2015 09 10 The Crimson White

SERV SERVING VIN ING G TH THE HE U UNIVERSITY NIV VER ERSI SITY SI TY O OF F ALAB AL A AMA A SI S NC CE 18 894 ALABAMA SINCE 1894

WEEKEND WEEK WE EKEN EK END EN D EDITION E IT ED TIO ON | SEP SEPTEMBER PTE EMB MBER 10, 2015 VOLU UME 1 22 | ISSUE 16 VOLUME 122

PEDAL POWER

#UAPD

10 Major problem The English Department has seen a 26 percent decrease since 2011 in the number of declared English majors.

4 Dixieland denial Our columnists share their thoughts on whether “Dixieland Delight” should be played in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

CW / Layton Dudley

This semester, students can expect to see an increase in the number of UAPD bike patrol officers around different parts of campus on certain days. See page 6.

INSIDE briefs 2 news 3 opinions 4 culture 9 sports 16

CONTACT email editor@cw.ua.edu website cw.ua.edu twitter @TheCrimsonWhite

2

THURSDAY September 10, 2015

SCENE ON CAMPUS Morgan Jackson, a senior from Birmingham majoring in Dance and PR, takes her new puppy on a tour of campus Wednesday afternoon. CW / Shelby Akin

cw.ua.edu P.O. Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Newsroom: 348-6144 Fax: 348-8036 Advertising: 348-7845

EDITORIAL editor-in-chief

Sean Landry editor@cw.ua.edu

print managing editor digital managing editor

Kelly Ward Alyx Chandler

visuals editor

Noah Huguley

opinions editor

Leigh Terry

chief copy editor

Alexis Faire

Matthew Wilson

sports editor

Kayla Montgomery

photo editor

Layton Dudley Patrick Maddox

lead designer

Sarah Huff Moore

community manager

Dominique Taylor

social media editor

Colin Burwinkel

ADVERTISING advertising manager

Emanuel Adelson (205) 223-5578 cwadmanager@gmail.com

territory manager

Dee Griffin (334) 349-2473 territorymanager1@gmail.com

special projects manager

Michael Lollar (205) 317-7992 osmspecialprojects@gmail.com

creative services manager

Public talk

Flu shots offered on-campus

WHAT: Donald Gilstrap interviewing for position of Dean of Libraries WHEN: Thursday 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.

WHERE: 205 Gorgas Library

Farmer’s market WHAT: Homegrown Alabama WHEN: Thursday 3 - 6 p.m.

WHERE: Canterbury Episcopal Church Lawn

Starting this week, the University’s College of Community Health Sciences leads a campaign aimed at vaccinating students, faculty and staff against the flu. Students can find locations for shots all across campus, including the Quad, University buildings and residence halls throughout September and October.

Nurses from the College’s University Medical Center, the University’s Student Health Center and the Capstone College of Nursing are administering the vaccines.

Students, faculty and staff can also visit the

University Medical Center and its Faculty-Staff Clinic to receive the flu shot. Spouses and children of employees can also receive the vaccine for free at the flu shot stations or the Faculty-Staff Clinic at the University Medical Center.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people six months and older get a flu shot annually.

A list of dates, times and locations can be found at cchs.ua.edu/flushot.

Compiled by Elizabeth Elkin

Elizabeth Elkin

culture editor

multimedia editor

CAMPUS BRIEFS

Peyton Shepard

features editor

news editor

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mille Eiborg (205) 614-1457 cwcreativemanager@gmail.com

is the community newspaper of The University of Alabama. The Crimson White is an editorially free newspaper produced by students.The University of Alabama cannot influence editorial decisions and editorial opinions are those of the editorial board and do not represent the official opinions of the University. Advertising offices of The Crimson White are in room 1014, Student Media Building, 414 Campus Drive East. The advertising mailing address is P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. The Crimson White (USPS 138020) is published two times weekly when classes are in session during Fall and Spring Semester except for Labor Day, the Monday after Spring Break and the Monday after Thanksgiving, and once a week when school is in session for the summer. Marked calendar provided. The Crimson White is provided for free up to three issues. Any other papers are $1.00. The subscription rate for The Crimson White is $125 per year. Checks should be made payable to The University of Alabama and sent to: The Crimson White Subscription Department, P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.

The Crimson White is entered as periodical postage at Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Crimson White, P.O. Box 870170, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. All material contained herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright © 2015

by The Crimson White and protected under the “Work Made for Hire” and “Periodical Publication” categories of the U.S. copyright laws. Material herein may not be reprinted without the expressed, written permission of The Crimson White.

Faculty recital

UA public relations specialist

WHAT: Tom Wolfe, guitar WHEN: Thursday 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

WHERE: 125 Concert Hall Moody Music Building

University Programs event WHAT: Late Night Glow in the Dark Kickball WHEN: Thursday 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.

WHERE: Presidential Park

Betsy Plank, public relations specialist and namesake of The University of Alabama’s Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, was inducted posthumously into the 2015 Southern Public Relations Hall of Fame.

The Southern Public Relations Hall of Fame recognizes accomplishments, commitment and leadership of those in the field from the southeastern United States.

For more information, visit sprfr.org/index.php/ awards/hall-of-fame.

Compiled by Elizabeth Elkin

Financial planning consultation WHAT: VALIC individual counseling sessions WHEN: Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

WHERE: G-54 Rose Administration

Sports lecture WHAT: Leslie Claybrook, Southeastern Conference; Phil Savage, Reese’s Senior Bowl/Crimson Tide Sports Marketing on-Air Talent; Jenn Chapman, WVUA Sports Anchor WHEN: Friday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

WHERE: 310 Bidgood Hall

Students meet global partners On Friday, Sept. 11, 30 students from the Intro to Global Studies course will meet with 30 international students and participate in one-on-one conversations.

According to Fran Oneal, this gives students an opportunity to see what it is like to be an international student and introduces them to different cultures.

The meeting on Friday is the first of ten meetings for the students. Throughout the semester, the students will meet again and talk more about their different experiences at the University, their life experiences and personal views.

According to Oneal, she has received a tremendous response from international students.

Oneal said that for American students, this is a chance to learn about other countries and ways of life without studying abroad.

Compiled by Nick Privitera

VISIT US ONLINE

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OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS “Every citizen has a right to inspect and take a copy of any public writing of this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by statue.”

From statue 36.12.40 of the Code of Alabama

UAPD REQUEST REQUEST: Documents related to an ongoing UAPD internal investigation, first reported to The Crimson White in February 2015 BY: Sean Landry TO: Deborah Lane, associate vice president for University relations REQUEST DATE: Feb. 19, 2015 STATUS: Ongoing, pending conclusion of investigation

ADMINISTRATION REQUEST REQUEST: Any and all emails, memorandums and internal communications sent to or from UA Administrators regarding the song ‘Dixieland Delight’ BY: Kayla Montgomery TO: Deborah Lane REQUEST DATE: Aug. 19, 2015 STATUS: “There are no records responsive to your request.”

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3 Meet the family: SGA leaders talk office life Editor | Elizabeth Elkin newsdesk@cw.ua.edu Thursday, September 10, 2015

By Arielle Lipan | Staff Reporter

At The University of Alabama, it’s important that the student body thinks of the SGA as a governing family - a family there to help with everything from new campus initiatives to cat troubles.

President Elliot Spillers dedicates his whole self to his role in the SGA, even taking his work from his home in the SGA office to his home off-campus, he said.

“My girlfriend, she hates me for it, but, you know, she supports me and gives me advice,” he said.

It’s no surprise Spillers takes his work home with him since his roommate and close friend is Chisholm Allenlundy, his chief of staff. In his position, Allenlundy works closely with the executive cabinet to make sure that all of the paperwork and processes that go into starting a project get done. Allenlundy supplies the extra hands that Spillers needs in order to complete all of his campaign promises.

If needed, he said he can also supply sultry background music, thanks to his years in the Million Dollar Band as an alto saxophonist.

Together, they are gearing up for a possible diversity caucus in November, collaborating with Spencer Cornelius, the director of engagement, and

organizations like SafeZone. Spillers will be sitting in meetings when he can with other SEC SGAs to tackle the issue of inclusion across all SEC campuses.

“I work with everyone to form this community that is SGA,” he said.

He occasionally gets up close and personal with the work, but most of the time, he delegates to Allenlundy.

“It’s so hard for me because I’m so Type A,” Spillers said. “I have this tendency to be the helicopter parent who just hovers, which is not good, but I’m learning. It’s a process.”

Since Spillers is the SGA’s designated helicopter parent, Executive Vice President Polly Ricketts is the super supportive mom.

“We’re kind of a team,” Ricketts said.

“I call him my work husband because we talk all the time.”

Ricketts’ boyfriend, Snacks, gets along well with her work husband and her other boyfriend.

Snacks is a cat.

“We always joke we’re going to make him a miniature white house and put it in here, but he’s never actually been here,” she said.

So, if any of the student body needs tips on how to take care of a cat during their college years, Ricketts is the one in the know.

Other than doling out cat lovings,

Students are encouraged to come to the SGA for anything, whether it’s about new campus initiatives or pet issues. CW / Layton Dudley

Ricketts said she ran for executive VP because, as a senior, she wants to help the other, younger SGAers succeed and help continue the initiatives she started last year.

Also, because she was executive secretary l a st ye a r, she wants to work closely with Katrina Swarthout, this year’s executive secretary. “[As executive vice president] you’re literally helping every vice

president with any initiatives they might have,” Ricketts said.

Right now Ricketts is helping Swarthout with Ask SGA, an initiative Ricketts started last year to make SGA more accessible to the student body, and organizing a spring concert for the college.

This year’s SGA has constantly stressed their want to be here for the student body, and now the student body knows just what to ask.

