The Reveille 11-8 by Reveille

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SO CLOSE... LSU jumps out to an early lead, but Alabama storms back.

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page 2 NEWS

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First generation students discuss the difficulties of attending college without parental guidance, and share solutions.

ENTERTAINMENT

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Find out what to do this weekend in Baton Rouge, from an open mic comedy night to dance classes.

SPORTS

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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times: What are some takeaways from Coach Orgeron’s final road game?

OPINION

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“There was never a moment when Orgeron’s job was publicly in jeopardy due to off-thefield negligence.”

L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le

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...YET SO FAR

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LSU shows fight in close, heartbreaking loss to Alabama

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BY PETER RAUTERKUS @peter_rauterkus TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In a game that will be remembered for years to come, LSU fell just short Saturday night at BryantDenny Stadium in a 20-14 loss to No. 2 Alabama. LSU came into the matchup as 28.5 point underdogs, but all that seemed to do was give the Tigers extra motivation and fight. “I’m proud of the way our team fought,” said LSU senior linebacker Damone Clark. “A lot of people counted us out, but we just needed to have that underdog mentality.” In the long run, this game is going to mean very little for this LSU team and the program in general. However, there was a lot that can be taken from the gutsy performance that LSU put on display despite the loss. Down almost a dozen starters, LSU pushed the No. 2 team to its limits and truly looked like how an LSU team is expected to look. The Tigers finally showed that there is a level of both talent and heart in this program, and that they’re capable of anything under the right guidance. Ed Orgeron knew he had nothing to lose, and it brought out the best in his team. Whoever the next coach is certainly has plenty to work with, and if nothing else, that has to make LSU fans feel good about the future of the program. LSU came out of the gate unfazed by the magnitude of the matchup and atmosphere, stopping Alabama and then scoring on its first offensive drive. The touchdown was set up by a fake punt earlier in the drive, where

Avery Atkins hit Jack Mashburn on a jump-pass, gaining 26 yards and putting the Tigers deep in Alabama territory. “Those guys were not intimated,” Orgeron said. “We came in wanting to win the game.” Orgeron entered this game with nothing to lose, and the decisions and team attitude showed that. From the fake punt, to going for it on fourth and goal from the eight-yard line in the fourth quarter, Orgeron was committed to being aggressive throughout. In a game against a team as good as Alabama in a tough atmosphere, this was the only way LSU would have a chance in this game, and the strategy was just a few plays away from working. Orgeron addressed the fourth down decision in his post-game press conference, echoing the idea of being aggressive. “We were going for it,” Orgeron said. “We walked into the stadium going for it. We were going for the win. No question.” The key to LSU staying in the game was the consistent play on the defensive side of the ball. LSU held Alabama to just 20 points and an abysmal 49 sack-adjusted rushing yards. Clark and Neil Farrell Jr. both played outstanding games for LSU, and played a huge part in keeping the Crimson Tide from running the ball. Clark led LSU with eight total tackles and also added two tackles for loss. Farrell finished with seven total tackles and two and a half tackles for loss including a huge sack late in the game. Fixing the defense and becoming less predictable was a huge emphasis for LSU during the bye week, and Clark believes the improvements were on display Saturday night.

“That was the purpose of the bye week, to do things a little bit different,” Clark. The offense, however, was unable to convert the opportunities the defense created to win LSU the game. LSU’s inconsistencies continued on the offensive side of the ball, and that kept the Tigers from pulling off the upset. “We were in a position to win the football game, but we stalled,” Orgeron said. A costly interception at the end of the first half and the failure to convert on fourth and goal were key moments where the offense was unable to get the job done and cost LSU big time. Despite the result, this game undoubtedly showed that no one in the program has given up, and that there is still life left in the team, despite everything that has happened during the season. Even in the loss, the team did not feel broken or demoralized after the game. Orgeron was seen leaving the field with arms up, yelling at Alabama fans, despite just suffering a heartbreaking defeat. He has personified the idea of a coach with nothing to lose, and at no point was that more evident than Saturday night. Orgeron was disappointed in the loss but believes that the fight and passion from the team will carry over into the remainder of the season. With three games left, Orgeron said that the season is very much still salvageable with the way his team has improved. “This is going to carry over into the last three games,” Orgeron said. “We’ve got to play the last three games with the same fire on defense and get better on offense.”

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CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS The Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Daily Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or email editor@lsu.edu.

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Alabama offensive lineman Javion Cohen (70) celebrates a touchdown by running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game. against LSU, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The Reveille is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Reveille is free from multiple sites on campus and about 25 sites off campus. To obtain additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall or email studentmedia@ lsu.edu. The Reveille is published biweekly during the fall, spring and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. The Reveille is funded through LSU students’ payments of the Student Media fee.

