The Battalion — September 5 by The Battalion

LIFE & ARTS

Beloved taco bar makes return to College Station after ten years. A3

METRO

Students concerned about unsafe driving practices, road rage. B1

Here is why you continue to get those crime emails

By Mikayla Martinez News Editor

Emails with the header ‘VPFAUPD-Clery’ are sent to students regularly — although seemingly benign, they’re vital in keeping students aware of emergencies and potential community threats.

The Texas A&M University Police Department aims to provide timely crime report notifications under federal law, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. Also known as the Clery Act, the act mandates are notified of sexual assault incidents or emergency situations on campus.

The family of Jeanne Clery — a student sexually assaulted and murdered in her Lehigh University dorm

in 1986 — spearheaded the law’s creation. After unreported crimes continued at universities around the country, Congress passed the law in 1990, requiring campuses to report crime data to students and faculty.

The law has evolved throughout the years, with ever-changing rules on how to report crime on campuses. At A&M, the notifications appear as VPFA-UPD-Clery in university-wide emails. The emails include a phone number to contact the police, crime prevention tips and links to resources in case of related emergencies, according to Bobby Richardson, the current assistant chief of support services for UPD.

“We put those in every alert,” Richardson said. “In those tips, safety tips are applied to the crime. So, it changes whether it’s a theft of a motor vehicle or sexual assault. Those tips are at the bottom [of the notification], so we hope everyone is

reading them and practicing those.”

In the past, students were able to unsubscribe from these frequent notifications, but the feature was removed because federal law mandates all students receive them, Richard Paxton, a UPD professional compliance lieutenant, said.

Following a recent motor vehicle theft notification, for example, the police department compiles a list of tips for students to protect their cars from frequent burglaries, Sergeant Jonathan Blythe, a patrol and public information officer, said.

There have been seven theft of motor vehicle crime alerts since June.

“Do not leave your keys in the vehicle,” Blythe said. “Close your windows and lock your doors when you leave your vehicle. Take your keys. Do not hide them in the vehicle. Thieves know to look in popular hiding places. Park in well-lit, high-density, conspicuous areas that

are in view of security cameras, then consider installing an audible alarm system or anti-theft device.”

It’s important to pay attention to surroundings, Richardson said. Crime doesn’t take a day off — so students should take precautions to protect themselves.

“Trust your instincts,” Richardson said. “Time and time again, when people report crimes to us, it is after the fact. They always say, ‘You know, something was off with that person. Something felt wrong. I felt like something was going to happen.’”

From noise cancellation with AirPods in both ears to scrolling on Instagram reels, students’ observational skills are often limited. Because of so many distractions, staying observant of one’s surroundings is critical to safety, Richardson says.

“Being aware of your surroundings means being off your phone … anything that may distract you,”

rifting for faith

Stark Gallery exhibition documents religious identity in Aggieland

By Ian Curtis Features Editor

The purchases line the walls: On one side, there’s an embroidered sampler with the full text of the Lord’s Prayer, offered up by a man who inherited his great aunt’s house and couldn’t bear to toss it aside.

And mere feet away, there’s a mix of detailed Buddha statues, prayer beads, a bobblehead of Pope Francis and a candle dedicated to “Saint Harry Styles.”

It’s every piece of religious iconography you could possibly think of — from just about every religion you could possibly think of — all coming from thrift stores throughout Aggieland and East Texas.

And it’s all on display at the J. Wayne Stark Gallery in the Memorial Student Center from Sept. 3 to 29 as part of the Thrifted Religion Exhibition.

The gallery consists of 538 religious objects separated into five themes: Finding Religion, Making Religion, Selling Religion, Doing Religion and Texas Religion.

“We’re trying to map a picture of, ‘What’s the religious diversity of Aggieland really like?’” communication professor Heidi Campbell,

Ph.D., said. “How are people practicing religion, and what kinds of beliefs do they have based on what we’re finding?”

The project is Campbell’s brainchild, who combined her love of thrifting with her career of studying communication and religion.

“I’ve always loved to thrift, and I always collected antiques,” Campbell said. “And then I began to notice a lot of religious stuff around. And I was surprised where I was not just finding things like crucifixes and rosaries, but I started finding Buddhist statues and prayer beads from Hinduism. And so I began to say that, ‘Wow, there is much more diversity than I even thought.’”

Campbell got her classes involved in the project, turning it into an ex-

tensive ethnography of Aggieland’s religious identity.

“They would study one particular local thrift store, and they would just go there and catalog, ‘What are all the religious items I see?’ ‘How long do they stay on the shelves?’” Campbell said. “That’s what we’re mapping. What are the most common religious symbols, the religious objects and the religious sayings that showed up in the thrift store?”

Meg Boone, one of the students involved in the project, said the research process was more complicated than it may seem.

“You’d go through and say, ‘Okay, I found a cross,’” Boone said. “Well, is it a Protestant cross? Is it a Catholic cross? Is it a Baptist cross? How do you know where is

Former Corps head Patrick Michaelis ‘directed’ to step down

Class of 1993 alumnus said he ‘was a liability to the future of the Corps’

By Nicholas Gutteridge Managing Editor

After approximately two years as the Corps of Cadets commandant, Patrick Michaelis, Class of 1993, stepped down from the role on Aug. 12 and transitioned to special assistant to President Mark A. Welsh III. The Corps is now looking for its third commandment since 2021.

New documents show that, rather than a simple transition as stated, Michaelis was “directed” to step down by President Welsh on Monday, Aug. 5, an order he accepted that Wednesday and announced publicly on Aug. 12.

“It is no secret that since February, it has been tough,” Michaelis allegedly wrote in a printed document informing his staff of the decision. “At that time, I openly asked the question of whether or not I was a more of a liability than an asset to the future of the Corps. Quite simply, since the end of Feb, and the reaction to a recent hazing investigation … I have been working on borrowed time. Ultimately, I have become a liability to the future of the Corps.”

It’s unclear the exact hazing situation Michaelis is referencing. In December 2023, the Corps faced a $1 million hazing lawsuit by a student who said they faced “humiliating and degrading” acts in the Corps. Board of Regents Chairman Bill Mahomes convened a special workshop on Feb. 8 to receive updates on different sectors of the university, and Michaelis spoke to provide an update on the Corps, with part of his segment dedicated to policies on hazing.

The documents detail Michaelis’ personal thoughts with the decision, including his opinion on the future of the Corps — a “great” organization with a bright future, he wrote. Welsh named retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Loyd S. “Chip” Utterback, Class of 1975, as interim commandant and said a national search committee would be formed soon after.

In an alternate version of the letter meant for the cadets, Michaelis made the announcement and said farewell.

“Welcome to real life,” he wrote.

“The lesson is: you can do the right thing, you can stand up for what is right, you can be a leader of character … and you can still lose your good name.”

He writes that he doesn’t know the reason for Welsh’s request and “can only speculate.” He quotes former Texas Gov. Richard Coke,

Thrifted items found in East Texas and Aggieland being shown at the Thrifted

Religion art exhibition in the MSC J. Wayne Stark Gallery

Ashely Bautista — THE BATTALION

A&M is officially full to the brim

Capacity report recommends halting campus growth for next 5 years

By J.M. Wise News Editor

A capacity report released by Texas A&M in August revealed that a strained and understa ed campus faces unprecedented enrollment and reccommends the university pause undergraduate growth for the next ve years.

undergraduates will be enrolled at A&M by the fall of 2029, up from around 57,047 in the fall of 2023, if growth continues unhindered.