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Editor | Leigh Terry opinions@cw.ua.edu Thursday, September 10, 2015

OPPOSING VIEWS | DIXIELAND DELIGHT

Students weigh in on nowinfamous stadium staple ‘Dixieland Delight’ CW File

Tonight, the University of Alabama Student Government Association Senate will hold a meeting to debate whether they should support the song “Dixieland Delight” playing in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Upon hearing about the event, Jeff Rogers wrote to our page in opposition of the song’s playing. SGA Senator Patrick Fitzgerald, accepted our invitation to respond.

To that end, The Crimson White is proud

to present the opposing views of these two students, specifically focusing on whether or not the UA Athletics Department should play “Dixieland Delight” at home football games. I encourage you to research further

into this debate with both views in mind.

Leigh Terry is a senior majoring in economics. She is the Opinions Editor of The Crimson White.

Respect UA’s legacy with dignity

Represent student body’s wishes

By Jeff Rogers | Guest Columnist

By Patrick Fitzgerald | Guest Columnist

In the scripture of Alabama football, Bear Bryant’s words are written in red ink. Somewhere in one of the epistles, he is quoted saying, “It’s awfully important to win with humility.” It seems that, in the last few years, this truism has been thrown out of our fanbase’s collective consciousness.

Being an Alabama football fan sure has been easy lately, especially for those students who don’t remember seasons of the mid-2000s and the 21 vacated wins of 2005-07. Today, we’ve got the best coaching staff in the game, the greatest gameday experience in the country and players who work their tails off year round to compete at the highest levels week in and week out. Unfortunately, when 101,821 disciples of Bear congregate in BryantDenny Stadium and hear “Dixieland Delight,” any dignity of held by our program is thrown out of the window by a well-hydrated student section.

After we in the south endzone of Bryant-Denny yelled “F*** Auburn” no less than 20 times during last year’s Iron Bowl, the Athletic Department thought to itself, “Maybe we shouldn’t play Dixieland Delight anymore.”

And that’s a good decision. If this song comes on the stadium speakers, every person (toddler to grandparent) in the stadium, every reporter in the press box and every television viewer watching our games across the country will hear those words and judge our University. That’s a shame.

We attend a school steeped in the finest tradition in the game of football. Over 60 years of captains’ footprints and handprints mark our quad around Denny Chimes; we were the first and most successful Southern football team to ever play in the Rose Bowl; we’ve won more post-season contests than anyone else; we officially claim 15 national championships and could easily claim another five

(’45, ’62, ’66, ’75, ’77). With that in mind, how do we as students choose to carry this tradition forward? We taint it with arrogance even though, from the bleachers, we are only spectators of the game, and we still manage to put our worst foot forward. Well, I think we all know better than that.

When you’re growing up playing sports, how do your coaches tell you to act after you make a big play? “Act like you’ve been there before” is usually what I heard; win with humility. That generally involved a quick and respectful celebration before a swift return to business. As a student body in the stands, I would like to see us act like we’ve been there before – because we have. We know what it looks like to win a game, and we often take pride in being seasoned winners. I’d like to be able to take pride in how we celebrate that.

We can still be loud and disruptive to opponents’ efforts without stooping to crass and offensive language on a national stage.

This piece isn’t meant to point any fingers – I have shouted those words in the fervor that is fourth quarter Alabama Football. Rather, as we discuss the effort to bring back “Dixieland Delight” to Bryant-Denny, I want everyone to consider what this song and our actions represent.

When we scream profane words about a game, are we behaving with the sportsmanship and class our tradition suggests we possess?

To the SGA Senators, lead the student body with dignity, and reject any legislation supporting this song. To the University administrators whom this issue concerns, stand by your decision and keep this song out of our stadium. To fans everywhere, let’s show our school spirit by respecting the legacy that’s been handed to us.

Jeff Rogers is a junior majoring in chemical engineering.

“Dixieland Delight” has been a part of every current senior’s gameday experience since they set foot in Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time as freshmen. Sports have proven time and time again to be some of the greatest unifiers of mankind. Outside of when Alabama scores a touchdown, the fan base might not be more unified and energized at any other point of a football game than it is during “Dixieland Delight.” I think back to my freshman year to the LSU game when our fan base was energized to the point that we were recorded on the Richter scale.

The student body has taken great interest in having the song reinstated, which excites me.

There are some who believe that “Dixieland Delight” should not be reinstated because of the threat that we will get it taken away again if students sing the wrong additions to the song’s chorus again.

I was worried about that, too. That’s why I am submitting a resolution to the Senate that suggests that the Athletics Department should put more appropriate additional lines for the chorus on the jumbotron. This would put the ball in the court of the student body.

We would either take responsibility and reform to keep this unifying song a tradition on game days, or we would revert to the 2014 Iron Bowl and lose it for good.

Do I know what would happen if we get the song back? Absolutely not. I do, however, feel that we should find out by giving the students the chance to come together, step up and make a positive change for

Alabama gamedays.

I am a firm believer that if the Senate passes resolutions to bring back “Dixieland Delight,” encourage good sportsmanship on game days and suggest to the UA Athletic Department to have more appropriate additional verses on the jumbotron, we will make hearing “Dixieland Delight” on game days much less of a fight and much more of a right. I am excited and optimistic to see what will happen in the SGA over the coming days and weeks.

For those who feel that this has been a waste of time on a non-issue on campus, look at all the people that have taken part of this grassroots movement. People do care about this song coming back. I feel it’s nothing short of the government’s responsibility to do everything it can to speak up for the people it represents.

That’s exactly what we have done over the last few days in this effort. I hope to take this opportunity to show the student body how much potential we have to be players in the campus political process. I want to show that we are as strong and capable as we can be when we have unified participation.

I want to spark the interests of students and pose the question, “If we could organize to bring change for this issue, why not for bigger issues like campus poverty? Why not finding a fix for the SGA budget that continually fails to be adequate for clubs and organizations to operate for a full year?”

Students need to ask more than ever, “Why not?”

... we will make hearing “Dixieland Delight” on game days much less of a fight and much more of a right.

EDITORIAL BOARD

WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS

Sean Landry editor-in-chief Alyx Chandler features editor Peyton Shepard print managing editor Noah Huguley visuals editor Kelly Ward digital managing editor Alexis Faire chief copy editor Leigh Terry opinions editor

Send submissions to letters@cw.ua.edu.

Submissions must include the author’s name, year, major and daytime phone number. Phone numbers are for verification and will not be published. The Crimson

White reserves the right to edit all guest columns and letters to the editor. The opinions contained on this page do not represent the editorial position of The Crimson White Media Group.

Patrick Fitzgerald is a junior majoring in marketing. He serves as a Student Government Association Senator for 2015-2016.

Last Week’s Poll: Are you a feminist?

(Yes: 53%) (No: 47%) This Week’s Poll: Should “Dixieland Delight” be played in Bryant-Denny Stadium? cw.ua.edu

5

OPINIONS Thursday, September 10, 2015 COLUMN | EDUCATION BUDGET

Education budget must be protected to safeguard Alabama’s future

By Dr. Robert Witt | Guest Columnist

Legislators return to Montgomery this week for a second special legislative session to address the $200 million shortfall in the General Fund budget. It is critical to the economic future of our state that our ability to invest in education, workforce development, economic development and jobs through the education budget is recognized and protected during the coming debates.

We are fortunate in Alabama that our Constitution requires our state to operate on balanced budgets for the simple reason that balanced budgets must be prioritized, forcing our leaders to make difficult and fiscally responsible decisions. We are also fortunate that we have a separate budget that ensures funding of education on all levels is maintained and protected.

To date, various proposals to solve the shortfall in the General Fund have failed to gain support. Those proposals include significant cuts to essential public agencies and services (public safety, mental health, prisons, Medicaid and hospitals), tax proposals, potentially devastating raids of the Education Trust Fund and various gaming proposals.

It is vitally important that the leaders and citizens of Alabama focus on

practical solutions to the very real challenges we face. Investing in education is an investment in workforce development, jobs, economic development and an improved quality of life for our citizens.

Investing taxpayer dollars in education and economic development provides an economic and social return on that investment that is unmatched and fiscally responsible.

Diverting education resources ensures that our education system on every level will lack the necessary resources to provide our children with the education they need and deserve to be successful in their lives. Also of grave concern, a raid on the Education Trust Fund exposes education to the devastating effects of proration.

Consequently, our economy will continue to stagnate, incomes will continue to lag behind national and regional averages and the quality of life of our citizens will not improve.

During the regular 2015 legislative session, a bipartisan coalition of leaders in both the House and Senate affirmed their strong support for education by passing the education budget unanimously in both chambers. We are grateful for their efforts to protect education funding and we encourage the governor and legislature to stand steadfast in their commitment to education and

WHO TO KNOW TUSCALOOSA AREA REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS Rep. Bill Poole

Rep. Artis McCampbell

• (334) 242-7624 • bill.poole@alhouse.gov

• (334) 242-7747 • artis.mccampbell@alhouse.gov

Rep. Chris England

Sen. Greg Reed

• (334) 242-7703 • cengland1@hotmail.com

• (334) 242-7894 • greg.reed@alsenate.gov

Rep. Rich Wingo

Sen. Gerald Allen

• (334) 242-7600 • rich@blackwaterresources.com

• (334) 242-7889 • gerald.allen@alsenate.gov

Rep. Alan Harper

Sen. Bobby Singleton

• (334) 242-7732 • salanharper@gmail.com

• (334) 242-7935 • bsingle362@gmail.com

resist threats to divert resources away from education.

We commend the governor and the many education supporters in the legislature and across our state for their strong support. As legislators return to Montgomery, we hope you will contact your senators and representatives today to remind them that

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Dr. Robert Witt is Chancellor of The University of Alabama System and President of the Alabama Council of College and University Presidents.

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6

NEWS

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Pedal to the metal University Police bike patrol hit the streets CW / Layton Dudley

SEE UAPD PAGE 7

We know that things happen,

We’re here if they do.

Attending a large university can offer many challenges.

Mistakes will happen and if they do, we’re here to help!

