The Battalion - October 15, 2020 by The Battalion

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Silver Taps moves back to in-person format 122-year-old Aggie tradition returns to Academic Plaza By Julia Potts @juliaapotts The Texas A&M Traditions Council has announced that Silver Taps will now take

place in-person after serious consideration following criticism from the public. The university tweeted on Aug. 17 that the ceremony to honor fallen Aggies would take place virtually, broadcast by KAMU on the A&M’s social media outlets. This was the result of the university’s concern for the health and safety of the attendees due to COVID-19. After much opposition, the Traditions

Council tweeted on Oct. 7, saying the format for Silver Taps was being revisited. The news of in-person ceremonies was announced in an Oct. 14 tweet from the council. On-campus sporting events and Breakaway have allowed in-person attendance up to this point, but an uproar online, including a petition, precede Silver Taps’ change in format. “Protocol for Silver Taps attendees will be

adjusted in order to comply with health and safety guidelines, with more detailed information to come,” the tweet read. “The KAMU Simulcast will continue to be aired through TAMU social media outlets for the ceremony.” The Traditions Council also encouraged readers to follow its social media to see updates about the in-person ceremony.

Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION

The Texas A&M LGBTQ+ Pride Center is located on the second floor of the Student Services Building.

The road to acceptance LGBTQ+ History Month recognized in October By Lauren Discher @lauren_discher

eraser. You don’t have to touch the machine anywhere else,” Hancock said. “We’re also sanitizing the machines, wiping them down after every use.” Hancock said there are 122,679 registered voters in Brazos County — more than the 113,000 registered voters for the July runoff elections. “It is only going to go up,” Hancock said. “I think [voter turnout] is going to be historical if the 8 a.m. lines [on Oct. 13 are] any indication of that.” COVID-19 precautions are not going to affect voter wait times, Hancock said, though they had to reduce the number of machines available at each polling location in

The celebrations might look a little different this year, but Aggies will continue to remember the progress the LGBTQ+ movement has made during the month of October. LGBTQ+ History Month is a time dedicated to remembering the important people and moments that brought the LGBTQ+ community to where it is today. Beginning in 1994, this month includes National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 and the commemoration of the first “March on Washington” in 1979. It serves as a reminder of how far the community has come and provides a unique opportunity for people outside of the community to learn about its history. This month-long commemoration is deeply meaningful to each individual for different reasons. Communication junior and president of MUA Aggies Erik Fontaney said to them, LGBTQ+ History Month means reflecting on the beginning of the gay liberation movement. “It means acknowledging the Stonewall riots and the most marginalized people in the gay community: butch lesbians, effeminate young men, male prostitutes, transgender individuals and homeless youth,”

EARLY VOTING ON PG. 2

LGBTQ+ ON PG. 3

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Voters line up for the first day of early voting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the College Station Utilities Meeting and Training Facility.

Early voting begins in Brazos County Bryan-College Station polling locations see thousands of voters as general election period begins in Texas By Myranda Campanella & Julia Potts @MCampanella_ & @juliaapotts

ith the 2020 general election less than a month away, Texas A&M students, faculty, staff and other Brazos County residents have begun voting. Early voting in Texas for the 2020 gener-

al election began Tuesday, Oct. 13, and will continue through Oct. 30. According to The Eagle, the first day of early voting in the county saw almost 3,500 total voters casting a ballot at any one of the five early voting polling locations in Brazos County. Brazos County Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock said many social distancing guidelines have been put in place at each polling location to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Some of these new precautions include floor decals for social distancing, providing hand sanitizer while entering and exiting the room and providing pencils to use as styluses on the voting machines. “When you get your access code, you choose a pencil and you vote on the electronic machine, touching it with the pencil

