FULL HOUSE
CRUNCHED
How ResLife grappled with the influx of freshman students
BY GRACELYN FARRAR & ALAYNA FORD @gracelynfarrar & @alayna_ford
Hundreds of new students lodged by LSU Residential Life are being housed in alternative and non-university complexes to accommodate the university’s ever growing student enrollment figures.
Between 2020 and 2023, LSU’s freshman enrollment has increased by 12%. Executive director of ResLife Peter Trentecoste said that he expects this year’s class of freshman is on track to be the largest on record.
“When we saw the numbers coming in, it looked like we were going to be a few hundred beds short,” said Peter Trentacoste, Executive Director of ResLife.
“Instead of saying the word crisis, I use the word crunch.”
PETER TRENTACOSTE Executive Director of Residential Life
The university is using LSU’s Cook Hotel, the off-campus apartment complex Ion and the off-campus Sonesta hotel. Aside from Ion, these accommodations are meant to be temporary, Trentecoste said.
ResLife offered students $3,000 to live off campus for the fall, to combat the influx of students. Ten percent of those that were asked took the deal, attribution. Trentacoste said that the $3,000 incentive for students to live off campus was only good for the fall semester– there will be no scholarship for living offcampus in the spring.
After that, ResLife reserved some temporary spaces – 30 at The Cook Hotel for a two week period (this is the second year ResLife has used the space) and 50 spaces at off-campus Sonesta hotel for several weeks. The goal is to have those students moved onto campus as soon as possible, Trentacoste said.
At Ion, ResLife obtained 104 spaces for permanent freshman settlement.
“LSU’s presence was not known to us until the Ion sent us an email in the beginning of August about the changes,” said animal science sophomore Tamia Thomas. “So far no rules have been set in place but, there
is security in the building.”
Freshmen are also housed at East and West Campus Apartments as well as Nicholson Gateway, and there have been residential assistants placed in all of these locations.
“I was originally supposed to be in East Campus Apartments,” said psychology sophomore Talise Beverly. “But they needed the space for freshmen so they kicked us out.”
On June 27, many of the students who already had oncampus apartments reserved for the fall semester were emailed by the housing administration with an offer to live in the more expensive, stylish Nicholson Gateway Apartments. NGW apartments start at $5,155 for a four bed four bath compared to a $4,790 four bed four bath in WCA. Talise now pays $5,845 for her three bed three bed per semester versus $5,215 in her original housing unit.
ResLife has recently completed some renovations on campus to create more dorm space, like the Pentagon Community’s conversion from kitchens to dorm rooms.
“I remember when I was living in West Laville there were four people living in the study room,” Beverly said, “They had turned the study rooms into rooms so we had fewer places to study.”
‘Hanging on by a thread’
Beverly’s comments reflect a wider belief held by many students: the increase in student numbers is alarming.
“They’re doing an injustice to not only the freshman but us as upperclassmen,” said crimi-
nology senior Chloe Bass. “If there was already no parking, and buildings like Coates have air conditioning units are barely hanging on by a thread, why would they think that admitting more freshmen than the previous year was a good idea?”
Bass said she feels bad for the freshman living off campus.
“Not only were the dorms humbling experiences, but they forced you to make friends with people not only in your major but around the university,” she said, adding that freshmen being located in these off campus apartments and hotels “closes them off and isolates them to just themselves.”
ResLife is opening the room change process Sept. 13, and housing will be able to prorate any changes that happen after that point. Any students that wish to move onto campus or are unhappy with their current room assignment will be able to change their situation starting next Friday.
In addition, there have been multiple ongoing discussions about the future for housing at LSU. Trentacoste says that nothing is for sure, but looking forward, “Depending on what the enrollment goals become, it will ask us to really look at, how do we make sure we have enough space to accommodate all students that need it first year?”
When asked if the East and West Campus Apartments might become exclusive to freshmen in the future, Trentacoste said there was potential.
“Plans are beginning. There’s nothing concrete that I can share at this point,” he said.
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.
ABOUT THE REVEILLE
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.
ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
Cars line up on S. Quad Drive to leave campus on Sept. 3 on LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge, La.
ERIN BARKER / The Reveille
LSU students study at tables in the LSU Student Union on Sept. 3 on Highland Road in Baton Rouge, La.
