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Maroon Edition events include economics discussion BY DUNCAN DENT Contributing Writer
The Maroon Edition October events will conclude this week with a presentation from upper division economics students and a showing and discussion of questionable science in a popular science fiction movie, Armageddon.
The Maroon Edition provides Mississippi State University students a common book to read before arriving on campus and a slew of related activities throughout the semester. This year students were asked to read “Physics for Future Presidents” by Richard A. Muller. Tuesday’s event is called Economics for Future Presi-
dents, which will be a hypothetical presidential debate put on by nine upper division economics students as part of a class project for their learning community on campus. A learning community is a university-sponsored project students can participate in designed to give them in-depth knowledge on a subject. They can involve diverse ex-
periences that bring students together from different backgrounds to live together or get students to cooperate on a Millea presentation. Meghan Millea, MSU economics professor, is the faculty advisor for the group of
nine students that will present. Millea said her role is to keep them focused on the subject and double-check their facts and arguments. “They run the scripts by me,” Millea said. “I am like their consultant.” The students will begin the mock debate at 3:30 p.m. in the Fowlkes Auditorium in
the Colvard Student Union. Presentations will cover mostly macro issues. “This is not a principles class. These will be realistic macro issues that people should know, including future presidents,” Millea said. “They will be presenting to mostly lower division economics students, though everyone is invited to come.” SEE ACTIVITIES, 3
STILL FACING CHALLENGES MSU investigates allegations of racism within the Greek system and low diversity shown in historically-white organizations. Officials recognize race relations need improvement. BY ZACK ORSBORN Multimedia Editor
An allegation of a sorority at Mississippi State University barring an black student from joining, even though she “was qualified to be in the sorority,” appeared in the Dallas Morning News’s letters to the editor section on Sept. 18. Bill Kibler, vice president for Student Affairs, said allegations of racism within the Greek system are rare, but MSU investigates the claims. In regards to the allegation in the Dallas Morning News, Kibler said MSU investigated it to the extent it could. “First of all, (the author) didn’t identify the time frame. They could be writing as if it were two weeks ago, and it might have been two years ago. They didn’t identify the chapter. They didn’t identify the student or any of that,” he said. In his 10 years at MSU dealing with allegations, Kibler said MSU discovered students vying for membership in the Greek system were denied because of low grades. “We’ve had no allegation that has been found to be correct of any racial discrimination, for instance, in the membership selection process here at Mississippi State,” he said. “We’ve not had that. We’ve had our share of rules violated by our Greek organizations in the 10 years I’ve been here, but none based on racial discrimination.” Kibler said MSU works side-by-side with Greek national organizations during student misconduct investigations. National organizations must reflect MSU’s nondiscrimination policy, which states MSU “is committed to preventing (discrimination) and stopping (discrimination) whenever it may occur at the University or in its programs.”
“(Greek organizations) have grade standards, but they’re not going to deny a member based on their race alone,” Kibler said. Due to a federal law that protects student privacy, MSU cannot share one student’s grades with another. Kibler brought up a case in which a student was denied Greek membership because of his or her grades. Advisers to the Greek system know information about which students meet their screening criteria and can deny a student membership on these bases. “The adviser to the Greek system would be given a list to say, ‘Out of all the potential new members, we’ve got six that have inadequate grades, and we have four that have a conduct record, so they are currently on probation at Mississippi State,’” he said. “So all the chapter knows is that this person was not allowed to become a member.” Kibler said challenges arise, but MSU always falls on the side of protecting the confidential records of a student. “We really can’t control what may be incorrect assumptions that someone who doesn’t actually know what caused that decision to be made,” he said. “That’s different than some of the allegations we’re reading about in the paper.” According to data from Kibler, five percent of members in historically white fraternities are non-white while four-and-a-half percent of members in historically white sororities are non-white. “What I was actually pleased with was the fact that every single chapter showed up on the list of who had non-white members in their organizations,” Kibler said. “The fact that we have five percent, I hope that in 10 years, it’ll be bigger than that. But it’s not just five percent because we have three chapters that have a lot and the rest don’t have any. They are dispersed throughout the entire system.”
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MSU Food Security Network helps local food pantries fight hunger BY KIMBERLY MURRIEL Staff Writer
Last spring semester, Mississippi State University established the MSU Food Security Network to help assist students, faculty and staff who face or are at risk of facing food insecurity. The program, coordinated by the Maroon Volunteer Center office of student leadership and community engagement, anonymously connects students and other individuals who are in short supply of food to local food pantries in Oktibbeha County. Seven local churches in Starkville operate food pantries: Pinelake Church, Starkville Church of God, Peter’s Rock Temple COGIC, St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church, Sand Creek Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and Josey Creek Missionary Baptist Church. Roderick Holmes, volunteer coordinator of MSU Food Security Network, said the program exists to spread awareness of the available food resources and other community entities individuals may need. “The MSU Food Security Network spreads awareness and lets people know who needs food the resources available to them,” Holmes said. Holmes said the MSU Food Security Network serves as the mediator between the local food pantries and needy individuals. “We’re kind of the middle man,” Holmes said. “(Ap-
plicants) Coming straight through us allows the processes at the different food pantries to go a little more smoother. The contacts that we’ve made through the food security network locations have already given us the resources applicants need to go there and get what they need. It makes the process quicker.” In addition to food, Holmes said some of the churches that run food pantries also offer other services such as emotional support housing assistance. “Some of the churches (help) people who have fallen on hard times,” Holmes said. Holmes stressed that MSU Food Security Network honors the confidentiality of applicants to the fullest extent. SEE PANTRY, 2
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MSU student volunteers help MSU Food Security Network by sorting sweet potatoes for a local food drive. The organization connects people in need with nearby services.
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THE REFLECTOR
Faculty program aims to improve writing in classrooms BY PRANAAV JADHAV Staff Writer
“Maroon and Write” is Mississippi State University’s new writing-to-learn quality enhancement plan (QEP).
The QEP is a required component of the re-accreditation process for the university from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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Kathleen Yancey speaks about writing during the Maroon and Write program, part of the QEP, Wednesday.