The committee recommends reducing the number of rst-time entering freshmen to 11,750 and transfers to 3,250, a plan the model estimates would result in 56,827 undergraduates at A&M by 2029.

“Any decrease in undergraduates within a college should be o set by graduate student growth within that same college,” the report reads.

The rst-year growth would allow the university to plan for the next ten years.

Headed by Joseph Pettibon II — A&M’s vice president of planning, assessment and strategy — the report summarizes the ndings of a committee, which recommends increasing on-campus dining locations, housing, study spaces and parking. These recommendations follow the growth of the student population by 18,000 over the past ten years.

“This capacity study was a part of what the president calls ‘science projects’ … looking at enrollment growths at the university,” Pettibon said. “What we recommended obviously is holding the growth of undergraduates, but that growth means that we are still admitting and enrolling one of the largest freshmen classes in the country.”

A model showing undergraduate enrollment predicts 69,513

President Mark Welsh III said he would commission the report at his 2023 State of the University address, where he questioned the university’s continued growth.

“There are so many stressors here on campus that have to do with growth,” Welsh said in his 2023 address. “How big are we going to get? Are we going to 150,000 [students]? Stop at 80[,000]? We don’t know. All of us have to deal with this. We need an answer.”

Other information from the report mentions:

Over 30% of A&M’s bus eet is older than the incoming freshman class. The proposal recommends adding 9-10 buses at a cost between $5.85M and $7.65M.

A priority recommendation is to explore the option of satellite clinics and increase the Student Health Center fee.

Recommendations include increasing the academic advising budget in the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business and Engineering to reduce the undergraduate student-to-advisor ratio below to below 300 to 1. Other ideas include using aggressive retention strategies for current faculty, with a $3-5 million research renewal fund among other things, to reduce a loss of around 50 faculty annually and increasing the number of beds on campus to provide

Road rage on the rise as students flood A&M

Influx of students causes increased traffic, stress, road dangers — UPD warns of safety

By Stacy Cox Senior News Reporter

The start of the new school year saw new and returning Texas A&M students driving in from a myriad of locations, from other states to just an hour’s drive down the road.

With chronic tra c congestion, school-related stress and everything else in between, College Station has the perfect ingredients for road rage — with students often being rst-hand witnesses, such as political science sophomore Alexa Ybarra in two striking incidents.

“The rst major one, I was back in my hometown, behind two sports cars, and there was tension between the cars,” Ybarra said. “Then the guy got out, started screaming at the other car, and then the other guy got out and pulled out a gun.

The second incident was similar — driving to College Station, she found drivers speeding, lane passing and more, all of which could’ve caused major accidents, “especially on the way over here,” she said.

As the handlers of road rage incidents, A&M police o cers like Robert Leseth have insight into its dangers and situations that could lead to one.

“Driving at an excessive speed, not obeying tra c control devices, not using their signals or taking action that would put other drivers in danger would be a good example of that,” Leseth said.

Certain driver behaviors can cause road rage, Leseth said, such as becoming upset over another driver’s behavior or a tendency to disregard the safety of other drivers. When it comes to road rage,

We have to think about how we are human beings. And you don’t want to be why somebody doesn’t go home or is left in an unreatable condition.

Alexa Ybarra University Police Department Officer

Ybarra said even small acts can lead to major incidents.

“If you brake, even if you didn't mean to brake, check the car behind you, they're going to get frustrated with you,” Ybarra said.

“Or if you stop at a red light, and you don't turn right on red, that can lead to an incident. Or let's say the light is yellow, but you're slowing down to stop, and because you slowed down instead of going, that can also cause road rage.”

Leseth emphasizes that the victim of a road rage incident is never to blame because oftentimes, it isn’t the victim’s fault.

“For me, I can't really envision the scenario in which a victim would cause somebody to act like that,” Leseth said. “The subjects of these road rage incidents, they're doing this intentionally, knowingly, and it's their action.”

There are steps students can take to prevent road rage, Leseth

said, including identifying when someone is driving dangerously and contacting law enforcement with a description of the vehicle and license plate.

“If we don't have any identifying information about the vehicle, like a license plate or even the description of the person driving — we have lots of vehicles here in Bryan and College Station,” Leseth said. “If someone's driving a black Ford F-150, there are hun-

dreds of those in town.”

Depending on where you are, UPD won’t always be an option to call, but there are alternatives.

“If you’ve ever witnessed anything here on campus or the surrounding areas, you can always give us a call,” Leseth said. “However, if it's an emergency, you can absolutely call 911.”

Leseth said there are a few tips drivers can use to prevent future road rage incidents, such as driving defensively and not engaging with reckless drivers. Ultimately, though, he said contacting law enforcement is vital.

In terms of what driving defensively means, Leseth said drivers should watch for others’ aggressive behaviors and immediately move away from them to disengage from the situation.

“Say I'm driving on Highway 6 northbound,” Leseth said. “I'm in the left lane, and I have a driver that's following me too closely — maybe they honk their horn at me. The smart thing to do would probably be to switch lanes, slow down and get away from that driver.”

Ybarra feels that road rage is on the rise among students.

“It's pretty common, as all these college students are moving back, that there's a rise in road rage,” Ybarra said. “I think everybody's stressed out already from having to move people in, and then for some people, the drive is very long.”

After witnessing the impacts of road rage rsthand, Ybarra believes that students should be even more aware.

“We have to think about how we are human beings, and we all make the same mistakes at the end of the day,” Ybarra said. “And you don’t want to be why somebody doesn't go home or is left in an untreatable condition.”

La Bodega’s second chance

Beloved resturaunt returns to College Station after 10 years

By Brook Dryden Life & Arts Writer

College Station residents once again have the opportunity to enjoy La Bodega Baja Taco Bar’s Mexican martini shakers, homemade strawberry tarts and habanero shrimp tacos as the restaurant made its grand reopening Aug. 24. The restaurant originally opened on Northgate in 2000, where it remained until the property was sold in 2014.

It wasn’t until eight months ago that the original owners of the beloved west coast Mexican cuisine restaurant decided to reopen a new location, co-owner and president Costa Dallis said.

“We always felt like we wanted to reopen it, but we just didn’t really pursue it aggressively, and then an opportunity came with this space down here in south College Station,” Dallis said. “We knew that La Bodega would be a perfect t for that space.”

The original La Bodega was

in a small, old and funky building with low ceilings that was mostly college-oriented. Dallis described the new restaurant as a grown-up version of the rst location with high ceilings and a space double in size.

“These were the people that were in A&M 10 to 15 years ago that are now parents and have their own families,” Dallis said.

“It’s people who are familiar with La Bodega, but they’re in their mid 30s or 40s now, so we made the concept a little more grown up.”

Users on TexAgs shared their thoughts on La Bodega’s reopening, with one saying they are looking forward to eating at their cherished restaurant again.

“When my wife and I were newly married and broke, [La] Bodega was our special ‘eat out’ place,” the post said.“It was unique and avorful enough to make it a treat, without spending $100 on dinner, and now, 20-plus years later, we are so excited to go back.”

Another TexAgs user said they used to eat frequently at the original La Bodega and shared the new restaurant with their wife.

“One of my old roommates in 2012 used to work at [La] Bodega,

so we went a lot,” the post said.

“I took my wife Monday evening, and everything was great.”

