The Battalion - October 31, 2019 by The Battalion

4 MUST-SEE HORROR MOVIES ON PG. 7

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Actors from StageCenter Community Theatre will staff the Fright Night Haunted House.

Spooky sights

Bryan haunted house to serve up psychological scares on Halloween Illustration by David Allen — THE BATTALION

The Animal Industries Engineering Building is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of a man who died while working in its basement.

Spirits of Aggieland From decades-long legends to more recent tales, students share stories of their personal encounters with the paranormal By Alyssa Gafford-Gaby @AGaffordGaby

elieve them or not, ghost stories and spooky tales are woven into the fabric of Texas A&M’s long history. There are several stories of potentially paranormal activity throughout campus and the surrounding area. While some legends are well-known, other supposed ghosts have appeared to students,

and organizations in unexpected places. From Kyle Field and educational facilities to off-campus housing, some students say they have experienced unexplainable, and even supernatural, encounters. On the morning of Nov. 14, 1959, a meat locker room foreman at the Animal Industries building, Roy Simms, was preparing to cut a slab of bacon. According to an article in The Battalion from that year, Simms’ knife slipped, severing the femoral artery in his groin. Meat locker employee Zellie Newton, who had stepped outside to check the weather report on his car radio, returned to the room to find Simms bleeding profusely. Newton called an ambulance, but Simms was dead by the time it arrived. Stories of Simms’ spirit haunting the structure, which is now the Animal Industries Engineering building, have grown over

the years. Industrial distribution sophomore Zachary Carson said he’s heard several paranormal stories about the AIEN building from both students and professors. According to a 2013 article from Good Bull Hunting about the accident and ensuing legends, some say Simms crawled toward the freight elevator during his last moments in a desperate attempt to find help. “There are stories of screaming voices and the elevator moving without people on it,” Carson said. “They might just be stories, but the thought of elevators moving and unexplained sounds when no one is supposed to be there is creepy. I’ve even heard about janitors asking to be reassigned to different buildings because it scared them so much.” The meat lab has since been relocated, GHOST STORIES ON PG. 2

#ShoeGate

Mond’s cleat stolen in bizarre mid-game moment that sparked discussion online

By Hollis Mills @sillohsllilm From the depths of Downtown Bryan, Fright Nights Haunted House is set to scare guests from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Halloween night. The haunted house is a collaboration between the Downtown Bryan Association and the StageCenter Community Theatre department that invites the bold and easily shaken alike to an evening of late-night terror. Previously located at the Palace Theater, the horror venue moved to its new home at the StageCenter Community Theater on 218 N. Bryan Avenue three years ago. Nearing a decade of instilling fear in her patrons, head haunter and president of the StageCenter board Cindy Roberts said she still takes pride in every scare. “It’s not just walking through the woods with people jumping out at you,” Roberts said. “We try to put a lot of details into the experience.” The smallest detail out of place can make or break a room in a haunted house, and this year’s batch of haunters want to earn every shriek, Roberts said. “With our decorations and lighting, we look at what we’re putting in a room for the eeriest and the best look,” Roberts said. “We have a room that’s supposed to have ‘water’ in it, so we have a blue light that moves, and it gives the effect that you’re walking into a room with water.” While sending a fright down a guest’s spine is always part of the fun, Roberts said Fright Nights will never harm anyone in the venue, nor will anyone under the age of 13 be admitted without an adult.

By Hannah Underwood @hannahbunderwoo

FRIGHT NIGHT ON PG. 3

FOOTBALL VS. UTSA

In the middle of what was statistically the best game of Kellen Mond’s career came one of the weirdest plays in recent college football history. On A&M’s first drive of the second quarter, Mond took off down the left side of the field for a 25-yard run to the 4-yard line before taking a big hit from Mississippi State’s junior safety C.J. Morgan. On the tackle, Mond’s shoe came off, and when he attempted to retrieve it, chaos ensued. “I knew it was gone, and I was walking over to pick it up,” Mond said. “He just ran off with it.” Morgan plucked the shoe from the ground and ran away from Mond. A&M senior center Colton Prater took the shoe from Morgan, who then fell to the ground. Prater and the Aggies received a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said though he appreciates Prater’s intentions, he would prefer the team refrain from any actions that could draw a penalty, especially when the Aggies are in prime scoring position. “Over a shoe?” Fisher said. “If he’s got him on the ground beating him up, maybe I understand getting him off of him. And it comes from a good place, but you have to understand, it’s a 14-7

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

SHOE ON PG. 6

Referees discuss flags thrown and penalties given after the shoe incident on Oct. 26.

