12/08/2017

19.

PAGE

The Penn

IUP FOOTBALL PREPARES FOR SEMIFINAL MATCHUP

FINAL FRENZY: GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR CAMPUS RESOURCES PAGE 3

NEWS | PAGE 3

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

CULTURE | PAGE 12

VOL. 108 NO. 25

SPORTS | PAGE 18

WWW.THEPENN.ORG

The Penn // INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

News

Cover Graphic By Michael Hull

culture

SPORTS

The Penn F A L L

2 0 1 7

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Chris Hayes Managing Editor Alexandria Mansfield News Editor Katie Mest

08.

13

ART STUDENT DISPLAYS WORK FAR BEYOND INDIANA

W

E

F R I D A Y

33 HI |21 LO

A

T

H

20.

THE PENN OFFERS WAYS TO REMAIN CALM DURING FINALS

E

R

Culture Editor Seth Woolcock IUP SWIMMING SET FOR MEET WITH CLARION

F O R E C A S T

S A T U R D A Y

S U N D A Y

M O N D A Y

29 HI |25 LO

37 HI |25 LO

37 HI |28 LO

Sports Editor Sean Fritz Copy Editor Nathan Zisk Graphic Designer Michael Hull Digital Media Editor Katie Williams Photo Editor James Neuhausel

BUSINESS STAFF TWITTER.COM/THEPENNIUP

FOLLOW

The Penn ON TWITTER

@ThePennIUP

P

The Penn’# SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

The Penn

CHECK OUT ONLINE FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

THEPENN.ORG

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

FACEBOOK.COM/THEPENNIUP

HOLIDAY Vampire Weekend HOLIDAY Green Day HOLIDAY Weezer HOLIDAY Dead Kennedys HOLIDAY Calvin Harris FT. Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Takeoff

Business Manager Lauren Cattell Secretaries Autumn Bolton Jordan Lenox Emma Herman-Conrad

ADVERTISING STAFF Ad Director Briana Rainey Ad Reps Geoff Boltz Kyle Waldron

PRODUCTION STAFF Production Manager Kelsea Oravic

HOLIDAY Chris Young HOLIDAY HRVY- Red Phew HOLIDAY Girls’ Generation HOLIDAY Madonna STRANGE FRUIT Billie Holiday

FOLLOW THEPENNIUP ON SPOTIFY FOR ACCESS TO THIS PLAYLIST

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE PENN STAFF

CONTACT US the-penn@iup.edu penn-ads@iup.edu PHONE: 724.357.1306 FAX: 724.357.0127 #IUPSTUDENTVOICE

NEWS

P News Editor: Katie Mest – K.A.Mest@iup.edu

Finals Frenzy

Get by with a little help from your campus resources

10 Career and professional Development Center If you are a junior, senior or graduate student, the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) will prove to be especially helpful. Students can be assisted in improving their professional development and networking abilities. The CPDC is located in Pratt Hall.

9

Student-Athlete Resources Are you an athlete or thinking of becoming one? IUP’s StudentAthlete Resources will get you on the right track by giving guidance on what necessary requirements need to be met in order to join the athletic student body as well as maintain positions on a team.

8

IT Support Center Whether you have questions about how to navigate through the MYIUP portal, how to change your MYIUP username and password or overall technological issues, the trained support staff in Delaney Hall will walk you through with step-by-step guidance. It also takes calls and respond to emails.

News

6

Library Hours Monday, December 11: enhanced hours until 2:00 a.m. then 24/5 operations begin Tuesday, December 12: enhanced hours until 2:00 a.m. then 24/5 operations begin Wednesday, December 13: enhanced hours until 2:00 a.m. then 24/5 operations begin Thursday, December 14: regular hours until 12:45 a.m. then 24/5 operations begin

7 Counseling Center The stress of finals week can be extremely overwhelming. The Counseling Center, located in Suites on Maple East, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walk-ins are accepted on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Trained staff is on hand to lend free emotional, physical, mental and academic support.

December 8, 2017

Therapy Dogs During finals week, Just Paws Therapy Dogs are available at the library to relieve stress and get love. What better way to decompress between difficult exams and lengthy presentations than with a furry friend?

5

Writing Center Writing can be extremely difficult in some cases. So, next time you find yourself stuck, whether it be with brainstorming ideas, grammar, sentence structure, style formatting or documenting sources, the Writing Center’s friendly tutors will guide you through it all. Punxsutawney students also get to print for free at the Writing Center. Can’t beat that.