The TexAgs user also said La Bodega’s food tastes just like it did 12 years ago. “The mango habanero sauce is just how I remembered it, and we’ll be back a hundred times,” the user said. Dallis said there are big plans for La Bodega in the

and

Sarthak Dalal — THE BATTALION

Cars drive on University Dr. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.

Customers sit at the bar at La Bodega Baja Taco Bar on Monday, Aug. 2, 2024.

Balloons decorate the entrance of La Bodega Baja Taco Bar to celebrate

Sept. 2, 2024.

OPINION

Don’t say you care about the Olympics if you aren’t going to watch the

Paralympics

wheelchair basketball athlete.”

Does our sports culture tolerate ableism?

By Joshua Abraham Opinion Writer

Have you ever heard of Noah Lyles, LeBron James, Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles or Sophia Smith?

If you haven’t, I can’t even say you live under a rock because an underground ant has denitely heard of them; you’re probably in a faraway galaxy.

But, in case you are actually reading this from a faraway galaxy — howdy, aliens! — these individuals led Team USA to a historic Olympic campaign in their respective sports, each gaining a gold medal, sometimes multiple. One even created and maintained beef with other Team USA athletes, possibly playing a role in why the American men’s basketball team won gold. These athletes’ popularity was already through the roof before the Olympic Games and skyrocketed even more as the events went on. Now that I’ve brought our extraterrestrial friends up to

date, I have to say this edition of the Olympics was electrifying. From the headlining events like track and eld and swimming to the belowthe-line events of judo and fencing, there buzz around the games. Athletes’ achievements can lead them to gain so much popularity from these events like Stephen Nedoroscik, Ilona Maher and everyone who competed

ed and watching the Paralympics? It can’t be because we don’t like sports; we’ve seen how crazy our nation goes for sporting events. Or is it because, maybe, we don’t consider people with disabilities to be at the same level as other able-bodied ath-

Well, they’re still competing. And at their competitions, they’re the best they can be. If you wanted to nd a doctor in your area, you wouldn’t compare the ratings to other lawyers in your area. So, go watch and support them!

Nick Mayhugh? Or maybe even Jamal Hill? If you haven’t, you aren’t living in a faraway galaxy; these names have barely been uttered amongst social media and online forums even though they are representing Team USA in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. And they are headlining some of the biggest events in the tournament.

Well, you might be ableist. Swimmer Trisha Zorn has the most medals out of anyone in the Paralympics and Olympics, with a stunning 55 medals across seven competitions — anyone who comes close to that on the Olympic side is swimmer Michael Phelps, with 28 total medals. If you were to go up to someone on the street and ask them who Zorn is, they would go blank, but they would de nitely know who Phelps is.

Why is that?

Society has tolerated the bias against not only disabled athletes, but disabled people in general, and that is unfair to everyone involved. These athletes train every day, the same as able-bodied athletes, and put in the same e ort as they do to be the best at their sport.

And before you complain about the number of events you would have to watch at the Paralympics, there are actually only 22 sports featured at the 2024 Paralympics compared to 45 sports featured at the 2024 Olympics, and there are 549 medal events in the Paralympics compared to 329 medal events at the Olympics. In other words, more love to go around with less of a time commitment!

Did you even know that the Paralympics are taking place right now? I don’t blame you if you didn’t, I wouldn’t have either if I wasn’t chronically online, and even then I’ve only seen about three to four posts about it since the games started. Now, this begs the question: Why aren’t we excit-

Before you say, “Oh, it’s not the same level of competition they are

Find entertainment, challenge and fulfillment in cards and pieces

By Daniel Fu Opinion Writer

competing at; LeB- ron James would always beat a

So, the next time you think about disregarding these fantastic athletes, let me remind you: They are probably faster, stronger and better than you at what they do. Just because they have a disability does not make them any less worthy of our time.

The Paralympics end Sept. 8.

In our age of digital entertainment, board games might seem outdated.

If you don’t have anything better to do — you don’t — tune in and support these athletes as they chase their dreams for gold.

Bored? Get on board with a board game

But there’s something about playing games with cards and pieces that can’t be replaced by screens and buttons.

Time and time again, my freshman year has been littered with the phrase: “What should we do?”

Whether I’m with people I’ve known for years or people I’ve just met, it can feel impossible to come up with something engaging and entertaining to do. Then, one day, I was introduced to the game One Night Werewolf.

ers have to uncover each other’s roles and allegiances through logic and reasoning, it fostered passionate debate, creative deceit and all-inclusive involvement. Because players have di erent motivations, lying and twisting the truth are crucial to winning. In the midst of One Night Werewolf rounds, I’ve been put on the spot and forced to defend my innocence, caught in heated disputes and pushed into high-pressure critical thinking, all while experiencing some of the greatest laughs I’ve ever had.

I’d never experienced such fun for hours on end.

other classics. But if we don’t consider these timeless staples, or even Go and Mahjong, the number of board game enthusiasts quickly diminishes. On the other hand, over 40% of the global population opts for video games, with their industry in 2022 reaching $350 billion. Clearly, the world is focused on digital entertainment.

In one fell swoop, I was hooked. Night after night, I would play One Night Werewolf with friends, family and anyone willing to give it a go.

Since it’s a social deduction party game, one in which play-

Not only that, but guring out if someone is lying is fascinatingly entertaining. People you think you know switch up, throwing on sly personas that you now must try to crack. I’ve witnessed the goofy and lighthearted do a complete 180, throwing me way o and preventing me from sni ng out their lies. Even in creating my own personas, it’s incredibly difcult to see through someone else’s disguise while simultaneously trying to keep up my own. In these intense rounds, we can become anyone we’d like, o ering the unique opportuni-

ty to bring out sides of ourselves we rarely get to see. It can be so … wonderful. There is something naturally attractive about old fashioned board games that video games can’t provide. Regardless of how realistic, screens don’t compare to real life. No computer can match the depth of human thought or our ability to interpret the smallest facial expressions and the nuances of nonverbal communication. Beyond just the game itself, the face-to-face interaction that board games encourage is invaluable. In a time where people derive social interaction through screens, sitting down together for an enjoyable game night can be a much-needed antidote to digital fatigue. It’s in these moments — whether we’re deciphering a blu or sharing a victorious highve — that we truly connect with those around us. It seems like board games are de nitely the move, but how do they actually fare in engagement?

But this needn’t be the case. Board games o er a refreshing return to faceto-face engagement. They challenge us to think critically, communicate e ectively and read the subtle cues of those around us. More than just entertainment, these games become a catalyst for strengthening relationships and creating lasting memories. As we navigate the complexities of modern social dynamics, perhaps the simple act of gathering around a table, dealing some cards and immersing ourselves in a shared experience is exactly what we need to reconnect with one another and ourselves.

Daniel Fu is a nance sophomore and opinion writer for The Battalion

In the board game industry, revenue reached around $3 billion worldwide in 2022. About 16.5% of the global population plays board games once a month, accounting for chess, checkers and

Joshua Abraham is a kinesiology junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

underground tition.

have you heard of Steve Serio? Maybe

Board games stacked on top of each other on Sept. 4, 2024.

Abdurahman Azeez — THE BATTALION

Richardson said. “Pay attention to what’s going on around you. If you see something, say something, because what we see a lot of is … when we put out a crime alert for a crime that occurred, then we get a bunch more calls that people saw this person, or this happened to them or whatever got stolen too.”