NEWS
FORCED OUT
Pro-Palestine student protestors removed from LSU’s Faculty Senate
BY JOHN BUZBEE @thebuzbuzz
Three students protesting the university’s stance regarding the conflict in Israel and Palestine were escorted out of last Tuesday’s Faculty Senate meeting by law enforcement after shouting demands that the university divest support from groups backing Israel.
LSU Police officers escorted the students, all belonging to LSU’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, out of the senate’s meeting room in the Dalton Woods Auditorium of the Coast and Environment Building. The officers threatened to arrest them if the students returned.
The whole ordeal lasted about five minutes, said the organization’s president Ryan Spalt. He wasn’t surprised by the way things happened. His knowledge of open meeting laws are succinct and his actions deliberate.
Executive members of the Faculty Senate urge that under Louisiana law, the organization’s request for comment did not correspond with the Aug. 27 meeting’s agenda and was thus justly denied. Simply put, they said, the group’s comment was in no way germain to the meeting.
Pro-Palestinian protesters chant and hold a Palestinian
Students for a Democratic Society understood this, Spalt said, but the organization elected to make its voice heard anyway. They waited in the back of the auditorium until the senate meeting’s chair locked eyes with the students as he motioned to move past the open comment period since there weren’t any officially approved.
On cue, the students approached the front of the room,
chanting “Neutrality will never slide, humanity or genocide!”
A few in attendance clapped and cheered. Others grimaced and pointed their fingers for security to act.
Provost Roy Haggerty was among the body of faculty senators. And for roughly one-third of the senators, it was their very first meeting.
The Students for a Democratic Society led a divestment from Is -
rael protest-march that was met with a counter protest-march last spring semester.
The Israel-Palestine conflict has been pushed to the forefront of debate in higher education, often by students wary of their university’s involvement in backing Israeli. To them, U.S. interests support Israeli genocide against Palestinians through monetary
BY ASHLYNN BAILLIO @ashlynnbaillio
Roadway and pedestrian improvements to Fieldhouse Drive near completion after months of construction, university officials say.
The construction includes much of Fieldhouse Drive extending between N. Stadium Drive and S. Stadium Drive. It is valued at an estimated $1.2 million.
Dennis Mitchell, LSU’s landscape architect, said the improvements will improve pedestrian and vehicle usage and crossing when construction is completed in a few weeks.
“The road is complete, and many sidewalks are also done,” Mitchell said. “Our primary goal is to ensure that students can safely walk through the area.”
He said the project’s last steps include final landscaping touches.
The construction on Fieldhouse Drive has also resulted in the temporary relocation of the Lockett Tigertrails bus hub. The bus pickup and drop-off has been moved to the front of the
LSU film and television receives $1.45 million investments
BY SARAH WALTON @sarahrosewalton
LSU’s School of Theatre was awarded $200,000 to strengthen its film and television program, marking the second investment the department has received from state agency Louisiana Economic Development in 5 years.
According to the press release, the grant was awarded with the aim to “grow the talent pipeline for the state’s film production workforce,” and follows LED’s substantial $1.25 million grant in 2021 to create a virtual production program.
LED is a program created by the state to help strengthen Louisiana’s economy and businesses.
According to their website, LED’s mission is to “cultivate jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana through nine integrated economic development strategies.”
LSU’s film and television program is a part of the School of Theatre that interacts frequently with other programs and degree paths. The grant will focus on improving that program and hiring a new faculty member for the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and
Television. Even though the program is small, the state of Louisiana pays quite a bit of attention to the program in the hopes of developing its entertainment industry.
The $1.25 million entertainment workforce grant from LED in 2021 was meant to be used over a 5 year period to create a virtual production program. According to a press release from 2021, the program was created to help film and television students learn new technologies for a “rapidly changing film and television industry where movies and series increasingly rely on photorealistic gaming technologies for backgrounds and special effects.”
The release cited projects like Disney’s “The Mandalorian” that are using virtual landscapes during the filming process. The grant was meant to allow around 300 students to learn new technologies and techniques for their future film and television careers.
The money comes from the Entertainment Development Fund that was created by former Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2017 to improve the state’s entertain-
ment industry. The 2021 grant’s fruits are now a part of 15 courses across degree paths.
Ever since the Entertainment Development Fund’s creation, the world has seen a few mainstream television programs created in Louisiana, including “Interview with a Vampire” and “Mayfair Witches.”