Every accredited higher education institution must develop a project that promises to enhance the educational experience on campus. Deborah Lee, co-chair of the Maroon and Write marketing and communications committee, said in an email the QEP Selection Taskforce spoke with faculty, staff and students about what is done well at MSU and what could be improved. “From this broad-based discussion, the campus chose writing as the topic for our QEP. Accreditation is an important process that guarantees the educational quality of the institution for both students and potential employers,” Lee said. “Writing is an important skill, whether you’re writing a tweet, a blog or a research report. The Maroon and Write Project is designed to help MSU students build the writing skills they need to succeed in a course and a career.” Florida State University’s research professor Kathleen
Yancey spoke on Wednesday with MSU faculty about writing-across-the-curriculum strategies faculty can incorporate in their classes. As faculty learn new strategies to teach writing, they will use them in their classes across all curriculum in the university. The goal of the QEP is to improve undergraduate student writing at MSU. Connie Forde, department head of MSU Instructional Systems and Workforce Development, said events such as Yancey’s visit go hand in hand with the QEP Maroon and Write initiative. “The committee will be planning many things and Dr. Yancey talked to us today about some ideas to bring faculty and students alike into writing. And not just including writing in classes, but also including it in the co-curricular part of the institution,” Forde said. English department head Rich Raymond said in June 2013 MSU conduct-
ed the first “Maroon Institute for Writing Excellence” (MIWE), a month-long workshop designed to prepare professors from across the curriculum to use inclass and out-of-class writing assignments to help students learn material. “This fall, three of the nine MIWE professors are using these new writing-centered approaches to their courses in literature, forestry and marketing. The other six will do likewise this coming spring semester in their respective QEP courses,” Raymond said. “Using the workshop format, participants in MIWE read articles in learning theory, cognitive theory and composition theory. They processed their reading in reader-response journals, one of the writing-to-learn strategies they will be teaching their students.“ Hillary Richardson, instructional services librarian at MSU libraries said she liked the QEP because improving students’ writing
abilities is a major undertaking on any campus. “I think the QEP is about altering how people think about writing. In my experience, a lot of students think that writing good, or writing well, is something that they have to ‘get out of the way’ in composition classes, but learning how to communicate with someone through writing is a lifelong endeavor, and I think the QEP is one thing that will reinforce that,” Richardson said. Raymond said the Maroon and Write QEP is planned to extend for five years. “At the end of this period, members of the QEP Development Committee hope that we will have moved well down the road toward establishing a culture of writing, a community of professors and students who embrace writing as the best way to learn,” Raymond said. For more information about MSU’s QEP, visit facebook.com/QEPMSU or follow the plan on Twitter.
PANTRY “We take confidentially very seriously. Any information given to me or the food security network and food pantries is strictly confidential,” Holmes said. “We don’t share any information about applicants with any outside sources unless there is some information given to the food pantries or me that deals with something other than what we are supposed to be referring them to or something that’s not legal.” Holmes said the food security network only requires basic information such as photo ID, proof of income, if any, and household size information. Additional information may be required for some pantries
continued from 1 before assistance is given. Applications for assistance are available in the Maroon Volunteer Center and can also be downloaded in a PDF file form on the MSU website. In addition to its confidentiality, Holmes said the MSU Food Security network works without prejudice. “We’re a judgment free zone,” Holmes said. “We don’t tell your business, and we don’t call anyone out on their status or situation. We are here to help you get what you need and that’s it.” Megan Franks, assistant director of MSU Food Security Network and student leadership and community engage-
ment said the program was inspired by the growing number of food pantries on college campuses across the country. “A little over a year ago, we were asked about our thoughts about starting a food pantry on campus as there are a number of universities that have food pantries on their campuses,” Franks said. “We did some research and asked the people at the local food pantries what their thoughts were on us having a food pantry on campus, and several of them said they would be willing to help serve those in need.” Franks said since Starkville already has several local pantries, instead of establishing
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one on campus, people at MSU decided to create the food security network to connect people in need to the resources already offered. “We decided to connect with the local food pantries already in the community,” Frank said. “We got all of the information about their distribution dates, their processes and applications for getting people signed up for the pantries, and we generated a guidebook to start the program.” Franks said students and staff can inquire about the services through the program via email or phone call to the Maroon Volunteer Center. Franks also said the food security network informs students about food pantries close by or in walking distance or accessible via shuttle route for those with transportation issues. Franks and Holmes said the food security network is needed because, especially with the country’s fragile economy, some students are not financially well off to afford basic necessities. “Not every student can afford a meal plan, and not every student can rely on help from their parents,” Holmes said. Johnnie Armstrong, Pinelake Church Care Center food pantry coordinator, said the church started a food pantry in August 2011 for similar reasons. “Everybody falls victim to hard times, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Armstrong
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MSU student volunteer and the MSU Food Security Network work with connected food pantries to help feed students and Starkville residents in need. said. “I invite people to come and help and come and see how God feeds people because it’s him that allows us to be able to serve people in need; We’re just his workers. We are so happy to have people come to our pantry because without it, I’m not sure where some of them would eat.” Armstrong said she believes there will be an increased need for food pantries due to the shaky economy.
“I just think there is gonna be more of a need for food pantries in the future the way people are losing their jobs,” Armstrong said. “We at Pinelake don’t consider it shameful to be in need. We just see it as someone’s circumstances for that time, and we just want to meet that need because at any time in our lives that could be us. We help just as we would want someone to help us.”
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For more information, call 325.0075 or email mlafleur@saffairs.msstate.edu.
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ACTIVITIES
continued from 1
Millea said students will be using character adaptation. “They have worked hard on this,” Millea said. “Each of the nine students has their own character that they have created and will be portraying. It is more than just the two presidential candidates.They have their own staff and support characters. It will be fun.” Thursday there will be a showing of what promotional material for the event calls “arguably the science fiction movie with the worst science.” They will screen science fiction movies or clips and host a short panel discussion about the bad science after the movie. The movie starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Taylor Auditorium in McCool Hall. One of the panelists, Josh Winter, said, “We will discuss the science content or the lack there of in these movies. It will be a lot of fun. We don’t want to ruin the enjoyment of these movies, we just want viewers BETH WYNN | COURTESY PHOTO to be more educated on the science involved when watch- Jehan Seneviratne, MSU engineering doctorate student, demonstrates the principles ing science fiction movies.” of pressure during the Physics Phun Night, a Maroon Edition event, on Wednesday. These will conclude the Maroon Edition events for “Physics is the liberal arts of neering. He says physics is not I wanted more than just the October, but there are many high technology.” just math, and when you get physics students to undermore events planned to exMuller’s course on the sub- students to understand that stand it, the future presidents tend through the school year, ject was voted best course on they are less intimidated and so to speak. I am very happy including a chance to hear campus at Berkeley the two can understand it better. to hear it was adopted for Muller speak on the concepts years he has taught it. The “Anytime you study some- freshman reading.” laid out in his book and an es- course focused on making the thing with a technical comMuller will speak on Nov. say competition in the spring. concepts of physics available ponent it can be related to 14 in the Foster Ballroom in “I have enormous pride to any student, not just those physics, oil, energy, climate the Colvard Student Union at in this book,” Mullen said. studying physics and engi- change,” Muller said. “And 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 11 • 12:37 p.m. A student reported being harassed via Facebook. • 9:59 p.m. A student got overheated outside the Newell Grissom Building. The subject refused transportation to OCH.