People who don’t follow those precautions are a target for predators, Paxton said, especially if a student has headphones in, is distracted by a screen or is ultimately not paying attention to what they’re doing.

Students can further educate themselves about crime rates on campus by accessing the A&M crime report and staying current on Clery notifications. By checking emails and observing which crimes are on the rise, students can maintain awareness of the crime climate on campus.

“The best way to educate yourself about Clery is to sit down with the annual security report that comes out about this time every year,”

CORPS CONTINUED

saying, “Let honor be your guiding star in your dealings with your superiors, your fellows, with all.”

“After 35 years wearing the cloth of our nation, 4.5 years serving our nation in conflicts,” he wrote, “I will walk out of the Corps Center today. And you will witness: No longer welcome.”

Michaelis stepped into the role after retiring as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Jackson in 2022. He continued the “March to 3,000”

GALLERY CONTINUED

it from? How much was it? Where did we find it? And kind of ask all of those questions, and then organize all of the items and see what the value, the meaning, if there was symbolism to it, why was it here.”

But for Boone, the opportunity to work with Campbell to promote a project that was both passionate and fun was a chance she couldn’t pass up. “What she’s doing is really, really cool,” Boone said. “In the ways of research, she’s being progressive and doing something that is exciting and fun in research, and I think we should encourage that.”

Ariel Feldman, another of Camp-

LIFE & ARTS

Paxton said. “It has to be out before Oct. 1. But that will tell you a lot about the institution itself.”

According to the A&M annual security report, resource tables were revised in May 2024 to reflect the current organization, educational requirements were redefined to reflect current sanctioning options, descriptions related to services and training offered by the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness were updated to comply with the Texas Education Code.

“If you go to community services [on the UPD website], you’ll see other programs that they conduct,” Richardson said. “They conduct safety presentations. They do training for the campus community, whether it be self-defense [or so] you know what to do in the case of an active shooter. Those types of training. They do community outreach. We’ll do events like coffee with a cop, safety presentations and how to keep your stuff from getting stolen … the list goes on.”

initiative that aimed to increase the Corps to 3,000 members. In an Aug. 1 Board of Regents meeting, Chancellor John Sharp said the Corps predicted they would have around 2,500 cadets this academic year, an increase of 150.

Welsh emailed cadets soon after the announcement, saying he appreciated and respected Michaelis’ work at Texas A&M.

“Throughout his tenure, General Michaelis has been dedicated to enhancing cadet resiliency, improving academic initiatives and promoting physical fitness programs,”

bell’s students involved in the project, said she was surprised by the number of Jewish items she found during the research process — especially because she is Jewish herself.

“I didn’t expect to find Jewish items in general,” Feldman said. “Because we pass down a lot of our items when it comes to books, music, etc. A lot of it is passed down through family, so I honestly didn’t really expect to find a lot of it through thrift stores because a lot of it isn’t necessarily mass-produced. But anytime I found something, that was always really cool and surprised me.”

According to a Pew Research Center study, 77% of Texas’ religious adults identify as Christian. As such, it’s no surprise that most of the

Under VAWA offenses, Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013:

994 total VAWA offenses between 2020 and 2022:

• 87 domestic violence

• 9 dating violence

• 898 stalking

630 total crime offenses between 2020 and 2022

• 204 rape

• 141 burglary of structure

• 118 motor vehicle theft

• 80 fondling

• 57 aggravated assault

• 23 arson

• 7 robbery

• 0 counts of manslaughter, incest and statutory rape

Welsh wrote in the email. “These combined efforts have been instrumental in helping cadets excel both academically and within the Corps lifestyle.”

In his new role, Michaelis will “continue contributing to the betterment of Texas A&M as he focuses on university strategic initiatives.”

A Corps spokesperson forwarded a media request to the Office of the President, which did not respond in time for publication, including to a question inquiring into the projects Michaelis is currently working on.

items in the gallery are tied to Christian denominations in some way.

But, Boone says the gallery is an opportunity for students who may not see their religion represented across campus to be seen and feel heard.

“I’m Christian myself, and so in the South, I feel very represented because everywhere I turn, there is a cross, which makes me feel really comfortable,” Boone said. “But I know that there are a lot of students on this campus that might not feel like their religion is represented, and, religious or not, anybody would like this exhibit. So, it’s interesting. I would want people to come and leave going, ‘I feel represented, and I feel like there’s a lot that I didn’t know about religion in

1760 arrests and disciplinary referrals for weapons carrying, possessing, drug abuse and liquor law violations:

• 1125 arrests

• 635 disciplinary referrals

Stats that increased:

• Rape has doubled from 25-50 between 2020 and 2022 on campus property

• 25 accounts of motor vehicle theft in 2020 to 64 in 2022 on campus property

• Burglary of structure on campus went from 21 to 41 between 2020 and 2022

• Arson on campus went from 3 to 8 between 2020 and 2022

Texas now that I do.’” Campbell aims for the gallery to force visitors to think about religion — both in ways that make them comfortable and uncomfortable.

“I’m hoping that people find something they’re surprised about,” Campbell said. “I’m hoping that they find something in the exhibition that, ‘Hey, this resonates with me. That’s how I see religion,’ whether that’s a positive or a more critical reaction. And I’m hoping that they’ll find something that maybe makes them surprised or even a little upset because, ‘That’s not what I thought.’ Because as I read religious objects, the meaning that gets communicated may not be the meaning that people intend.”

Aggieland’s new addition: PopStroke

New mini-golf location opens in Northgate neighborhood

By Lasan Liyanage Life & Arts Writer

Renowned for its vibrant nightlife presence, the Northgate neighborhood has a new addition in PopStroke: A mini-golf venue that transcends entertainment boundaries and seeks to offer something for everyone in the neighborhood, from all ages to all skill levels. Amidst the whirlwind of rapid development sweeping most parts of Bryan-College Station, with new entertainment venues and apartments springing up seemingly overnight, PopStroke looks to set itself apart.

General manager Gage Plentovich, who came to the College Station location after working for two other PopStroke locations, said they changed the theme of their business to cater to the Aggieland spirit.

“We bring technology to the next level,” Plentovich said. “Basically, when people come in, we ask for their phone number, and we create their own tab — they can scan any of the QR codes on the tables or even on the courses. When they scan that [and] put the order in, we bring the order to them while they are playing.”

Plentovich said the facility has two eighteen-hole courses — a white course with traditional terrain where people can bring their strollers along with the maroon course, which with more hills imposes more of a challenge to players.

Executive producer for KBTX

Rusty Surette said PopStroke is an exciting addition to the town, of-

fering something for everyone and bringing together all corners of the community.

“One of the things that I hear from a lot of people in our community is the desire to have more activities for families and for adults,” Surette said. “We have so much for college students — which is expected in a college town, but I think anytime you get something like this that everyone can enjoy, it’s a winwin for everyone. I think it’s just a terrific addition.”

Surette said he heard rave reviews from a friendly reporter praising the fun on the golf course and the food who went to one of the PopStroke locations, and now, he wants to try it all for himself.

General engineering junior Lola Shmeis, a resident of The Gardens Apartments which borders PopStroke, said while noise issues initially annoyed residents, the management has figured out a way to accommodate the needs of the

neighbors. “A lot of residents in the building right across it were not very happy with the music in the first week of its opening — it was loud until like 1 a.m.,” Shmeis said. “I can’t really hear it anymore. I think they figured out the logistics.”