NEWS ‘I CAN’T GET ADVICE’ First generation students share feelings of uncertainty in college, turn BY GABBY JIMENEZ @gvjimenezz Biology freshman Ella Cochran was determined to go to college. Despite being the valedictorian of her high school class, she still found the journey of coming to LSU scary and uncertain because no one in her family had ever attended a four-year college. Like many other students, Cochran is the first in her family to attend college. First-generation students often struggle with feelings of unfamiliarity and doubt, as they don’t have immediate family they can turn to for guidance. “It often feels like you’re trying to navigate in the dark because you don’t know what to expect,” Cochran said. “For the college application process, I had no clue what I was doing.” Even though Cochran talked with LSU advisors, she still finds certain parts of college difficult to understand, like scheduling her courses. “I didn’t know how many hours

page 3 ADMINISTRATION

Moving President Tate to Louisiana BY BELLA DARDANO @BellaDardano

only to a certain extent that they can understand.” Architecture senior Benito Juárez is the son of Mexican immigrants and the first in his family to attend college. Juárez found that

Moving LSU President William Tate IV and his wife to Louisiana and into the University House cost LSU $315,000 in relocation payments and renovation costs, LSU spokesman Ernie Ballard said. Of that sum, $300,000 was spent on necessary repairs, maintenance and other projects for the University House, and $15,000 was given to Tate as a relocation payment. The renovations made to the residence before Tate and his wife’s arrival were primarily maintenance-related issues that had been put off since the house was predominately used for smaller events and not as a home in the past few years. Renovations to the University

see FIRST GEN, page 4

see TATE, page 4

FRANCIS DINH / The Reveille

Students walk Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, through the Quad. were in a full semester, and that’s such a simple thing, but I just didn’t know it,” Cochran said. Cochran had to adjust to campus culturewithout any previous knowledge of college, and while her parents encourage her to further her education, she says they

still don’t understand every aspect of it. “For [my family, college] is kind of like this mystified boarding school… they don’t know the stressfulness of college,” Cochran said. “I’ll be talking about how stressful exams are, and there’s

POLITICS

Money, Race and Title IX: Louisiana’s next legislative session BY PIPER HUTCHINSON & AIDAN PRIMEAUX @PiperHutchBR & @acprimeaux In the upcoming regular legislative session starting March 14, LSU can expect to see legislation that will directly impact the university. Previous sessions have seen budget increases and decreases, Title IX changes and even bills challenging the academic discussions hosted at the University. Here’s what to look out for next year: Title IX While Title IX and sexual assault conversations have filled Louisiana’s public sphere in the last year, Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans says that more legislation is unlikely. Freeman says it isn’t necessary as long as the current legislation is properly enforced. Freeman said she worked with Senate President Pro Tem Beth Mizell to create Act 472 and 439, which address power-based violence o college campuses. Neither act has gone into effect yet. Freeman emphasized that it doesn’t mean she has given up the fight. “I plan to keep watching to make sure we follow through on these new requirements, Title IX offices are fully funded and we’re holding people in charge accountable,” Freeman said.

Money Talk Davante Lewis, director of public affairs and outreach for the Louisiana Budget project, said the legislature will have to appropriate about $450 million left over from the American Rescue Plan in addition to hurricane relief funds. He speculated that President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan should pass before the beginning of the session. “I could see some more funding going directly to the campuses, particularly in the scholarship programs of TOPS and Geaux Grants,” Lewis said. After Louisiana’s $1 billion budget surplus was announced, Commissioner of Administration

Jay Dardenne said that Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration is recommending some of the excess funds be used for deferred maintenance projects on college campuses. Dardenne said that after constitutional requirements are met, there will be about $400 million to be doled out at the legislature’s discretion. Dardenne is recommending that a third of that— about $133 million—be used for deferred maintenance projects at Louisiana’s colleges and universities. Dardenne pointed out that the legislature does not always act on the administration’s recommendations.

“I’m certainly hoping that if they don’t accept our proposal in its entirety, that they will accept the portion that is going to deferred maintenance because this is an investment that the state has for far too long ignored,” Dardenne said. “The longer that you ignore deferred maintenance issues, the more expensive they become.” LSU keeps a running list of all of the university’s deferred maintenance needs. There are over 2,000 projects on the list and the total to repair all of it would require about $650 million. Roger Husser, assistant vice president for Planning, Design & Construction, said that as new items are added on, the cost of the list steadily in-

creases. “The deferred maintenance problem on the LSU campus is growing at about $20 million a year,” Husser said. The university received $5 million for deferred maintenance needs this year. That money went to 12 projects, including replacing the roof on Nicholson Hall, coating the roof on LSU Library and paying for part of the studio arts building renovations. Husser stressed that while LSU’s need for maintenance is great, it is not unusually so. “LSU is pretty close to average with our peers, maybe slightly lower,” Husser said. “But the point is that LSU is not falling apart.”

Race In 2021, Rep. Ray Garofolo, then chair of the House Education committee, filed a bill to prevent public K-12 schools, colleges and universities from teaching theories of systemic racism, commonly known as critical race theory. In discussions of the bill, Garofolo specifically mentioned the “White Rage” discussion that was hosted by the Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs at LSU. Jenée Slocum, director of the Reilly Center, said the organization was not surprised by conservative efforts to limit discussions about race in the last legislative session, as similar bills have been popping up across the country.

Slocum said that Garofolo’s efforts were the “ quintessential representation of systemic racism.” “It’s an almost certainty that we will see more of these bills,” Slocum said. “What’s not a certainty is whether or not any of our particular events will be at the center of those discussions.” Slocum believes that these discussions are going to be the frequent subject of legislative debate because conversations about race and gender inequality are often misunderstood by constituents and misrepresented by legislators. “There are people who see it as an attack on them and calling them racists,” Slocum said. “In

fact, you’re talking about culture and history embedded in the institutions we have. It’s meant to provoke questions about what our institutions do and how marginalized communities interact with those institutions.” Although bills that target academic institution’s discussion of race are likely to be introduced, Slocum believes Edwards will veto any that pass. Lewis said the legislative session is sure to have CRT at the center of its debate, despite the fact that Garofalo’s bill never mentioned it by name. “They’ve recently been engaging people saying that critical race theory is in our schools, but it’s code words for equity and di-

versity,” Lewis said. “I think it’s going to be even more of an attack than we saw last year, challenging the offices of diversity, equity programs, anything that talks about race in a holistic way.” CRT has become a catch-all term for describing curriculum involving race, although it traditionally describes an advanced academic theory taught in postgraduate programs. There have been widespread movements to prevent CRT from being taught to children in schools. Garofalo, Rep. Mark Wright, Rep. Tammy Phelps and Rep. Valerie Hodges’s offices denied the Reveille’s request for comment.