Saturday, Oct. 12 • 1:35 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for driving under the influence and speeding. • 2:22 a.m. A student witnessed a hit and run in the Zacaharias Village parking lot. • 1:43 p.m. An employee slipped in a puddle of water in Perry cafeteria. The subject did not need medical assistance. • 2:47 p.m. A dumpster in the Sanderson Center parking lot was on fire. SFD was called. • 6:55 p.m. A student was arrested at Davis Wade stadium for public drunkenness. • 7:11 p.m. A student had an asthma attack in Davis Wade stadium. EMT personnel assisted her.
Sunday, Oct. 13 • 12:54 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for driving under the influence and no headlights. • 4:30 a.m. A student was arrested at Hathorn Hall for possession of paraphernalia.
Citations:
• 10 citations were issued for speeding. • 3 citations were issued for disregard of a traffic device.
GREEK Kibler said MSU promotes cut, said predominately white diversity through the Holmes Greek organizations are a prodCultural Diversity Center, uct of white-only exclusion which works with diversity policies that were in many orissues and raises awareness ganizations’ constitutions. “Greek letter organizaacross campus. Jackie Mullen, director of tions function as networks for the white elite. Student AcMembers are tivities, said often pledged in an email When we into organizathe Office of look at the tions and end up Fraternity and Greek letter being senators, Sorority Life, representatives, along with the system, anywhere judges, mayors,” Greek Leaders that you look, you he said. “It’s litC o n f e r e n c e find that white erally a networkCommittee, hosts an an- Greek letter organi- ing system that reproduces their nual Greek zations often have Leaders Con- subsidized housing higher status and resources.” ference every and high-quality Hughey said year that inother organizacludes diver- housing at that, if tions like Afrisity sessions, you take for can-American and all three example, the Greek organizaGreek coun- mansions at MSU.” tions were creatcils attend ed after exclusion regional con- -Matthew Hughey, from white Greek ferences that former MSU highlight top- sociology professor organizations. Regarding the ics including Greek system, diversity withHughey said in the Greek people fixate on the notion system. “Throughout the year, many of segregation, but he said acof our chapters host programs knowledging togetherness and that promote diversity and separation is as important as unity on the campus of MSU,” recognizing equality, justice she said. “During our recruit- and resourcing. “When we look at the Greek ment training of our recruitment counselors with IFC and letter system, anywhere that Panhellenic, they undergo di- you look, you find that white Greek letter organizations often versity training.” Matthew Hughey, former have subsidized housing and MSU sociology professor and high-quality housing at that, if associate professor of sociolo- you take for example, the mangy at University of Connecti- sions at MSU,” Hughey said.
continued from 1 He said African-American, Latino and Asian Greek organizations lack sufficient membership or a pool of traditional membership to be able to have homes and resources like traditionally white Greek organizations. “On top of that, the Greek affairs offices that exist often ignore or marginalize nonwhite fraternities and sororities and simply fail to possess the resources that Asian, black or Latino Greek letter organizations might need or want,” Hughey said. Eddie Keith, associate dean of students, said he grew up during a time when high schools were completely segregated. When his generation came to college from these environments, he said they created segregated academics. During his time at MSU, Keith said he has seen important roles filled by African-American students like Student Association president and homecoming queen, but challenges still exist. On his walks across campus, Keith said he sees African-American, white and
international students engage in conversation, sit down to drink coffee and have meals together. “You think, ‘Gee, we’ve come a long way,’” he said. “And then you keep your ears open, and you wander around campus and hear some of the things you hear, and you think, ‘Man, we’ve got a long way to go.’”
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OPINION
4 | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013
OPINION EDITOR: ALIE DALEE | opinion@reflector.msstate.edu CONTRIBUTING WRITER
THE REFLECTOR
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CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Choose a major for love or money? Miley’s muse “Molly” — MDMA’s pop culture influence on society
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onfucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” This quote helped me determine my major, as it should have helped everyone. Admittedly, before I decided to become an English major, I jumped from one future career to another. I tried to think about my personality and what I would enjoy doing while making heaps of cash. I would ultimately feel good about my decision only to be told I would never make any money. Eventually I said enough was enough and just chose something I knew I would enjoy doing even without money rolling in. Students are led to believe that the sole reason their choice in major should be determined is by how much money they will make once they graduate. Alfie Kohn, author of “The Schools Our Children Deserve” and “The Homework Myth,” wrote, “Some of the least inspiring approaches to schooling, and the least meaningful ways of assessing its success, follow logically from thinking of education not in terms of its intrinsic worth, or its contribution to a truly democratic society, but in the context of the 21st-century global economy.” Money should factor into our decision as students who live in the economy that we do, but when that gets in the way of actually learning and enjoying what we learn, it needs to be re-evaluated. Annie Murphy Paul wrote an article titled “Is School Just For Getting a Good Job?” In this article she writes, “The good news is that research in the science of learning suggests that one choice we don’t need to make is between a rich, rigorous, engaging education and an
CHELSEA RHODES Chelsea Rhodes is a freshman majoring in English. She can be contacted at opinion@reflector. msstate.edu.
education that prepares students for flourishing careers: these things are one and the same.” In today’s world, college students get what they pay for. No matter what major students choose, they will be provided with a curriculum that both challenges and prepares them for their future in the work force. I firmly believe that if a student chooses a major, and does not worry about the future income as much as he or she worries about getting an education and becoming prepared for a career, he or she will probably make more than enough money and will be in an enjoyable career. Students who choose a major based solely on the probable income are more likely to drop out or change majors, which could cause them to spend more time and money on their education in the long run. If engineering is something you love and enjoy, then you should have no problem earning your degree, but if you decide to be an engineer based solely on the criteria of potential income, you will more than likely make a lot of money doing something you have no heart for. If you want to be a writer, chances are you will have many struggles getting published and earning a living until you do, but the struggles will fade away in comparison to seeing your work published. My point is this: If you love learning and follow your interests, then the money will follow. Do not follow the money. Follow your heart.