4

Learning Enhancement Center

The Learning Enhancement Center, located in Pratt Hall, is available to assist students with historically difficult academic courses and majors. One-on-one and group tutorials and workshops are provided by professional and undergraduate paraprofessional trained staff. So, if you’re looking for a little extra help in that biochemistry or calculus class, don’t be afraid to stop by.

By Victoria Cassell

3

Center for Health and Well-Being There comes a time in all college students’ lives when they get a little under the weather or need assistance with certain healthrelated issues. The Center for Health and Well Being, located in Suites on Maple East, is the perfect place to seek walk-in medical care or appointments.

Free medicine, appointments and flu shots are also available.

2

Financial Advising For all financially related issues, Clark Hall is the place to go.

The helpful staff will assist you in answering all questions and concerns, ranging from financial aid and scholarships to where to locate your landlord letter. This is also where the Office of the Bursar is located.

1

Library The IUP libraries are the perfect place to socialize, get work done and relax. The Stapleton Library is open 24/5 to anyone.

Although, an I-Card is needed if you are choosing to stay for the library’s extended hours.

3

December 8, 2017

4

News

Al Franken to resign from Senate after allegations of sexual improprieties

Police Blotter

By CATHLEEN DECKER Los Angeles Times TNS

Disorderly Conduct

Al Franken announced Thursday he will resign his Senate seat, falling to a whirlwind of sexual misconduct allegations like those that have enmeshed other politicians, business leaders and media figures across the country in recent months.

The Minnesota Democrat, a second-term senator once seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2020 or beyond, earlier had said he would not leave office but would submit to a Senate ethics investigation into his behavior. He had acknowledged some misconduct, but denied other allegations.

His fate appeared sealed, however, on Wednesday, when more than half of Senate Democrats issued calls for his resignation in an uprising led by female senators.

The choreographed move came as yet another woman came forward to accuse Franken of unwanted advances before he was elected to the Senate, and Senate Democratic leader Charles E. Schumer of New York privately met with Franken to tell him the time had come to quit.

Franken’s announcement marked the second departure this week of a once-heralded Democrat caught in unsavory accusations.

On Tuesday, the senior member of the House, Rep. John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, quit after multiple complaints by aides that he had sexually harassed them.

The departure marks the end of the legislative career that began when Franken squeaked into office on an exceptionally narrow win, was reelected more easily and had emerged as a wellregarded member of the party’s growing liberal wing.

Franken’s resignation will not change the balance of power in the Senate, where Republicans hold the majority with 52 seats.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a fellow Democrat, will appoint a replacement to serve until a special election can be held in November 2018. The winner of that election will hold the seat until what would have been the end of Franken’s second term, in January 2021.

Criminal Trespass

• Travis Kendrick, 26, of Indiana, and Savanna Kyler, 24, of Indiana, were cited with disorderly conduct for a disturbance at 2:45 p.m. Dec. 6 at 464 Water St., according to the Indiana Borough Police Department.

• Joshua Gates, 30, of Indiana, reportedly broke into a residence and was charged with one count of criminal trespass and one count of defiant trespass at 9:15 a.m. Dec. 3 in North Carpenter Avenue, according to borough police.

Drug Violations

(TNS) U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) looked over his notes prior to hearing Alex M. Azar II testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on his nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services on Nov. 29 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. A series of Senate Democratic women called for Franken to resign Wednesday morning.

Franken had recent star turns on Capitol Hill: It was his questioning of then-Sen. Jeff Sessions at Sessions’ nomination hearing in early 2017 to become attorney general that spurred the Alabamian to assert that neither he nor others on the Trump campaign had any conversations with Russian officials during the campaign. That has been shown to be false. Sessions and Franken had another televised go-around at a hearing last month that centered on Russia’s involvement in the election.

A politician with an unusual entree into politics – an occasionally raunchy comedy career that included his years on “Saturday Night Live” – Franken’s fall was as swift as his rise.

The first claim against him came from Los Angeles radio host Leeann Tweeden, who on Nov. 16 accused him of aggressively kissing and groping her during a 2006 USO tour of the Mideast in which the two worked as performers. She also made public a picture taken of Franken with his hands outstretched near her breasts while she slept on a military plane as the performers returned from overseas, as if mocking the act of groping her.

Franken issued two statements apologizing to Tweeden and expressing disappointment with his own actions.

“I respect women. I don’t respect men who don’t,” Franken said. “And the fact that my own actions have given people a

good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed.”

Four days later, a woman named Lindsay Menz said that Franken placed his hand on her buttocks as they posed for a picture at the Minnesota state fair in 2010, when he was a senator.