Surette said the residents of the neighborhood can expect more changes around them as the city completes the puzzle of affixing a new character to Northgate.

“There is a lot of new development planned for that area,” Surette said. “PopStroke is just one piece of the development that is planned along the Century Square. There are new things that are planned across the street, where Hurricane Harry’s is. The neighborhood across the Hensel Park — the city has plans to develop that area as well.”

Plentovich said they will accommodate any of the concerns of the neighbors, and the management is more than willing to work with

SENIOR BOOT BAG

people in the surrounding areas.

Business management sophomore Lucas Collins said he had a wonderful time at the PopStroke and he thinks it is different from other mini-golf courses.

“In comparison, I would say this place has a great versatility,” Collins said. “You can get food. You can get a drink here while you are moving around. I would say it’s more family-oriented — just connecting with people. I would say this is probably the best one I’ve been.”

They have several promotions throughout the week for customers to enjoy including Aggieday on Wednesdays and Thirsty Thursdays, Plentovich said.

“We’ve had a few events with the sororities, with our food truck bringing the PopStroke out,” Plentovich said. “We will have some food truck events for the football games as well — PopStroke is not even just about golf as well.”

Embroidered Logo and Name Included

By Charlotte, Reveille's Seamstress Aggie Mom & Grandma

Thrifted items found in East Texas and Aggieland being shown at the Thrifted Religion art exhibition.

Photo of the Week: Johnny Manziel

The best snap from Batt Photo, as selected by our photo chiefs

Photographer: Adriano Espinosa

Story: 'A tale of tailgates' (video exclusive)

Caption: Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel poses for a photo at the Legends Only tailgate in Aggie Park on Saturday, Aug 31, 2024.

"We chose this photo because Chris [Swann] and I agreed that it holds a good composition along with capturing a well-timed moment with a large local gure at A&M," Hannah Harrison, assistant photo chief, said. "When capturing a 'you get one shot' photo, it is important to have a vision and put yourself in the correct position to accomplish it. Adriano is a relaiable photographer that we hold in the highest regard. We are excited to see what this semester holds for him."

"Yes," if spoken in Moscow 31 System some gamers claim is better than XBOX or Playstation

Long distance, phone/computer SketchUp tutoring needed. Beginning and intermediate needed with license.

Call Mike at 505-400-2651 Rates to be determined.

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Work from home conveniently for 2-3 hours daily and earn more cash. Job descriptions: data entry position, account payable/ receivable, data analyst. If you are quali ed for any of the above jobs. Kindly write to m123davies@ gmail.com for more details.

If interested, send resume to: HR, 801 S Ennis, Bryan TX 77803

Out of the Archives:

Sept. 9, 1941

Image colorized from black and white

Before nearly 100 Aggie Spirit buses crisscrossed Bryan-College Station, Texas A&M students relied on outside bus services to get around town.

The one pictured to the left, parked on Houston St. in front of the campus Post O ce, belonged to the Bryan-College Station Traction Company in the early 1940s.

According to the archives, which ran this photo as part of a local advertisement, "Bus leaves Y.M.C.A. on the hour. Half hour service on Sunday afternoon. Every corner a bus stop."

It wasn't free to ride the bus to Bryan, but it certainly was stylish with a then-revolutionary at front. Most likely a Yellow Coach TG-24, this bus could seat 24 passengers.

Other highlights of the Sept. 9, 1941 Battalion issue include: a PSA to cadets about a spoon shortage in the mess halls, coverage of a third bed being added to the majority of the dorms to t more students and speculation as to whether or not America will enter World War II. The paper cost nothing to read and published three times a week. This Week in History

Sept. 5, 1836 Sam Houston is voted as president of the Republic of Texas.

Sept. 5, 1975 Gerald Ford survives the rst of two assassination attempts.

Sept. 6, 1522

the longest reign in British history.

Sept. 8, 1504 Michaelangelo's David is revealed to the public in Florence, Italy.

Sept. 9, 1956 Elvis Presley makes his rst appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Sept. 10, 1897 A cab driver in London is the rst ever person to be arrested for drunk driving.

Sept. 10, 2008 The Large

Sept. 11, 2001 Terrorist attacks in New York City, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania start War on Terror.

Sept. 12, 1992 Mae Jemison becomes the rst Black woman in space.

Sept. 12, 1940 Four French teenagers discover the 15,000-year-old Lascaux cave paintings.

The expedition of Ferdinand Magellan completes the rst trip around the globe, nearly 3 years after it set out from Spain.

Sept. 7, 1996 Hip hop artist Tupac Shakur is shot in Las Vegas.

Sept. 8, 2022 Queen Elizabeth II of England dies at 96 after

Hadron Collider at CERN is turned on for the rst time.

Bryan ISD is seeking bilingual elementary teachers (English / Spanish). Multiple positions available.

Football seeks rst win in Elko era

A&M will play McNeese State at Kyle Field on Saturday at 11 a.m.

By Justin Chen Sports Writer

For the last nine months, Texas A&M athletics has seen nothing but success against its Louisiana neighbors at McNeese State. A&M baseball secured a clean sweep against the cowboys in February while A&M volleyball won its matchup against McNeese on Aug. 31.

Now, all eyes will be on the gridiron as Aggie football hopes to keep the streak alive when the Cowboys come to Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Those odds of keeping the streak alive are in A&M’s favor

as, McNeese’s football program struggled mightily in its 2023 campaign. The Cowboys won just one game, and even then, it was due to unforeseen circumstances: Northwestern State forfeited the matchup, and though it was a win in conference play, NCAA ruled it a no-contest. O cially, the Cowboys had zero wins last year.

A new page has turned for the Cowboys, though — their winless drought o cially ended on Aug. 31 as they took the win against Southern University, 21-7, with all of McNeese State’s points coming in the fourth quarter. Though the team had quarterback issues last season, Clifton McDowell has given it life.

The dual-threat senior quarterback has propelled the Blue and Gold, showcasing his playmaking in each of McNeese State’s games. In spite of a rst-game loss to Tar-

leton State, he went 14-for-20 and ended the game with two passing touchdowns.

McDowell’s wheels have made early appearances as well, rushing for back-to-back touchdowns against Southern. Though he only had four total passes against the Jaguars, the Montana transfer rushed for 65 yards on 10 carries.

While McNeese State has seemingly found the answer to its quarterback problem, A&M looks to do the same after sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman had his worst collegiate game to date. Though the Cypress native had high expectations before the season, the mix of bad throws and Notre Dame’s daunting secondary resulted in a 12-for-30 performance with two interceptions.

However, despite all the backlash and through the negative reception, Weigman still has his chin

up.

“I don’t back down from anything,” Weigman said. “I’ll face [the criticism] head-on. I’ll be the rst one to tell you that I didn’t play the way I’m supposed to play. Point blank, period, I’ve got to be better.”

Coach Mike Elko also isn’t worried about Weigman’s o game and restated his con dence in his quarterback.

“I think [Weigman’s] going to respond great,” Elko said. “I think he’s a competitor, a winner. The [players] are con dent in him, I’m con dent in him, he’s con dent in himself and he’s going to go out and have a great week in practice and become the quarterback we know he can become.”

Though A&M’s o ensive struggles were apparent, the defense shined under the bright lights of Kyle Field and combined for sev-

en tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries. Led by new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, Elko heralded praise to how the secondary played.