see LEGISLATION, page 4

Monday, November 8, 2021

page 4 FIRST GEN, from page 3 financing his education was the most challenging part of preparing for college. “Each semester, that financial pressure refreshes,” Juárez said, noting that completing the FAFSA was one of the scariest things he’s ever had to do. To overcome the financial burden of attending a university, Juárez works and relies on scholarships. He credits his determination to earn his degree to his parents, who support him as much as they can. “My parents have always encouraged an education. They didn’t receive an education, but they wanted that for me so I didn’t have to struggle like they did,” Juárez said. Juárez believes that being the first in his family to finish college will have an effect on future generations in his family. “I’m even feeling the effects now. There are younger cousins and family friends who are coming to me for help and advice, which is something I was missing when I was growing up,” Juárez said. Environmental management systems freshman Layla Harmon also experienced the challenges of being a first generation student. While students whose family went to college have more guidance in the college process, Harmon often feels like she has no one

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to turn to. “When my friend has a problem, she can ask her mom or dad because they’ve been through that, but with parents who haven’t been through college, they don’t know what to do. I can’t get advice,” Harmon said. Harmon found that utilizing programs specifically for firstgeneration students was useful in helping her prepare for college, such as Questbridge and Matriculate, which offer college advising programs for first generation students. Harmon also utilizes universitysponsored programs. When Harmon completed Stripes, a four-day orientation for freshman students, she was given a Stripes leader who she continues to talk to for college advice. She’s found support through the Center for Academic Success and tutoring in the library, which she says helped her greatly. “[Tutoring] is free, it’s easy to schedule. There’s so many resources here, so many clubs to get in contact with—I feel like I haven’t even tapped into all the resources I could,” Harmon said. Recently, the Olinde Career Center created a First-Gen Career Mentor Program that provides career resources to first generation students and connects them with LSU alumni who went through the same experiences. Through the program, students spend four months participating in

group professional development seminars where they learn about leadership, financial literacy, networking and other professional expectations and have one-on-one meetings with a mentor who works in their field. Last year, the program was held virtually for 34 students. Applications for the next sessions are currently open to all first generation undergraduate students. Blake Winchell, the associate director for Student Services in the Olinde Career Center, hopes to continue expanding the program. “Who better to help [first generation students] out than people who have done it before?” Winchell said. LSU also offers the Ronald E. Mcnair Research Scholars Program, which connects first-generation students with research opportunities. “When you provide smaller level interactions, they end up having a much wider success and impact than if we hope [firstgeneration students] just figure it out,” Winchell said. While students who are the first in their family to attend college may feel stress or self-doubt at times, Harmon encourages them to keep persevering. “Every first gen experience is unique,” Harmon said. “If you’re a first-gen student, pat yourself on the back. Keep going, keep pushing.”

LEGISLATION, from page 3 Power Plays Lewis pointed out that there will be a lot of power dynamics in play during the upcoming session. “I keep telling people it’s going to be a session for the books,” Lewis said. He pointed out that almost 40% of the legislature was elected in 2019 and began their first session in March 2020, a week prior to the beginning of quarantine. This put many bills on the shelves as the pandemic took precedence and new lawmakers had few chances to push their agenda. The 2021 session limited

TATE, from page 3 House included: updating the air conditioning system; performing preventative maintenance of the roof, gutters, doors and walls and performing maintenance on the security lights and cameras. In addition to maintenance, the home security system and cameras were updated. Evaluations were also performed on electrical panels and outlets. In addition to renovations, the floors, carpets and windows were cleaned, the exterior of the home was pressure washed and paint was patched up in needed areas, along with other small repairs to return the building to a 24-hour

their actions because odd-numbered years in Louisiana host fiscal sessions dealing solely with money matters. “This legislative session is going to be members first and last shot to do a host of issues prior to reelection,” Lewis said. This session comes on the heels of a redistricting process that determines how Louisiana’s US representative districts are redrawn. “It pits geography versus geography, pits the two parties against each other and may even pit sitting party members who gets in inner party fights over who represents who,” Lewis said. residence. Since Tate and his wife moved in, other projects included gutter work, better cleaning of the air conditioning system and other minor repairs. Tate and his wife moved into the University House during Fourth of July weekend in 2021, according to The Advocate. The four bedroom and four and a half bathroom is located near the campus lakes at 2959 E. Lakeshore Drive and has been housing LSU chancellors and presidents since 1999. It is owned by the university and previously hosted former LSU President F. King Alexander, according to a 2019 article by The Advocate.

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Pick up your copy of the Dining Guide in a Reveille Rack on campus or visit www.lsureveille.com/themag/

ENTERTAINMENT

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THIS WEEK IN BR

Want to see your event in the Reveille? Email information to editor@lsu.edu.

