlement and that last name again—while also failing to capitalize on his initial advantage: money. What do you call a campaign that cannot overcome its disadvantages or capitalize on its advantages? Over.
SPORTS
Thursday, October 29, 2015 | Page 7
FOOTBALL
Pressure on quarterback key for USM Jacob Kemp Sports Reporter
For the first time in three years, Southern Miss (5-3, 3-1) is one win away from punching its ticket to a bowl game. However, they face stiff competition from UTEP (3-4, 1-2), who has struggled this season, but still gave Southern Miss fits in 2014. After a dominating 44-10 win over Charlotte on Oct. 24, the Golden Eagles are playing their best ball of the season and are hitting their stride. Most would say the Golden Eagles’ success has been because of their high-soaring offense. But Southern Miss’ success is due in large part to its defense, which has emerged and become a stronger unit as the season has gone along. While the Golden Eagles give up yardage, they employ a bend, but do not break style of defense. They especially stiffen inside the red zone and on third downs as they rank in the top 20 nationally in both categories. USM has the home field advantage this year against the Miners, but USM head coach Todd Monken thinks his team will have to get a lead early against the Miners. “Can you get a lead?” Monken said. “We’re athletic up front, so can you get ahead and turn the guys loose and be aggressive. But (it’s) important, and I tell the guys, ‘It’s week to week. You
Michael C. Johnson/USA Today Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive safety Tevin Madison attempts to run down University of Texas at El Paso running back Aaron Jones in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium on Sept. 12.
can’t carry over stats.’” While senior wide receiver Mike Thomas has been added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list and Nick Mullens sits inside the top five in the NCAA in passing, the Golden Eagles still have a lot to improve on according to Monken. “I don’t know if we have put
together a complete game yet,” Monken said. “Two weeks ago we turn it over and kick four field goals and now we didn’t turn it over on offense last week, but we made a silly mistake on a punt return. So, there’s a lot of things we can improve on.” The Golden Eagles’ own worst enemy could be themselves if
they allow the two-game win streak to get to their heads and become complacent. They might be able to sneak a win by UTEP this week, but if they want to compete for the C-USA Western Division crown, they must stay motivated. As for UTEP, injuries have hindered the Miners heavily,
especially running back Aaron Jones, who was going to be the Miners’ workhorse back until an ankle injury against Texas Tech cost him his season. But just last week, they got back their starting quarterback Mack Leftwich. “Last week, they got (Mack) Leftwich back,” Monken said. “He’s accurate, confident and they’re a different team (with him). The quarterback really has a good understanding of what they want to do and he makes them go. They were more steady last week.” Leftwich is coming off a career-high three touchdown performance in a win against FAU, 27-17 on Oct. 24. However, Southern Miss has been very effective at getting to the quarterback this year and could provide a crowded pocket for Leftwich. Dylan Bradley leads the way for USM with six sacks, but he is not the only one getting pressure on the quarterback. Xavier Thigpen has 4.5 sacks Ja’Boree Poole has three. As a team, USM has 21 sacks on the season. A crowded pocket for Leftwich could be huge, as the Miners’ quarterback only stands at 5-feet, 10-inches tall. If Southern Miss can get to Leftwich early, which they have been doing to most opposing quarterbacks, look for the Miners to struggle on offense. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday on Halloween.
FOOTBALL
Mullens to Thomas a lethal combination Joshua Campbell Sports Editor
Mary Alice Weeks/Printz Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens makes a pass during the game played against Mississippi State in Hattiesburg on Sept. 5.
It finally appears as if senior wide receiver Michael Thomas is finally getting the recognition he deserves as he was added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List on Wednesday. Thomas ranks in the top 25 nationally for receiving yards per game and would be higher in other categories if he had not missed the Austin Peay game and was not eased back into action against Texas State. In seven games this season, Thomas has 653 yards and six touchdowns on 36 receptions. His best performance of the year came against North Texas when he had 155 yards and three touchdowns on seven catches. While Thomas is a tremendous talent by himself, it would be hard for him to have these types of numbers if junior quarterback Nick Mullens was not having a breakout season in his own right.