Saturday, Nov. 2 — Kyle Field 11 a.m. on SECN

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LIFE&ARTS

The Battalion | 10.31.19

1,2 and 3 Courtesy of Cushing Memorial Library Archives, 4 Via LaSalle Hotel Facebook page, 5 Via The Reserve at College Station Facebook page

1. An article on Roy Simms’ funeral was run in The Battalion in 1959. 2. The ghost of a girl in a white night gown is rumored to look through a window in Francis Hall. 3. The spirit of former mascot Reveille V may bite visitors to Kyle Field, according to one student. 4. Visitors and staff of the LaSalle Hotel reportedly encounter weird noises, elevator issues and doors opening by themselves. 5. Residents of The Reserve at College Station have reported locked doors and windows opening on their own, according to the Texas A&M Paranormal Society.

GHOST STORIES CONTINUED but the basement where Simms died is still there, now a men’s restroom. According to a 2011 article from The Battalion, that level of the building is still home to the steel hooks that were once used to hang animals. However, the AIEN building isn’t the only supposedly haunted building on campus. Dash Dozier, psychology senior and member of the Texas A&M Paranormal Society, said Francis Hall is one site of suspicious activity that could be paranormal. “[We] went to Francis Hall and members kept seeing this girl around in a white nightgown,” Dozier said. “We swept through the entire building and couldn’t find her. My friend saw her looking into the building on this ledge that is nine feet off the ground. There’s no way that someone could be there.” Dozier said he saw a woman walking down the stairs while he was on the third floor, but

she never made it to the second floor, where other members of the Paranormal Society were investigating. There are no known legends about the origins of spirits in Francis Hall, but Dozier said he and other members heard shrieks and saw ghostly figures that couldn’t be explained. The legends of ghosts at A&M aren’t limited to human spirits either. Lauren Lund, international studies junior, said she’s encountered Reveille V’s spirit in Kyle Field. “I first noticed it when I did Kyle Field clean up with my organization,” Lund said. “I got bit on the booty by something that wasn’t there. The next game the following weekend, the girl in front of me did the same motion like she was being touched on the booty by the person behind her, but she wasn’t.” Lund said Reveille V bites those who are “redass” (full of school spirit) in Kyle Field because she is the middle child among A&M’s mascots and must act up to get attention. Beyond campus, the LaSalle Hotel in

downtown Bryan is said to be one of the most haunted places in the area. Having been a nursing home from 1959 to 1975, a number of deaths have occurred in the building and many believe those spirits may still roam the halls. “The hotel is supposedly filled with ghosts,” Carson said. “Lights will flicker on and off, there will be random knocks on windows. I’ve even heard a story about someone ordering a pizza to a third floor room when no one was staying on that floor. It had the entire staff spooked.” As the legend goes, a mysterious spirit, or multiple spirits, wander around the LaSalle closing doors, moving items and tugging at guests’ feet in the night. Dozier said several weeks ago, the Paranormal Society got a call from residents at a different off-campus location: The Reserve apartment complex. They had received similar calls before, so the society went to investigate. According to Dozier, locked doors and

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windows were opening on their own, but that wasn’t the scariest thing that happened while investigating the apartment complex. “I was with my friend Nathan and we were walking upstairs,” Dozier said. “We heard someone downstairs call out, ‘Hey Nate.’ It was weird because no one calls Nathan ‘Nate’. We went downstairs to see who was calling for us. We clearly heard someone say, ‘Hey Nate’ twice, but no one said they called for us.” Dozier said the society looks for scientific evidence to disprove paranormal activity in the places they investigate, but experiences like that are hard to explain. Some people are certain that ghosts haunt buildings in Bryan-College Station, while others remain skeptical. Whether these myths and legends of Aggieland are true or not, one spirit is certain to wander through Bryan-College Station this Halloween — the Aggie Spirit.

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Luke Henkhaus, Editor-in-Chief THE BATTALION is published on Thursdays during the 2019 fall semester (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising call 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

LIFE&ARTS

The Battalion | 10.31.19

Greek treats A&M sororities expect over 1,000 visitors at celebration By Amishi Sachdeva @amishisachdeva The Texas A&M Panhellenic Council will host Trick or Treat on Greek Street this Halloween from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Athens Drive in College Station. The annual event consists of activities organized by each affiliated sorority. Panhellenic is the executive board that governs the 14 National Panhellenic Council sororities at A&M, commonly referred to as the “Circle of Sisterhood.” The group is tasked with overseeing sorority life, managing events and promoting the spirit of the university. Students and families from throughout the community are welcome to attend on Halloween to get free candy and enjoy the house games each sorority has to offer, said Panhellenic director of chapter development Gabriella Gutierrez. “In total, we have more than 14 activities at this event, such as face painting, pumpkin bowling, twister, spider game and cake walk,” said Gutierrez, a business management junior. “In addition, we also have a photo booth and a house which will be playing live music.” Following two straight years of cancellation due to bad weather, the council is hoping for clear skies on Halloween. In anticipation of a large crowd, Panhellenic director of