Our convenient app allows students to notify us of their arrest before they even reach the jail---allowing a prompt response.

Tuscaloosa,

I am your bondsman!

7

NEWS Thursday, September 10, 2015 FROM UAPD PAGE 6

By Patrick Smith and Alyx Chandler | CW Staff

Brakes squeal and neon vests come into sight. The wheels of two skateboards take a sudden halt Wednesday, as do the wheels of a UAPD police motorcycle — one of many hanging out around campus.

Dozens of students pass this new—but recently recurring— scene, some staring uncomfortably, some curiously, as the two girls previously skateboarding look confused about the current situation. They glance, stunned, at the officer standing in front of them, ticket book in hand, scribbling with a pen.

Molly Moroney and her friend both received a written warning from the officer for skating in the bike lane in front of Gorgas Library. They were both unaware what they were doing is illegal.

“I got a warning for riding in the bike lane as a skateboarder,” Moroney said. “You have to be on the sidewalk, apparently. If I get stopped again, it’s a $287 ticket.”

The UAPD has recently been heavily enforcing traffic laws when it comes to bikers and skateboarders on campus, especially with the use of bike patrol.

Moroney and her friend aren’t alone with these occurrences.

Kyle Goodwin, a senior who

rides a bike and a skateboard on campus, said the first time he’s was pulled over on campus was during his sophomore year while he was on a skateboard.

His offense? Skating in a bike lane, too.

“It doesn’t make sense that they would put you on the sidewalk with the skateboard where you can potentially hit people,” Goodwin said. “It seems like what they’re trying to do right now is scare people out of it.”

A n o t h e r student, Kit Lacoste, a junior, has been pulled over twice while riding his skateboard, once when he was coming around the parking lot at the Ferg and another time coming down Hackberry toward University. He was told it was a two-strike system. The police give one written warning and then a ticket. “$287 is more than a speeding ticket,” Lacoste said. “It’s just an astronomical figure.”

Chris Bryant, research communications director and assistant director of media relations, said the increase of bike patrol

is, on some days, higher than in years past.

“It’s an effective way to maneuver around campus, and it enables officers to more easily and frequently interact with the campus community,” Bryant said.

Warnings don’t stop once classes are over, and Goodwin said one of his warnings was late at night.

“I didn’t think it was something that was enforced on a college campus when there’s no students or cars around,” Goodwin said.

Many of the two-wheeled riders traveling to class remain out of the know their cur— Kit Lacoste on rent laws for bikes, skates, longboards and roller skates on campus.

When the UAPD officers pull over students on campus for riding illegally, most are given a pamphlet about bike safety to try to educate students.

Bryant said that most moving violations written for bikes are on University or Bryant Drive.

“They should probably send an email telling people you can’t be in the bike lane if you’re not a biker,” Morony said.

$287 is more than a speeding ticket. It’s just an astronomical figure.

WHAT TO KNOW RIDING RESTRICTED BY TIME OR PLACE In order to enhance the accident-free passage of both pedestrians and cyclists, the following riding restrictions are instituted: • Cyclists should ride their vehicles on campus in bike lanes or in traffic lanes in accordance with Alabama State Law. If heavy pedestrian traffic occurs, it is expected that riders will dismount in deference to pedestrians.

• Cyclists will walk their vehicles in pedestrian areas.

• UAPD on bicycles will be exempt from the above described restrictions in order to provide enforcement, efficient patrol service and emergency response, consistent with their specialized training and the guidance of their supervisors.

• Violations of the law may be addressed by law enforcement officers. Violations of University policy may be addressed as appropriate via a Student Non-academic Misconduct citation (SNAM).

ENFORCEMENT In order to preserve the intent and the integrity of any policy, there must always be a means to encourage compliance. The office of Transportation Services is charged with enforcement action where fines, penalties or other actions against the cyclist or owner may be necessary. Transportation Services will be involved in removing bicycles that may be parked and/or secured in an inappropriate manner and/or location. Violations of law may be addressed by law enforcement, and violations of the Student Code of Conduct may be addressed by Judicial Affairs.

Source: bamaparking.ua.edu

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NEWS

Thursday, September 10, 2015

WE NEED A

HERO Students who download the app can allow friends or family to track them as they walk. CW / Amy Sullivan

App encourages safety

By Dustin Ginsberg | Staff Reporter

Phone apps aren’t just for updating your Facebook status and uploading your lunch to Instagram. Developers are working on apps designed especially to keep college students safe on and off campus. The Companion app is doing just that.

Developed by five college students who felt the need for such an app, the goal is to help students feel safer in their college environment.

Lexie Ernst, coowner of the app, explained how it works.

“Using the app is very easy,” Ernst said. “All a user has to do is input their destination, add a few ‘Companions’ from their contact list and the app handles the rest. If a user goes off route, doesn’t make it to their destination on time, falls, starts running or has their headphones yanked out, Companion checks in to make sure the user is OK. If a user does not respond that they are OK within 15 seconds, the contacts they selected are notified to check in on them.”

According to the website, companionapp.io, friends or family don’t have to download the app to be your “Companions.” The website says these companions are able

to track students as they travel to their destination.

Ernst added that the app has additional features as well.

“There is also an ‘I Feel Nervous’ button that allows a user to manually alert their contacts that they are feeling unsafe, and we hope to use this data to work with public safety departments in order to make certain areas more secure for the future,” she said. “Users also have the ability to directly contact the police from within the app with a ‘Call Police’ button.”

Ernst said the app is available on the Google — Lexie Ernst Play store and the Apple app store and that they are currently working on an iWatch app that will include a heart rate monitor.

“We’ve received such an amazing response from our local communities and the global community at large,” she said. “The overwhelmingly positive response that we’ve gotten regarding our work has reaffirmed the fact that personal safety is an important and relevant issue for all demographics that needs to be addressed.”

The app can be downloaded by searching “Companion” in the app store or by visiting their website: companionapp.io.

All the user has to do is input their destination, add a few ‘Companions’ from their contact list and the app handles the rest.

Will it be you?

Send us a lip sync video. The favorite video performers will appear live on stage Sept. 25 competing for the top prize that includes a Yeti cooler.

Enter today.

Submit your best lip sync video at

lipsynchero.ua.edu

Lip Sync Hero

September 25 7 pm Ferguson Center Theatre

9

CULTURE Thursday, September 10, 2015

Black Jacket Symphony to perform in Tuscaloosa

By Sam West | Contributing Writer

The Black Jacket Symphony will perform AC/DC’s “Back in Black� at the Bama Theatre tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. Photo courtesy of Aaron Reynolds

Rock aficionados who have always wanted to hear songs like “Hells Bells� and “You Shook Me All Night Long� live in concert will finally have the opportunity Friday.

The Black Jacket Symphony, a group of professional musicians who attempt to recreate classic albums as closely as possible, will put on a performance of AC/DC’s “Back in Black� at the Bama Theatre. The show will feature a performance of the classic album in its entirety. “We’re basically going back through the canon of classic albums and performing these like a symphony would pay attention to a Mozart piece. Well, we do the same thing with an album,� said J. Willoughby, the founder of the group.

Willoughby describes himself as the Black Jacket Symphony’s “producer,� and he’s the only consistent force behind the group. There’s no permanent slate of musicians in the ensemble, as new artists are hired for each album the band covers.

The Black Jacket Symphony has put on performances of 28 different albums including The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,� Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,� and, most recently, a grunge-themed show featuring Nirvana.

After Willoughby has chosen an album, he then closely analyzes it to figure out how to convey the sound of the record on stage. He takes minute details into account, including the year and make of the gear the band used when recording.

Willoughby said he takes the hiring process very seriously, and likens the process to assembling a football team, where teamwork is as important as individual skill.

Unlike many other cover bands, the

PLAN TO GO WHAT: Black Jacket Symphony WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday WHERE: Bama Theatre

Black Jacket Symphony does not attempt to look like the band to whom they’re paying tribute. Willoughby describes this as part of his goal to make the group a “classy� and “distinguished� way to see classic rock music performed live. “We’re not kitschy,� he said. “We’re not dressing up like [the Beatles]. We’re not trying to. We’re not pretending to be them, speaking in the same Liverpudlian accent.

When you see a Mozart concert, you don’t see a symphony wearing powdered wigs and speaking in Austrian accents.

They just play the music, and that’s what we are doing.�

Willoughby was tight-lipped about the group’s next project and said that it was a secret to the intermission of the “Back in Black� show.

Aaron Reynolds works for Emporium Presents, the Black Jacket Symphony’s promoter. “I believe people love the Black Jacket Symphony because it gives them the closest opportunity to seeing one of their favorite classic artists – many of whom are dead or no longer touring – in a live setting at an affordable ticket price,� Reynolds said.

David Allgood, manager of the Bama Theatre, said that Black Jacket Symphony shows always generate good, responsive crowds. “They are very technically proficient musicians; the recreation of the songs are eerily accurate,� Allgood said.

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10

CULTURE

Thursday, September 10, 2015

For the love of words UA English Department sees decrease in majors The English department has seen a decline in liberal arts majors because of the popular belief that English majors don’t make money. CW / Amy Sullivan

In the aged, yellowed walkways of Morgan Hall, up the seemingly endless flights of stairs, English majors dig into novels with an ease and confidence that outside of Morgan is often silenced by adverse opinions, or in some cases, panic about future careers or pay. People outside of the English field voice concerns of dying career options, but the faculty and students who call Morgan home don’t share this belief.

They know better.

Though that criticism may have caused the number of English majors at universities across the country, including at The University of Alabama, to decline over the years, it does not mean it’s true. The faculty and students in the University’s English department prove the program is as vibrant as ever and vitally important in preparing students for their professional careers.

Practically every English major began their love affair with the written word at a young age. Describing themselves as glorified bookworms and lovers of literature, professors and students alike find themselves at the mercy of their passion.

“I was a voracious reader when I was a kid,” said Andy Crank, an English professor as well as the faculty advisor for the English honors society, Sigma Tau Delta.