Franken, in a statement, said that he had taken thousands of pictures at the fair and did not specifically remember Menz. He was sorry that she felt “disrespected,” he said.

Additional accusations continued through Wednesday, when Politico reported that a former congressional aide had come forward to claim that Franken had kissed her when she accompanied her boss to an appearance on Franken’s radio show in 2006.

The incident, like Tweeden’s, occurred before Franken was elected senator.

The allegations against Franken came as a conversation about sexual harassment spiraled nationally. Since early October, when movie producer Harvey Weinstein was forced out of his company after accusations of sexual harassment, abuse and rape surfaced, charges of sexual misconduct have ended – or severely damaged – the careers of many prominent men. On Capitol Hill, women have recounted numerous incidents of groping and unwanted advances from men, including officeholders, and said that Congress does not sufficiently protect them.

Continued on page 9.

• Ashley Puckett, 24, of Armagh, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after being found in possession of heroin and marijuana at 9:42 p.m. Dec.1 in the 300 block of Gompers Avenue, according to borough police.

• Danielle McGhen, 32, of Indiana, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia at 12:45 p.m. Nov. 30 in the 300 block of Philadelphia Street, according to borough police.

Alcohol Violation

• Duane Davis, 23, of Pittsburgh, was cited for public drunkenness at 12:40 a.m. Dec. 2 in the 200 block of South Seventh Street, according to borough police.

Theft

• A black male wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt and black sweat pants reportedly took a black Columbia backpack from the IUP Co-Op Store without paying at 12:58 p.m. Dec. 1 at 319 Pratt Drive, according to borough police. Anyone with information about the incident should contact borough police at 724-349-2121.

• Lydia Cruz, 18, of Darby, was charged with retail theft and underage drinking after reportedly consuming an item in a store without paying for it while intoxicated at 12:54 a.m. Dec. 1 in the 700 block of Wayne Avenue, according to borough police.

P ... and follow us on instagram.

/thepenniup

December 8, 2017

News

Companies speak out against net neutrality

By RACHEL LERMAN The Seattle Times TNS

Many Seattle-area tech companies are continuing to speak out against the proposed rollback of federal net-neutrality regulations as advocates of an “open internet” plan protests nationwide this week.

The Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to vote next week on the proposed rollback, which would eliminate rules that require internet service providers such as Comcast and Verizon to provide the same network speed and access to every website.

Opponents say getting rid of the rules could allow internet providers to favor certain websites or charge companies more to ensure faster access to their sites – making some faster and easier to access, and others basically impossible to find.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has argued that overregulation prevents broadband companies from making significant investments needed to support innovation.

Kirkland-based internet provider Wave Broadband agrees that the rules can be a “burden,” but has said it does not let companies pay for priority service or block users’ access to content.

But others think rescinding the rules could lead to access issues.

“There is more to consider with rolling back net neutrality than merely innovation and a healthy market,” said Esther Gehr­man Sirotnik, corporate counsel at Seattle online legal-advice company Avvo. “Turning the internet into a toll bridge could bring on an ice age – potentially chilling how consumers access information.”

Avvo joined a long list of local tech companies in an online protest of the rollback in July, which included the likes of Amazon, Expedia, Moz, Google, Twitter and Netflix.

The next step for those opposing the rule change is a series of protests at Verizon stores across the country on Wednesday.

Protests organized by activist group Demand Progress are scheduled at the downtown Seattle Verizon store on Sixth Avenue

(TNS) Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Varadaraj Pai testified July 19 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

and at the Bellevue Crossroads Verizon store.

Microsoft reiterated its commitment to net neutrality last week, when company President Brad Smith tweeted, “Microsoft believes in preserving the open internet & opposes weakening net neutrality protections.”

He included a link to comments the company filed last summer with the FCC. More than 200 companies and trade groups – including Moz, Shift Labs and several others from the area – issued a letter last week, on Cyber Monday, saying that getting rid of the rules could throw the growth of e-commerce into jeopardy.

“The internet is increasingly where commerce happens,” states the letter, signed by Airbnb, Twitter and Reddit. “This economic growth is possible because of the free and open internet.”

The upcoming vote has been the focus of internet communities, particularly on Reddit and Tumblr, with people spreading petitions and calls for others to reach out directly to the FCC to express opposition.

The online opposition voices might be growing, but they don’t seem to be slowing the FCC. Pai, the FCC chairman, said Monday the vote – which is expected to pass in the Republicandominated commission – will proceed as planned on Dec. 14.