In the past few years there were also some popular movies filmed in Louisiana. For instance, the film “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” based on the horror franchise, grossed almost $300 million dollars on a budget of $20 million. Two other recently released movies filmed in Louisiana were Nicolas Cage’s “Reinfield,” and
“Hitman” starring Glen Powell. According to the press release from August, Louisiana’s film industry makes about $1 billion per year and creates 10,000 jobs. The release also said Louisiana is one of the fastest growing when it comes to entertainment. The new grant is meant to continue that growth.
CAMPUS LIFE
MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille
flag May 3 on the Student Union steps on LSU’s campus.
CHLOE KALMBACH/ The Reveille
The College of Music and Dramatic Arts sits on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, on Dalrymple Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
PROTEST, from page 3
channels or research.
Spalt, a biochemistry senior, and the organization were targeting Resolution 24-01, which was both introduced and passed in the same Faculty Senate meeting late last semester. It succeeded with a two-thirds majority and much debate, the meeting’s minutes say.
He believes that the university takes a side favoring Israel’s interests by declaring neutrality. He also doesn’t believe the organization had a fair amount of time to comment on the resolution since it passed in the same meeting it was introduced.
“LSU is having its pockets lined by people from Israeli companies who are participating or upholding genocide,” Spalt said. “Our goal is ultimately to negotiate with faculty for divestment.”
That’s not the way Faculty Senate President Daniel Tirone said the resolution was meant to be read.
“It’s meant to protect the freedom of the faculty and students to engage in scholarship and protect their academic freedom,” he said.
Tirone, a political science professor and the meeting’s chair, said the resolution the students protested is actually more supportive of their cause than they credit. It’s intended to safeguard faculty and student research and interests from any potential politi-
cal positions taken by university administration. It also entrenches the students’ rights to take their pro-Palestine stance as opposed to having their voice suppressed.
He added that the Faculty Senate might not be a prime target for student protest, since it holds little real influence on the university’s front-facing policy as it pertains to divestment.
The students might find more success if they, Tirone said as an example, approached university administration compared to the Faculty Senate. “There is a time, place and manner,” he added.
Vice president of the senate and physics and astronomy professor Parampreet Singh said the decision to deny the students comment was not based on their political views.
“If the other group would’ve come, they would have also been denied public comment,” Singh said. “We have to be fair to everyone and we have to follow the law.”
Allowing just anyone to say whatever they wish would erode the senate’s purpose and mission, Singh said. It would also be legally dubious, he said.
“It’s not that faculty are against students on any issue. We would like to have a healthy discussion on various things,” Singh said. “But it was not the forum for that.”
Spalt said the Students for a Democratic Society wouldn’t be
deterred by law enforcement’s threats to arrest them. He said they were asked for their names and IDs but were not detained, so they opted not to share that information.
The organization plans on more displays and events for the coming semester.
The hope, he said, is that through civil disruption, the organization can garner enough support that the university takes their message seriously. Its end goal is LSU officially divesting and increasing transparency, much like other colleges across the country have reacted to student protests.
Singh said all visitors are entitled to public comment at Faculty Senate meetings as long as they meet the requirements, as per state law.
That means comments must pertain to the meeting’s agenda and requests for comment should be made at least one hour before the meeting’s start via email, disclosing their name, the group they represent and their topic of concern. Comments can only be made on items up to a vote.
“Even I was a student a long time ago,” he said, clarifying that his sympathy for the students does not reflect approval of their ideology. “I was young and much more enthusiastic… I understand their pain, but it was disruptive and we have to uphold the law. We have to be fair to everyone.”
CONSTRUCTION, from page 3
Cox Auditorium until construction is completed.
According to Broty Stelly, the LSU Parking and Transportation Services communication specialist, these temporary changes should not affect bus times and pedestrian foot traffic; however, delays were reported last week.
Other projects
Another major project underway is the Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building, located at the corner of South Stadium and Tower Drive. This $148 million project is set to become a state-of-the-art facility designed to advance research and education in the health sci-
ences. It isn’t expected to be completed until the fall 2025.
The building will feature modern laboratories, collaborative spaces, and advanced technology to support interdisciplinary studies and innovation.