“At one point when I was 11 or 12, I just started reading anything I could get my hands on. I would just be at the library for hours. When I went to school, I found that I had a skill set for all the classes that involved reading and writing. It became clear that I had an aptitude for [English].”

A love for reading was the jumpingoff point as well for Joel Brouwer, the chair of the English department, who has witnessed what he believes to be positive changes in the department since he was studying English and creative writing at Sarah-Lawrence and Syracuse University.

“The department of English traditionally has been associated with the study

of literary history, but today we are more focused on not just the content of literary history but also a certain set of reading and writing skills,” Brouwer said.

“One really important skill that I think we bring to our majors is the ability to read texts critically and then respond to them in clear writing and also through effective verbal communication.”

Demand for that specific skill set is slowing down, Brouwer said, and the human aspect involving writers, marketers and educators is growing. Studying English offers students a thorough background in communication skills necessary to perform well in an interview, write a strong cover letter, argue an opinion and think critically.

“Yes, we read a lot,” said Ashley Seiss, a senior majoring in English. “But it’s not like a book club the entire time. You break down every single thing, developing your ability to properly articulate how you feel about something and discuss those things and debate them.”

Amanda Bennett, a senior majoring in English and African American studies, came to the English department with an appreciation for the marginalized voices that English studies helps push to the forefront and the opportunity for activism it allows and encourages.

“You can actually go out into the world and apply what you learn in your discipline to helping other people,” Bennett said. “Some of our greatest authors that we’ve studied have also been activists.”

Humanities majors are often harpooned in the media and popular culture for their alleged lack of worth, but many refuse to account for English’s strengths in professional development.

“Choosing a major is not necessarily choosing a profession,” Crank said.

“Choosing a major is choosing to engage in something you think of as a stepping stone to your potential profession. And if that’s the case, then English has got to be one of the most valuable majors out there because of the lessons it teaches and how it encourages critical thinking.”

DECLINE IN ENGLISH MAJORS 26%

600

decrease since 2011

500 Number of English majors

By Becca Murdoch | Contributing Writer

400 300 200 100 0

2009

2010

2011

2012 Year

With faculty members like Crank, Brouwer and other acclaimed scholars such as Trudier Harris, the University’s resident expert in African American literature, and Michael Martone, a prolific writer and creative writing instructor, students who choose to major in English are in safe hands.

“The faculty that we have are very knowledgeable and incredibly passionate about what they teach,” Seiss said.

“I could write you a paper on every instructor I’ve had and how incredible they are.”

Housed in Morgan Hall, which Seiss and Crank both described as having a lot of “character,” the English department is home to around 400 English majors. With a comprehensive list of focuses, the English major spans a

2013

2014 CW / Peyton Shepard

broad array of topics.

“There’s just a lot of excitement and energy and activity and resources in this department, and when you couple that with the tremendous faculty,” Crank said. “I think it’s exciting for me as a faculty member to come into work everyday, so it’s got be exciting for students.”

Seiss, like many English majors, said she would not trade her experiences in the storied corridors of Morgan Hall for anything.

“If you’re considering [majoring in English], don’t discount it and don’t let what other people say discourage you,” Seiss said. “There are so many opportunities for growth. If you like reading and you like a tight-knit community, it’s a great place to be.”

11

CULTURE Thursday, September 10, 2015 HIDDEN GEMS | TACO MAMA

Taco Mama has a full bar and fan favorites include quesadillas and specialty burritos. CW / Shelby Akin

Stay hungry and be thirsty at local Taco Mama

By Bailey Shoenberger | Staff Reporter

On any given night, Taco Mama in downtown Tuscaloosa is sure to be filled with loud conversations and laughter.

It’s a place where friends gather to share good food and relax after a long day of school or work. Upon walking into the spacious building, the vibrant art hanging from the walls and the abundance of colored lights gives Taco Mama a sense of energy even when business is slow, which it rarely is.

“We’ve got a great atmosphere; it’s very inviting, relaxing and fun,” said general manager Justin Vinson.

The back patio is decorated with twinkle lights, making Taco Mama a warm and colorful dining experience.

“Their porch area is dog friendly, so you can bring your dog with you, sit there and have dinner,” said Lauren Browning, a graduate student studying emotion and motivation.

Browning said she enjoys spending time at Taco Mama with her dog and fiancé while enjoying their Sangria margarita. Upbeat music pulses throughout the building, ranging from classic rock and pop hits to lesser-known indie bands. Graduate student Hunter Threadgill said Taco Mama was one of his favorite locations in Tuscaloosa.

“It’s a super chill atmosphere where you can go to have a meal after school,” Threadgill said. “They always play great music. It’s good food at a good price.”

The menu is just as colorful as the building itself. Every item on the menu is customizable, with buildyour-own options on one side of the menu and standard specialties on the other side.

“What I really like is that you can build your own meal, and you can get as many of their toppings as you want,” Threadgill said. “For example, I like to get the nachos, and I put about 20-25

toppings on for one low price, so I can create my meal for whatever I’m feeling that day.”

Although Tuscaloosa may not be famous for its Mexican food, Taco Mama steps up to the plate by providing flavor and variety to the meals.

“Everything we do is made by hand every day,” Vinson said. “We always use fresh produce and make everything from scratch.”

Some fan favorites include the quesadillas and specialty burritos. However, Taco Mama keeps it fresh by adding non-traditional Mexican items to the menu as well.

“An item that not a lot of people know about is the Mexican Mac and Cheese,” Vinson said. “It’s a four-cheese macaroni that we make every day. We make the cheese sauce ourselves and then top it with our queso [cheese].”

Taco Mama also has a full bar and is famous for their margaritas. No

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“I feel in love with the food,” Vinson said. “The atmosphere, it’s a very laid back company and they treat their employees very well. It’s a fun place to work.”

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12

SPORTS

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Spread team offers test

Alabama wants to fix mistakes

By Terrin Waack | Staff Reporter

By Terrin Waack | Staff Reporter

Take a deep breath. Slow down.

Quickly move on to the next play.

Those are three steps the Alabama defense is going to have to follow in order to prosper against Middle Tennessee State University this Saturday. As a fast pace, no-huddle team, MTSU is expected to keep Alabama on its toes.

“It’s always a challenge for the defense when we play these kinds of teams,” coach Nick Saban said.

The pace of its play is going to be one of the challenges Alabama is going to face during its game.

This kind of offense is more commonly seen now than it used to be, Saban said. It requires a lot of different things. Players have to learn how to adjust and keep up with the pace. Saban said it will still be challenging since MTSU has come up with new ways to complement its offense that make it difficult to defend.

“Their running game really is a lot of wide zone, which they really try to stretch the gap and spread the defenders out to get a crease,” Saban said.

This is a concern because any time a team spreads the defense out and has it defend more space, Saban said, it increases the number of missed tackles, mistakes in coverage go up and defensive players have further to run for the ball.

MTSU’s offense was said to be similar to Auburn and Ole Miss.

“I’ve been very challenged as a coach to prepare our players for it,” Saban said. “When you’re going fast, no huddle, communication is always an issue.

That’s something that we’ve tried to work hard on this week.”

With 370 yards passing and four touchdowns during last week’s game against Jackson State University, MTSU’s quarterback Brent Stockstill is a very bright player, Saban said. He is instinctive and smart with an accurate arm and a quick release.

Its safety, Kevin Byard, is another player Alabama plans to look out for.

“He’s a good player – really good player,” Saban said. “I think their

Kick-off against MTSU starts Saturday at 3 p.m.

CW / Hanna Curlette

players play really hard on defense.

He’s definitely involved in a lot of plays, and with the way their scheme is set up, I think it’s set up so their safeties can make a lot of plays.”

Although there will be challenges it needs to overcome on Saturday, Alabama is prepared and excited for its game. There are no new injuries to report. Saban said that practice Wednesday was a lot better than it was Tuesday.

“The biggest issue, I think, is not necessarily your opponents sometimes, but really, yourself and human nature in terms of what do you want to accomplish, what do you want to do, what are you willing to do to strive forward and do it and how you sustain to do better, to do more and not be satisfied with where you are,” Saban said.

Alabama will be playing in BryantDenny for the first time this season on Saturday. Saban said Alabama fans are great and the team has had great support and success in its home stadium.

“I think if you make a lot of noise when you play a team like [MTSU] and make it go [with] no silence, it really helps the players, especially on defense,” Saban said. “Our crowd can create a big advantage in this game.”

Although the Crimson Tide won 35-17 against Wisconsin on Saturday, there were many mistakes made on the field that prevented Alabama from a larger margin of victory. It racked up 11 penalties for 120 yards, while Wisconsin had less than half that, with four penalties for 50 yards.

Safety Geno Matias-Smith said there’s a lot the team can take away from this first game.

“As a whole, we had too many Derrick Henry rushed for three touchdowns against penalties, so just clean up those things,” Wisconsin. CW / Layton Dudley Matias-Smith said. “Defense [can] just Offensive lineman Cam Robinson keep getting better because everyone can also said Alabama played well for a get better.”

Depending on if a player is in-phase or first game, but his side of the ball needs out-of-phase, penalties may be hard to improvement as well.

“It’s obvious there are a lot of things we avoid. That proved to be true on Saturday when the defensive backs alone had three can improve on,” Robinson said.

Robinson said he is his own worst critpass interference penalties.

“It’s kind of hard with football ic, though, and regardless of his nearly nowadays,” Matias-Smith said. “The best 20-yard drive of a Badger defender down thing to do is turn around and look for the the field, he doesn’t think the Wisconsin ball because if you don’t look for the ball, game was one of his best performances.

With the help of the line, though, more than likely they’re going to call a Derrick Henry had three touchdowns [pass interference] on you.”

Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon and 147 yards rushing on 13 carries and Humphrey each had a pass interference Kenyan Drake had one touchdown and penalty. Matias-Smith said they both had 77 yards rushing on 10 carries. Robinson a good camp and are doing a good job, but said having those two running backs behind him is a luxury. it was their first game as corners.