W
hat used to be a temperature. When taken in simple name that re- larger doses, it promotes halluminded people of a cinogenic actions. Michelle LaFleur, Grant Supgirl with pigtails has transpired port and Alcohol and Drug Speinto a drug trend called Molly. If you are over 40, the term cialist at MSU’s Longest Student may be relatively new. How- Health Center, explained the ever, today’s society recogniz- chemical make-up of MDMA. “Molly is a synthetic drug. It es Molly as the crystalized or powder form of three, 4-meth- gives you an MDMA-like high, ylenedioxymethamphetamine so it is very similar to Ecstasy,” (MDMA), which contains some LaFleur said. “Synthetic drugs of the same compounds as Ec- are 10 to 20 times more potent than a plant-based counterpart.” stasy. Immediate side effects of The street drug has been glamorized by popular culture in the MDMA are dehydration, vomrecent months. Rapper Kanye iting, loss of appetite and the West uses the term in his song inability to urinate. These can “Blood on the Leaves,” and Mi- result in tiredness, headaches, sore or dry ley Cyrus mouth and just canToday’s society feelings not stop recognizes Molly of depres“dancing with as the crystalized sion. “This Molly” in or powder form drug causher song es your “We Can’t of (MDMA) ... The street drug has been glamorized brain to Stop.” release all Just by pop culture in recent the serolike some tonin and of your months.” dopamine favorite at once. pop icons, MDMA becomes a force to be So, when you come down off the drug, all your serotonin reckoned with. Koye Davis is a local rapper. is depleted. It takes days and He shares that MDMA popular- sometimes weeks to build your ity is a trend and yields negative serotonin back up depending on the amount of MDMA a person results for those who partake. “I feel like it started with hip- uses, so people can become very hop and lot of the key artists are depressed after they take it,” Lapromoting Molly. It is basical- Fleur said. If MDMA is so dangerous, ly a popular drug; it is in right now. It is really not good for why are celebrities like Rick Ross, Madonna, 2 Chainz and people at all,” said Koye Davis. According to the Drug En- Trinidad James endorsing it? forcement Administration, Popularity is the answer, accordMDMA causes an increase in ing to Davis. “Basically, artists are running heart rate and blood and body
with it. Like, if you use it in your song, then your song is going to be popular. So people are using it to get more attention. They probably are not even using the drug, and they are getting other people to do it,” Davis said. According to DrugPolicy. org, MDMA was popularized by psychotherapist and mental health practitioners in the 1970s and early 1980s as a form of treatment. In the 1990s, it became the preferred drug at clubs and raves. Today, MDMA undergoes clinical trials to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder patients. However, it has quickly regained its popularity as a party drug. Keenyn Wald, a staff counselor at Student Counseling Services, shares his experience in drug counseling to expand on MDMA’s popularity. “I have been working with alcohol and drugs for eight years. I have not seen a rise and overall drug use. What I have seen is a natural cycle of what drug is popular. Right now, it is Molly,” Wald said. Wald continued to state that a drug’s popularity is cyclical. “If you look back over the past 10 years, Ecstasy was really popular, then it winged down. Then, it was cocaine, and it went down. With these higher-level drugs, you see a rotation of what is more pop culture — what is in the now,” Wald said. From the early 1900s to today, there has been a significant change in how people used drugs. Emily Ryalls, communication associate professor and pop culture expert, said she be-
ERICKA SMITH Ericka Smith is a senior majoring in communication. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.
lieves social media has created more dialogue when it comes to illegal substances. “Media has provided an outlet for people to be more open about drug use,” Ryalls said. “In the 80s, when cocaine was going crazy, people were not out at four in the morning tweeting for the disco track that they had just done a line of blow in the bathroom. Today, that would be the case.” As MDMA becomes a household name in the media, many would think users are more aware of its side effects. That is an inaccurate assumption. Over Labor Day weekend, two young people fatally overdosed on MDMA at the New York Electric Zoo Festival. On average, the New York Health Department said it sees 10 deaths resulting from MDMA and Ecstasy overdoses annually. Molly is no longer the girl next door that people envision. Molly is a dangerous trend in popular culture and society that is leading to an increase in overdoses and MDMA-related hospital visits. The next time a celebrity like Madonna asks, “How many people in this crowd have seen Molly?” at a concert, officials hope that people will look for a girl rather than the MDMA-like drug.
INTERNATIONAL INK
Hurricane Phailin illustrates the destructive power Mother Nature has over Earth
I
ndia’s east coast was hit by Hurricane Phailin, a tropical cyclone category five that drew worldwide media attention on Sunday. Experts from across the globe found glaring similarities to the devastating Hurricane Katrina that hit the southern coast of the United States in 2005, killing about 2,000 people and damaging properties worth $81 billion. After examining the consequences of Katrina, the Indian Meteorology Department, the state government and the emergency forces adopted a zero casualty plan, which means if you live on the coast and do not want to leave your home, you will be forced out. Due to this policy, only 18 casualties have been reported as of today. Mike Brown, climatologist/ meteorologist at Mississippi
State University who also enjoys storm-chasing, said Katrina was rated a category three hurricane. The water in such hurricanes tends to rise up rapidly and people often get trapped. “The vast majority of the deaths are attributed to the water and the damage caused to properties is attributed to the winds,” Brown said. “You’ve got to get people out of the coast. What we learned from Katrina was, people have lived through other hurricanes before, and they think this is just another hurricane when in fact every storm is different.” India’s CNN affiliate CNNIBN reported 8 million people affected by the Phailin fatalities, numerous damaged properties, snapped power lines, overturned cars and houses were seen. The estimated damage will be pre-
dicted in the coming days when the affected areas become accessible. Lindsey Storey, Gulfport, Miss. resident who survived Katrina on the coast, said there will always be emotional scars with something like the destructive Hurricane Katrina. “There is your life before the hurricane and there is your life after the hurricane, so, for me, life is completely different now than it was before the hurricane.” Storey said. “For people my age, Hurricane Katrina was the first one of this magnitude, because of the timing when Hurricane Katrina came in, the effects were much more catastrophic.” Hurricane Phailin broke the Indian Ocean intensity record set by the 1999 Orissa cyclone just prior to its Saturday landfall, according to the U.S. Navy’s
Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Kamal Lochan Mishra, Odisha state’s disaster manager, explains the evacuation measures that have been taken. “We have taken a zero-casualty approach,” Lochan Mishra said. “If people do not move, force will be used to evacuate them.” In an updated report on Sunday afternoon, CNN said authorities surveyed the damage Sunday. CNN reported food assistance would be provided to severely impacted villages. Teams from nonprofits organizations also canvassed the affected areas. Initial surveys indicate the damage was not as bad as many feared it could be, Save the Children said. But strong winds and heavy rains continued to pound some areas.