THURSDAY\

WEDNESDAY AT 9

TUESDAY AT 6:30

MONDAY AT 6:30

BY AVA BORSKEY @iamavab

‘Fraid Knot Crochet Club Jones Creek Regional Branch Library

NOVEMBER

Whether you’re an experienced crocheter or someone looking to learn, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library has an event for you. Join the ‘Fraid Knot Crochet Club on Monday Nov. 8 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Jones Creek Regional Branch. Materials will be provided for the first 15 people, but feel free to bring your own supplies. Registration is encouraged. THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

The River Center Branch Library sits on September 9, 2020 at 250 North Blvd.

Try Arts Tuesday Greater Baton Rouge Arts Council

NOVEMBER

Get creative at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center at 233 Saint Ferdinand St. every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Embrace your inner dancer at this week’s high-energy art class exploring dance forms and flow with Roxi Victorian. Genres include ballet, jazz, hip hop and contemporary. Preregistration is required. Classes are free for members and $10 for nonmembers. THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

Dancer Destinae’ Johnson and contemporary teacher Amanda Prince practice during a class on Aug. 25, 2015, at Passion Dance Center in New Orleans.

Open Mic Night The Station

NOVEMBER

Laughter is the best medicine, and its free every Wednesday at 9 p.m. at The Station Sports Bar & Grill, 4608 Bennington Ave. Enjoy the show and the cheap comedy night drink specials, or you could participate in the fun yourself. New and seasoned comedians alike are welcome to sign up for sets at 8 p.m. THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

Open Mic Night offers students a place to express themselves in Feb 2, 2017, on the first floor of the Student Union.

Veterans Day USS KIDD Veterans Museum

NOVEMBER

All veterans and their families receive free admission to the USS KIDD on Thursday Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day. The USS KIDD is located at 305 South River Rd. and is open from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

The USS Kidd Veterans Museum sits on Nov. 5, 2017 on South River Road.

Monday, November 8, 2021

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LSU gymnastics assistant coach Courtney McCool Griffeth gives advice to freshman all-around Tori Tatum Oct. 26 in the LSU Gymnastics Training Facility.

LSU gymnastics head coach Jay Clark spots graduate student vault, bars and beam Sami Durante Oct. 26 in the LSU Gymnastics Training Facility.

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LSU gymnastics graduate student vault, bars and beam Sami Durante sticks a landing Oct. 26 after dismounting the uneven bars in the LSU Gymnastics Training Facility.

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SPORTS A TALE OF TWO UNITS

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LSU’s near upset of Alabama: strong defense, sputtering offense

the game in a nutshell: The defense delivered, but the LSU offense just couldn’t capitalize. On first down, Tyrion DavisPrice ran for no gain. Then a pass from Johnson was batted down. Then, Orgeron tried to call a timeout but was too late: Johnson was hit down low and lofted a duck that fell incomplete. On fourth down and the rivalry on the line, Alabama blitzed the house and forced Johnson to throw off his back foot. The ball sailed over Jack Bech’s head, and the game was over. Johnson’s unit couldn’t take advantage of Lewis’ heroics.

BY REED DARCEY @byreeddarcey Despite missing eight starters, LSU’s defense frustrated Nick Saban Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and nearly scored the Tigers a monumental upset. But LSU’s offense could muster only three solid drives, and in the end, their 14 points were not enough. In an unexpectedly close game, Alabama won 20-14. Here are three key moments that explain how LSU nearly did the impossible. Defensive shined, Offense was shunned Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, sat under center, his team up six with under four minutes to play, staring down a third and five on the LSU 46. Seven Tigers lined up shoulder-to-shoulder on the line of scrimmage, showing a zero blitz package. LSU and its defensive coordinator Daronte Jones wouldn’t send the house in this situation,would they? LSU’s secondary was depleted, without its top four corners and one of its safeties. Leaving them on islands would be a mistake, especially against Alabama’s stellar receivers and more so because Jones has not called a zero blitz

VASHA HUNT / Associated Press

Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) runs against LSU linebacker Damone Clark (18) and defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. (92) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Nov. 6, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. all season, according to Ed Orgeron. Indeed, a zero blitz was the call. LSU had shown disguised fronts all game, but not this time. Young wasn’t ready for the pressure. Sixth-year senior safety Cam Lewis sprinted off the edge, around the right tackle, and knocked the ball out of Young’s grip. LSU recovered and took over

on the Alabama 41 with a chance to take the lead. In the week leading up to the game, Orgeron stressed that his defense was too simple, too predictable, “too vanilla.” He said he wanted Jones’ unit to show more diverse looks and try to puzzle the offense. He meant it. All game, LSU pressured Young. Its inexperienced corners played zone, keeping their eyes

on the mobile Young and avoiding one-on-one matchups with the Tide’s more talented receivers. Jones frequently sent linebackers Damone Clark, Micah Baskerville and Mike Jones Jr. on disguised, delayed and stunted blitzes. LSU recorded five sacks on Young, none more important than Lewis’ attack off the edge. In a way, the forced turnover and the Tigers’ ensuing drive represented

Orgeron was loose, free, ready to take risks On LSU’s first drive of the game, Orgeron burned a timeout as his team lined up for a punt close to the 50-yard line. At first glance, it seemed like another puzzling clock management mistake, like the ones that lost LSU the Auburn game. But Orgeron had a trick up his sleeve. Punter Avery Atkins caught the snap and ran forward to the line of scrimmage. Alabama’s linebackers converged, and tight end Jack Mashburn slipped past the defenders. Like a point guard

see TWO UNITS, page 9

FOOTBALL

Column: The Rise and Fall of Ed Orgeron and Raising Canes JARED BRODTMANN @_therealjarbear The Raising Cane’s on Lee Drive was plastered with Ed Orgeron’s face. Cardboard cutouts of him in different poses guarded the rooftop of the fast-food restaurant, and the bright yellow “Coach O-Mobile” watched customers yearnfully outside the dining room as they came and went out of the parking lot. Just below the company’s distinct logo, the letter board cheered on the national championship-winning football coach with “Geaux Coach O!” Then, Scott Woodward announced the sixth-year head coach would not be returning at the end of the season, after obtaining a record of 9-9 since the triumphant lift of the national championship trophy in New Orleans. As quickly as Orgeron rose to power and fell from grace, so too did his imagery throughout the Raising Cane’s. The cutouts left their posts on the roof, and the Coach-O Mobile drove on to

ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille

LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron interviews with an ESPN host Oct. 16, after LSU’s 49-42 win against Florida at Tiger Stadium. a new pasture. There is no better microcosm to explain the shift from the most popular man in Louisiana to an ousted one-hitwonder. It seems not too long ago Orgeron was cruising down I-10 early in the morning with the win-

dows down blaring Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Born on the Bayou,” en route to accept his dream job as LSU’s head football coach. Shaking Joe Alleva’s hand and signing the dotted line after taking over the team in the wake of Les Miles’s firing midseason

had to be his proudest moment to date. He quickly experienced hardship and ecstasy, in the devastating loss to Troy and the miraculous comeback against Auburn in 2017. Yet, the team was capped by the hiring of Matt Canada as the offensive coordinator. Orgeron will admit the choice was not his best, as Canada’s offense didn’t translate with the style of football LSU wanted to play. Spring 2018 quickly arrived with the departure of Danny Etling. Orgeron found himself holding a quarterback competition between Myles Brennan, Lowell Narcisse, Justin McMillan and a late transfer from Ohio State named Joe Burrow. With two years of eligibility left, Burrow won the job and led the team to a successful 10-win season, punctuated by an impressive Fiesta Bowl win over a talented UCF squad. Although the team would lose Butkus Award winner Devin White, along with other talented veterans, expectations were high for LSU to break out in 2019. So began the greatest season in LSU’s and college football’s

history. From third and 17 against Texas, to JaCoby Stevens’ leaping one-handed interception against Mississippi State, to Ja’Marr Chase’s earth-shaking touchdown to seal the Florida win, to finally triumphing over Alabama in Tuscaloosa after eight-straight losses. To running over Georgia and Oklahoma on their way to beating Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence in the Superdome, it was a gift of a season from above. Burrow won the Heisman, Chase won the Biletnikoff, Grant Delpit won the Jim Thorpe and Orgeron won Coach of the Year. His vision of ‘One team, One heartbeat’ manifested into 15 wins and a championship title. Orgeron landed a massive contract extension. The success was immeasurable. The peak of the mountain had been reached. Then descent began. Orgeron divorced his wife, Kelly Orgeron, shortly after his team’s victory. Then the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic hindered everyone’s ability to live their normal lives. The LSU coach experienced dif-

see COLUMN, page 9

Monday, November 8, 2021 TWO UNITS, from page 8 driving the paint, Atkins shot a floater off one leg to Mashburn, who ran for 26 yards and a first down. Orgeron took his headset off and threw down three victorious fist pumps. The offense scored a touchdown later on the drive, when two Alabama defenders miscommunicated, leaving freshman wideout Brian Thomas open in the flat for a walk-in score. LSU was up 7-0, the home crowd was shocked, and Orgeron was confident. “They didn’t come to play,” broadcast cameras captured Oregeron telling his defensive line, before the ensuing kickoff.

COLUMN, from page 8 ficulty replacing so much of the talent that was now headed to the NFL. Dave Aranda, LSU’s defensive coordinator, and Joe Brady, one of the talented offensive minds on LSU’s staff, left to pursue new job opportunities. Orgeron hired old friends: Bo Pelini and Scott Linehan to take their places. The team turnover was too much. LSU gave up the most passing yards in SEC history: 623 yards to Mississippi State’s KJ Costello and lost their first game of the sea-

page 9 Later, Orgeron’s offense faced a fourth down on the Alabama eight-yard line deep into the fourth quarter. A chip-shot field goal would bring the Tigers within three, but a touchdown would give LSU the lead. Orgeron went for the touchdown, and it didn’t work, but it was part of the game plan that nearly gave him an upset. Like the fake punt showed, Orgeron wasn’t afraid to take risks, as he only has three more games at the helm of the Tigers. “We were going for it,” he said. “We walked into the stadium going for it. We were going for the win. No question.” Clark is a star. But he could only do so much.

Before Alabama faced a third and two on their first drive of the second quarter, Damone Clark knew what the Tide would run. The play was a run-pass-option. If the Alabama quarterback decided to fake the handoff, the running back would block any extra blitzers—not Clark. The senior linebacker, LSU’s best player of the night and most improved from a season ago, squirted through a gap in the offensive line, plowed through the back’s attempted block and brought the quarterback down for no gain. He single-handedly forced Alabama to punt. At that point, Saban’s squad had four drives. They scored zero points and averaged only 3.8 yards per play. Clark’s defense

was the story, and his fellow linebackers were the main characters. Their disguised blitzes were crucial to slowing down the Alabama attack. Young’s offense was most successful when it neutralized the linebackers and the pass rush coverage. On his second scoring drive late in the second quarter, Young faked a handoff, watched the LSU linebackers bite on the fake and hit a receiver behind them for a large gain. On the touchdown play Young took the snap and ran backward, buying himself enough time to loft a pass to a receiver running a deep drag across the field into the end zone. That score put Alabama up 14-7 at half. Alabama’s offense

was able to capitalize off of a Johnson interception. Had LSU taken care of the ball on the offensive side, the score would have been tied, and the Tigers would have had a chance to take the lead on the first possession of the second half. Instead, by halftime LSU had managed only 80 yards of offense, and its punter had more passing yards (26) than its quarterback (22). In the second half, the defense gave its offense four chances to take the lead. The results of those drives: a punt, two turnovers on downs and a failed hail mary to end the game. “We were in a position to win the football game,” Orgeron said, “but we stalled.”