Battling the Bulldogs A&M carries confidence into matchup against unranked Mississippi State By Meghan Sharber @meghan_olivia02 After breaking records, Texas A&M is now ranked No. 11 after Saturday’s 41-38 upset of the No. 4 Florida Gators. A&M coach Jimbo Fisher earned his first victory over a top-five team since becoming the Aggies’ head coach in 2018. “I am very proud of our team,” Fisher said. “I think the biggest thing of all was just how we competed in the football game. Whether things were good or bad, the guys kept playing and did not pay attention to the scoreboard.” Senior quarterback Kellen Mond became the new all-time passing leader in A&M history with 8,224 passing yards and earned rec-

ognition as the SEC co-Offensive Player of the Week. Despite the Aggies’ victory, Saturday’s game ending was bittersweet as sophomore wide receiver Caleb Chapman likely played his last game of the season. “It looks like he has an injury and will probably be out for the rest of the year,” Fisher said. “We will decide who will play in his position as the week goes on.” Mississippi State enters this matchup with a 1-2 record after a 24-2 loss to Kentucky. The Bulldogs had only 14 rushing attempts, the fewest made in a game in the program’s history. Senior quarterback K.J. Costello leads the Bulldogs this season with 1,168 passing yards, and senior wide receiver Osirus Mitchell leads with 247 receiving yards. Senior running back GAME PREVIEW ON PG. 2

Bailey Orr — Texas A&M Athletics

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher and senior quarterback Kellen Mond celebrate after the 41-38 victory over the Florida Gators.

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The Battalion | 10.15.20

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

One of Brazos County’s five early voting polling places is inside Texas A&M’s Memorial Student Center.

order to social distance properly. Marketing graduate student Hailey Motsenbocker said she saw most, if not all, of the voters at the Brazos County Administration Building following face covering and social distancing guidelines. “They had hand sanitizer everywhere,” Motsenbocker said. “Then, there were only about 10 voting booths open, and that was because they had a volunteer cleaning down each station between uses and they were having people use the end of a pencil, the eraser end, to touch the screens.” Motsenbocker said the COVID-19 restrictions at the polling place she visited did not seem to impede on the voting process.

GAME PREVIEW CONTINUED Kylin Hill is also a key player after leading the team with 1,350 yards and 242 rushing attempts last season. Hill was ranked No. 3 in the SEC and No. 22 in the nation in 2019. A&M senior center Ryan McCollum said he is confident about playing on the road this Saturday after last facing the Bulldogs in Starkville two years ago. “We do not think about struggling on the road, we focus on us and the task in hand,” McCollum said. “We just have to go in there

“The entire process took about 35 minutes from the time I got there to the time I got back into my car,” Motsenbocker said. “It wasn’t super long. I didn’t feel like we had to wait longer for stations to be cleaned or anything like that. It was [a] very quick process.” University studies junior Grayson Siske chose to vote early to avoid any long lines. Siske said he was nervous to vote in-person because of COVID-19, but believed it was important for him to vote regardless. “I need to feel represented in my country, and that can’t happen if I don’t vote,” Siske said. Statistics junior Juan-Pablo Gonzalez said he was glad the university offered a convenient and easy way to vote on campus. “It’s important to be represented, especially when we’re in a climate like this where every-

thing is very political,” Gonzalez said. “I think that it’s important that — even if it’s in small ways — your voice is heard.” Siske and Gonzalez both said they felt comfortable in the polling room in the MSC with the social distancing system that was set up. “Everything was socially distanced. They let us use our own styluses, they were sanitizing the voting booths right after people used them,” Gonzalez said. “They seemed very well equipped to keep everyone safe.”

and do our thing. The cowbells were loud, but it is not Kyle Field.” The Bulldogs are the No. 12 defense in the league and are also seventh in sacks. Senior linebacker Erroll Thompson leads the team with 28 tackles so far. Last season, Thompson was ranked No. 15 in the SEC with 84 stops. “They are very good on defense,” Fisher said. “We have a great challenge in front of us and hopefully we understand why we have had success and will continue to prepare like we have the last few weeks.” Sophomore defensive end DeMarvin Leal

said he is aware the Bulldogs are coming off a loss and are eager for a rebound against the Aggies. “We cannot get too big-headed,” Leal said. “We have to do our job and do everything we preach in practice.” Sophomore tight end Jalen Wydermyer said he believes A&M’s offense is capable of producing a high scoring game like other SEC teams. “Coach Fisher’s offense is amazing,” Wydermyer said. “There are a lot of different aspects that go into it and if everybody is click-

EARLY VOTING POLLING PLACES • Arena Hall • Brazos County Admin. Building • Galilee Baptist Church • College Station Utilities Meeting

#BattAsks: Per an informal Twitter poll, 87% of the 267 total respondents said they planned on voting early.