“There may be delays in being able to reach the most vulnerable families with aid,” Devendra Tak, a spokesman for Save the Children, said. “This also means it could take some time before the full extent of the damage is known.” The Indian armed forces and National Disaster Response Force will play a major role in the rehabilitation of the affected areas as they did when more than 10,000 were killed in the Himalayas this summer after floods ravaged the foothills, washing away millions of livelihoods. K.C. Singh, former Indian diplomat and strategic affairs expert tweeted, “Natural disasters hit poor the worst as no economic security network. A cow dead, boat destroyed, hut gone, birds killed = livelihood washout.”
PRANAAV JADHAV Pranaav Jadhav is a junior majoring in communication. He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.
In a natural calamity of this magnitude where destruction and devastation is unavoidable, human beings are reminded of Mother Nature’s sheer dominance on planet Earth. We live in an age where technology can only predict a catastrophe, not avoid it.
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T
he Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics last Tuesday to theoretical physicists Peter Higgs and François Englert for their independent predictions in 1964 of a massive particle now known as the Higgs boson. The verification of the Higgs boson is what is important, not so much the theoretical details from 1964, as physicists have assumed its existence for a long time. Really, the verification of the Higgs’ discovery and the consequent Nobel award draws my immediate attention. According to about.com, six different theoretical physicists, including Englert and Higgs, independently discovered the modern version of the Higgs field and Higgs boson theories after building off of the work of their colleagues from the decade before. What really makes the verification of the Higgs’ existence important is that, according to Charles Day’s physicstoday.org article, Steven Weinberg used the Higgs mechanism soon after its postulation to formulate the quickly verified and important electroweak theory. If the Higgs particle had instead eluded discovery or if the laws of physics had been different and the Higgs did not exist, then there would be huge ramifications for all
of the physics that emerged after Weinberg in what is now called the Standard Model. The Standard Model is the subject of rigorous research, and it provides insight into the function of many practical processes. It provides a look into phenomena including cosmic radiation and Radon-222 decay that, according to the EPA, make up the majority of the radioactivity to which our bodies are subject. Additionally, the functions of heavier versions of the particles that we are familiar with existence allows advanced research into the detailed functioning of familiar particles. The Nobel Prize this year is notable because of how soon the award follows the verification of the theory. Admittedly, the theory’s consequences have been implicitly verified for quite some time, but the most important part, the existence of the particle that actually does all of the work in the theory, is only a discovery that is one year old. According to Dave Goldberg’s slate.com article on the topic, the short time frame between discovery and award surprised the physics community, as the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences did not award Englert and Higgs last year when the Higgs boson was very relevant and yet they did not continue to postpone the award for as long as the usually do.
“This year’s announcement represents an incredibly quick turnaround for a committee that has generally been fairly conservative in its awards,” Goldberg said. Additionally, there is no real consensus on whether or not the particle discovered is necessarily the Higgs boson without a doubt or if it is one of many Higgs particles or even another particle entirely that conveniently appears where we expect the Higgs. According to Don Lincoln’s PBS Nova Next article on the Higgs particle, there are supersymmetric interpretations of the Standard Model that predict at least five Higgs particles instead of just the one discovered recently. If you ever hear anyone accuse physics of being boring, pay them no mind. Just this year the Nobel Prize has brought up enough drama and contention to fuel the publication of yet another round of books that try to paint the picture of what happened and who should have gotten the prize. With six possible recipients and a maximum of three winners, there is guaranteed to be some animosity and confusion over the award, and this ignores the fact that Englert and Higgs did not actually find the particle but rather thousands of experimental physicists in Switzerland and France. I expect the Nobel Prize to con-
CAMERON CLARKE Cameron Clarke is a junior majoring in mathematics and physics. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate. edu.
tinue to be controversial as long as it runs. There is little chance of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences changing its paradigm, and so even in a time of large collaborative experiments and small impacts by thousands of physicists on one problem, we will probably continue to see acclaim and adulation given to a select few individuals for discoveries not fully understood or fleshed out in time. Hopefully one day another prize will come along that recognizes the efforts of every scientist involved in groundbreaking research, but that may not even be necessary. Who will the textbooks remember? I am not sure that it really matters as long as scientists get to enjoy their work and have a chance to further the pool of human knowledge.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013 | 5
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AN IN-CLASS DISTRACTION ...
10-15-13
BULLETIN BOARD CLASSIFIEDS POLICY
The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday. Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost. FOR RENT
A two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in the Cotton District is for rent for Mississippi State students or members of the Bulldog family. The apartment has a fireplace and a washer and dryer. Call 662.694.0995 if interested. CLUB INFO
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Insight Bible study and worship Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at 286 East Lee Blvd. next to Campus Book Mart. Follow on Twitter @MSStateWesley or on Facebook. MANIFESTING GLORY PRAISE TEAM
We are looking for talented singers and musicians to be a part of our campus ministry. If interested, please call 662.648.8128. SOCIOLOGICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION
SSA meets the last Thursday of every month in Bowen 250 at 5 p.m. Every major is welcome. STUDENTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS
Care about the environment? Love activism? Come join SSC on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in McCool 111 to make a difference. Follow on Twitter @MSU_SSC. COLLEGIATE 4-H
Solutions for 10-11-13
Collegiate 4-H presents “Rummage around the Rosie,” a rummage sale for the people. At Rick’s cafe parking lot on Oct. 19th from 5 to 11 a.m. All furniture, clothes, tools and working electronics will be accepted for donation. For donation or pick-up or contact information, contact Boddnick Hudson at 662.392.7522 or Ashley Hubbard at 662.418.8375. YOGA MOVES CLUB
School or work stressing you out? Get moving into Yoga Moves! Try our moves to get into shape and our relaxation techniques to handle the stress. Yoga Moves meets at the Sanderson Center in Studio C, Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Like Yoga Moves Club-MSU on Facebook. PRE-VETERINARY CLUB
MSU’S pre-veterinary club will have its Halloween meeting on Wed., Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. in McKee Park. Come dressed in your Halloween costume and bring your pets! Food and drinks will be provided at 6:30 p.m.