In addition to these projects, significant work is being done in the Enchanted Forest, a popular green space on campus located near Cedar and Cypress Halls. The construction in this area focuses on improving walkways and the area’s overall appearance.
“I’ve worked here for 20 years, and I can say that the improvements we’re making now will have a lasting positive impact on everyone who uses this campus,” Mitchell said.
EMILY BOUDREAUX / The Reveille Fencing around construction creates new walking path June 12 on Field House Drive on LSU’s campus.
ENTERTAINMENT
TAILGATE CHECKLIST
1
Fully Stocked Cooler
Game days on campus typically mean long hours spent outside in the Louisiana sun. Every tent needs a cooler or two to keep tailgaters’ beverages ice cold. No matter what the beverage of choice may be, it’s not an LSU tail gate without a cold drink in hand.
2
A tailgate isn’t complete without a speaker blasting an upbeat game day playlist. Songs like “Calling Baton Rouge”, “Louisiana Saturday Night” and “Eye of the Tiger” are a few staples. The bigger the speaker the better. Preferably the music is just loud enough to be heard from the next tent over.
Every successful tailgate has a selection of delicious food to keep its guests fed. Ideally a tent would be stocked with home-cooked dishes like jambalaya, pastalaya, boudin and barbeque. Bringing a portable grill and cooking on site is a great way to elevate a tailgate.
3 Food
5
Lawn Chair
A lawn chair equipped with cup holders is the perfect addition to any game day tent. Friends and family will fight for the chance to rest their feet even for a few minutes. Although it may not seem like too much of a hassle, it’s worth hauling at least one chair from the car to the tailgating grounds.
Clear Bag
There are two options for footwear on game days. Either a practical sneaker that will be comfortable all day or a classic pair of leather cowgirl/cowboy boots that make a tailgate outfit photo-worthy. Will the boots be hot and potentially painful? Yes. Are they worth the fashion statement?
Also yes.
4 Footwear
6
Death Valley has a strict clear bag policy, but local boutiques have plenty of trendy clear purses that make the perfect accessory to a purple and gold game day outfit. Don’t forget extra cash for a stadium hot dog and cover for the bar after a tiger win!
What The Reveille Entertainment Section is Listening To
BY ARIS WILLIAMS @arisofmars
1 3 2 4 5
Here’s a quick rundown of the latest albums that we have on repeat.
“Quantum Baby” Tinashe
“Alligator Bites Never Heal” Doechii
“Imaginal Disk” Magdalena Bay
“Bird’s Eye” Ravyn Lenae
“Lungu Boy” Asake
The seventh full-length album of singer/songwriter Tinashe comes after her viral single “Nasty” had the whole world moving this summer.
“Quantum Baby” is part two of a three-album trilogy, offering another versatile glimpse inside of Tinashe’s mind. Upbeat singles such as “Getting No Sleep” and “No Broke Boys” are fun tracks for partying while more emotional ballads such as “Cross That Line” depict the desire for true love and companionship that pretty much all of us have deep down inside.
With a follow-up tour set to begin in October, it’s safe to say that Tinashe is having a (much deserved) good year.
Top Dawg Entertainment signee Doechii has garnered a solid fanbase with her cocky lyricism and the fresh energy she’s brought to the world of female rap.
After keeping fans fed throughout the summer with her weekly “Swamp Sessions,” 19-track-long “Alligator Bites Never Heal” is like a long-awaited reward. Tracks such as “DENIAL IS A RIVER” are an ode to the inner monologues that first captured people’s attention, while songs like “BOOM BAP” and “DEATH ROLL” are high energy and almost Kendrick Lamar-coded.
“Alligator Bites Never Heal” has received generally positive reviews, with some even declaring it the rap album of the year.
Miami-native pop duo Magdelena Bay has become known for their otherworldly hyper pop music.
“Imaginal Disk” is their second studio album, with the title referencing the insect larvae structures that form their adult bodies (imaginal discs). Their mastery of producing indie-pop shines through in this product, with tracks such as “She Looked Like Me!” and “Death & Romance” including their typical eclectic touch but with more depth and complexity.
“Imaginal Disk” has received universal acclaim from critics, with Matthew Kim of The Line Best Fit describing it as “the product of a band intensely honing what they want to sound like and ending up with a style so unique that it’s barely possible to describe.”