son. Off the field, stories began to leak of LSU’s Title IX mishandlings, and Orgeron’s dealing of former LSU players Derrius Guice and Drake Davis put him in the spotlight. Injuries and opt-outs started to pile up, and the team scrounged up wins against Florida and Ole Miss to finish 5-5. LSU then self-imposed a bowl ban. Orgeron promised to correct the staggering mistakes made. He brought in two first-time coordinators Daronte Jones and Jake Peetz to replace Pelini. Steve Ensminger made an effort to return his entire starting offensive

line and replaced offensive line coach James Cregg with Brad Davis in June. Orgeron admitted that before he did not vet the hires he made before, and swore this team would respond differently because he was the one calling the shots now. Orgeron walked into the Rose Bowl in his pressed suit and LSU pin, flanked by his security. Looking up, he retorted a heckling UCLA fan, telling him they had something for him “in his sissy blue shirt.” LSU lost 38-27. The team had another chance to redeem itself against Auburn in

a packed house under the lights of Death Valley. LSU lost 24-19. By the time the Kentucky game transpired, Woodward was already working on gathering money to pay Orgeron’s $17 million buyout and remove him from his dream position. Despite a win against a ranked Florida the next week, Woodward officially announced the deed had been done the next day. It was curtains for Ed Orgeron. No one denies the memories made on the climb won’t be cherished. Hopefully, the governing administration can say the les-

sons they learned afterward will be used in making a better hire in the future. There’s a dispute about what Orgeron’s legacy will be, between the golden 2019 national championship flag waving in the Baton Rouge wind or the piling of negative energy caused by on and off-the-field events that came to light after. There’s no disputing this: Orgeron’s rise and fall was a sight to behold. That sentiment will park itself in fans’ minds longer than the Coach-O Mobile was outside Baton Rouge’s favorite spot for chicken tenders.

s l w o t nigh

early birds

Classifieds

page 10

Monday, November 8, 2021

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ACROSS 1 Related 5 Unruly crowds 9 Poky 13 Person beyond help 15 Pinprick cry 16 Sharpen, as one’s skills 17 Diminish 18 Public regulation 20 Showed others the way 21 Cookie container 23 Henpecked 24 Marry quietly 26 __ Ben; London attraction 27 Find not guilty 29 Unwanted nasal growths 32 Butter-making device 33 Collins & Rivers 35 Beam of light 37 Boatbuilder’s wood 38 Perceive 39 Dull speaker 40 College-hopeful’s test 41 “__ dreams!”; nighttime wish 42 Bulgaria’s capital 43 Tin alloy 45 Send into exile 46 Soil turner 47 Sinai or Whitney 48 Become reconciled 51 On one’s __; independent 52 Mornings, for short 55 Exactly alike 58 Monastery head 60 Rash treatment 61 Egghead 62 Soothing ointment 63 Use a keyboard 64 Ruby & sapphire 65 Profound DOWN 1 “I’ve Got __ in Kalamazoo” 2 Late Bryant 3 Not sufficient 4 Tennis court divider

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews

5 Dudley or Demi 6 Start of the Lord’s Prayer 7 A’s followers 8 Tibia 9 In need of a haircut 10 NY’s __ Island 11 __ in a blue moon 12 Garden intruder 14 Enter a club again 19 Carpenter’s boxful 22 Rented residence, often: abbr. 25 Be a stalker 27 Play divisions 28 Inexpensive 29 Days of yore 30 Lucrative 31 Wraparound dresses 33 __ at; heckle 34 Bill denomination 36 Slangy reply 38 Doing a floor chore 39 West German city

11/8/21

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49 Call it __; quit & go home 50 Brown seaweed 53 __ over; scoot down a bit 54 Staircase piece 56 Mediocre mark 57 Phonograph part 59 Rotten

OPINION

page 11

Orgeron buyout underscores university’s troubling priorities SULLY’S SCOOP CLAIRE SULLIVAN @sulliclaire Why let ethics get in the way of football? At LSU, credible accusations of Title IX violations are apparently no reason to fire a head football coach. But if his record slips, well, that’s another story entirely. In August 2020, Football Coach Ed Orgeron was still riding the high of his national championship victory a few months prior. That month, USA TODAY broke a story about a woman who said her then-boyfriend told Orgeron about famed running back Derrius Guice raping her. According to the story, Orgeron did not report the rape and told the boyfriend not to worry because “everybody’s girlfriend sleeps with other people.” Not only does Orgeron’s callous reply reflect a disturbingly flippant attitude toward sexual assault, it suggests that Orgeron violated university policy by failing to report this claim. The university constantly proclaims that student safety is its No. 1 priority. At a university where that’s true, administrators would have suspended Orgeron from coaching until a thorough investigation could determine the next steps. At a university where character in leadership matters

ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille

LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron watches his team practice Oct. 16, before LSU’s 49-42 win against Florida at Tiger Stadium. more than football revenue, administrators would have been horrified to read this woman’s testimony. But LSU’s inaction suggests it isn’t a place where those things are true. Orgeron issued a public statement saying he did not know about the rape, and as easy as that, the university turned away from accusations that one of its most powerful and visible men had failed a student so horribly. A new lawsuit names Orgeron as a defendant, citing his handling

of this incident. Three months later, USA TODAY published a startling indepth investigation into years of Title IX mishandlings by the university. Pressure mounted, and the university commissioned an independent investigation by law firm Husch Blackwell. That report included an additional allegation that Orgeron had mishandled a 2017 sexual harassment claim against Guice by a then 74-year-old Superdome security worker. The woman, who later pub-

licly identified herself as Gloria Scott, said she spoke to Orgeron and asked Guice not be allowed to play in the Citrus Bowl that year. Scott says Orgeron offered to have Guice apologize to her but refused to withhold him from playing. Husch Blackwell says the Title IX office did not receive a report until Scott called herself, a clear failure on the part of Orgeron and others in athletics who knew about the situation. When Scott testified at the Louisiana Capitol about her experience, she said Orgeron lied when he told Husch Blackwell investigators he had never spoken to her. But again, even after this troubling claim that Orgeron had ignored sexual misconduct from his player, the university did nothing. None of these accusations mattered to the administration because Orgeron was a star football coach. There was never a moment when Orgeron’s job was publicly in jeopardy due to offthe-field negligence. But then the 2020 season didn’t go as well as fans had hoped, and neither did the start of the 2021 season. Whispers slowly grew that Orgeron would soon be out, and in mid-October, those rumors were confirmed. Orgeron and the university agreed to a $17 million buyout. The fact that Orgeron could walk away from LSU millions of dollars richer, facing no consequences or institutional scrutiny for the serious claims

brought against him, is deeply concerning. The university’s apathy to allegations against Orgeron bears striking similarity to the handling of claims against former head coach Les Miles, who after years of horrifying sexual misconduct complaints against him, only parted ways with the university after a poor football season. The university’s priorities are tragically clear: football and money come before all else. The same administrators who express disgust and outrage over past Title IX failures have done nothing to address the credible allegations against Orgeron. If the university was serious about change, Orgeron would have been fired with cause—or, at the very least, suspended for an investigation—before his coaching career even had the chance to fizzle out. While important systemic changes have been made since Husch Blackwell released their report, the university still lacks the culture of accountability that is essential for true progress. The university covered up claims against Miles and, several years later, didn’t care that Orgeron did the same for his players, even amidst a widely publicized reckoning of the university’s Title IX failings. What will the next coach get away with? Claire Sullivan is a 19-year-old coastal environmental science sophomore from Southbury, CT.

The ‘Freedom Rally’ anti-vaccine protest was ill-informed CRADDOCK’S CORNER KATHRYN CRADDOCK @kcradd4 On Oct. 22, protestors took to campus to speak out against the university’s vaccine mandate. The “Freedom Rally” was organized by Turning Point USA, a non-profit right-wing organization that promotes conservative values at high schools and colleges. Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point, has continuously made misleading claims regarding COVID-19; he has claimed hydroxychloroquine is a “100% effective” cure against the virus

and compared vaccine mandates in schools to “medical apartheid” on Fox News. Recently, Kirk has focused on advocating against schoolwide vaccine mandates. October 21 and 22 were supposed to be fall break, but after Hurricane Ida, these days became virtual make-up days. Still, campus was emptier than usual, making it the perfect time for Turning Point to promote their political agenda. It was a fitting decision of Turning Point to hold a protest on a college campus on a day where virtually no one was there to oppose them. American flags, religious phrases and “home of the brave” signs made appearances. Many

Twitter users also pointed out that in a video of the protest, a protestor wearing a cape of the Louisiana state flag was seen throwing up the white power hand symbol. There were signs reading “My Body My Choice,” suggesting that vaccine mandates are a violation of bodily autonomy and that businesses, workplaces and educational institutions should not mandate that people are vaccinated against COVID-19. Yet vaccine mandates have existed at the university long before the COVID-19 pandemic. The university’s current vaccination requirements include a tetanus shot within the last decade, a meningitis shot since the age of

16 years or older and two doses of MMR shots. When I hear that COVID-19 vaccine mandates are violations of personal freedom, like Turning Point claims, I think of the classic quote, “my right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins.” The data from medical professionals and the scientific community is clear—COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in reducing the risk of COVID-19 and its associated symptoms. In other words, your decision to get vaccinated will directly affect how many humans live or die from COVID-19. Skipping out on a COVID-19 vaccine when you are eligible

Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Lara Nicholson

Editor in Chief

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Managing Editor

Madelyn Cutrone

News Editor

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Opinion Editor

The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to editor@lsu.edu or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

to receive one is as close to being about “personal freedom” as drunk driving. A university mandate requiring COVID-19 vaccines is in the interest of public health, just like the laws that make drunk driving illegal. The protest against the university’s vaccine mandate, which thankfully hardly anyone attended, was ill-informed. For the few who participated in the protest, I can only hope they are comfortable trusting their health with the political profiteers of Turning Point rather than scientists and epidemiologists. Kathryn Craddock is a 21-yearold mass communication junior from Patterson.

Quote of the Week “Let us pass a leisure hour in storytelling, and our story shall be the education of our heroes.”

Plateaux

philosopher c. 424 — 348 B.C.