& Training Facilities • Memorial Student Center

ing, we can definitely put up points against anybody.” Wydermyer said mental mistakes contributed to offensive struggles in the past. “We are definitely putting it together,” Wydermyer said. “All offense is, is confidence. You have to have a lot of confidence to play in this league and once you get that confidence, it is hard to put it out.” A&M will face Mississippi State on Oct. 17 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPN.

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The Battalion | 10.15.20

Abuse victims find support in Brazos County

PROVIDED

Communication junior and Alpha Chi Omega Vice President of Philanthropy Haley Tadlock collected items to donate to Phoebe’s Home including toiletries, canned goods and gift cards.

Local organizations provide services this Domestic Violence Awareness Month By Amina Butt @awkwardamina On average, nearly 20 people per minute in the U.S are physically abused by an intimate partner. In one year, this equates to more than 10 million people who experience domestic abuse. Domestic Violence Awareness Month uplifts the voices of these victims and promotes the resources available, as well as spreads awareness about domestic abuse. Twin City Missions Domestic Violence Prevention and Outreach Specialist Anne Santerre-Ruble said this month is significant because she believes creating awareness and educating others can be important. “We want to just talk and start the conversation about domestic violence and to create that awareness and hopefully bring it into light, and also help other people who might be experiencing domestic violence and may not

LGBTQ+ CONTINUED Fontaney said. “I’ll be celebrating this month by watching some queer documentaries on Netflix.” Chemistry and geology junior and president of Out in STEM, Daniel Hou said the act of celebrating LGBTQ+ lives and stories is in itself an act of rebellion, and it’s no secret that queer people, especially queer people of color, are still fighting for recognition and paying with their lives. “It was a mere 36 years ago that a fight between LGBTQ students and the Texas A&M administration quite literally reached the U.S. Supreme Court,” Hou said. “It was a mere eight months ago that a rally ‘counter-protesting’ Draggieland truly shocked and appalled queer students at A&M.” Hou said the drag show outshone the hatred, and he is celebrating this

know or know what to do when they’re in that situation,” Santerre-Ruble said. “So just reaching our community with the knowledge and skills that they need to be safe and have healthy relationships.” Santerre-Ruble said Twin City Missions offers a domestic violence program that provides multiple resources such as residential services through Phoebe’s Home, counseling, case managers, child advocacy and prevention outreach. “Phoebe’s home [is] an emergency center where people can come to seek a safe place to stay for a temporary time, and it offers nutritional meals, laundry facilities, toiletries, clothing, transportation and recreational activities for residents,” Santerre-Ruble said. Twin City Mission hosts weekly events educating others about domestic violence through movie nights, book discussions, candlelight vigils and panels. Santerre-Ruble said in preparation for the month, they wanted to focus on how domestic violence affects the Brazos Valley. “I think domestic violence is something that’s like, ‘That’s something that doesn’t hap-

month by attending the Coming Out Monologues, a virtual collection of stories, videos and poems hosted by the LGBTQ+ Pride Center. International studies junior Alexia Hernandez said for her, LGBTQ+ History Month means reflecting on the people who fought for sapphic love to be normalized and recognized as legitimate. “The acceptance I feel from my peers and my ability to be open with who I am can only be attributed to the folks who endured the pain, fear, ostracism, discrimination and struggle of what it means to take part in queer love for women,” Hernandez said. Hernandez said it’s important for her to feel connected to the queer community, even in a socially distanced manner. “I’ll be celebrating by consuming more content from LGBTQ+ creators, especially diving into queer music, artwork and writings,” Her-

nandez said. “I resonate a lot with the messages and the sentiment of these works of art.” Aerospace engineering junior Amy John said she has been deeply affected by the LGBTQ+ movement and its history. “LGBTQ+ History Month means visibility and validity to me,” John said. “It warms my heart knowing that people have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice for inclusivity because that’s something we don’t have yet.” John said the current attitude of tolerance toward the LGBTQ+ community is not enough. Though this month is designated for LGBTQ+ history, it is important to acknowledge what still needs to be done, John said. “We need acceptance and we’ll continue to fight for it,” John said. For more information on events happening throughout the rest of October, visit A&M’s LGBTQ+ Pride Center.