“We didn’t give up any balls over our head in the secondary,” Elko said. “I think the longest pass play [Notre Dame] completed on the night was an extremely contested catch where their [player] made a phenomenal catch on their sideline, and that stu ’s going to happen.”

After a stout showing against one of its toughest opponents of the year, and with Weigman looking for redemption, the Maroon and White’s chances of winning their rst game for Elko is secured on paper against McNeese State; now, the team just needs to execute it on Saturday.

Aggies look to bounce back in Week 2

By Mathias Cubillan Sports Writer

After a disappointing debut for the Aggies against Notre Dame, Texas A&M will host a 1-1 McNeese State team in a get-right game. Here are the players that can change the game at Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 11:45 a.m.

Conner Weigman, sophomore quarterback, A&M

Weigman’s Week 1 return from injury was anything but triumphant. Passing for only 100 yards and two interceptions on a 40% completion, the Cypress native was the worst passer in the nation,

according to Pro Football Focus.

After hearing a week of criticism over everything from his erratic footwork in the opener to his t in o ensive coordinator Collin Klein’s system, Weigman has a great opportunity against an FCS opponent to light up the scoreboard. The only question is: If he were to struggle again, how long is the leash with the coaching sta ?

Kolinu’u Faaiu, junior center, A&M

or line by bringing in Faaiu, who started eight games for Utah in 2023. Now, Faaiu will be thrust into a starting position tasked with keeping Weigman upright. While the Cowboys’ pass-rush isn’t elite, Faaiu stepping in and locking down the pivot would be a huge boost for the Aggies.

Nic Scourton, junior defensive lineman, A&M

matchup, forcing McNeese to throw the ball to stay in it. Against a Cowboy o ensive line that has already given up four sacks, look for Scourton to pin his ears back and beat up on an FCS o ensive line.

Taurean York, sophomore linebacker, A&M

seven was a blip on the radar or a foreboding sign of things to come.

Clifton McDowell, senior QB, McNeese State

After a 1-10 campaign a year ago, McNeese State dipped into the transfer portal to bring in McDowell from Temple via Montana. The 2023 Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year pairs a hulking 6-foot-5, 233-pound frame with a dual-threat skillset. McDowell has accounted for 30 total touchdowns in his career and could be a nuisance for the Maroon and White. After varying results against Notre Dame senior QB Riley Leonard’s legs and a few more mobile QBs on the horizon, corralling McDowell would be a good litmus test for the Aggies. Players

While not exactly a glory-grabbing position, center is a critical role for any o ense. A&M took a blow when coach Mike Elko announced on Monday that sophomore starter Mark Nabou, Jr. would miss the rest of the year with a lower-body injury sustained in the opener.

A&M took to the portal this o season and forti ed the interi-

Despite recording the lone A&M sack, the much-heralded Purdue transfer was part of the underwhelming defensive line performance in the Aggies’ opener. Scourton appeared to be a focal point of Notre Dame’s game plan in which the Irish forced the pass rusher to play conservatively and worry about the quarterback run game.

The A&M o ense is expected to score early and often in this

After a second-half unraveling of the rushing defense that allowed 198 total rushing yards for 5.8 yards a pop, York took the blame for missing a tackle on a long touchdown rush. The 2023 ESPN Freshman All-American will look for a return to form against a McNeese ground attack averaging 182 yards a game.

The rugged rushing defense of 2023 was the bedrock for A&M’s team success, and a rebound performance from York would answer whether Week 1’s leaky front

Top Left: Sophomore DB Bryce Anderson (1) celebrates after a play during Texas A&M’s football game

against Alabama at Kyle Field.Top Right:Junior WR Jahdae Walker (9) celebrates after completing a pass for a first down during Texas A&M’s football game against ULM at Kyle Field. Bottom Left: Sophomore QB Max Johnson (14) warms up before the start of Texas A&M’s football game against ULM at Kyle Field. Bottom

Right: The 12th Man kickoff team consistent of walk-on players on the Texas A&M football team bring the ball to the end zone during Texas A&M’s game against ACU at Kyle Field.

Kyle Heise — THE BATTALION

Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

Ishika Samant — THE BATTALION Ishika Samant — THE BATTALION

Left: Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman (15) scrambles during Texas A&M’s game against Notre Dame at Kyle Field. Middle: Texas A&M DL Nic Scourton (11) talks to a teammate during the third day of fall football practice outside the Coolidge Football Performance Center. Right: Sophomore LB Taurean York (21) runs after the ball during Texas A&M’s Spring Game at Kyle Field.

Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

Heise — THE BATTALION Hannah Harrison — THE BATTALION

Photo by Hannah Harrison

Photo by Chris Swann

Photo by Kyle Heise

Page design by Hannah Harrison

A&M offense aims for turnaround against vulnerable McNeese State

Weigman aims for bounce-back

By Eric Liu Sports Writer

Coming off of a disappointing 23-13 loss against Notre Dame, Texas A&M football is looking for its first win of the season against McNeese State. The Aggies only managed 246 yards of total offense with a paltry 100 yards passing, numbers that need to be improved if they have any hopes of contending this season.

The good news for the Maroon and White is that they have the perfect get-right game with the defensive competition going from being ranked top five in the FBS to bottom 10 in the FCS. The Cowboys gave up an average of 38 points per game last season, meaning the Aggies should have no trouble putting points on the board.

In order for that to happen, sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman has to perform. Weigman completed less than 50% of his passes against the Fighting Irish, and a majority of the errant throws were unforced errors. Limiting turnovers will be the key to the game for Weigman, as his two interceptions were critical in the Notre Dame loss.

Offensive coordinator Collin Klein should continue to lean on the ground game as Weigman gets acclimated with junior running back Le’Veon Moss, proving he can handle a workhorse role. The offensive line was able to create gaps on the inside that Moss exploited for big gains. McNeese State gave up 130

yards per game on the ground last year, and Klein should utilize the defensive liability and establish the ground game.

An area for improvement this week is using the run to set up the pass through higher usage of the play action. Weigman seemed to have found his new favorite target in senior wide receiver Jahdae Walker, and his 6-foot-4 frame provides a big target on the outside. Freshman athlete Terry Bussey was largely used as a returner in the last game with his only offensive play coming off of an end-around. Klein should look to scheme up more ways to get the ball in Bussey’s hands, whether it be off of a quick screen or a deeper pass down the field.

The Cowboys’ defense won’t strike fear in the Aggies’ hearts, but sophomore linebacker Micah Davey is a game-changer that they will have to look out for. Davey led the team in tackles and tackles for loss last season, and his ability to quickly get to the ball means A&M should look to target him lots of double teams when running in his direction.

A&M’s Wrecking Crew prepares to dismantle McNeese State run

By Shalina Sabih Sports Writer

Despite the offensive struggles in last week’s game versus Notre Dame, Texas A&M’s defense lived up to its reputation as the “Wrecking Crew.”

The Aggies held the Fighting Irish to a mere 65 rushing yards in the first half before Notre Dame surged for 133 yards in the second half. The defense eventually faltered, allowing crucial rushing touchdowns late in the game that sealed Notre Dame’s 23-13 victory.

As the Aggies prepare to face the McNeese State Cowboys on Saturday, Sept. 7, all eyes are on A&M’s formidable defense.

Players such as junior defen-

sive lineman Nic Scourton and sophomore linebacker Taurean York are poised to challenge McNeese’s offensive line. Scourton was named a preseason AP second-team All-American and dominated the Big Ten with 10 sacks last season while at Purdue. His knack for reading plays and pressuring the quarterback could spell trouble for McNeese senior QB Clifton McDowell.