diversity and inclusion Lexi Campbell said safety precautions are a necessity. “We are expecting more than a thousand people this year,” Campbell said. “We wanted to provide a safe and fun environment to the kids. For this, we’ll also be blocking roads, [because] we know how dangerous cars can be these days.” To publicize the event, the Council reached out to eight radio stations in the surrounding area, as well as other local media outlets. Campbell said the Council was adamant about creating an enjoyable night for trick-or-treaters of all ages, which is why she also reached out to every elementary school in Bryan. “I remember trick or treating as a kid,” Campbell said. ”I’ve always wanted to contribute in making this experience for the kids better than mine. I’m really excited to see them in a carefree environment tomorrow with the element of games and photos in it, which adds to the fun.” Sport management senior and Panhellenic Vice President of Programming Lindsay White said every member of Panhellenic contributed to this event, and they are looking forward to serving students and families. “We are not pairing up with any organizations or councils this time,” White said. “This means that all of the work will be done by each chapter independently and uniquely. We’ve put in a lot of effort for organizing this and we’re sure it will be extremely fun.”

FILE

On Halloween, Texas A&M Panhellenic Council’s Trick or Treat on Greek Street will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30p.m. Students and families for the community are invited.

FRIGHT NIGHT CONTINUED “We try not to do anything that would offend anybody,” Roberts said. “We try to keep it scary, but more as a thriller-scary. We’re not throwing blood and guts at you. It’s more of a mind thing, and that’s why we put so much detail in the rooms. We tell people, ‘Don’t go in with your eyes closed. You have to see it.’” Roberts said moving from the Palace to the theatre building has allowed for a welcoming and more accessible environment for the public. “Because we were on the third floor, the stairs were almost impossible for our older patrons,” Roberts said. “Now with us being on the ground floor, [it’s] ADA compliant to get

into the theatre, not to mention our utility bill was cut more than in half. It’s a much more energy efficient building.” On Halloween night, Roberts will lead groups of four into the house, telling tales of haunted Bryan history in-character. However, costume and all, Roberts said she has still been recognized from her involvement in previous StageCenter productions. “My first role at StageCenter, I was M’Lynn in ‘Steel Magnolias,’ and if you know that you know M’Lynn gives Shelby her kidney,” Roberts said. “Once I was leading a couple of gentlemen in, and they said ‘(Gasp) It’s M’Lynn from Steel Magnolias!’ I said, ‘Yes, I gave Shelby my kidney, now I’ll be taking yours.’ They just died laughing.” Alongside StageCenter actors, Fright Nights

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is put together based on volunteer work from the surrounding community. Across nine years of holiday horror, A&M’s Alpha Phi Omega has assisted the venue for the last six. Kyle Dunham, allied health junior and APO vice president of leadership, said he has looked forward to helping Roberts all semester. Scaring the daylight out of strangers may never get old, but in between guttural screams, contorted bodies and chasing guests through dimly-lit hallways, Dunham said he has even built friendships through Fright Nights. “For me, it’s just seeing that raw reaction from people who go through the house,” Dunham said. “When I was pledging, I didn’t know that many people in the organization, so you’re kind of in there for six hours, and you get to know the people you’re in the same

room with. It’s actually where I met my new roommate. We bonded over this and became friends because of Fright Nights.” Urban planning junior and APO external relations chair William Willingham said working with the venue has consistently attracted member involvement each Halloween. “When you go to a haunted house, you’re filled with that adrenaline and anxiety, but this is like being on the opposite side of that,” Willingham said. “Everyone who is involved with it loves going to Fright Nights, and those spots always get filled up. I’m always trying to grab a shift and it’s like, ‘No, sorry, it’s already closed,’ because everyone loves it, and it’s always a fun time.”

5TH ANNUAL TEXAS SYMPOSIUM ON WOMEN, PEACE, AND SECURITY Friday, November 15th 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Annenberg Presidential Conference Center

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FOOTBALL

The Battalion | 10.31.19

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A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 10 By Adithya Prabakaran @ADP_445

In Week 9, an undefeated LSU team outlasted a top-10 Auburn team, a Kentucky team with a wide receiver filling in at quarterback topped Missouri, Alabama defeated Arkansas without its starting quarterback and Tennessee

won another game at Rocky Top. This week, the SEC will host a rivalry game between two top-10 teams, while others are on a quest to become bowl eligible.