“We know that all we have to do is give Matias-Smith said it’s key that the player stays in-phase, because if they don’t, those guys a couple creases and they that creates a separation between him do some amazing things with the ball,” he said. and the receiver.

13

SPORTS Thursday, September 10, 2015

Love looks to improve consistency in his game

By Elliott Propes | Staff Reporter

February 24 was a special day for the Love family.

Alabama’s Dru Love captured his first ever college tournament win at the Puerto Rico Classic, tying Virginia Tech’s Scott Vincent at 7-under par. On the same day his dad, Davis Love III, was named the United States Ryder Cup captain. Love went on to have an up and down first season of competition for the Crimson Tide and finished third on the team for an average score just above par. As a redshirt junior, Love looks to carry a lot more responsibilities on the team.

“I played really good some weeks and I played really bad some weeks,” Love said. “I have to figure out how to extend my good play throughout the year. I know I’m going to have bad weeks. I want to make it less of a roller coaster.”

Coach Jay Seawell said he was still pleased with Love’s results. It was his first season competing with the national champion lineups being so deep the two previous years.

With several of the players graduating, it gave Love a chance to compete for a spot in the lineup.

“I think he learned that he is a good player. I think he gained a lot of confidence in his play, even though there were times it may have been a little erratic,” Seawell said. “For the most part he played really well and he had a really good summer. I think it spring-boarded his summer.”

Seawell said Love was similar in high school. He said he was inconsistent, but he knew that Love had enough talent to become a great player. It is different for a junior golfer growing up with a successful pro golfer as a dad. Expectations are sometimes unrealistic. Seawell said that Love didn’t let that define him.

“Golf reveals character. So when we make a decision on somebody, talent is definitely on the ledger, but the other part of the ledger is what

did we see in their character during that time. Never will talent out-trump our character, so that’s what we saw in him,” Seawell said. “I think he is respectful of others. He’s not entitled, believe it or not, which is something I worried about by being a pro son.”

Seawell believes in his talent though and believes that he can improve off of last year’s season.

“I think he has a chance to be an AllAmerican and an All-SEC performer,” Seawell said. “Those are the things we’ve talked about, those are the things I’m challenging him with. Can he make those day-to-day commitments mentally and physically.”

Love has also become great friends with some of the teammates and has helped build the family culture of the team that senior Tom Lovelady expressed is very important.

“Everybody on our team, we are best friends, but Love and I just kind of click together,” Lovelady said. “We have fun and laugh. We like the same things and don’t like the same things. He is just a really good friend to have, and I’m just lucky to be on the team with him and be around him all the time” The Crimson Tide’s first tournament of the season begins Friday, Sept.

11 at the Carpet Capital Collegiate in Dalton, Georgia.

Alabama will be without All— Jay Seawell American Robby Shelton after he was named to the United States Walker Cup team.

Shelton will compete in England this weekend against some of the best young golfers all around the world. With his departure, Love will likely move up to a higher position.

“I’m looking forward to see how he handles it because there is going to be a little bit more pressure on him by his own want to, because he knows Robbie isn’t here,” Seawell said. “I think he will do great actually. I think he does better when more is placed upon him. So I’m looking forward to see how he performs with that light on him.”

I think he is respectful of others. He’s not entitled, believe it or not, which is something I worried about by being a pro son.

Alabama golfer Dru Love hopes to increase consistency in his junior season. UA Athletics

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14 Alabama begins conference play with rivalry SPORTS

Thursday, September 10, 2015

By Marquis Munson | Staff Reporter

The Alabama Crimson Tide football team has battled with the LSU Tigers over the years. Even though that rivalry will never hold up against their in-state rival the Auburn Tigers, the Crimson Tide circles the LSU game on their schedule every year because of the competitiveness and impact that game has in the SEC. The Crimson Tide leads that series 49-25-5 that includes a victory over the Tigers in the 2012 BCS National Championship.

The Alabama Crimson Tide soccer team has developed a similar rivalry with the LSU Tigers, just on a different field.

Although this is coach Wes Hart’s first season with the Crimson Tide, he understands the importance of a rivalry game against a team like LSU. “It makes things a lot more exciting,” Hart said. “Two teams can be completely mismatched on paper, but because there is so much emotions involved it still doesn’t matter. You can throw stats and talent out the window, and emotions can take you a long way. It’s a great part of athletics.”

Hart knows a thing or two about rivalries in soccer. In his two years as assistant coach for the Florida State Seminoles, Hart witnessed their rivalry with the Florida Gators. The Gators lead that series 10-12 and defeated Hart and the Seminoles during their national championship

PLAN TO GO WHAT: Women’s Soccer vs. LSU WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday WHERE: Alabama Soccer Complex

season in 2014.

“We would always draw the biggest crowds when we played them, and it makes for an exciting atmosphere,” Hart said.

Hart is stepping into a 20-game rivalry between Alabama and LSU, where the Crimson Tide holds a 10-7-3 lead against the Tigers. The Crimson Tide won the first five meetings of the series and has won nine of the first 11. The Tigers have won six of nine since then.

Last season, the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers 3-2 in double overtime in Baton Rouge. Alabama’s Theresa Diederich scored the final goal from the top of the box and off the crossbar with an assist by Maruschka Waldus and Abby Lutzenkirchen in the 93rd minute.

“It was exciting,” Lutzenkirchen said. “I play center back so I’m not one to get a lot of assists or goals. So being able to help the team get a clutch overtime win like that was really cool for me.”

Diederich and Waldus have graduated from Alabama, but defender/midfielder

Alabama’s last home game ended in a scoreless draw with Wake Forest. CW / Layton Dudley

Abby Lutzenkirchen remains on the team for this year’s matchup. Alongside Lutzenkirchen, returning in this game is goalkeeper Emily Rusk.

“They have a lot of returners this season,” Rusk said. “It’s always a good game against them, so it should be a lot of fun.

We definitely know their style of play, so I think we’ll just continue to study that throughout the week.”

This season, with eight players returning in the starting lineup, the Tigers are starting off strong with a record of 4-0-2.

Alabama has struggled recently with a

record of 1-3-2, winning their only game in their home opener against the Troy Trojans, but the team looks to find their momentum beating by their undefeated rival at home this Friday.

“LSU is an SEC opponent, and they’re strong, fast, and always have technical players,” Lutzenkirchen said. “We prepare for them like any other game, but there is just a different vibe going into SEC games, because these results matter on if we make the SEC tournament in November.

There is more riding on this game than non-conference.”

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15

SPORTS Thursday, September 10, 2015

Swim and dive opens new season

By Matt Speakman | Contributing Writer

The Alabama Swimming and Diving team will travel to Cleveland, Mississippi, on Sept. 11 to face Delta State in their first meet of the season.

The team will look to build off of last year’s slate, where they finished ninth in the NCAA overall. The team is looking to improve by showing they are one of the best teams in the nation, believes Crews

Wellford, one of the team’s captains, who said the team has higher goals for this year as they look to be a powerhouse in the NCAA. “We were top ten last year, and we believe we can be top five,” Wellford said.

Every team goes through loss of personnel after each season, and this year, the swim and dive team will look to implement their new freshmen into roles left over by their departing members. Every year,

Alabama brings in talented freshmen, with a lot of them getting opportunities to compete in big events, Wellford said.

“We believe we can achieve that goal,” he said. “We haven’t lost anybody, and we have a lot of good freshmen coming in.”

Members of the team come from all different backgrounds, and even though the team is so diverse, Wellford said there is no issue bringing everyone together to achieve an ultimate goal.

The Alabama Swimming and Diving team finished the 2014-2015 season in the top ten. UA Athletics

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Today’s Birthday (09/10/15). Personal and family growth highlight this year. Transform relationships, first with yourself (after 9/13) and then with a romantic partner (after 3/8).

Collaborate for financial expansion (after 9/27, and again after 3/23). Complete old promises and invent new possibilities. Play for love. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Postpone mundane rituals for something unexpected. Trust a crazy hunch. Make a delightful (profitable?) discovery. Follow your mom’s advice and win. Putter and clean.

Make happy plans. Count blessings. Visualize perfection. Relax into blissful peace.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Circumstances startle you. Consider an outrageous request. Your community can provide whatever is needed. Put together a sweet deal that speaks to your heart.

Meet the perfect people. Follow through on commitments and gain respect. Celebrate together.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Accept an unusual assignment. Verify the investment of time and money first. Close a deal or sign papers. Team projects go well.

Go for excellence. Reward yourself with some private time and relax. Savor peace and beauty.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 9 -You’re especially charming and attractive.

Share something joyful with loved ones.

Good news, maybe? Reaffirm a commitment for positive changes. Your team is hot, and getting hotter. Resist the urge to flee and success rewards your efforts.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Start from a point of balance. Change is inevitable.

You gain new insights regarding resources.

Conditions seem unsettled. Use your popularity to encourage participation. Get expert support. You’ve waited long enough.

Push your agenda. Come from love.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is an 8 -Make an artistic or creative beginning. Take steps to realize a beautiful dream. Start with what’s available. Get the best. Add muscle and intuition. Prepare everything in private.

You’re magnetically attracted. Raise the heat on a collaboration.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 9 -Passions get stirred. Plans shift. Speak your heart and figure out how to do it later. Make bold promises that may include a graceful exit. Come up with a realistic budget, and get others on board.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Ignite creative fires. Invite participation.

Accept advice from loved ones and especially children, who speak their views straight and unfiltered. Provide support to

the process. Your full attention is a gift your family appreciates.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Get assistance to realize a home improvement project. Upgrade your infrastructure. Find new ways to save resources. Question the status quo. Your greatest strength is love. Share your appreciation with family and friends. They’re your rock.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Learn new tricks for earning and saving money from trusted experts. Discuss family finances to determine priorities. Listen more than talking. Find out what others want.