Monday, November 8, 2021

page 12

Noodle the pug is a source of validation I didn’t know I needed EMILY ON CAMPUS EMILY DAVISON @ichigoemily Unless you’re living under a rock or deliberately staying as far as possible from the world of social media, you’ve probably stumbled upon the chaos of TikTok by now. No matter your experience with the video-sharing platform, it’s undeniably given rise to more iconic memes and popular trends than I could even begin to count. Sure, it can be a terrifying and downright annoying place sometimes, but there are certain content gems that make up for all the toxicity. One TikTok star in particular comes to mind when I think of the app’s redeeming qualities. The loriously talented individual rises above all the others; he might as well own the platform at this point. Yes, I’m talking about Noodle the pug. Again, unless you’re oblivious to all things internet, I feel like everyone knows about this dog. If you’re somehow lost at this point in the article, I can explain. Noodle the 13-year-old pug has become a pop culture icon through his TikTok account. Noodle’s main job duty is to predict what kind of day everyone is going to have, and this is based

CARTOON BY EMILY TRAN

on whether or not he decides to stand up in his bed in the morning. When Noodle stands, it’s deemed a “bones day.” When Noodle falls back down, collapsing limply onto his bed, as one does, that’s what we call a “no

bones day.” This Groundhog-Day-esque prediction has been circulating around the internet for a while now, but I still think it’s one of the best things to come out of TikTok’s mayhem. For some, the pug is “cheugy”—another inter-

net term I don’t have the space to explain—but I heartily disagree; Noodle’s predictive powers have not worn out their welcome in my life. In fact, I think the bones versus no bones phenomenon is a sign of the times.

Our lives are so uncertain that millions of people essentially rely on an elderly dog for a daily horoscope. It sounds silly, but I really feel like Noodle provides a sense of comfort and relatability to so many people. I actually think the silly nature of it adds to its appeal; it’s funny and adorable, sure, but underneath this charming façade, it feels like a source of validation. Seeing Noodle crumple back up into bed is cute and relatable because—there’s no denying it—this semester has oftentimes made me feel like I, too, have no bones. Some days I just don’t have it in me to be a functioning human person. And on the other hand, bones days almost feel like motivation at this point. If this little guy can get out of his cozy bed, I guess I can get up and go to my morning classes, too. Maybe I’m reading entirely too much into this geriatric pug, but I’ll take validation for feeling under the weather some days—or more motivated on others—wherever I can get it. Regardless, whether you see Noodle’s TikTok presence as a reassuring daily gift or simply just another meme, I think we can all agree on one thing: he is very, very cute. Emily Davison is a 20-year-old anthropology and English junior from Denham Springs.

The Reveille’s ad space open for memes, social commentary HADEN’S HOUSE OF HYSTERIA

its extreme use of violence and profanity, coupled with a sur-

prising dose of absurdist humor. So, when the “Something

HADEN DEVILBISS @SullenDucken In the Oct. 18 print edition of the Reveille, something legendary happened. Hidden among the calls for employment in the classifieds was the work of a madman. Someone decided that it was worth $3.75 to put an image of Tails—a character from the hit video game series Sonic the Hedgehog—in a poorly-drawn rendition of shock and utter defeat, with the single-word caption, no punctuation: “tails.” If you lead a normal, moderately fulfilling life with aspirations, responsibilities and friends, it will be difficult to convey to you just how uncannily funny this is. And, since explaining the joke is the fastest way to ruin it, I’ll keep this brief. This image is from the webcomic “Tails gets Trolled,” about the titular character and a host of other nerd culture icons banding together to fight off a group of internet trolls. Like most webcomics, the quality is abysmal, and the writing is cringe. However, what sets this one apart is

CARTOON BY EMILY TRAN

Awful” web forum got a hold of the webcomic in 2012, you can imagine how quickly some excerpts became astronomically popular memes. I cannot believe someone didn’t act on this opportunity sooner. The potential of coopting The Reveille to act as a forum for memes has remained entirely untapped until now, and this potential is immense. For the last few months, I’ve been trying to add whatever comedic light I can to our operation, all while maintaining a sardonic streak against the university’s less palatable decisions. Regardless, all my efforts pale in comparison to the memetic potential of The Reveille’s ad space. A picture is worth a thousand words, and our articles tend to hover around 600. The ability of memes to critique culture with the poignancy and complexity of yesteryear’s high art has been amply demonstrated; recent memes about “Sigma males” criticize the pursuit of hustle culture to the detriment of all else, while “Social Credit Tests” jokes provide ample commentary on the horrendous behavior of the Chinese Communist Party. Whatever attempts I make at ridiculing university scandals with spoofing humor and an air of satire would be just as easily

expressed in the complex language of memes. Sure, this hopeful trend is limited to a funny-looking video game character layered under irony so abstract Dalí would’ve hung up his moustache, but it doesn’t have to stop there. The Instagram meme account @lsu_memes_for_laville_teens could easily co-opt The Reveille’s classifieds with follower contributions—that’s still only scratching the surface. Really, the entire artistic canon of memes is available for more humorous and impactful critiques of the university than any opinion article could ever have. So, this is a call to action. For the price of a cup of coffee, you can illuminate The Reveille’s paper edition for one day with memes. Together, we could turn the entire advertisement section into a forum of memes of all sorts. This is your chance to have your voice heard (and make some people laugh). And one day, when you’re old and decrepit, trying to explain to your kids what a meme was, you can look back fondly on your adventures in The Reveille’s classifieds. Haden DeVilbiss is a 19-year-old history and psychology sophomore from Lake Charles.