Ole Miss (3-5) vs No. 11 Auburn (6-2)

Mississippi State (3-5) vs Arkansas (2-6)

Saturday, Nov. 2 — Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, Alabama 6 p.m. on ESPN

Saturday, Nov. 2 — Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium — Fayetteville, Arkansas 3 p.m. on SECN This matchup pits the bottom two teams of the SEC west against each other. After a loss to Texas A&M in College Station, the Mississippi State Bulldogs will be on the road once again as they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville. Mississippi State’s offense is led by junior running back Kylin Hill and freshman quarterback Garrett Shrader. Hill has rushed for 793 yards and six touchdowns this season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Mississippi State’s struggling offense will compete against one of the worst defenses in the SEC this week. Arkansas is currently allowing 227 passing yards and 191 rushing yards per game. While Mississippi State has seen some success in the run game, Arkansas has struggled in all facets. The Razorbacks head into

the week with uncertainty at the quarterback position as Nick Starkel was benched for redshirt freshman John Stephen Jones against Alabama. They will try to lean on the rushing ability of running back Rakeem Boyd and the receiving ability of tight end Cheyenne O’Grady. Boyd has run for over 700 yards and five touchdowns this season. O’Grady is Arkansas’ leading receiver with 33 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns. The duo should have productive games against a Mississippi State defense that is allowing 243 passing yards and 159 rushing yards per game. A win for the Bulldogs puts them one step closer to bowl eligibility, while a loss for Arkansas effectively ends their chances of reaching a bowl game.

The Ole Miss offense will face a challenge this week against No. 11 Auburn’s physical defense. Mississippi freshman quarterback John Rhys Plumlee may miss the game as he recovers from a knee procedure. This issue could limit Mississippi’s offensive production as Plumlee is averaging over 5.9 yards per rush and has four rushing touchdowns this season. If he’s unavailable, Ole Miss will still have quarterback Matt Corral, senior transfer running back Scottie Phillips and sophomore wide receiver Elijah Woods. With the Rebels looking to pass more, Auburn cornerbacks Javaris Davis and Noah Igbinoghene will have to help the defensive line stop Mississippi’s passing attack. On the opposite side of the field,

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix needs to step up after completing less than 45 percent of his passes for 135 yards against then-No.2 LSU. However, the odds are favorable for him as the Mississippi defense allows 284 passing yards and two passing touchdowns per game. Something that could help improve efficiency for the Tigers is the continued success of freshman running back D.J. Williams. Against LSU, Williams averaged 10 yards per carry, and he’ll have the opportunity to repeat that success against a Ole Miss defense that is currently allowing 125 rushing yards per game. The Auburn offense has a favorable matchup against the Rebels’ defense, but Ole Miss could make things interesting with its potent offense. Prediction: Auburn 27, Ole Miss 17

Prediction: Mississippi State 31, Arkansas 24

No. 8 Georgia (6-1) vs No. 6 Florida (7-1)

Vanderbilt (2-5) vs South Carolina (3-5) Saturday, Nov. 2 — Williams-Brice Stadium — Columbia, South Carolina 6:30 p.m. on SECN The Vanderbilt Commodores are coming off a bye week after upsetting then-No. 22 Missouri last week. In that victory, Vanderbilt started freshman quarterback Mo Hasan, who may miss this week’s game after entering concussion protocol. This would require previous starter, graduate transfer Riley Neal, to lead the Commodores against a South Carolina defense that allowed 41 points to Tennessee last week. South Carolina looked nowhere near as competitive last week as it had been against Georgia and Florida. The defense allowed 41 points

and over 400 yards of offense, and the Gamecocks’ offense struggled as freshman quarterback Ryan Hilinski completed only 55 percent of his passes. Graduate transfer running back Tavon Feaster only ran for 4.2 yards per carry. Fortunately for South Carolina, Vanderbilt is allowing over 200 rushing yards per game and over 250 passing yards per game, which means Hilinski and Feaster each could have career-high days passing and rushing the ball. Both teams are in need of a win so they don’t lose the opportunity to play in a bowl game this postseason.