“Bird’s Eye” is the second studio album of singer/songwriter Ravyn Lenae, with themes such as trust, self-reassessment and not always having all of the answers being driving forces of her lyricism.
The singles “Dream Girl” featuring Ty Dolla Sign and “One Wish” featuring Childish Gambino were released this summer, leaving fans eager to hear the rest of the project. Fusions of soul, blues and rock are prominent throughout this project, with songs containing what Lenae likes to refer to as “Prince drums.”
This project is a solid follow-up to her debut album “Hypnos,” with a supporting tour kicking off next month. Sadly, she isn’t coming to Louisiana; trust me I looked.
Nigerian singer and rapper Asake aims to shy away from his typical feel-good sound with “Lungu Boy,” his third studio album.
As Asake navigates life and matures, his approach to making music morphs right with him, with tracks such as “Dull” and “Great Guy” detailing the reality of his life and everything that comes with fame. Though some were disappointed by this narrational approach and claimed the project was “holey,” others appreciate this effort to unpack how his journey to global stardom has affected him.
Regardless of how you see it, Asake’s newfound awareness is evident in “Lungu Boy,” and he’s sure to solidify his direction with experience and time.
As students pile into campus for the beginning of classes, space gets scarce.
CRAMPED ON CAMPUS CRAMPED ON CAMPUS
LSU students fill the tables in the LSU Student Union on Sept. 3 on Highland Road in Baton Rouge, La.
Photos by Erin Barker
LSU students wait in line for Chick-fil-A on Sept. 3 in the LSU Student Union on Highland Road in Baton Rouge, La.
LSU students study at tables in the LSU Student Union on Sept. 3 on Highland Road in Baton Rouge, La.
LSU students fill the tables in the LSU Student Union on Sept. 3 on Highland Road in Baton Rouge, La.
Cars and trucks sit parked on the grass at an LSU commuter lot on Sept. 3 on S. Quad Drive in Baton Rouge, La.
SPORTS
BY LIZZIE FALCETTI
@lizziefalcetti
A man stands at a roulette table, heart pounding as he pushes a stack of chips onto his chosen number.
The Vegas casino is bustling and loud, but he’s only focused on the click of the ball against the spinning wheel.
At Allegiant Stadium, LSU fans’ hearts race similarly as USC snaps the ball from the 13-yard line, the game tied at 20 with 13 seconds remaining.
The roulette ball spins and spins, and the gambler’s anxiety heightens with each passing second. Could this be his moment?
With the same intensity, USC quarterback Miller Moss hands off the ball to running back Woody Marks. The rusher powers through the middle.
The gambler’s face drops when the ball settles, and it’s not on what he bet. All his hope and excitement are gone.
LSU fans, who traveled miles to finally see their team win a season opener, are left devastated when Marks enters the end zone, securing the Trojans 27-20 win.
For the fifth season in a row, the Tigers start the year at 0-1. But what makes this time
feel so different? Hope.
There was hope LSU would win this nail-biting, back-andforth game. There was hope quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who racked up 304 passing yards, would get the Tigers the victory.
But, like many who come to Vegas, LSU left unlucky. Here are three takeaways from the Week 1 loss.
Secondary slump
After LSU kicker Damian Ramos’ field goal tied the game at 20-20, only a minute and 47 seconds remained. All LSU’s defense had to do was hold off the Trojans. Then, the Tigers’ offense could have a chance to come out and win in overtime.
However, the secondary allowed USC to drive down the field, giving up five, 10 and 20-yard passes along the way.
Moss averaged 14 yards per pass, and LSU’s defensive backs gave up 378 passing yards.
Tiger fans know this tale all too well.
The offense kept the game competitive, but the pass coverage faltered, leading to easy plays and touchdowns for opponents.
LSU was up 17-13 with five minutes left in the game, but Moss
threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane. Cornerback Ashton Stamps left room for Lane to make the catch.
With the spotlight on the secondary this season, LSU must adjust its coverage to prevent receivers from beating defensive backs.
Red-zone inefficiency
Multiple times LSU was in the red zone. Multiple times it settled for field goals or turned over the ball on downs.
Of LSU’s five trips to the red zone, only two were touchdowns. The Tigers settled for field goals twice, which ultimately left them behind when USC scored a touchdown on its final drive.