THE REFLECTOR
6 | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013
LIFE EDITOR: DANIEL HART | life@reflector.msstate.edu
LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
PROLIFIC PROFESSORS: BY ALIE DALEE Opinion Editor
One of the most understated relationships in a student’s daily life is the relation between student and professor — professors pour into students every day, positively alter their lives, feed them knowledge and shine light on their ideas. They have an unequivocal effect on students’ minds. Professors provide academic nourishment otherwise unavailable to students and color their minds with scholarship. Professors know students’ thoughts and ideas. Professors read, edit and critique the work produced by the minds they so diligently cultivate. Yet, the work of professors is often unknown territory to students without time spent carefully combing faculty websites in search of professors’ research and accolades. Professors continue to produce work outside of teaching to fulfill the research the university and professorship requires. However, some professors go beyond research requirements and continue to hone their craft while they teach. Catherine Pierce, co-director of Mississippi State University’s creative writing program, is the author of two volumes of poetry and is pub-
lished in a plethora of literary reviews. She said via email she finds her writing gives her a sense of camaraderie with the students she teaches. “I hope my students find it encouraging to know that I’m doing the same sort of work I’m asking them to do and that I’m facing the same kinds of challenges daily with regard to revising and generating new ideas,” Pierce said. Brent Funderburk is the fine arts thesis coordinator for MSU’s Department of Art. His work hangs at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, Miss. He said as an artist he uses an extensive amount of his time to create, pretend and delve into ideas. “I just wanted to run away, to be alone and make things,” he said. “It was always a spiritual experience to be alone. I deeply long for that state — to be alone, to find things.” Funderburk finds part of his identity in his utilization of art as a creative outlet. He said there is also an equal part of him that identifies with students and yearns to help them understand the creation of art. He explained his underlying need to teach others art, paralleled with his introspective desire to create, leads him to be an introverted-extrovert and exhibit a need to converse with people who share the
MSU faculty produce projects behind the scenes as they foster student development
ANDREW YERGER | THE REFLECTOR
ANDREW YERGER | THE REFLECTOR
Jacob Gines, professor of architecture, has sketches and architectural models in the “Exposing Faculty” gallery. The exhibit hangs in the Giles Hall gallery until Tuesday and features work by School of Architecture faculty. same ideas about art. He said it is this part of his person that led him to teach. “You can’t be still and quiet and working all at the same time, so I was encouraged to teach. I like to perform, so that was a stage where you can have a conversation,” Funderburk said. “The studio classroom is a place where you can
jam with your students. Their ideas, your ideas — everyone can play music together and orchestrate that classroom.” MSU’s School of Architecture makes significant strides to close the gap between professor and student this month. Tau Sigma Delta architectural honor society presents “Exposing Faculty,” a gallery ex-
hibit specifically geared to display the sketches, sculptures, models and other works produced by School of Architecture faculty. Housed in the peninsula of windows that make up Giles Gallery, Jacob Gines, visiting assistant professor of architecture and faculty adviser to TSD, has models and sketches in the exhibit that are some of the first to catch the eye upon entry. His sketchbooks display structures across Spain and America with minimalistic beauty in intricately illustrated pencil with watercolor overlay. His master’s thesis, “Hip-Hop in Architecture,” is on display and includes a book ranging from historical accounts of hip-hop to architecture models scaled after the beats of a Tupac Shakur song. Gines said the catalyst for part of his thesis is the similarities he sees between hip-hop music and the design of buildings. “I wanted to analyze them (hip-hop songs) based on the rhythms, and beats and patterns that existed. Architecture really deals with those same principles, rhythm and proportion and scale,” Gines said. “It’s very clear in hip-hop because those beats are expressed so clearly.” Gines said the “Exposing Faculty” gallery allows the architecture faculty an oppor-
tunity to display the creative work and models they produce outside the classroom. “At the School of Architecture, we interact with our students so directly all the time. We are constantly critiquing their work,” Gines said. “I think when the students see the work that we’re doing, they probably take us a bit more seriously.” David Lewis, fourth year architecture major and current president of TSD, is the student curator of the “Exposing Faculty” exhibit. To create the exhibit, he received instruction from the majority of professors featured in the exhibition. He said he gains invaluable inspiration from viewing his professors’ work. “I think it’s been really beneficial to be able to see that not only do the professors do architecture works, but they do other works. They can pursue other creative outlets,” Lewis said. “Plus it also gives us a really grounded sense. It establishes the credibility of our professors. To see these pretty incredible things that they’ve done gives us not only faith in the things that they know, but in the opportunities we have out there for us.” The “Exposing Faculty” exhibit is currently on display in the Giles Gallery on the third floor of Giles Hall until Oct. 15.
Art on the go: Traveling exhibit’s MSU stop concludes with gallery tour Friday BY JAKE JONES Contributing Writer
A traveling collection of art hangs in the McComas Hall gallery this month but gets carried on to new walls at the week’s end. The exhibit “Herb and Dorothy: Glimpse into their Extraordinary Collection” in the McComas Hall gallery concludes with a guided gallery talk at 10 a.m. Friday. The exhibit features contemporary artwork given to the Mississippi Museum of Art by New York collectors Dorothy and Herbert Vogel. The artwork includes pieces from contemporary artists Will Barnet, Claudia DeMonte, Cindy
Sherman and Richard Tuttle. Beth Batton, Mississippi Museum of Art curator, will lead the gallery talk. She said she will discuss the Vogels and how they compiled these works of art as well as the work that fills the Vogels’ collection. “I’ll talk a little about Herb and Dorothy Vogel, about why and how they collected art and stuffed and stacked it into their tiny New York apartment,” she said. “I’ll talk about some of the artists, like Cindy Sherman, and about conceptual art and minimalism.” Lori Neuenfeldt, gallery coordinator for the department of art, said she encourages students to attend the exhibit not
only to view the artwork, but to gather their opinions on the artwork and talk about the work with fellow patrons. “I want to see people get excited about art and the possibilities,” Neuenfeldt said. “I love watching people in galleries. I do more people watching than I do watching of artwork. I think in our field that sort of goes with it.” Neuenfeldt said the exhibit brings a cosmopolitan culture to MSU that can expand horizons and enrich MSU students and Starkvillians. “Hearing conversations and those independent discoveries made by people and then they take that into their own lives. It allows us to open up
Mitchell Memorial, music and movies
Library hosts American music and film series, starts Tuesday BY JAKE JONES ContributingWriter
Books fill Mitchell Memorial Library to the brim, but starting Tuesday at 7 p.m., the library displays moving pictures alongside pictures on paper. The library hosts the sec-
ond of a five-part film series about uniquely American music genres including blues, gospel, Broadway, jazz, bluegrass, country, rock `n roll, mambo and hip-hop. The series includes free viewings of documentaries that explain the history of American music. Following
each film showing Michael Brown, department head of music, will lead discussions of the film and the film’s musical subject. Brown said he will foster a discourse that brings out the common threads woven throughout the diverse styles of music. “What I try to do is draw
our own creative minds in our own world,” she said. “We are bringing part of the world to Starkville. I think that’s important for people to see.” Mississippi State University galleries have been an affiliate of the Mississippi Museum of Art for eight years. This affiliation allows MSU to have museum quality art exhibits in its galleries. Alex Vaughan, senior industrial engineering major, said she thinks it is important for students to attend galleries and view new, unfamiliar realms of art. “I think it’s important for us to have the art exhibit on campus because it exposes us to new mediums of art in
general,” Vaughan said. “We are exposed to a lot of writing in class and we hear music all the time, but a lot of times we
those similarities between all the different styles of musics to sort of connect everything,” Brown said. “They all have swing. They all have blues. They all have commercialism. They all have improvisation, just in different ways. They are all American and all unique to this country, but they’re not totally unique to each other.” Live music demonstrations from talented Starkville musicians will accompany each film screening. Each demonstration will include performances in the genre of music the film explores. Tara Warfield, assistant professor of voice and voice
area coordinator, demonstrates gospel music following tonight’s screening of Martin Scorsese’s “Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Episode 1, Feel Like Going Home.” Warfield said the films and performances provide chances for people to experience music they might not listen to otherwise. “I think everyone has their favorites, ‘I like country music, so I listen to country music only,’ or, ’My favorite is jazz, so I only listen to jazz,’” Warfield said. “This gives (attendees) an opportunity to experience something they are not normally exposed to
ANDREW YERGER | THE REFLECTOR
The exhibit “Herb and Dorothy: Glimpse into their Extraordinary Collection” goes down Friday. The exhibit ends with a gallery talk by Mississippi Museum of Art Curator Beth Batton.