Saturday, Nov. 2 — TIAA Bank Field — Jacksonville, Florida 2:30 p.m. on CBS The No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs are coming off a bye week and are looking to have a two-dimensional approach on offense, led by junior running back D’Andre Swift and junior quarterback Jake Fromm. However, the No. 6 Florida Gators have the defense to make things difficult for Georgia’s offense. Florida’s secondary, led by cornerbacks CJ Henderson and Marco Wilson, and safeties Donovan Stiner and Jeawon Taylor, will be covering receivers George Pickens, Demetrius Robinson and Lawrence Cager. Offensively, Florida will have the challenge of competing against a

stingy Georgia defense. The passing game is led by redshirt junior quarterback Kyle Trask, who is averaging 245 passing yards per game since entering in relief of injured junior quarterback Feleipe Franks against Kentucky. Florida’s rushing offense is led by senior running back Lamichal Perine and sophomore running back Dameon Price, who are averaging a combined 5.2 yards per carry. The Gators need better passing and rushing performances to win against the Georgia defense, which allows only 181 passing yards and 86 rushing yards per game. Prediction: Florida 31, Georgia 24

Prediction: South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 10

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Texas A&M vs. UTSA

Luke Henkhaus

Editor-in-Chief @luke_henkhaus

LUKE

HANNAH

We’re beating a team with “UT” in its name, and that’s good enough for me.

Brian Bass

Assistant Sports Editor @brianbass4

BRIAN UTSA’s rival is Texas State... let that sink in.

Hannah Underwood

Sports Editor @hannahbunderwoo

Whether Kellen will have both his shoes in this game remains to be seen, but the Aggies will win in a blowout regardless. #ShoeGate

Hollis Mills

Life & Arts Editor @sillohsllim

We’ll drop an anvil on the roadrunners like this some Looney Tunes s---.

HOLLIS Meredith Seaver

MEREDITH BRADY

Photo Chief @MeredithSeaver

If the Roadrunners wanna win... it’ll take the magic of a Disney film.

Brady Stone

Head Page Designer @bradystonex

The Aggies ARRRRRRGH going to easily beat the roadrunners.

FOOTBALL

The Battalion | 10.31.19

5 things to watch for during A&M-UTSA Sports content sponsored by:

www.hiddencreekrv.com Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION

The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band performs at every halftime show in Kyle Field, finishing each performance with the famous “Block T.”

By Jackson King @MrJacksonTKing

The Aggies finally managed to win two games in a row, following up their road victory over Ole Miss by easily defeating Mississippi State 49-30 at Kyle Field. This week, A&M faces its third 3-4 team in a row as the Aggies host

Strong Rushing Attack

Kellen Mond

Another element of the A&M team on display against Mississippi State was the Aggies’ rushing attack, which ran all over the Bulldogs. Between Mond’s ability to score and freshman tailback Isaiah Spiller’s firm control of the backfield, the Aggies have built a dependable rush game over the last three games that has seen steady improvement, with the Aggies totaling 207 yards on the ground against Mississippi State. With UTSA’s dismal ability to stop the run, giving up an average of 210 yards per game and 5.56 yards per attempt, the Aggies should have no problem attacking the Roadrunners’ defense for huge gains on the ground.

Against Mississippi State, junior quarterback Kellen Mond rebounded from his previously lackluster performances with one of the strongest outputs of his career, completing over 70 percent of his passes for 234 yards and throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions. Mond was poised and collected behind an improved offensive line that allowed him to connect with his receivers all day. Mond’s pocket presence, as well as his running ability over the last three games, has made him an offensive nightmare for opposing defenses. With Mond finding a rhythm and UTSA’s defense looking abysmal, expect the A&M quarterback to get going early and often.

Improving Pass Rush and the Secondary Since the bye week three weeks ago, the Aggie defense has seen a significant increase in its pass-rushing success, finishing with six sacks over the last three games. In addition to sack totals, the defense has improved at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which has allowed the secondary to secure more turnovers, as it did against Ole Miss and Mississippi State. With starting quarterback Frank Harris missing from UTSA’s offense. look for the Aggies to pounce on the Roadrunners and continue to build on their passing defense.

UTSA. The Roadrunners are coming to College Station after a close victory over Rice last weekend. Here are five things to watch for as A&M takes on this non-conference opponent.

Freshmen rising to the occasion In addition to Spiller’s growth in the backfield, the Aggies have seen consistent progress from freshmen on both sides of the ball. Tight end Jalen Wydermyer has become an integral part of this Aggie passing attack, leading the team with five touchdowns this season and collecting 60 yards in each of the last two games. Wide receiver Ainias Smith has become a weapon for Mond while also serving as the team’s punt returner. On the other side of the ball, defensive back Demani Richardson led the Aggies in tackles against the Bulldogs with seven, while lineman DeMarvin Leal finished with six tackles of his own. Expect to see more freshmen playing for the Aggies, including quarterback Zach Calzada.

Aggies’ strength against non-Power Five teams Historically, A&M has dominated non-Power Five competition, winning by double-digit margins in every contest. Since 2015, the Aggies have won all 13 games they’ve played against non-Power Five competition with a combined score of 614-156, including a 23-10 victory over UTSA in 2016. With Jimbo Fisher at the helm of the program, A&M has won every non-Power Five matchup by at least 20 points, with the closest score coming from the Aggies’ 41-20 victors over then-ranked UAB 41-20 in 2018. Under these circumstances, and with momentum on the Aggies’ side, look for A&M to overpower UTSA in this matchup.