5

December 8, 2017

6

News

No. 3 House Democrat Clyburn votes to start Trump impeachment proceedings

By EMMA DUMAIN McClatchy Washington Bureau TNS

Rep. Jim Clyburn, saying he was compelled to vote his conscience, broke with House Democratic leaders Wednesday and backed a measure to start impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

The South Carolina lawmaker and Assistant House Democratic Leader said he voted on the impeachment resolution, sponsored

by Texas Democrat Al Green, because “I do not feel that [Trump is] fit to be in office.”

He was one of 58 Democrats to vote against Republicans’ effort to kill the resolution after Green forced a House floor vote using procedural maneuvers. Four Democrats voted “present” rather than take an up or down position.

Clyburn’s vote was particularly noteworthy because his colleagues in the leadership – particularly House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California – have urged members to tamp down

(TNS) Jim Clyburn voted Wednesday for an impeachment resolution.

discussions of impeaching Trump, arguing that kind of rhetoric will not play well with voters.

Discussions of impeachment are also premature, Pelosi and others have said, while a special counsel is overseeing a complex investigation into alleged misconduct by Trump associates during

the 2016 presidential campaign.

Clyburn told McClatchy on Wednesday he agreed with Pelosi that, at this point in the 2018 election cycle, focusing on impeachment isn’t appropriate, though he suggested that could change as Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe continues.

“It all depends on the timing,” This is also a different posihe said. “We don’t know what’s tion for Clyburn to take regarding gonna happen. We don’t get on Trump and the extent to which the campaign trail, at least for me, he’s willing to protest the presiuntil May of next year, and at that dent. In January, dozens of his time maybe we’ll have information Democratic colleagues decided to from Mueller. Who knows?” boycott the inauguration, spurred He said he had a “long conby Trump’s personal attacks on versation” with Green, a fellow Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a civil member of the Congressional rights icon, after Lewis questioned Black Caucus, about Green’s insisTrump’s legitimacy. tence to force a House vote this Clyburn said at the time he unweek despite pressure to hold off. derstood Democrats’ misgivings Once Green was about attending, resolved to forge but as a member I DO NOT FEEL ahead, Clyburn of leadership felt said there was THAT (TRUMP IS ) his presence was nothing left for obligatory.

FIT TO BE IN him to do.

“We all have “I’ve quesroles to play,” he OFFICE. tioned [Trump’s] explained. fitness to serve,” Green’s —REP. JIM CLYBURN Clyburn explained. impeachment “I don’t like the resolution did timing of it. I wish we would wait. not charge Trump with criminal But I thought it was important for misconduct, but argued that the me to vote my emotions. president “has brought disrepute, “I took the vote because the contempt, ridicule and disgrace vote was on the floor,” he said. on the presidency” and “sown “It’s not anything I would have put discord among the people of the on the floor, but it was there.”

United States.”

December 8, 2017

News

7

Bel-Air homes burn as fire invades canyon

By MELISSA ETEHAD,

LAURA J. NELSON and JOE MOZINGO Los Angeles Times TNS

The fires rampaging across Southern California on Wednesday ripped through a Bel-Air canyon in the hills above the University of California, Los Angeles, an elite enclave where backyard tennis courts are the norm and Rupert Murdoch owns a $30-million vineyard estate.

As evening fell, the Skirball fire had scorched 475 acres of thick chaparral, destroying four homes on Moraga Drive at the bottom of the canyon and Casiano Drive on its west ridge. Eleven more houses had been damaged.

The fire brought back memories of the 1961 Bel-Air fire, in which movie stars including Maureen O’Hara and Fred MacMurray fought to save their homes – a seminal event that fed apocalyptic visions of Los Angeles for decades to come.

Wednesday’s fire drew on another iconic aspect of L.A. life: a soul-crushing traffic jam on the 405 Freeway.

Officials closed the freeway through Sepulveda Canyon, directly west of Moraga Canyon, from just after 5 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. With that artery closed, freeways and streets throughout the city clogged.

Smoke from the 11,000-acre Creek fire near Sylmar only added to the miserable situation; fires in Santa Clarita and Ventura County also continued to burn through the dry landscape.

In Bel-Air, helicopters chopped through the muck, dropping water on the ridges at the optimal “50/50” – flying 50 feet above the flames at 50 mph.

More than 350 firefighters, 52 engines and six fixed-wing aircraft also were fighting to keep the fire in the heart of the canyon, away from homes.

Just to the south, UCLA canceled classes and told faculty and staff who were off campus to stay away. The university lost power, as did more than 800 Department of Water and Power customers.