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and might find something that they like.” The event is a project from Tribeca Film Institute and is a collaboration between the library systems and the Department of Music. The series was brought to MSU through a $2,500 grant from the National Endowment for Humanities’s Exploring the Human Endeavor program. MSU is one of 50 sites chosen to host the film series. Stephen Cunetto, general library systems administrator, is the event coordinator and author of the grant written to bring the series to MSU. Cunetto said many of the films are based in Mississippi and he focused on the commonalities between the history of music and Mississippi to get the films to MSU. “There is so much history around Mississippi, and I wrote the grant that way to reflect that these are perfect tie-ins with where we are in Mississippi,” Cunetto said. “Because the blues came out of Mississippi. Much of the jazz came out of Mississippi.” As part of the grant, MSU received the films’ public viewing rights. Each film shown at the event is one part of a larger film series. The rest of the films will be available in the library for check out.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013 | 7
SPORTS
REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM
ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR
Freshmen shine in first fall baseball scrimmages BY JOHN GALATAS Sports Editor
After its run in the College World Series four months ago, the Mississippi State University baseball team returned to the diamond last weekend to begin fall scrimmages. The Gray squad completed a weekend sweep over the Black team as veterans settled into a groove of another preseason while newcomers showcased their talents. Head coach John Cohen praised his incoming class and said multiple freshmen gained valuable experience in the weekend series — especially on the mound. “We’re really pleased with
our freshmen coming around. On the mound we have a lot of new faces,” he said. “We’ve had some guys who pitched well. It’s still early. You can do all the bullpen work you want, but when you’re on the bump after not being on the mound for a while, it takes a little time to adjust.” Freshmen Dakota Hudson and Austin Sexton started for the Gray and each tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in their outings. Senior All-American Jonathan Holder closed the opener and series finale and tossed a scoreless inning in each outing. Team captain Wes Rea said he has been impressed with the No. 2 recruiting class so
far and said its rank reflects its abilities. “As you saw earlier, they’re ranked second in the nation, and as far as I can tell, they have proven that,” he said. “We have a bunch of good guys that are getting the hang of things right off the bat. Things are starting to click a lot sooner, and we’re able to get things done sooner because of that.” Offensively, the Bulldogs picked up where they left off in June. Seniors Rea, C.T. Bradford, Alex Detz and junior Derrick Armstrong provided much of the offense in the weekend. Newcomers Daniel Garner, Reid Humphreys and Jake
IAN PRESTER | THE REFLECTOR
Freshman Dakota Hudson tosses a pitch during Sunday’s series finale. Hudson pitched 2.1 hitless innings on the mound while recording five strikeouts and two walks. Vickerson, younger brother of former MSU standout Nick Vickerson, also gained attention throughout the series. Garner collected a pair of home runs and plated four RBIs over the weekend while Humphreys cranked out a game-winning two-RBI double Saturday. Cohen said he knew his veterans would produce runs, but he was pleased with the way his newcomers approached the plate. “I think we have some talented young players,” he said. “We just have to keep getting better, but thus far they’ve done some really good things.” Of all the positions the Bulldogs seek to replace from
a year ago, team chemistry is one intangible aspect Cohen said will take time to develop throughout the fall. “We have 19 new players in our program, but we have that really good core of older guys, too, and it just takes a little while,” he said. “The freshmen are living in the dorms while the older guys are living in apartments around Starkville, and getting them all together is a little bit of a challenge. The chemistry we had on our club last year was phenomenal, and it’s not something you can just create. The kids have to do it, but you can put them in an environment where it can be done.”
Rea said the biggest factor in creating the team’s cohesion is each player learning his role on the team. “(Chemistry) begins now, but as soon as we get into games, that’ll pick up more,” he said. “It really develops when everybody knows their role. That kind of thing is determined when you start to play ball games against real competition. Everybody is going to know their role, and everything falls into place as far as team chemistry.” MSU returns to the diamond Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 for its fourth scrimmage of the fall before playing another three-game series this weekend.