The Cowboys’ offense will lean heavily on McDowell, a dual-threat athlete who has not only thrown at a 63% completion rate but is also the team’s leading rusher with 132 yards and two touchdowns. Alongside him, senior tailback D’angelo Durham averages an impressive 6.3 yards per carry, contributing significantly to McNeese’s ground game.

“This is their opportunity to come to play on this big stage and our kids are competitors and they

[are] certainly gonna rise to this challenge,” A&M coach Mike Elko said.

A key focus for the Aggies’ defense will be shutting down McNeese’s run game. A&M’s front seven must remain stout against the run, focusing on wrapping up and finishing tackles to prevent Durham from exploiting any defensive lapses. This would force the Cowboys into passing situations, allowing the Aggies to unleash their pass rush.

With McNeese pass rushers such as redshirt junior LB Micah Davey being smaller, A&M can focus on exploiting the edges. This could be an opportunity for the A&M running backs and wide receivers on jet sweeps to gain significant yardage.

Despite McNeese’s experienced roster, which includes numerous returning players and Power Four transfers, it may struggle to keep up with A&M’s defense. Notably, Mc-

Dowell was absent from Tuesday’s practice, raising concerns about his availability.

Second-string freshman QB Kamden Sixkiller took first-team reps Tuesday, which could signal a potential change under center for the Cowboys. If Sixkiller starts, the Aggies should focus on bringing constant pressure to rattle the young quarterback and force turnovers.

To secure a win, A&M’s defense must focus on limiting McDowell, as his ability to extend plays with his legs poses a significant threat. Maintaining gap discipline and utilizing a spy linebacker such as York will be crucial in preventing the quarterback from breaking free for big gains.

“There are certainly some pieces on this roster that we need to respect and prepare for, but, at the end of the day, just like last week, it’s going to be about us,” Elko said.

College football winners and losers: Week 1

By Mathias Cubillan, Eric Liu & Andrew Paredes Sports Writers

Winner: The 2025 NFL Draft WR1 race

Arizona junior wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and Missouri junior WR Luther Burden III were the presumed favorites to be the first receiver drafted in April, but a new challenger entered the ring with Colorado’s do-it-all junior athlete Travis Hunter.

Hunter displayed ridiculous ball skills in a three-touchdown performance against North Dakota State while also playing cornerback. McMillan broke the Big 12 record for receiving yards in a single game with 304 and 4 touchdowns, and Burden also started the year with a touchdown. It should be a fun subplot to follow this year, especially with a McMillan-Hunter matchup looming on Oct. 19.

Loser: Conference realignment I flipped on my TV this Friday night excited to see the Stanford Cardinal open their season. I wanted to see star sophomore WR Elic

Ayomanor make some plays, but instead, I saw the ACC logo plastered on the Cardinal’s field. Simply inexcusable from the powers that be to have a California school in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It was the first time when I got to see the absurdity play out in real-time and fully realized that the wacky era of Pac-12 After Dark is no more.

Winner: FCS programs making it close

Unfortunately, there were no upsets this week from FCS division opponents, but that doesn’t change the fact that FCS teams gave the FBS teams all they had.

FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, the same program that previously produced top NFL Draft picks QB Carson Wentz and Trey Lance and its dual-threat senior QB Cam Miller took Colorado to the brink and would have won had it not been for the brilliance of Hunter’s three-touchdown game.

Texas Tech held on against Abilene Christian in a 52-51 shootout, stopping the two-point conversion in overtime that would have given the Wildcats the win. Montana State’s win over New Mexico in Week 0 is still the only FCS versus FBS upset of the season, but the fact that they were able to hold their own against better-funded programs is cause to celebrate.

Loser: Pat McAfee succumbing to peer pressure

McAfee had already proved his point after high school soccer player and current business freshman Lucas Dolibois’ 33-yard field goal attempt landed short of the uprights. This came after Dolibois saying he was confident that he could hit a 45yard kick with no problem. McAfee should’ve stopped there, but the raucous Aggie crowd around him shouted “one more time.” Ever the showman, McAfee obliged, this time doubling the reward from $25,000 to $50,000. Dolibois set his feet, took a deep breath and drilled his second kick right down the center — leaving McAfee’s wallet just a little bit lighter.

Winner: Cam Ward and all those who continue to believe in his hype

It’s been a long three years since Miami QB Cam Ward had his 47-touchdown season for Incarnate Word in 2021. After transferring to Washington State, Ward’s time with the Cougars wasn’t a disappointment, but fans thought they would see more. Now in his fifth season of college football and now wearing a Hurricanes jersey, Ward showed out in Miami’s season opener against Florida. Ward looked calm and cool as he tore apart the Gators’ defense

for a 74% completion rate on three touchdowns and almost 400 yards. Experts predicted that this game could go either way, but Ward and the Hurricanes went into one of the hardest environments in college football and beat the home team in a 41-17 blowout.

Loser: Coach Dabo Swinney and Clemson’s old-fashioned ways No. 14 Clemson wasn’t favored to beat No. 1 Georgia, but the Tigers were expected to at least put up a fight. The defense for the Tigers deserves some credit for how well they defended the Bulldogs in the first half, but they completely fell

apart because the offense could not get anything going.

Swinney has made it clear for a long time that he is not changing his ways, but the last few seasons have emphasized that Swinney and the Tigers’ program has to make some changes. The roster has continued to be among the most talented in college football, as Swinney and company still bring in top recruiting classes. But recruiting high schoolers isn’t enough anymore in the NIL and transfer portal era. If the Tigers want a chance at having any of their former glory, it’s time to embrace the new ways.

Aggies’ defense hopes to continue strong play

Texas A&M defensive lineman Nic Scourton (11) celebrates after a tackle during Texas A&M’s game against Notre Dame at Kyle Field on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

Kyle Heise — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M wide reciever Cyrus Allen (6) catches the ball during the second day of fall football practice outside the Coolidge Football Performance Center on August 1, 2024. Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

Heise — THE BATTALION Texas A&M wide receiver Jahdae Walker (9) runs after a catch during Texas A&M’s game against Notre Dame at Kyle Field on Saturday, Aug.

A Texas A&M RB runs a ball down the field during the first day of fall football practice at the McFerrin Athletic Center in College Station Texas, on July 31, 2024.

Texas A&M tight end Tre Watson (84) and offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (60) react after making a first down during Texas A&M’s game against Notre Dame at Kyle Field on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

Wrecking Crew prepares to duel

Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers logged 73 receiving yards against Texas A&M.

SPORTS

Volleyball aims to stay unbeaten

Aggies

prepare to

maintain 31-year win streak against Texas State

By Luke White Sports Editor

The last time the Texas A&M volleyball team lost a match to Texas State, George H.W. Bush was president, Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” was the top song on the radio and A&M soccer was two years away from being established.

That was 1991, when the Bobcats took down the Aggies in a ve-set thriller in San Marcos.

A&M has come out on top in the teams’ 17 meetings since then, a streak the Aggies hope to continue when the Bobcats visit Reed Arena for a matchup Friday at 6:30 p.m.

The Aggies look to keep the good times rolling and build on a 3-0 start to the young campaign.