Beautify shared spaces. Provide faith and muscle to make it happen.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- If finances seem uncertain, track them carefully. Short tempers spark with little provocation. Verify balances before spending, and reduce unnecessary expenses. Accept gifts, when offered, gracefully. You can find another revenue source. Follow a creative hunch.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Follow a leader who knows where he or she is going. Work out plans together. Go for harmony, beauty and satisfaction. Pursue a brilliant idea. It may take you in a new direction. Toss out the superfluous.

16 Volleyball aims to improve after tournament Editor | Kayla Montgomery sports@cw.ua.edu Thursday, September 10, 2015

By Terrin Waack | Staff Reporter

The Alabama volleyball team has had a rough start to its 2015 season.

On top of the injuries that the team is continuing to recover from, the team is unhappy with its recent performances.

With errors taking control of previous matches, Alabama is now 2-5 going into its Crimson-White Tournament this weekend.

“I think three very talented teams are coming in and playing pretty well, probably even more talented than the teams we had here last weekend,” coach Ed Allen said.

The tournament will include Troy, St. Louis, Virginia and Alabama.

“We’re expecting good competition,” sophomore middle blocker Leah Lawrence said. “Our team, especially, we need to show a little more focus while we’re playing which is what we’re working a lot on in practice.”

Sophomore outside hitter Kat Hutson said the team has been doing drills and game-like situations that challenge the team’s mental capacity. Drills fell among the lines of: you don’t win, you run. The team also puts itself in set situations with a 23-23 score. Hutson said it made the team figure out how put those two points away quickly and win the set.

“We’ve had the most challenging practices probably than we’ve had all season,” she said. “The level of expectation has definitely been raised during

practice. We’re meeting it.”

It’s been about maintaining a high level of focus, executing skills when under pressure and focusing on getting big points that cause momentum shifts, Lawrence said. The errors that were made in previous matches were due to a lack of focus. Fixing the small things that can easily be controlled will help Alabama eliminate the number of errors it makes.

“The team we’re going to be competing against most is ourselves,” Hutson said. “Everything we can control is on our side of the net. Individually, we need to work on getting our minds right.

Collectively, we need to work on communicating well, giving every effort we can on every single ball.”

Allen said the team is continuing to work on its defense but with offense, it’s working on recognizing opportunities better than it has. There isn’t anything specific the team is looking to focus on and change, but it’s all about each player of the team executing her job.

The goal going forward is simple. Get to 25 before everybody else does.

“We’d like to get back to winning like we’re capable of,” Allen said. “The mindset is to take care of your business that allows you to execute your job in a way that allows your teammates to trust you, that allows us to get to 25 before the other team does.”

The team is buckling down now and understanding that nothing is going to

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be handed to it, Hutson said. It’s going to embrace that fact now and work harder to take what it wants. She said it’s going to be a tough weekend but Alabama is a lot more prepared for it—a different team is about to show up this weekend in comparison to last.

“We’re expecting the other teams to show up and give us a competitive match and we expect to return the favor,” Lawrence said. “I think, this weekend especially, we’re going to play a little more like we have something to get back—or steal—from our opponents.”

CW / Layton Dudley

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PAGE 3 COLUMN | LOOKING BACK

GAMEDAY: Rediscovering Identity in Changing Tide

By Kayla Montgomery | Sports Editor

U

rban legend has it that Alabama gained the elephant as its mascot in 1930. Coach Wallace Wade and his team faced off against Mississippi on Oct. 8, inspiring an Atlanta Journal sports writer to compose a story about the game, the team and the Alabama players. The term Crimson Tide had supposedly been coined two decades prior, but the team was still without a mascot, until Everett Strupper put pen to paper.

“At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, ‘Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,’ and out stamped this Alabama varsity,” wrote Strupper, according to rolltide. com. “It was the first time that I had seen it and the size of the entire eleven nearly knocked me cold, men that I had seen play last year looking like they had nearly doubled in size.”

In describing the crimson athletes, Strupper’s commentary matches much of what is expected of Alabama football

today, more three quarters of a century later.

“That Alabama team of 1930 is a typical Wade machine, powerful, big, tough, fast, aggressive, well-schooled in fundamentals and the best blocking team for this early in the season that I have ever seen,” he wrote. “When those big brutes hit you I mean you go down and stay down, often for an additional two minutes.”

The identity of Alabama football has, for many years, remained the same.

Terms such as smash-mouth, relentless, tenacious and traditional have circled the program that has become a calling card for success and secured itself atop a list of traditional athletic powerhouses, but in the last two seasons, Alabama has slipped from the mold it so carefully crafted over the course of a century.

Following two major meltdowns that dashed national championship hopes, complacent has become a word typical of the changing Tide, and after competing in the highest-scoring Iron Bowl in history and being gashed for yards in

the College Football Playoffs against Ohio State last season, the solidity of the team has been questioned and analyzed throughout the offseason.

On Saturday, the Crimson Tide took the field against Wisconsin in the 2015 season opener, and, for all intents and purposes, handily defeated the Badgers in a neutral-site game. While Derrick Henry, behind Alabama’s large offensive line, was able to run between the tackles, Alabama’s front seven, touted as the best in the country, held Wisconsin to only 40 yards rushing on 21 carries. Though it was only the first game of the season, Crimson Tide faithful were reminiscent of seasons past.

If each season has a theme, this season’s is the quest to reestablish the Alabama identity while propelling it into the future. Earlier this fall, Saban spoke on just how important this theme can be.

“We’ve talked a lot about establishing an identity and now’s the time to establish the identity of a dangerous team,” Saban said. “Tradition is always kind

of under construction. Identity is not something that you inherit or assume or get from somebody else.”

Call his quest quixotic, call it noble or futile, but the Alabama team that took the field Saturday had, at its core, elements of those teams that came before it, but with its own spin as well. The lines are stout, but quick. Alabama employed a no-huddle offense at times, but relied largely on running the ball down the middle, not shying from lanes between the tackles. The team seemed solid, but mostly, it seemed formidable.

Much can happen in the course of a season. The Crimson Tide plays arguably one of the toughest schedules in college football, and if Alabama hopes to compete for a national title, it must establish consistency and routine on offense. Special teams is an enigma, to say the least, but mostly, this team showed promise that, with the right mindset, it can be a contender on the national stage come December.

Hold your horses because, as Saturday showed, the elephants are coming.

PAGE 4 REMINDER

Get inthe

Game2015 Ticket Information for Students

Do this

Friday Parking for Home Games 1. Parking and driving will be restricted on Colonial Drive, Wallace Wade and Bryant Drive on the day before and the day of the home football game before and until 3 hours after the end of home games.

•

Access MyTickets from mybama.ua.edu or UA’s mobile app. For more information about UA’s mobile app visit m.ua.edu/app from your mobile device’s browser.

•

Tickets will have either an “upper� or “lower� deck assignment that is designated in MyTickets.

•

Students enter through Gate 30 (upper deck) or Gate 31 (lower deck).

•

Penalty points for non-use is 2 points.

•

The deadline to avoid a late donation penalty is no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday before the game..

•

You may donate your ticket until 1 hour before kickoff.

GAME DAY PARKING ORANGE RESIDENTIAL PERMIT HOLDERS These parking changes are for the day prior to and on game day only. Regular parking restrictions are in effect for other times. See bamaparking.ua.edu for regulations. • As in previous seasons, the lots marked in black in this area are reserved for Athletics and must be cleared of all vehicles at 5 p.m. on the day before home football games.

2. Students with an Orange Residential Parking Permit who normally park in one of the Game Day restricted areas (Colonial, Tutwiler) are asked to either park in an alternate Orange Residential parking area but are advised that the best possible are will be the Magnolia Parking Deck beginning at noon on home football games. As a reminder, other Orange parking areas can be located by using the parking map on the rear of your parking permit.

• Vehicles left in any of these areas after 5 p.m. the day before a home game may be towed at the owner’s expense ($100). • Alternative parking is available as shown in the gray areas on this map.

3. Students who have orange hangtags can drive from Bryant Drive to Magnolia Drive.

4. Students will be able to take Crimson Ride from parking lots to their residence halls during normal operating hours (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and can call 348-RIDE (7433) after hours.

5. Students with commuter hangtags will park as usual on the day before a home football game. On the day of the home football game, they can park free of charge with their permit in the Upper Rec Center lot off 5th Ave. East and the SW corner of Campus Drive and Bryce Lawn Drive as space allows.

Black: Reserved for Athletics Gray: Reserved for Orange Residential Students Student Gate 30 (upper deck) / Gate 31 (lower deck) Closes at 5 P.M. the day before a home game Closed on home gameday Closed at the discretion of the Athletic Department

• Security barricades will be set up on Colonial 'ULYH DQG :DOODFH :DGH WKDW ZLOO UHVWULFW WUDIÀF à RZ 6RPH DUH VHW XS RQ WKH PRUQLQJ EHIRUH D home game and additional barricades are set up on the morning of the home game. Vehicles parked in this secure area will be able to exit the area but will not be able to return until the area is released by law enforcement post game and the barricades are removed. • The student ticket gates (Gates 30 & 31) are located adjacent to Colonial Drive.

ber:

Remem

Remember: •

78 and 75 for students and their guests

Students who do not move their cars from the designated lots by 5 p.m. on the day before a home football game will be towed at their own expense ($100).

Do this

Saturday Getting into the Stadium on Game Day

1. Bring your Action Card!

2. Follow the signs that lead to Gate 30 (upper deck) and Gate 31 (lower deck). Students will be able to enter through Gate 30 and Gate 31 only.

PROHIBITED

• A purse bigger than an 8 ½ X 11 shee t of

pape

r (Not responsible for items left at gate)

• Outside food or

drink

• Coolers

3. The student section will include seating in the upper and lower bowls. Your ticket bowl assignment will be designated in MyTickets.

in the Stadium • Umbrellas • ArtiďŹ cial noisema

kers

• Flags or banners

on poles

• Other prohibited items listed on UA’s Game Da y website

4. Lines will be very long, so expect delays. Give yourself 60 to 90 minutes to get into the stadium, whether or not you participate in student organization seating.