In only his second start, Nussmeier had a tremendous game with 29 of 38 passes completed. However, the two touchdown passes were not enough. The Tigers needed to follow through after strong drives, which was tough against USC’s red-zone defense.
The Tigers left a potential 11 points on the field, which means everything in a close battle.
On the other side, LSU’s redzone defense gave up short runs, which allowed USC to strike first in the second quarter. But the goal-line defense also forced USC to field goals twice in this game.
er Kyren Lacy connection was solid from the start of the game. They created two 15-yard passes in the first two plays of the game.
But Nussmeier stayed away from the long ball most of this game. He only completed two deep passes, one for 26 yards and his longest of the night for 41 yards.
USC’s defense capitalized, keeping seven players near the line at all times since Nussmeier was sticking to short passes.
Because the Trojan defense was strong in the trenches, LSU wasn’t able to create many explosive runs.
John Emery Jr. had a 39-yard run, which was the Tigers only big rushing play of the night. Other than that run, LSU’s running backs averaged 3.04 yards per rush.
The Trojans snatched big plays from LSU by putting pressure on pass attempts and stuffing most running plays.
With areas to refine and penalties to reduce, the Tigers still have a solid foundation to build on from these lessons and hopefully can come back stronger for their home opener against Nicholls on Sept. 7.
Lack of discipline doomed LSU
BY TYLER HARDEN @ttjharden8
USC quarterback Miller Moss threw an incomplete pass to Ja’Kobi Lane on first and 10 from LSU’s 17 yard line.
But a flag was thrown. Pass interference on Sage Ryan: 15-yard penalty, first and goal for the Trojans at the LSU two-yard line.
USC went on to score on the next play thanks to a two-yard run from Woody Marks, giving the Trojans a 7-0 lead to start the second quarter.
Flags being thrown against LSU was a common occurrence Sunday night in Las Vegas, so much so that 10 penalties cost the team 99 yards. Those unthinkable 10 penalties included three personal fouls.
The fact that the Tigers stayed in the game despite giving away almost the length of the field to USC spoke volumes about what LSU could’ve accomplished in a perfect scenario.
But it also spoke volumes about how far LSU still has to go and the internal strides it would take to get there.
That starts with leadership, which appeared minimally on Sunday.
LSU tied the game at 10 with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Garrett Nussmeier to Kyren Lacy in the second quarter. However,
see LOSS, page 10
Breaking down quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s season debut
BY MARTIN SULLIVAN
With 30 completions and two touchdowns it’s easy to tell Garrett Nussmeier played a phenomenal game. A look behind the numbers can reveal more about his starting debut this season.
Despite a 27-20 loss to the Trojans, Nussmeier performed admirably in the Tigers’ season opener. He finished with a 77% completion percentage, connecting with 10 different targets along the way. Understanding the nuances of those numbers can better project his season.
But before evaluating the quarterback, it’s important to understand the defense he was playing against. USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn devised an effective game plan on Sunday.
The Trojans regularly used simulated pressures to leave Nussmeier and the offense guessing on whether
or not to expect a blitz. Some plays would result in a Cover 0 blitz, some resulted in seven dropping into coverage.
This unpredictable style can cause throwaways, wasted downs or clogged up options downfield often resulting in a checkdown for little gain.
This played a significant role in LSU stretching the field more horizontally than they did vertically. Despite his gunslinger reputation, Nussmeier still excelled. His ability to take the easy throw and deliver quick passes showed an ability to adapt that every great quarterback needs.
Of his incompletions only three were outright misses, one of which came on a third and long when defenses can commit to defending the pass.
Three of his incompletions were throwaways or prayer throws in the face of a free rusher.
One of Nussmeier’s incompletions came on what was also one of his best throws. A throw to Kyren Lacy at the back right pylon was just out of bounds by mere inches. Despite the outcome, the throw displayed great touch and anticipation. Similarly, a second quarter throw to Mason Taylor was fingertips away from being one of the best throws of the night. Nussmeier delivered a bullet to a post route that would’ve been completed had it not been for a Trojan player getting his fingers on it. More touch on the throw or even just waiting a few beats could’ve changed the outcome of this play.
His last incompletion came with his only interception of the night, with four seconds on the clock and the whole field to cover.
Easily his best throw was a left pylon floater to Lacy. The ball was released near the 30-yard line and before Lacy even reached the 10yard line. It couldn’t have been put
in a better spot. Lacy was able to go up and get it, while maintaining both feet in bounds.