UTSA headed to Kyle for Aggies’ Senior Day A&M to host Roadrunners in non-conference matchup By Tara Drummond @TaraDrummond1 The Texas A&M football team will be back at Kyle Field for its final non-conference game of the season, facing the University of Texas-San Antonio for the first time since 2016. UTSA is coming off a 32-27 win over Rice University, which put their season record at 3-4. With quarterback Frank Harris out due to injury, sophomore Lowell Narcisse took the reins and totaled 212 passing yards in the game.

“I feel really good about where we’re at, and even in some of the losses this year, you see flashes of what this team could be.” KELLEN MOND, JUNIOR QUARTERBACK

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Junior quarterback Kellen Mond passed for 234 yards and rushed for 76 yards against Mississippi State.

A&M junior quarterback Kellen Mond recorded three passing and two rushing touchdowns in the

matchup, marking the 12th time in his career he has scored through the air and on the ground in the same game. Overall, Mond had a clean performance with no sacks or picks thrown. He finished the game with a total of 310 yards, 234 passing and 76 rushing. “I feel really good about where we’re at, and even in some of the losses this year, you see flashes of what this team could be,” Mond said. “[We’re] just trying to be more consistent every week, but I feel like we’re in the right direction.” With the win, Mond’s career record improved to 19-10, which tied him for fourth place with Johnny Manziel on A&M’s alltime winningest quarterbacks list. A&M’s defense had some key plays against Mississippi State, grabbing an interception and forcing two fumbles. These turnovers maintained the Aggies’ streak of earning at least one fumble in the last four games. “It was good for our confidence and good for our team because we just keep on talking about stacking wins on wins,” A&M junior linebacker Buddy Johnson said. “At the end of the day, we just have to keep working and get better.” A&M will look to continue its win streak against UTSA, with kickoff slated for 11 a.m. on Saturday. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.

SPORTS

The Battalion | 10.31.19

A&M soccer looks to finish strong Aggies to face Ole Miss at home in final game of regular season By Dylan Poitevint @Poitite Texas A&M is coming off of a 5-3 victory over Missouri, riding a twogame win streak as the Aggies head into their final regular season game of the season against Ole Miss. No. 17 A&M is in second place in the SEC West division due to the team’s efficient offensive output. The Aggies rank 17th in the country in scoring offense and stand out as an aggressive team, holding the fourth overall ranking in shots per game. Coach G Guerrieri said he is proud of his offense for coming from behind and bringing the team back A&M last two wins, though he would like to see a stronger start to games. “For us to come from behind in dramatic fashion was something that Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION I’m proud the girls were able to come back from,” Guerrieri said. “We need Senior forward Ally Watt celebrates her third goal in the match against Missouri, the second hat trick of her career. to do a better job of starting strong so

we don’t give up those early goals, and that will obviously be something we’ll focus on.” The team also features two dangerous offensive players in junior defender Jimena Lopez and senior forward Ally Watt. Lopez ranks fourth nationally in assists per game, while Watt ranks eighth nationally in total goals. Guerrieri said the team needs to keep improving in other areas so that these two can be utilized to the best of their abilities. “Watt is the hottest goal scorer in the country, so it’s nice to have that in our repertoire,” Guerrieri said. “We’d like to be a little more dangerous in some other situations. You’ve [got] Jimena Lopez, who leads the nation in assists, on one flank, and you’ve got Macy Kolb, who has done an outstanding job in getting forward and getting the ball across the face of the goal, on the other side, so we’re creating a lot of chances. We just need to finish them off.” Ole Miss will pose a challenge for the Aggies, as the Rebels play in a similar style to A&M’s team. The Rebels rank 19th nationally in shots per game.

Junior midfielder Addie McCain said if A&M plays how it has all season, her team has a great chance of beating future opponents. “Our goal is to just go out there and play soccer,” McCain said. “We want to keep the ball and out-possess them and hopefully come out on top. If we bring the energy and the effort and play our style of soccer, then we can matchup well against anybody.” Junior forward Taylor Ziemer said the matchup has implications for the postseason, but the team will approach the game like any other. “We just want to get three points,” Ziemer said. “We’re setting ourselves up going into the SEC tournament, so it’s a big game, but it’s like any other game. We want to win, and we want to finish the regular season on a strong note and go into the postseason doing well. The Aggies will host Ole Miss on Oct. 31 at Ellis Field. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on SEC Network +.