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pen here so we don’t have to worry about it,’ but in reality it does happen in the Brazos Valley, so we’re just thinking of creative ways that will engage people instead of just lectures,” Santerre-Ruble said. Communication junior Haley Tadlock serves as the vice president of philanthropy for the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, whose national philanthropy is domestic violence. Tadlock said they usually volunteer each semester at Phoebe’s Home, but they were unable to this fall due to COVID-19 restrictions, so they came up with alternatives to benefit the community. “We have been putting on a semester-long supplies drive for them,” Tadlock said. “We have collected canned goods, toiletries, paper towels, toilet paper, restaurant gift cards and gas gift cards. I take the supplies we have collected to the shelter every two weeks.” Tadlock said this year Alpha Chi Omega will be hosting a virtual Domestic Violence Awareness Week on Oct. 19-23. “Our Instagram will feature our own members’ perspectives, thoughts and testimonies about domestic and dating violence,” Tadlock

said. “We want to have a very strong social media presence and spread the word about DVA.” Texas A&M Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, offers resources for those who are victims of domestic abuse through counseling and workshops. CAPS Director Dr. MaryAnn Covey said the counseling center works on building confidence, self esteem and how to identify red flags of different types of abuse. “We try to empower people to see their own confidence and self esteem,” Covey said. Covey said she hopes students will seek out services to help them increase their own strength, and stressed the importance of seeking help for long-term progress rather than a quick fix. “I often tell students you’re stronger than you know you are, you don’t even know what you’re capable of,” Covey said. “That strength that you have, you haven’t really tapped into it yet and to really encourage their own self reflection to believe that ‘Yes I can do that.’”

Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION

LGBTQ+ History Month began in 1994 and celebrates the progress the community has made.

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The Battalion | 10.15.20

5 things to watch for during A&M-Mississippi State

Sophomore running back Isaiah Spiller rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns against Florida. Angelina Alcantar — THE BATTALION

By Emily Wedemeyer @emilynwed

1 3

Texas A&M’s 41-38 victory over No. 4 Florida last week was arguably the team’s biggest win of the Jimbo Fisher era. The Aggies hope to capital-

Offense finding its groove Senior quarterback Kellen Mond’s record-breaking performance in last week’s win over Florida earned him the honor of SEC co-Offensive Player of the Week. Mond is now A&M’s all-time leading passer and the first Aggie to earn a title like that since running back Trayveon Williams in 2018. A&M’s offense seems to be finding its groove as the veteran signal caller demonstrated confidence, poise and accuracy against the Gators and was well protected by an outstanding performance from the offensive line. Nonetheless, the Bulldogs’ No. 12 ranked defense will be no easy opponent in this week’s matchup.

Wild card factors

The Aggies are approaching the unranked team with confidence after upsetting a top-five team last week, while the Bulldogs are coming off back-to-back losses. However, Mississippi State cannot be underestimated because of their stunning victory over LSU, the reigning national champions, in its season opener and debut of head coach Mike Leach.

ize on that momentum as they face Mississippi State on the road this week. Here are five things to consider in Saturday’s matchup against the Bulldogs:

Leal’s presence

Sophomore defensive end DeMarvin Leal has proven to be a disruptive member of A&M’s defense as he has accumulated two turnovers this season. Leal recorded his first career interception against Alabama and recovered a fumble last week against Florida. Mississippi State’s offense struggled severely in last week’s 24-2 loss to Kentucky, with only 295 total offensive yards recorded and six interceptions. If the Bulldogs’ offense looks anything like it did last week, Leal and other members of the Aggie defense could have a monumental day at Davis-Wade stadium.