Soccer falls short in hard-fought match BY SHANE ANDERSON Staff Writer
A record-breaking crowd supported the Mississippi State University soccer team Friday night as the girls hosted the No. 12 Florida Gators. The crowd witnessed a strong performance from the Bulldogs, but the efforts fell short as MSU dropped a 1-0 double-overtime thriller. The Bulldogs (3-10, 0-6 in SEC play) tried to improve their defensive performance over the past few weeks. The defense did not disappoint, as Florida posted a school-record 26 corner kicks without a single goal. This is a major improvement, given that earlier in the year the Bulldogs allowed eight goals to Texas A&M. MSU senior goalkeeper C.J. Winship said she liked what she saw on the defensive end of the field from her teammates. “This was a huge defensive victory,” Winship said. “I really couldn’t have asked anything else out of my defense tonight. After the Texas A&M game, we made a promise to ourselves that wasn’t going to happen again. We were never going to have a game where we just gave up.” As Florida controlled possession throughout most of the game, MSU still had a few opportunities to put goals on the board. No opportunity came closer than senior forward Elisabeth Sullivan’s shot on goal in the first half on a breakaway. The ball deflected off of the Florida goalkeeper and began to roll
near the goal line, but before it could cross into the goal, Florida’s goalkeeper pounced on it, inches away from what would have been Sullivan’s team-leading 14th goal of the season. Sullivan, who ended up in the back of the net on the play, said she saw the opportunity but came up short on the shot. “I really just ran as hard as I could to try to get that shot in the net,” Sullivan said. “I was trying to get there, but I just came up a little short.” After a scoreless first half, Florida began to put more pressure on the Bulldog’s defense. Florida looked to have a great scoring chance as the Gators were awarded a penalty kick late in the second half, but Winship made a spectacular save to keep the game tied at zero. Winship credited her strong performance to practicing defending penalty kicks. “We practiced PK’s two weeks ago,” Winship said. “(During practice) we learned that if you can read the kicker’s body, they will give away where they are going. There is a certain guessing factor to it, but if you are confident and listen to your training and your coaches, you’ll get it.” The Bulldogs held strong at the end of regulation to send the match into overtime. As the Bulldogs looked to hold out for a tie at the end of the second overtime, Florida was able to net a goal with just 1:07 left in the game. Head coach Aaron Gordon
said he was proud of the effort the girls put forth, especially on the defensive side. “We are finally able to play a consistent back four,” Gordon said. “We took on a lot of injuries early in the season, and that hurt our ability to develop a defensive team that could compete week-in and week-out. We have had backto-back one-goal games, and I think if you keep putting out performances like (Friday), we will find ourselves on the right side of the scoreboard.” Even though Florida took 26 corner kicks the entire game, the Bulldogs only allowed eight shots on goal. Winship recorded seven saves on the night. Though the Bulldogs fell short, Gordon applauded his team’s effort. “With a little luck, we would have won tonight. It would have been a great upset. It would have been a great victory for our program in terms of where we are right now,” Gordon said. “We didn’t get a victory, but we did get a moral victory tonight, which just isn’t quite as satisfying, but I’m proud of my team.” The spectacular defensive performance did not come without a consequence, though. Sophomore starting defender Addie Tomlin left the game in the second half with a broken leg and will be out for the season. The Bulldogs will make their final road trip of the season to take on Georgia on Friday at 6 p.m. and Vanderbilt on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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Goalie C.J. Winship, right, kicks a ball outside the offensive zone against Arkansas State earlier this year. Winship finished Friday’s game versus Florida with seven saves.
SPORTS
8 | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013
SPORTS EDITOR: JOHN GALATAS | reflectorsports@gmail.com
ON THE DIAMOND:
THE REFLECTOR
Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers 7 p.m. FOX
DOG AND CAT FIGHT: KENTUCKY MISSISSIPPI STATE 30.5 points per game 214 rushing yards per game 243 passing yards per game Dak Prescott: 63-116, 890 yards 3 INTs, 3 TDs
BY THE NUMBERS
passing
Dak Prescott: 64 carries, 457 yards, 8 TDs
rushing
Jameon Lewis: 23 receptions, 393 yards, 3 TDs Robert Johnson: 13 receptions, 178 yards, 29.7 Avg/G
receiving
20.3 points per game 150 rushing yards per game 201 passing yards per game Maxwell Smith: 51-92, 710 yards 1 INT, 5 TDs Raymond Sanders: 52 carries, 255 yards, 2 TDs Javess Blue: 24 receptions, 319 yards, 2 TDs Ryan Timmons: 20 receptions, 209 yards, 1 TD zack orsborn | the reflector
Bulldogs seek first conference win after second open date By Quentin Smith Staff Writer
After their second conference loss of the season, the Mississippi State Univeristy Bulldogs took the field last weekend needing to get a critical win in its final non-conference game against Bowling Green State University. The two teams played close and fought the entire game, and in the end, the Bulldogs came through with the win, edging out the Falcons 21-20. This was a huge and much-needed win for the
Bulldogs, and though they only won by a small margin, head Coach Dan Mullen said a win is win. “That was a great win for us right there,” Mullen said. “It’s great to be 3-3 at this point of the season. Of course we’d like to be a little bit better, but it’s pretty good where we are now, and we’ll take it.” The Bulldogs implemented the two-quarterback system again this past weekend and saw some success from it. Senior quarterback Tyler Russell got the nod to start and finished the game 12-
14 through the air with 102 yards. Sophomore Dak Prescott also saw his fare share of action as he racked up 75 yards through the air and led the team with 143 yards rushing. Defensively, MSU stepped up in a major way, especially late in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs were able to stop Bowling Green on a potential game-winning drive. Defensive tackle P.J. Jones said the defense mainly focused on finishing the game in the fourth quarter. “Wins are hard to come by. We just had the mindset
ian prester| the reflector
Mississippi State takes the field before Saturday’s win over Bowling Green. The Dogs earned their third win of the year and turn attention to conference foe Kentucky. that we’re going to shut these boys down and get this win,” Jones said. Now that the Bulldogs have finished their non-conference schedule, the team faces a bye week before hosting Kentucky. The Wildcats (1-5, 0-3) will also be fresh off an open-date when they come to Starkville. MSU has been forced to play through multiple injuries this season, and Russell said this bye week willto be very beneficial for the team and getting players back healthy. “It’s big for a lot of guys on the team to get rest.
We’re going to just get back to the basics and continue to do what we do and try to finish the rest of the season off strong,” he said. Russell also added he is impressed with the way some of the younger players have stepped up this season in light of players’ injuries. “I’m glad to see some younger guys get in there and get some experience,” he said. “Of course, they might make some mistakes, but you have to take it with a grain-of-salt and help them out as much as possible.” For the past few weeks,
Mullen preached to his team how important it is to play all four quarters and finish the game, and this past weekend Mullen said his team did just that. “I thought we moved the ball really well. I have complete confidence in all my players. Guys had to step up and make plays, and for the most part, I think they did a good job at doing that,” Mullen said. After hosting the Wildcats, MSU will hit the road to face South Carolina and Texas A&M before returning home to take on Alabama.