SHOE CONTINUED game. That can change everything. I say that in the locker room, ‘Don’t let your personal ego or ambitions override what we’re here to do as an organization, as a team.’ You can’t let those things happen.” Senior punter Braden Mann, who is also Prater’s roommate, didn’t see the play as it happened. He said Prater’s intentions were simply to retrieve Mond’s shoe. “He explained it to me perfectly,” Mann said. “He was just trying to get the shoe back, so he grabbed it, bumped into him a little bit, didn’t really hit him. The guy just kind of fell back and drew the flag. It was a good job on that dude’s part drawing the flag, but I know Prater just wanted the shoe back.” Mann said the incident was the talk of their house throughout the rest of the weekend. “Me and my other roommate are thinking about making a couple of yellow flags for around the house, just to kind of throw them around [and] bother Colton about it,” Mann said. The teasing may not stop there, though. “I need to go into his closet and steal a few shoes,” Mann said. The reasoning for the shoe theft remains a mystery as Mond said he never got the chance to ask Morgan about the incident. “I never talked to him after,” Mond said. “I was trying to talk to him, but the refs were kind of backing everyone up.” The shoe, Fisher said, was the most bizarre object he has ever seen an opponent take. “I’ve seen them grab a helmet because

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Junior wide receiver Kendrick Rogers get into an argument with Miss. St. players after on tried to walk off the field with Kellen Mond’s shoe.

they get ripped off sometimes,” Fisher said. “That I can remember, I’ve never seen them grab a shoe. That was a new one.” Mond said while that was the first time he’s ever had his shoe stolen during a game, opponents have taken other things. “They’ve taken my sleeve off,” Mond said.

“[A guy] kept one of my sleeves in high school. I don’t know why.” Reflecting on the shoe-stealing incident, Mond said he is baffled that it happened in the first place. “It’s weird,” Mond said. “I don’t know what he was thinking.”

Fisher said in the instance a situation like this one ever happens again, the best course of action for his team is to not react at all. “Let the official go get the shoe,” Fisher said. “They’re going to go get the shoe back [anyway]. It ain’t like they’re going to make him play without a shoe.”

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OPINION

The Battalion | 10.31.19

On Halloween night, you may find yourself wanting to sit back, relax and scare yourself out of sleeping. And if you’re looking to be made inexplicably uncomfortable or incredibly confused, this is the list for you. These horror movies ditch the conventional rules and gimmicks and instead offer some of the most artfully elaborate work the genre has to offer.

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“Possession” Director: Andrzej Żuławski Release: 1981 Runtime: 2 hours 07 minutes

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“Midsommar” Director: Ari Aster Release: 2019 Runtime: 2 hours 18 minutes

This movie got a lot of attention when it was released in theaters earlier this year, and I am here to let you know that the hype is 100% real. Coming from the same director as 2018’s “Hereditary,” I expected nothing less. Ari Aster has a real skill for using horror to tell stories of betrayal, breakups and loss. We watch the chaotic fate of a couple and their friends unravel as they visit the sun-bleached countryside inhabited by a pagan cult. What was meant to be a fun vacation soon turns into a drug-induced nightmare, one that happens to take place almost entirely in daylight. Aster employs arresting visuals to provoke a growing sense of inexplicable dread that is unmatched by many other modern horror movies.

By Kameryn Griesser @kamerynbethtamu

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“Funny Games” Director: Michael Haneke Release: 2007 Runtime: 1 hours 51 minutes

Let me be clear: Funny Games may very well be the worst time you have ever had watching a horror movie. Meant to serve as a critique of how violence is portrayed in the media, the movie is a torture porn without all the satisfying gore or revenge narratives. Director Micheal Haneke, decided to recreate his original 1997 film shot by shot, swapping the previous Austrian cast for an all-American family. After arriving at their summer lake house, the family soon falls victim to the pointless sadistic games of two white-collar home intruders. There are questions that will never be answered and resolutions that will never play out. Unlike the other movies on this list, Funny Games is strikingly grounded in the reality of these people being terrorized.