A&M took down South Alabama and McNeese State in Mobile, Alabama last weekend before a sweep

of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the team’s home opener on Sept. 2. Reed Arena hosted a crowd just shy of 2,500, a number coach Jamie Morrison hopes to surpass in Friday’s Fish Camp Night.

“I had a moment before the match when I pulled my sta over,” Morrison said. “When you take something over, you have a vision for what it’s going to be, I think, from a volleyball standpoint. When I took this program, a lot of it was geared on what I saw with the 12th Man and being able to build an audience in a place where people care about volleyball and be able to build the sport.”

Texas State isn’t a stranger to the big stage, though. Last season, the Bobcats amassed a 20-10 record with a 12-4 mark in Sun Belt Conference play. They swept No. 13 Houston and took on the likes of Tennessee, California and Kansas.Texas State reached the NCAA Tournament, where it fell to SMU.

The Bobcats opened the season with victories over Houston Christian and Texas Southern before dropping a match on the road against Rice, 3-0. Redshirt sophomore outside hitter Samantha Wunsch and freshman OH MJ

McCurdy lead the way on o ense with over 30 kills each while fthyear setter Ryann Torres has tallied 94 assists. Defensively, senior libero Alyssa Ortega has 37 digs.

A&M’s game has been built around sharing the ball, with 14.9 assists per set to rank second in the nation. LSU transfer setter Maddie Waak headlines the e ort with 12.2 assists per set, good for fth in the country. The Katy product earned SEC Setter of the Week honors on Sept. 2 for her e orts during the Aggies’ rst weekend of play. That o ense has been guided by an aggressive attack that has seen A&M dominate around the net with 15.9 kills per set, ranking third in the nation. Junior opposite hitter Logan Lednicky, a preseason All-SEC team selection, captains the e ort with 4.6 kills per set. Against the Islanders, Lednicky and sophomore middle blocker Morgan Perkins picked up 12 kills each.

“I think it’s crucial to winning matches,” Lednicky said. “You can’t just have one hitter going, going, going because that’s just not going to work out. People will camp out on you and stu .

I think it’s super awesome having as many hitters and the depth that we do. … Just having that spread out is so nice for us, knowing we don’t have that pressure on us to execute every time [and] knowing our teammates have our backs, in that sense.”

The group e ort has allowed the Aggies to be one of the most e cient teams in the nation with a hitting percentage of 0.324. Junior MB Ifenna Cos-Okpalla and Perkins have engineered the attack, hitting at rates of 0.512 and 0.452, respectively.

A&M’s rst three matches of the season haven’t been all-Aggies, though. The team’s opponents have scored 21 points or more in each opening set, with A&M-Corpus Christi putting up 24 points. A&M responded by taking the second set, 25-11.

As A&M anticipates a sizable crowd for Friday’s match, Morrison is excited to see the trajectory of the program and the fan support that comes with it.

“I was just really red up that what I had in [my mind] and the idea for this place is starting to come to fruition,” Morrison said. “I’m proud of that the most.”

By Matthew Seaver Asst. Sports Editor

The Longhorns walk into “The Big House” with a Texas-sized load of momentum after putting up 52 points on Colorado State in Week 1. However, the Michigan defense will be much harder to decode for Texas junior quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Wolverines looked shaky on

offense versus a Group of Five opponent, and coach Sherrone Moore will need to fix things fast if he hopes to keep Michigan among the elite of college football. The Longhorns bring the boom and prove to Wolverine fans why everything’s bigger in Texas.

South Florida at No. 4 Alabama

Saturday, Sept. 7 — 6 p.m. on ESPN Bryant-Denny Stadium — Tuscaloosa, Alabama

last season, the Crimson Tide were still looking for their QB1 and only defeated the Bulls by 14 points. This season, though, redshirt junior QB Jalen Milroe is the definitive starter under center. With a new coaching regime in Tuscaloosa, USF junior QB Byrum Brown might be in for a rude awakening. The Crimson Tide and new coach Kalen DeBoer will prove that Alabama is not playing around.

Arkansas at No. 16 Oklahoma State Prediction: Alabama 31, South Florida 10 Prediction: Oklahoma State 24, Arkansas 10

Saturday, Sept. 7 — 11 a.m. on ABC Boone Pickens Stadium — Stillwater, Oklahoma

Arkansas came into this season with several doubts and proceeded to score 70 points in Week 1. While it was against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, it looks like new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has the Razorbacks firing on all cylinders. However, coach Mike Gundy has the Cowboys set up for a Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff appearance. Junior RB Ollie Gordon II looks to strengthen his Heisman candidacy versus an Arkansas defense that only gave up seven rushing yards last week. The Razorbacks get hogtied and are brought back to reality by the Cowboys.

Texas A&M outside hitter Emily Hellmuth (4) makes contact with a ball during the game against A&M-Corpus Christi at Reed Arena on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.

Golf opens season with fourth-place cup finish

Aggies led by two top-10 finishers

By Luke White Sports Editor

The Texas A&M women’s golf team has built a tradition of strong starts to the season under coach Gerrod Chadwell. Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, the Aggies continued that trend with a fourthplace nish at The Carmel Cup at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California.

A&M logged top-four performances at its previous three season-opening tournaments under Chadwell, who enters his fourth season leading the program. The Aggies carded a 35-over 1,115 in the eight-team eld that featured four other SEC teams. Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Mississippi State each nished ahead of A&M by eight strokes or more.

Senior Adela Cernousek continued her own string of personal success with sixth place at 1-under 215. Last season’s NCAA Indi-

vidual Champion has registered a top-six nish in her past six collegiate tournaments.

Sophomore Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio joined Cernousek in the top 10, tied for seventh with an even par of 216. With 1-under 71 showings in the nal two rounds, Fernández García-Poggio put together the best nish of her collegiate career.

“Glad we got the rst tournament of the year under our belt, and now we know where we are at,” Chadwell said. “It is a long season, but we have some things from this tournament that we can go back and work on. There was a lot of good things this week as well, and we have a group that is willing to work hard.”

The Aggies shot their best round at the start of the tournament Friday, posting an 8-under 368. Cernousek led the way at 4-under 68 while freshman Vanessa Borovilos, the third-ranked player in the 2024 class, shot an even 72. Borovilos nished in a tie for 12th at 6-over 222 in her collegiate debut.

The course played tougher over Saturday and Sunday, with A&M logging an 11-over 371 and 16-over 376, respectively. On the nal day, Cernousek dropped three spots to sixth place while Borovilos fell one spot. Fernández García-Poggio, on the other hand, rose two spots to a tie for seventh.

Senior Lauren Nguyen added a 13-over 229 performance while juniors Mia Nixon and Kynadie Adams rounded out the Aggies as they each tied for 36th at 20-over 236. Adams made her A&M debut after spending the past two years at Alabama. Nixon added a holein-one Saturday on the 180-yard hole No. 12.

“We are nowhere near where we are going to be come April and May, so to be able to be in a competitive environment like this early on in the year is all you can ask for,” Chadwell said. “We can’t wait to get back out there in a couple of weeks.”

The Aggies are back in action Sept. 20-22 at the Mason Rudolph Championship in Franklin, Tennessee.

McMegan (Thee Stallion) knees.

McDeez nuts wooaaahhh.

Senior Adela Cernousek tees off during the Bryan Regional of the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship at Traditions Golf Club, May 6, 2024.

Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

An A&M ball rolls past the hole during the Bryan Regional of the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship at Traditions Golf Club on May 6, 2024.

Chris Swann — THE BATTALION