Ball placement and anticipation
were strengths of Nussmeier’s game all night. He frequently delivered on
@marty_sulli
STEVE MARCUS / AP Photo
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Sept. 1 in Las Vegas.
see NUSS, page 10
FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL
LOSS, from page 9
Lacy was called for unsportsmanlike conduct because of his touchdown celebration.
Celebrations can be good for the game; they can look good on social media. But that can’t be the focal point of a team. There’s a time and a place for it, and Sunday in Las Vegas was not the time, nor the place.
The self-inflicted damage stayed true in the fourth quarter, when LSU came up with a stop on fourth and nine to force a turnover on downs.
After the play, though, Major Burns was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, and that put the Tigers at their own 21-yard line.
In addition to the unsportsmanlike penalties, Will Campbell was called for false starts twice, including one with just under six minutes left in the game.
NUSS, from page 9
tight window throws in various levels of the field.
Outside of three true incompletions, there wasn’t much room for improvement. Three of LSU’s punts came after two runs and a checkdown pass. Some of that comes from the erratic nature of Lynn’s defense, and some of that comes from LSUs at-times ineffective run game.
PJ Woodland was also called for pass interference early in the third quarter, putting USC inside LSU’s 20-yard line.
While Woodland made up for the error by forcing an incompletion on the next play, the Trojans still capitalized with a field goal, taking a 13-10 lead.
But the straw that broke the camel’s back came with 18 seconds left in the game, when Jardin Gilbert was penalized for targeting.
The call put USC inside LSU’s 15-yard line, and Marks capitalized with a 13-yard score for the Trojans. USC took a 27-20 lead and didn’t look back.
Targeting rulings can be fluid and controversial. However, it was nonetheless one of the biggest difference makers on Sunday night.
But LSU allowed it to be.
Without prior mistakes, mistakes that proved to be costly, and
Facing a defense that can vary so significantly pre-and post-snap is a tall task for a first-time starter. Facing a different type of defense will likely allow for more vertical attacks, where fans know Nussmeier shines. An improved run game and the return of wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. will also make a significant difference.
The loss hurts, but the Tigers’ new starting quarterback gives plenty of reason for excitement.
mistakes that could have been avoided, one call may not have had the value it did. One call may not have given USC the perfect window of opportunity to strike.
What went wrong wasn’t just flaws in the secondary or an inconsistent run game.
It was something that can define a team, something that can slowly bring a team down if it continues to spread and something that can hinder a team from its full potential.
It was lack of discipline.
The way to fix that is not to play lesser teams to start the season. LSU was plenty capable of winning over USC in Las Vegas, but it allowed itself not to.
Something has got to give if LSU wants change.
Beyond Week 2, LSU will have an uphill battle to be a contender in the SEC, and Week 1 will be a time looked at as a reason why.
STEVE MARCUS / AP Photo
LSU head coach Brian Kelly, left, talks with officials during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Sept. 1 in Las Vegas.
OPINION
Parasocial relationships are ruining the entertainment industry
JEMIAH’S
JUSTIFICATIONS
JEMIAH CLEMONS
@Miclemah
Global superstar Chappell Roan has come under fire after demanding that fans give her privacy in a recent TikTok. Roan speaking directly to fans in her video has sparked a debate about parasocial relationships and stan culture.
As media platforms provide viewers with more access to celebrities and other public figures, personal boundaries are going extinct.
This has become abundantly clear with the latest season of “Love Island USA.” The booming reality TV show has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide.
Leah Kateb, JaNa Craig and Serena Page are some notable names from season six, and all three women have gained massive attention with a combined follower count of 6.8 million on Instagram.
The trio referred to themselves as PPG, short for Power Puff Girls, and they attracted millions of new viewers to the show almost immediately. PPG became fan favorites, and this led to some interesting discourse online. When conflicts arose on the show, things outside of the Love Island villa were much worse. In an attempt to defend their favorite islander, fans took to X (Twitter), Reddit and Instagram to spew hate comments and death
threats to the other contestants involved.
Specifically, cast members from the show’s Casa Amor segment received the most vile comments from viewers.
This toxic behavior was finally addressed at the Love Island USA reunion last month. For
example, Leah Kateb spoke to viewers and directly asked them to stop spreading negativity on her behalf. The islanders also discussed the mental and emotional impact that those comments had on them.