What really constitutes cultural appropriation and how it affects more than just Halloween @Shagunnevatia

very year around Halloween, the debate around cultural appropriation is resurrected again. The concept is derided by right-wing talk show hosts as leftist lunacy taking it too far, while left-wing activists see it as another attack on minorities. However, much of this mainstream dialogue revolves primarily around costumes, while other important aspects are left out of the spotlight. Amidst the debate, the line on what constitutes cultural appropriation has become blurred so much so that even innocuous cultural borrowing is condemned. But it can be difficult to distinguish between the topics, and here historical context becomes significant. Cultural borrowing, assimilation and appropriation are all different, and it is important to know the distinction between them. Cultural borrowing happens when two cultures exchange ideas of their own volition. But in the case of cultural appropriation, there is a power dynamic involved: a majority and a minority culture where the minority culture is socially, economically or politically weaker than the dominant culture. The majority culture takes practices, ideas and products from the minority culture for their own profit with no regard for their cultural significance. This is different from cultural assimilation in which members of a minority culture are forced to fit into the majority culture by adopting elements of the dom-

inant culture. But one must concede that, in reality, it is difficult to find exchanges between cultures that are equally matched. There is always a power dynamic, however small. There are also no cultures that are completely authentic; that is, there is practically no culture that has not been influenced by others. Cultures evolve by borrowing from each other, and the exchange of knowledge therein has helped us overcome many challenges. Because of this fluidity, it is difficult to ascribe the origin of an idea or practice to one singular group. Historical context can help decide the propriety of its usage. A good example of this would be dreadlocks. Their origin can be traced back to many ancient civilizations in India, Egypt, Greece and Africa. Hence, it would be inaccurate to say that they belong to any particular culture. But in the U.S., white celebrities sporting dreadlocks were condemned for their insensitivity. This may not be because the black community ‘owns’ the hairstyle, but because black people faced discrimination for it in the past. This historic oppression by white people makes this seemingly harmless adoption appalling. Thus, one must be mindful, especially if one enjoys relative privilege. Sacred objects should not be commoditized or used as props. This takes them out of their cultural context and can hurt minority sentiments, as was the case with Native American headdresses. If the object or idea is not sacred and is used commercially, then due credit and royalty should be given to

Director: David Lynch Release: 2005 Runtime: 3 hours 17 minutes

To call this film bizarre would be both an understatement and a disservice to the masterful complexity which Possession delivers in both theme and characters. A woman grows distant from her husband and their young child as she frequently leaves the house for mysterious reasons. What ensues after the husband’s discovery of her infidelity is a storm of catastrophic events fueled by their mutual hate, which turn from shocking to downright absurd. Director Andrzej Zuławski is known for genre-bending work that has divided his audiences. Blending the oppressive atmosphere of a cold war thriller, the romance of a love story and the special effects of a lovecraftian monster movie, “Possession” masters these mediums to craft his message. Both over-the-top physicality and theatrical acting are paired with bold camerawork to push each scene forward at a fast pace. What emerges from the nightmarish combination of hypersexual monstrosities and the disorienting nature of the supernatural is a striking investigation of faith and spirituality. One thing is certain: this is not your average case of demonic possession.

Cultural appropriation: Not just costumes Shagun Nevatia

“Inland Empire”

the concerned parties. It is also important to engage with the culture at more than just a visual level. When part of a cultural exchange, one should make an effort to learn about the culture beyond its stereotypical representations. This debate also needs to move beyond the confines of costumes. There are many more ways in which it affects our lives. Native American medicine has risen in popularity in recent years. Along with it, the number of non-Native “plastic shamans,” has also increased. This marginalizes Native shamans while appropriating their practices and knowledge, not to mention that they also distort Native beliefs through their actions. Another palpable effect of appropriation is gentrification of neighborhoods. Wealthy white people move into lowrent neighborhoods that they find hip and trendy, displacing their original residents who are mostly black or Hispanic. This is problematic because while the new residents like the culture, they exclude the very communities that nurtured it. These issues affect people year round, and yet they are not discussed as much as insensitive costumes. I am not saying that it is wrong to borrow or be inspired by other cultures and their ideas. But when so much of our history has been about majority cultures irresponsibly stealing from minority ones, it is imperative that we stop and think before any sort of cultural exchange. Shagun Nevatia is a civil engineering graduate student and opinion writer for The Battalion.

Inland Empire earns the top spot on this list despite not really being a “horror” movie at all. The horror of David Lynch’s magnum opus is derived from subconscious truths, not real ones. There isn’t a clear description that one could provide for the storyline of this movie. The film follows a seemingly disjointed and nonlinear plot complete with twisting character identities, vague dialogue and a dreamlike sense of time and place. This is a movie you could watch three times over and the mystery of it would still cloud your mind like the fleeting details of a dream. Between themes of burgeoning Hollywood stardom, infidelity, trauma and sex trafficking, there are deliberately hidden consistencies that the viewers are left to find themselves. In his typical fashion, Lynch gives no more than a vague clue about the plot: “A woman has very bad things happen to her.” Although I would like to say there is something in the movie for anyone open-minded enough, I do recommend watching some of Lynch’s previous work beforehand to get a sense of how he approaches storytelling. Regardless of what you take from the movie, there are sequences and scenes that will follow you forever… or at least into your dreams for a while.