Student organization seating is in effect until 45 minutes before kickoff.

5. Bringing prohibited items will increase the amount of time it takes to get into the stadium. (See list above.) UA is not responsible for items left at the entrance to the student gates. Prohibited items that are left at the gates will be discarded by security personnel.

6. If you donate your ticket after 5 p.m. Wednesday, you’ll receive a half-point (.5) penalty.

7. Tickets can be available on game day. Don’t forget to check MyTickets for available tickets.

8. Game Day Route will be the only bus service operation on Game Days.

9. 348-RIDE will not operate once the Game Day road closures go in effect.

Remember: • • • •

The student section will open 2 ½ hours before the game. Lines will be long so give yourself plenty of time to get into the game.

Use your ticket! Students who do not use tickets assigned to them will receive 2 penalty points for each game their ticket goes unused. Students who receive 3.5 or more penalty points will not be able to purchase postseason tickets for this year and regular season and postseason tickets for fall 2016.

You can take your name off the waiting list by logging into MyTickets and following the instructions to take your name off the waiting list for the ticket bank.

You must track your own penalty total. The following penalty points apply: - You don’t attend the game yourself: 2 penalty points Ticket OfďŹ ce - 348-2262 - You don’t transfer your ticket to another UA student or rolltide.com donate it to the ticket bank: 2 penalty points Action Card 348-2288 Game Day Info - 262-2811 - You upgrade your ticket to general admission: 1 penalty point per upgrade actcard.ua.edu uagameday.com - You make a donation after 5 p.m. on Wednesday: .5 penalty point Parking & Transportation If your Action Card is lost on Game Day, replacement Action Cards are available at MyTickets - mybama.ua.edu or Room 170 Campus Parking Deck (bus hub) starting 3 hours prior to kick-off through the bamaparking.ua.edu UA mobile app - m.ua.edu/app beginning of halftime. Replacement cost is $35 and is billed to your student account.

Temporary Action Cards are not accepted for Game Day entrance at student gates.

( "

•

PAGE 5

By Terrin Waack and Tyler Waldrep | CW Sports

WHO: No. 7 Oregon at No. 5 Michigan State WHEN: 7 p.m. on ABC Both Oregon and Michigan State won their season openers this past weekend. Oregon won against Eastern Washington, 61-42, and Michigan State defeated Western Michigan, 37-24. Now, the two teams will have to step up their game this weekend. Michigan State will be looking for revenge after losing to the Ducks in Eugene last year.

WHO: No. 14 LSU at No. 25 Mississippi State WHEN: 8:15 p.m. on ESPN

WHO: No. 20 Boise State at BYU WHEN: 9:15 p.m. on ESPN2 This game might be won by the team that can put last week behind them the best and the quickest.

BYU’s Hail Mary to win its game against Nebraska 33-28 may have been the spark to start the season the team needed. BYU’s original starting quarterback Taysom Hill is out for the season, and true freshman Tanner Mangum must now take his place. Meanwhile Boise State is coming off of an emotional win over Washington and its old coach Chris Petersen.

WHO: Oregon State at Michigan WHEN: 11 a.m. on ABC

The Bulldogs defeated Southern Miss 59-16 for their first game, and Mississippi State snuck into the top 25 as a result. Due to the Bulldogs’ lack of returning starters, LSU would be expected to run away with this game, but the Tigers didn’t take the field last weekend due to a weather delay. Now, LSU will have to shake the rust of the off-season off on the road against a ranked opponent.

The Oregon-Michigan battle for national relevance continues in Ann Arbor. While Michigan State and Oregon battle for a playoff spot, the stakes should be considerably lower in this one, but don’t expect the teams to play that way. Michigan is still looking for its first win in the Harbaugh era and Oregon State to test itself against a quality opponent after last week’s 26-7 victory against Weber State.

WHO: No. 19 Oklahoma at No. 23 Tennessee WHEN: 5 p.m. on ESPN

WHO: Kentucky at South Carolina WHEN: 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network

Last Saturday, Oklahoma blew away Akron with a 41-3 victory. Tennessee also won its game, but it wasn’t as big of a difference with a 59-30 final.

The Sooners will travel to Knoxville to take on a Tennessee team that is looking for revenge after last season’s loss in Norman.

Both teams saw success during their season openers. Kentucky defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 40-33 and South Carolina won against North Carolina 17-13. This game will determine who takes the driver’s seat in the SEC East and who will have to play catch up.

PAGE 6

PAGE 7 CW File

By Kayla Montgomery and Tyler Waldrep | CW Sports

A

s the Crimson Tide gets ready to take the field in Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time this season, it’s only appropriate to reflect on pivotal moments and home games from coach Nick Saban’s tenure at the helm of the program.

While Alabama has accomplished much in the last eight years, the program would not be where it is today without these pivotal moments in history.

2007: University of Louisiana at Monroe In coach Nick Saban’s first year at the University, expectations were high that a coach had come who would save the team from a perpetual state of mediocrity. Entering the late November game, the Crimson Tide was supposed to work out growing pains ahead of the following week’s Iron Bowl, but instead, Alabama was embarrassed at home, falling 21-14 to the Sun Belt team. The game served as a wake-up call for the team and fans alike, proving that success wasn’t going to come quite as easily as anticipated.

Alabama finished the 2007 season 7-6 with a victory over Colorado in the Independence Bowl.

2008: Iron Bowl Alabama headed into the locker room of Nick Saban’s first home Iron Bowl with a 10-0 lead. That slim lead grew pretty quickly. Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Nikita Stover on the Crimson Tide’s second drive after the half. Alabama followed that score up with two more touchdowns on the following drives, and Alabama ended up securing Saban’s first Iron Bowl victory 36-0. The win guaranteed Alabama a trip to the SEC championship, where it lost to Florida.

2009: Tennessee at Alabama The Crimson Tide was 7-0 entering its 2009 cross-conference match-up against Tennessee, pursuing its 13th national championship. After a shaky performance throughout the entire game, Alabama led only 12-10 over first-year head coach Lane Kiffin’s Volunteers. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Tennessee needed only a 44-yard field goal to seal the deal and potentially dash Alabama’s title chances. As Tennessee’s Daniel Lincoln kicked what would have been the Volunteers’ winning score, Alabama’s Terrence Cody, also called Mount Cody, barreled through the line, blocking Lincoln’s kick and saving the game, and, arguably, Alabama’s season.

The game showed that this team was

fallible, but served as a motivator entering the second half of the season, during which Alabama won the BCS National Championship.

2010 Auburn at Alabama The 2010 Iron Bowl should have arguably been finished before the half. The Crimson Tide led the Tigers 24-0 in Tuscaloosa after blasting “Take the Money and Run” to open the game, a nod to Cam Newton, Auburn’s Heisman hopeful. Alabama’s Mark Ingram committed one of the few fumbles of his career during the game, keeping the Crimson Tide from extending its lead. In the collapse of the season, Alabama self-destructed, and Auburn walked away with a 28-27 win, reminding the Crimson Tide that a game truly is 60 minutes.

2011: Tennessee at Alabama When the Volunteers traveled to Tuscaloosa for the third Saturday in October, lingering suspicions from Rocky Block two years prior lingered in the air, and for the first half, these suspicions carried validity. At halftime, the teams entered the locker room tied at 6-6. However, this Alabama team proved that it would not lose focus mid-season, posting 31 points in the second half to defeat the Vols 37-6. Despite the first half slump, Alabama made the adjustments and responded, and the Crimson Tide went on to win its 14th national championship.

CW File

2012: Texas A&M at Alabama In 2012, Alabama was looking to secure its 15th national championship and its second consecutive title. When Texas A&M came to Tuscaloosa, many expected little of the Aggies in their first year in the SEC. After trailing for the entire game, Alabama looked to score in the final minutes, but AJ McCarron was intercepted on 4th and goal by A&M’s Deshazor Everett, giving the Aggies the upset. While A&M’s Johnny Manziel went on to win the Heisman, the Crimson Tide used the loss to fuel its championship run, dominating Notre Dame in the BCS title game.

UA Athletics

2013: LSU at Alabama The storyline before the game was the road advantage LSU carried into Tuscaloosa. Four of the last six games had been won by the road team, and none of those six games were decided by more than nine points. LSU drove the length of the field on the Tiger’s first drive, but Alabama linebacker Tana Patrick knocked the ball out of LSU fullback J.C. Copeland’s hands at the goal line. Alabama safety Landon Collins recovered, changing the entire momentum of the game.

2014: Iron Bowl After trailing the Auburn Tigers 26-21 at halftime, quarterback Blake Sims emerged in the third quarter of the 2014 Iron Bowl with his third interception. As Alabama trailed 33-21 and the backup quarterback began warming up on the sidelines, Sims hit a 39-yard pass to Amari Cooper. Sims would lead the Crimson Tide to a 55-44 victory in the highest-scoring Iron Bowl in the rivalry’s history, proving that he was the right choice for quarterback after skepticism followed him throughout the season. The win set the tone for Alabama as it advanced to the College Football Playoffs, where it fell to Ohio State in the semifinal match up.

CW File

Moments in

Alabama

Home History

PAGE 8 AP Poll: 1. Ohio State

USA Today Coaches Poll

2. Alabama

1. Ohio State

3. TCU

2. TCU

4. Baylor

3. Alabama

5. Michigan State

4. Baylor

6. Auburn

5. Oregon

7. Oregon

6. Michigan State

8. USC

7. Auburn

9. Notre Dame

8. Florida State

10.Georgia

9. Georgia

editor-in-chief

11. Florida State

10. Southern

Kelly Ward

12. Clemson

Alabama vs.

Middle Tennessee

Sean Landry

No. 7 Oregon at No. 5 Michigan St.