Many followers of the Southern Miss program, media members including myself and fans alike, were clamoring for Mullens to start the season on the bench in favor of TCU transfer Tyler Matthews. It seemed as if Mullens was limited in what he could do and would never truly produce consistently at a high level. But he has proven that to be false. He currently sits fifth in the nation with 2,613 passing yards, averaging 326.6 yards per game. Coming into this season, he had thrown nearly as many interceptions (23) as touchdowns (25) and had never completed 60 percent of his passes in nearly two seasons as the starter. However, he has completely rewritten that narrative as he has three times as many touchdowns (21) as he does interceptions (7). While it is clear the talent around him has improved since he first became the starter as a true freshman, he has truly made a giant leap
in his own progression as a quarterback. He has improved his footwork, decision-making and accuracy tremendously this season as well as his overall leadership. It definitely does not hurt to have a dynamic threat on the outside like Thomas either. While head coach Todd Monken does not buy into stats painting a picture as he has reiterated time and time again that you cannot carry over stats, the Mullens to Thomas connection is putting up stats comparable to almost any other duo in the country besides those either at TCU or Baylor. USM’s dynamic duo is arguably the biggest reason why Monken and company have turned around the Southern Miss program and sit just one win away from bowl eligibility with four more games to play. Who knows? If Mullens and Thomas keep up at their current pace, they could be bringing home some hardware when award season rolls around.
SPORTS
Page 8 | Thursday, October 29, 2015
FOOTBALL
Eagles well on their way to bowl eligibility Julius Kizzee News Editor
Southern Miss stands just one win away from bowl eligibility, but it’s important to ask: how did they get here? The first glimmer of hope for this Golden Eagle football team came long before this season.
Just two years ago, Southern Miss was struggling to capture just one win, in two seasons. In 2012, the Golden Eagles finished 0-12. The next season, Southern Miss was 0-11 and well on their way to being back in the college football cellar, until they exploded for a 62-27 victory against UAB, their first win since the 2011 Hawaii
Hunt Mercier/Assistant Photo Editor Southern Miss defensive back Curtis Mikell returns a punt against Mississippi State in Hattiesburg on Sept. 5.
Bowl three years prior. That single game planted a seed of resilience for these Golden Eagles as players such as Nick Mullens, Jalen Richard and Elijah Parker tasted victory for the first time. Fast forward to last year, and Southern Miss got off to a decent start. The Golden Eagles won three games in 2014, but crumbled when Mullens got hurt on the first drive against Louisiana Tech. The team morale was crushed and those Golden Eagles never recovered that season, losing five straight to end the season. But the Golden Eagles showed their resilience and drive to get back to the top when the 2015 campaign kicked off. Coming into the season, all of the hype building up was up for climax against a Mississippi State team that embarrassed Southern Miss 49-0 last year in Starkville. This season, Southern Miss came out to play by at least being competitive, losing 34-16 in a game that was truly closer than the score indicated. After that game, USM came out to beat Austin Peay 52-6 in a game where Monken questioned the support of the Golden Eagle hopefuls, even though 23,042 seats were filled in the contest.
The next week, Southern Miss traveled to Texas to take on the Texas State Bobcats in a classic shootout. Both defenses failed to show any resistance in the contest, giving up a combined 106 points in the game, which USM won 56-50. The first sign of real improvement over the years was a late September contest in Lincoln, Nebraska, against a Cornhusker team who historically has dominated the boys down in Hattiesburg. USM gave the Cornhuskers all it had, with junior quarterback Nick Mullens throwing for a career-high 447 yards as they almost took down Nebraska in the final moments. In their next four games, Southern Miss has compiled a 3-1 record, dominating North Texas, UTSA and Charlotte, giving up a combined 34 points total in those three games. But an Oct. 9 game in West Virginia against Marshall showed some flaws that the Golden Eagles have seen over the years. Turnovers, not being able to get off the field defensively on third downs and red zone scoring are still problems. The Golden Eagles lost that contest 31-10, but learned from those mistakes en route to winning their next two games
against UTSA and Charlotte. From D’Nerius Antoine to the emergence of Mike Thomas, the Golden Eagles have a newfound confidence instilled in them. These Golden Eagles are doing something that they may have not been doing since 2011: Believing in themselves. “In our first year when we beat UAB, the great thing was we ended the season on a win,” said head coach Todd Monken. “The negative was we didn’t get to play again the next week. We didn’t get to benefit from the excitement of winning.” Now here they are. Only mere days away from potentially becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011, a season in which the Golden Eagles peaked at No. 19 in the final coach’s poll of the year in America. USM has a chance to reach heights not seen since Larry Fedora left for North Carolina. Now is time for coach Todd Monken to put his stamp on this program, along with those players who captured that first win against UAB, and those that came along in the mean time to join this adventure. Oh how far these Golden Eagles have come.