Johnson’s defense Senior linebacker Buddy Johnson has became an incredible defensive player and team leader. Johnson led the defense in tackles in all three games this season and managed to cause a fumble that led to a victory over Florida last week. While A&M’s secondary will have to execute disciplined zone coverage against a pass-heavy Mississippi State offense, the defensive line should also anticipate the utilization of the Bulldogs’ offensive weapon in running back Kylin Hill — especially considering their recent passing-game inconsistencies.

Isaiah Spiller A&M’s offense would look much different without sophomore running back Isaiah Spiller. With a year of experience under his belt, Spiller leads the SEC in yards per carry (6.9), yards after contact (256) and forced missed tackles (17). Spiller’s physicality, coachability and maturity allow him to be efficient and explosive on the ground. Although the ball carrier rushed for 174 yards and had two touchdowns last week against Florida, Mississippi State’s defensive line might pose a threat to Spiller’s ability to rush downfield as it has held its last three opponents to 227 yards on the ground for the fifth-ranked run defense in the nation. Shutting down the Aggies’ run game could be a key factor in the Bulldogs’ ability to persevere.

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The Battalion | 10.15.20

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE IN WEEK 4

By Casey Stavenhagen @CStavenhagen

And then there were two. With Texas A&M pulling off a major upset against Florida and Georgia knocking off Tennessee, half of the SEC’s previously undefeated teams rejoin the middle of the pack. This week, the

culling of undefeated records reaches its climax in the SEC with a matchup often reserved for postseason play.

No. 2 Alabama (3-0) at No. 3 Georgia (3-0)

Kentucky (1-2) at No. 18 Tennessee (2-1)

Saturday, Oct. 17 — Sanford Stadium — Athens, Ga. 7 p.m. on CBS Alabama has beaten Georgia in their last five meetings. Three of those matches were either SEC or NCAA championship games. These are two undeniable dynasties, and this game may very well decide who goes to the College Football Playoffs at the end of this irregular, shortened season. Alabama, needs to be in a state of emergency. Although the Crimson Tide survived Ole Miss last week, allowing 48 points and 670 yards is asking for trouble as a top 10 team. Historically, Alabama defenses have not allowed as many passing yards as this team has (8.4 yards per attempt) in the last decade. Sure, the offense has been electric thus far, but only against subpar defenses. Quarterback Mac Jones is sitting at an incredible 1,101 yards and eight touchdowns through three games. Running back Najee Harris has been very efficient with 347 yards and

10 touchdowns on a 6.7-yard per carry average. Georgia’s defense, sitting at second in the FBS in average yards allowed, will put the Crimson Tide’s production to the test. Georgia has only allowed six points in the second half all season. Offensively, Georgia has been clean and efficient. Quarterback Stetson Bennett, who has 689 passing yards and five touchdowns, is the only starter in the SEC to have not yet thrown an interception. Backed up by a solid rushing game, Georgia won’t hang up 50 points, but it will strangle the life out of offenses, scoring just enough to win. If Alabama wants to see the College Football Playoffs this year, it needs to play better defense and take advantage of Georgia’s clean but lackluster offense before Georgia can do the opposite.

Saturday, Oct. 17 — Neyland Stadium — Knoxville, Tenn. 11 a.m. on SEC Network Tennessee needs to get far, far away from what happened in the second half in Athens last week. Entering the half with a fourpoint lead on Georgia, it seemed like it was going to be a close game for the Volunteers. Then, offensive production came to a screeching halt for Tennessee, and the Bulldogs ran with it. One of the top running backs in the SEC, Ty Chandler, could hardly get past the line of scrimmage, being held to 11 yards on eight attempts. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano did his best to keep the ball moving, but it was not enough. Kentucky is a team that could easily be 2-1 like Tennessee, or maybe even 3-0. Little mistakes such as fumbles and missed extra

points have become a huge problem for the Wildcats though, so they stand at 1-2. A great run offense has been the key for this team, with quarterback Terry Wilson having 461 passing yards and 221 rushing yards with five total touchdowns. Last week, in the SEC’s lowest-scoring game thus far, Kentucky held Mississippi State to only two points and forced a ridiculous six interceptions, four from starter K.J. Costello. Kentucky has now proved it can be a problem for offenses struggling to function as a unit. Kentucky is a team that should not be underestimated, however, if Tennessee can get its run game going again, it should be able to get the win. Prediction: Tennessee 31, Kentucky 24

Prediction: Georgia 35, Alabama 27

WEEK 4: STAFF PICKS A&M vs. Mississippi State Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. on ESPN

Brady Stone

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HANNAH Idk about the Aggies, but I’m more concerned with blood-sucking vampires than Leaches.