No. 14 LSU at No. 25 Mississippi St.

No. 19 Oklahoma at No. 23 Tennessee

No. 20 Boise St. at BYU

Oregon St. at Michigan

Kentucky at South Carolina

California

13. UCLA

11. Notre Dame

14. LSU

12. Clemson

15. Georgia Tech

13. LSU

16. Texas A&M

14. UCLA

17. Mississippi

15. Mississippi

sports editor

18. Arkansas

16. Arizona State

Tyler Waldrep

19. Oklahoma

17. Georgia Tech

20. Boise State

18. Wisconsin

21. Missouri

19. Oklahoma

digital managing editor

Kayla Montgomery

assistant sports editor

Elliott Propes

22. Arizona 23. Tennessee 24. Utah

staff reporter

25. Mississippi State

Marquis Munson

20. Arkansas

staff reporter

Terrin Waack

21. Stanford 22. Arizona 23. Missouri 24. Boise State 25. Tennessee

staff reporter

The Calm After the Stampede shop Sundays ferguson Center location open 10 to 4

PAGE 9 COLUMN | SEC

Preseason ranked SEC teams to those ranked in final AP poll last five seasons:

What's brewing in the West (All SEC West teams are ranked.

Rankings are: No. 2 Alabama

Parity

2010: 6 to 6

No. 6 Auburn

2011: 8 to 5

No. 14 LSU

2012: 6 to 6

No. 16 Texas A&M

2013: 6 to 7

No. 17 Ole Miss

2014: 8 to 6

No. 23 Tennessee

Total: 34 to 30

No. 25 Mississippi State

CW File

By Elliott Propes | Staff Reporter

T

he Associated Press released its first season poll after the opening week of football on Tuesday, making history in the process. For the first time ever, 10 SEC teams are represented in the Top 25.

All seven teams from the SEC West are represented as well. The second most represented conference is the PAC 12 with five teams.

What this means for the season is still to be figured out, but currently, it means the SEC has a lot of talent, and it also means that the SEC has a lot of parity, meaning that every single one of these teams has a very good chance to beat each other.

The SEC was considered the

dominant conference during the sevenyear national title span, from 2007-2013.

Teams like Florida, LSU, Auburn and Alabama ruled the sport. They were dominant teams year in and year out, but they never had as much competition inside the conference as they do now.

Last year, the AP poll, along with the inaugural College Football Playoff rankings, featured an unprecedented amount of SEC teams. The polls didn’t just have the traditional powers of the conference anymore; several other universities went on to have successful years.

The SEC West especially saw a huge upgrade. Six of the seven schools from the west served time in the top 10.

The Mississippi schools, who mostly

belonged at the bottom of the standings over the years, made a huge surprise last year. Both teams reached the top three spots in the rankings, and talent was, for the first time, spread out amongst the conference, and not every big name recruit was going straight to the traditional powers.

What was the result? Well, no one came out of the conference unscathed.

The conference winner, Alabama, was the only team that had one loss and made it to the college football playoff.

Every team in the SEC had played a brutal schedule unlike they ever had before; injuries piled up and fatigue was a real issue. Once the postseason came around, the SEC teams looked drained.

Alabama fell in the first round of

the playoff and every other SEC West team that had seen time in the top ten finished with a loss in the bowl season, except Texas A&M. It looks good for the SEC now to have ten teams in the Top 25, but very soon all these teams will be playing each other, and just as they start playing each other, they will drop out of the rankings just as fast.

It won’t be possible again this season for an SEC team to come out unscathed.

Last year proved the parity of the conference, and those results will be mirrored this season. Maybe once bowl season comes around, the conference can do better than it did last year, but surely believe that there will be countless bumps and bruises before December.

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PAGE 10

Kelly, &

heart soul at center

By Tyler Waldrep | Assistant Sports Editor

E

ven on the biggest stage, sometimes it’s like no one is watching.

Over the summer Alabama’s quarterback battle dominated the headlines, but it didn’t matter too much to the fan base. Jake Coker, Alec Morris, David Cornwell, Cooper Bateman or even Blake Barnett — it seemed, at times, that all Alabama needed was a quarterback that could hand the ball off and get out of the way.

Alabama’s not-so-secret ingredient, running back Derrick Henry, would take the pressure off of the quarterback. Add in two helpings of talented defensive players and a pinch of Kenyan Drake and Alabama’s recipe for success seemed complete.

On Saturday, Alabama took down No. 20 Wisconsin in the only opening week game featuring two ranked teams. The Crimson Tide scored four of five touchdowns on the ground with running back Derrick Henry supplying a personal best threetouchdown performance.

Just like the fans expected, Derrick Henry inspired plenty of headlines when he gashed Wisconsin for 147 yards, but as talented as he might be, Henry didn’t average over 11 yards per carry on his own.

“Offensive line did a great job,” Henry said. “They did a great job in that game, and I thank them for it, and I know as the season goes on they’ll get better and better.”

When the offensive line took the field on Saturday, only center Ryan Kelly and left tackle Cam Robinson had started more than two games for Alabama. While fans had confidence in

Henry and Drake, the offensive line was responsible for making the lanes, and the ultimate key was Kelly.

“My appreciation for Ryan Kelly is absolutely through the roof, man,” Robinson said. “Everything that he does is behind the scenes.”

Kelly is the unquestioned leader of what is likely Alabama’s most important unit. Having a new quarterback behind him makes his role even more critical.

Before the Wisconsin game Kelly said he looked forward to a physical contest on the big stage.

Kelly and the line delivered, but they don’t play for headlines. They will rarely—if ever—get them.

The line has a standard to meet. Over the last six years, four Alabama running backs have taken a turn at being the lead back. All four guys have finished at least one season with over 1,000 yards on the ground while averaging at least six yards per carry.

Left guard Ross Pierschbacher started in his first collegiate game next to Kelly on Saturday. Kelly’s influence as a leader will be critical to his development. The guy on the other side can attest to that. "[Kelly] was a lot of help [last season],” Robinson said. “They didn’t put a lot of pressure on me like, ‘Man, you’re a freshman starting.’ They just treated me like I was another one of the guys. I think that was very big and influential, and part of the reason I guess I did pretty well.”

There is also inexperience on the right side of the line. Right tackle Dominick Jackson also got his first start on Saturday and Alphonse Taylor started his third game for the Crimson Tide. Bradley Bozeman might start in Taylor’s place as they are listed as co-starters on the depth chart, but

Bozeman only has two collegiate starts under his belt as well.

“It’s different, just like quarterback switching as well,” Kelly said. “It’s kind of hard to get used to at first, but you start to get used to both guys and what they do differently.”

As good as Alabama’s offensive line played on Saturday, the unit still has work to do. Wisconsin’s pass rush caught Alabama off guard at times.

“A couple of times we sort of overset in pass pro and got some pressure in the pocket that we don’t need to have, but I was really pleased with the movement, the toughness [and] how physical we played up front,” coach Nick Saban said.

Early in the game Robinson and Pierschbacher both got caught a little too flat footed at times when Wisconsin rushed the passer. Robinson said poor communication was one of the unit’s biggest problems.

As the game wore on, the offensive line finally got some attention; unfortunately, it was from the referees, and instead of headlines, they were getting yellow flags for holding, but tight end O.J. Howard said those were fixable penalties.

“We’re playing so aggressive, we’re going to hold,” Howard said. “If we have penalties that we’re playing hard, playing fast, we can live with those. We can fix those in practice on Mondays.”

With only one more game standing in between the Crimson Tide’s first SEC game, the time to fix things is now, and Alabama will likely look to Kelly to lead the way on fixing these mistakes, just as it does for so many other things.

“He’s the heart and soul of our offensive line, everything starts with him,” Robinson said. “It’s kind of all the qualities he brings to us, not only as a player but as a leader off the field also.”

CW / Layton Dudley

PAGE 11

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

By Tyler Waldrep | Assistant Sports Editor

Michael Ward, the sports editor for Middle Tennessee’s student newspaper, Sidelines, shared an insider’s perspective on Alabama’s upcoming opponent.

This is a Middle Tennessee program that scored 70 points last weekend. What could the team do that could give Alabama’s defense trouble? What offensive playmakers should Alabama focus on?

Q.

The scoring performance in the opener versus Jackson State has the team excited on both sides of the ball. The offense ran smoothly under Brent Stockstill in his first start, and he will continue to be the key to this year’s offense.

The defense also created scoring opportunities for themselves, which is leading to a lot of confidence, which a team needs to play against one of the best teams in the nation.

Ed’Marques Batties showed he’s

A.

Photo courtesy of Michael Ward

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Applicable Saturday and Sunday of a home game weekend.

looking to step up in the receiving core after a two-touchdown performance in week one.

Questions have arisen in Tuscaloosa over safety Kevin Byard. What does he bring to Middle Tennessee?

Q.

Byard brings the playmaking ability to the defensive side of the ball that demands respect and forces teams to game plan around him. He has an opportunity this year to solidify himself as one of MTSU’s greatest defensive backs.

His ability to swing momentum at crucial points in the game is an anchor the team has built around.

A.

What will Middle Tennessee’s philosophy likely be on defense? What can they do that could stall Alabama’s offense?

Q.

Likely they will want to make Alabama grind out every first down. Game management

A.

and player management will be key.

MTSU’s offense will be crucial to the defense’s success, because if the offense can’t sustain drives to give the defense some rest, fatigue will be hard to overcome.

How does the campus view this weekend’s trip to Tuscaloosa? How does the program look at it?

Q.

The campus is excited to be playing a big-name school such as Alabama. Many students will be traveling down to Tuscaloosa for one of the greatest football experiences for the school.

The program understands that this is a big game for the athletic department. The players are excited for the opportunity to go against the best in the game. The athletic department understands that a nonconference game as high-caliber as this helps the university financially and is a step in a positive direction to improve MTSU as a bigger and stronger program.

A.

PAGE 12

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