Everyone deserves privacy and boundaries regardless of their status, so why do fans feel so entitled to celebrities?
As it pertains to Roan and the “Love Island U.S.A.” contestants, I believe fans have found a sense of identity watching them. Roan and the women of PPG serve as representation for queer women and women of color. So if someone they idolize gets attacked, their fans also feel attacked.
This attachment is what differentiates stan culture from parasocial relationships. While stans are also weird, there’s still a sense of separation from fans and their favorite artist. Stan culture involves blindly following a celebrity through good or bad. These fans are chronically online and allow their favorite celebrity to become a pillar of their personality.
However, those who engage in parasocial relationships take this behavior to another level. They feel a real connection to public
figures, and this leads them to push boundaries and invade people’s privacy.
While celebrities aren’t directly responsible for the actions of their fans, it becomes a bad look when they sit back and allow their fans to go berserk on their behalf. Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Beyoncé are just some examples of how stan culture can evolve into parasocial behavior.
What started as a love for music has turned into stan wars, trolling people on social media and even doxxing people who have conflicts with their favorite artist. It’s even weirder when you remember that these celebrities don’t know their fans personally, so essentially fans are doing these crazy things for a stranger. As fans gain more access to public figures, it’s imperative that the proper precautions are taken. Hiding from fans and taking the PR route only feeds into the crazy behavior and curiosity of fans. While it’s sad that celebrities have to demand respect and privacy, speaking directly to fans may be effective.
Jemiah Clemons is a 20-year-old kinesiology junior from Miami, Florida.
LSU Athletics is an undeniable sports marketing powerhouse
JONES
@acamelliasssss
Though it’s important to thank LSU’s wonderful athletes for helping bring attention to our university, the university marketing team and die-hard tiger fans deserve just as much praise for helping boost promotion.
If you don’t know, marketing is basically the process of attracting consumers or viewers to your brand or business. In order to successfully market something, you have to have a target audience and also be in tune with social media trends, especially in today’s digital world.
Since LSU, like other universities, is dominated by Generation Z, that point is even more vital for a brand’s success.
LSU’s marketing and branding team distinguishes itself
EDITORIAL BOARD
Falcon
Buzbee
from that of other schools because it really hones in on implementing both Louisiana culture and Baton Rouge’s local culture into its strategies.
For example, when the 2019 football team visited the White House, they created a video of themselves dancing to the song, “Get the Gat” which was created by a New Orleans native. In the video, some of the players did popular Louisiana dances which blended well with the song.
This video went viral on several platforms and brought even more attention to one of the best teams we’ve had at LSU so far.
Our marketing brilliance has even been proven to turn student-athletes into overnight social media influencers as well. Before, Angel Reese was just Angel Reese, but during her time at LSU, she became known as the Bayou Barbie, another nod to Louisiana culture.
Even LSU’s 2023 women’s basketball team had such a great season that they were
mentioned by Cardi B in Latto’s song, “Put it On Da Floor.” Cardi B stated, “I been balling so hard I could’ve went to LSU.”
Of course, LSU students took this song and ran with it, as we should. It was a fun time to be alive because LSU found its way into mainstream music.
Other examples include LSU’s collaboration with businesses like Dudley Debosier Law Firm and Raising Cane’s; both of which were founded in Baton Rouge. I’ve seen several advertisements and commercials of LSU student-athletes promoting Raising Cane’s. I’ve also seen Chad Dudley and Steve Debosier in game day commercials, showcasing their purple and gold pride.
As I stated before, our student body plays a key role in our marketing as well. From on campus interviews to Game Day outfit of the day videos to the slogan “pretty girls go to LSU,” our students have indirectly assisted the marketing team with
promoting LSU culture ultimately creating interest for prospective students.
I could go on and on, as there’s so much more to the LSU brand and culture like our mascot, school colors, Game Day chants etc., but there’s not
enough space to do so, which is why having a good marketing department is so important.
Amyri Jones is a 22-year-old digital advertising and religious studies senior from Baton Rouge.
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
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GRAPHIC BY JACOB CHASTANT
AMY HARRIS / AP Photo Chappell Roan performs at Outside Lands Music Festival on Aug. 11 in San Francisco, Calif.
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