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Who let the dogs out? Not the Aggies!

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The Battalion | 10.15.20

OPINION via gov.texas.gov

Columnist Sam Somogye explains how a recent proclamation made by Gov. Abbott should be considered voter suppression.

Voter suppression is alive in the Lone Star State Columnist Sam Somogye argues Gov. Abbott’s recent proclamation limiting mail-in ballot drop-off locations is voter suppression Sam Somogye @samsomogye

oter suppression is still alive and well in 2020. Not only is it happening across the country, but it’s happening right here in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent proclamation limits counties to just one drop-off location for those who wish to use mail-in ballots. There is no grey area. There is no way to sell this to Texans as an ethical choice. Let me tell you why. Texas has been steadfast in its reopening since the beginning of the pandemic. Most restaurants can currently operate at 75 percent capacity. More recently, with the approval of county judges, bars are allowed to open at 50 percent. I can now get a whiskey and coke at Northgate with 100 of my closest friends. However, if I want to perform my civic duty as an American and Texan, it comes with a caveat. It makes no sense that I can dine at a restaurant or go to a bar near other people, but I can’t have the option of cast-

ing my ballot in more than one location. You may be asking yourself, “What’s so bad about having one drop off location?” One example of the negative repercussions of a singular drop off location can be seen less than 100 miles south of College Station. Harris County is the largest county in Texas. In 2018, there were 2.36 million registered voters in the county. Of that 2.36 million, 1.22 million people voted. Let’s say 10 percent of the number of people who voted in 2018 decided to vote using a mail-in ballot. That would come out to 121,921 people. To expect over 100,000 people to drive to one location to drop off their ballots, when there were previously 12 locations, is absurd. Voting in-person was already a hurdle for many people. Some rely on rideshare programs to get them to the polls. Worrying about getting to your closest drop-off ballot location when you cannot go to the polls on your own is stressful enough. If getting to the polls was already an issue for you, this proclamation would exacerbate that. Now, in a county that is 1,700 square miles, you may have to venture far beyond where

you typically would to cast your ballot. The reason for Abbott’s proclamation? He says it’s an election security measure. That’s laughable. The governor believes one drop-off location per county will enhance poll watchers’ ability to observe individuals dropping off their mail-in ballots. The reality is that the governor is taking advantage of the pandemic to suppress voters. It is not a coincidence that the counties most affected by this proclamation are democratic strongholds, such as Harris and Travis counties. If fewer people can vote in these counties, that equates to fewer votes for Democratic candidates. As a lifelong Republican voter, the idea of this is genuinely troubling. But hey, never let a good crisis go to waste, right? There is good news! Well, kind of. A federal judge said, “Not buying it” to Abbott’s proclamation. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pitman said in a recent ruling, “It is apparent that closing ballot return centers at the last minute would cause confusion, especially when those centers were deemed safe, authorized and, in fact, advertised as a convenient option just months ago.” However,

that decision has already been appealed to a panel of three judges on the U.S. 5th Circuit. Due to the appeal, they have put the order by Judge Pitman on hold. Whether this issue gets fully resolved by the time voters cast their ballots on Election Day is unclear. Ultimately, this is like a game of poker. The judges are calling bluffs, and the governor thinks he has an ace in his pocket. Abbott is now patiently waiting to see how his hand plays out. Texans are a proud people. You won’t find another state with more pride and love for the place we call home. This self-confidence is why we have to do better. This dignity is why we have to hold those in power accountable. Early voting started two days ago, and Election Day is less than three weeks away. Democrat or Republican, show Gov. Abbott that he will not suppress your voice. Give us one drop off location or 20 — Texans always find a way to get the job done. To think otherwise is insulting. Our voices will be heard. Sam Somogye is a political science senior and columnist for The Battalion.

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ARTSCRITICISM

The Battalion | 10.15.20

Adam Sandler’s ‘Hubie Halloween’ is exactly what we expected

MOVIE REVIEW

Arts criticism writer Keagan Miller says ‘Hubie Halloween’ is somewhat funny and not entirely irredeemable on low volume “Hubie Halloween” Director: Steven Brill Release Date: Oct. 7, 2020 Runtime: 1 hour, 42 minutes By Keagan Miller @KeaganMlr

via IMDB

“Hubie Halloween” was released to Netflix on Oct. 7 and features Adam Sandler.

Adam Sandler’s latest film, “Hubie Halloween,” follows Sandler’s character Hubie on a particularly eventful Halloween night in his hometown of Salem, Mass. Hubie, an overcautious, self-proclaimed Halloween safety volunteer, is unappreciated by his fellow citizens. Afraid of everything, Hubie spends his time dodging items people throw at him and dealing with pranks at his expense. This Halloween however, a host of ne’er-do-wells and mysterious missing persons lend Hubie’s typical paranoia some credibility and he sets off to save the day. As expected, “Hubie Halloween” is a bad film. Sandler does one of his trademark ear-assaulting voices, immediately making his character extremely unpleasant to hear and see onscreen. Not only is his voice irritating, but the character seems to scream in fright almost every 30 seconds, making him even more annoying. It’s impossible to listen to this film at a reasonable volume without your ears bleeding. In fact, Sandler himself is the worst part of this film. It’s his movie, but every scene he’s in is made worse by his appearance. It doesn’t help that the character of Hubie is intensely unlikeable. He spends his time complaining to the police about every little thing his neighbors do, to the point that they’ve started hanging up on him when he calls. At one point in the film he crashes a high school party just to take people’s drinks out of their hands and aggressively stops couples from making out. He criticizes everyone’s revealing costumes and ensures ev-

eryone knows he used to donate half his Halloween candy to the homeless shelter every year. He’s constantly in everyone’s business and refuses to leave them alone. There’s a reason he constantly has things thrown at him as he rides his bike through town. In a word, he’s uptight. In another word, he’s an a**hole. Despite the unlikability of the film’s main character, its supporting cast is actually very talented. Filled with skilled actors like Steve Buscemi, Ray Liotta, Julie Bowen, Maya Rudolph, Tim Meadows, Ben Stiller, Kevin James, Rob Schneider, George Wallace and Shaquille O’Neal, everyone around Sandler actually delivers passable and appropriately silly performances. It’s Sandler himself who ruins the film. Furthermore, the writing of the film is actually decent. The story is appropriately convoluted and funny, and most of the characters are humorous in their own right. The ending is one of the strengths of the film. “Hubie Halloween” isn’t a laugh-a-minute, but there are a few genuinely funny moments that might elicit a true laugh from audiences. Most of its jokes don’t land, but the ones that do are just enough to sustain the film until the end. As an Adam Sandler movie about Halloween, this film doesn’t take itself too seriously. That’s a good thing. Unfortunately, the film isn’t quite silly or sincere enough to make it endearing. It also isn’t brazen enough in its absurdity to allow one to forget about its flaws. Overall, “Hubie Halloween” is a bad movie, with Sandler himself being the worst part. It’s moderately funny and not altogether irredeemable. Just watch it on low volume. Sandler’s screams are the scariest thing about it. Keagan Miller is a psychology senior and arts criticism writer for The Battalion.

FOOTBALL

The Battalion | 10.15.20

‘These guys are monsters’ Angelina Alcantar — THE BATTALION

The Texas A&M offensive line is currently tied for third-fewest sacks allowed in the nation, allowing senior quarterback Kellen Mond to be sacked only once.

A&M offense sees physical, mental improvement during Florida win By Hannah Underwood @hannahbunderwoo Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond was sacked 33 times in 2019. However, throughout the first three games of the 2020 season, he has only been brought down by opposing defenses once. The offensive line is tied for third-fewest sacks allowed in the nation. The offensive line’s improvement has allowed Mond to step up his game and lead the entire offense to success. A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said returning most of his offensive line from last season has proven to be an advantage this year. “It’s amazing what maturity [can do],” Fisher said. “You’ve got maturity, you’ve got guys knowing, they’ve played games, they recognize blitzes, they recognize stunts, they know how to pass them off. Guys can’t always do it as freshmen. Your quarterback’s more experienced, so he can read, get the ball out quicker.” Last weekend’s game in which the Aggies upset then-No. 4 Florida was proof of the improvement of both Mond and the offensive line. During the game, Mond became the Aggies’ all-time leader in career passing yards, and on Sunday, he was named SEC co-Offensive Player of the Week — the first time

an Aggie has earned the honor in two years. Following the game, Mond said he gives credit for his success to the teammates he has played with throughout his career. “It’s such a big mark that I hit, and I just look back and think about all the coaches that I had, all the players that I played with, guys who have helped me get to that point,” Mond said. “I couldn’t thank those guys enough. I plan on continuing to move forward and continue to push these new guys.” In his second year playing alongside Mond, sophomore tight end Jalen Wydermyer said the honors are a testament to Mond’s growth over the past two years. “Kellen has grown a lot,” Wydermyer said. “I knew he had it in him to have that performance, and I’m glad he did. We really needed it. He’s a very vocal leader and has so much passion for the game, so I’m so happy to have him as my quarterback.” Fisher said the entire offense came together to help Mond earn the honors. “Our receivers were playing well, our running backs were running well, our offensive line was outstanding,” Fisher said. “It’s amazing how when the people around you play well, how your performance goes up. Football is such a team game. One can’t live without the other.” The success of the offensive line is a testament to the improvement of the offense as a whole, senior center Ryan McCollum said. “I think it’s just our whole offense clicking together,” McCollum said. “If one of us messes up, the other one picks up the slack,

whether it’s the offensive line missing a blitz and a receiver makes a great play or Kellen makes one guy miss and then gets his eyes back downfield and makes the play. I don’t think it’s anything to do with just us up front. I think it’s a whole offense effort.” Sophomore defensive end DeMarvin Leal said he isn’t surprised with the improvement the offensive line has seen this fall. “I knew it was coming,” Leal said. “I’ve already known the potential of our offensive line. These guys are monsters. They just proved it. They showed everybody what they were about.” Though many may be quick to blame the offensive line for the struggles it had last season, Fisher said a lot more goes into the unit’s performance. “Maybe a receiver runs the wrong route,” Fisher said. “Maybe he went too deep, maybe he didn’t get open in one-on-one coverage and made the quarterback hold it. Maybe the quarterback held it or made a bad read. The obvious to everybody is not the obvious. Sacks don’t always go on the offensive line.” Along with successes, there have also been plenty of lows for the offense, specifically at wide receiver. After going into the season missing senior Jhamon Ausbon due to opt-out and junior Hezekiah Jones due to injury, the wide receiving corps took another big hit last weekend when sophomore Caleb Chapman went down with a knee injury in the third quarter against Florida. Fisher announced on Monday, Oct. 12, that Chapman would likely miss the remain-

der of the season. However, Jones is “close” to being healthy enough to return. Fisher said that while the situation is unfortunate, there is a silver lining. “That’s ball. I’ve been in this game long enough, you’re always snake-bit,” Fisher said. “That’s the way it always is. We have great opportunities for young guys to come up. We’ll figure out what we’re going to do and go forward.” Wydermyer said the offense’s success without its veteran players is a testament to the talent of its youth. “It shows that our offense is really growing,” Wydermyer said. “Even all the young players that we have, they’re stepping up to the plate, and they’re stepping in where people left off.” The secret to maintaining that success lies within their mental endurance, Wydermyer said. “All offense is, is confidence,” Wydermyer said. “You have to have a lot of confidence to play in this league, and once you get that confidence, it’s hard to put it out.” Despite the success the Aggies have seen on offense thus far, McCollum said there is still a long way for the offensive line to grow. “We don’t really look at the sacks because Kellen still got hit,” McCollum said. “That’s not okay with us. [The] perfect game for us is he never gets touched, and we run the ball as much as we can. There’s still a lot of room to grow because he’s getting hit too much.”

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