Jackson Rogow, 24, woke up at 6 a.m. to the smell of smoke and the wail of sirens. In his boxer shorts, he ran out to the sidewalk on Bellagio Road – where, 56 years before, Zsa Zsa Gabor lost

(TNS) California wildfires continued to take over the Southern part of the state Wednesday.

her house, saying: “My three dark minks, my white mink, my sables, some really very nice little jewels are gone.”

His neighbors were already in the street, packing their cars. The waning crescent moon was blood red.

Rogow turned on the news and in the aerial footage of the fire saw his eight-unit apartment building in the apparent path. “We should pack,” he told his girlfriend.

By 7 a.m., fire trucks were racing up and down the street.

He waved to one and shouted, “Should I leave?” A firefighter gave him a thumbs up, he said.

Rogow packed the couple’s cat, Zeppelin, and a bag of kitty litter.

His girlfriend found a stack of photographs of her late father.

About 8:30 a.m., he got an emergency alert on his phone advising him of the evacuation area boundaries: the 405 Freeway on the west, Sunset Boulevard to the south, Roscomare Road to the east and Mulholland Drive to the north. They were squarely inside it.

Rogow remembered a conversation he’d had with his neighbor, who had temporarily left the state for cancer treatment. When she left, Rogow had asked her a question arguably unique to Southern California canyons: “If your house is burning down, what do I grab?”

Her medals, she said. She had more than three dozen – from marathons, half-marathons and 5K races. Rogow broke a window and grabbed them. He planned to go to a friend’s apartment in Westwood with a rooftop where they could watch the fire. But he made one stop first.

“I needed a smoothie,” he said.

He picked up his regular order: a blend with probiotics, strawberries and kale.

Residents near Bel Terrace and

North Sepulveda Boulevard raced outside as flames encroached on their homes.

Beverly Freeman, 83, pulled out of her driveway ahead of the fire just before 7 a.m. She didn’t take any belongings with her.

As Freeman drove away from the two-story gray house that her husband built for her three decades ago, she was not sure whether she would have a home to return to.

“I was going to die in this house,” she said as tears came to her eyes. “The flames have never come so close.”

The 405 closure jammed many roads in and around the evacuation zone, making for a nervewracking, slow-motion escape.

“It’s getting all jammed up in there,” said LAPD spokesman

Josh Rubenstein. “They’re deep into the evacuation area.”

Up Moraga Canyon around 1:30 p.m., an L.A. County firefighter spotted flames in a portion of the 13-acre Moraga Vineyards, which Murdoch bought in 2013.

He radioed other firefighters, who within minutes showed up and pried open the gate at the bottom of the property.

When winds picked up again, the vineyard – covering an area from the canyon floor to the eastern ridge – was a big target.

Although the vines in October’s fires in Northern California’s wine country mostly survived, winery buildings did not fare as well.

“It’s coming,” said Don Batiste, an engineer with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Scanning the terrain, he and

the others determined it would easier to fight from the air or the ridge.

Three helicopters dropped water on the hot spot as smoke continued to spiral into the air.

Murdoch released a statement Wednesday saying television footage showed there may be damage to some buildings in the upper vineyard area, but the house and the winery appeared to be intact.

“The situation at Moraga Bel Air is very fluid at the moment,” he said in the statement. “We are monitoring the situation as closely as we can and are grateful to the efforts of all the first responders. Some of our neighbors have suffered heavy losses and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.”

December 8, 2017

8

News

student spotlight Art student displays work far beyond Indiana

By STEPHANIE BACHMAN Staff Writer S.L.Bachman2@iup.edu

Lauren Scavo (graduate, fine arts) never stopped drawing since she was a kid, and it became her passion during her undergraduate career when she was double majoring in art and English. This made it easy for Scavo to pursue a master’s degree in fine arts.

Since coming to IUP, Scavo had her artwork displayed in multiple galleries in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York City. She is also an assistant in the Kipp Gallery, located in Sprowls Hall, and the IUP University Museum.

Scavo’s main focus as an artist has been drawing, but she is also pursuing a minor in painting while at IUP. Recently, Scavo had two solo exhibits of her artwork. The first was at the Sweetwater Center

(Stephanie Bachman/ The Penn) Lauren Scavo (graduate, fine arts) showed her art in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York galleries.

for the Arts in Sewickley, and the second was at Penn State Altoona.

Additionally, one of her drawings was part of an annual drawing exhibition at the Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati.

Scavo has a lot planned for the future in regard to her art. She is also preparing for a third solo exhibit in February at Penn State New Kensington, and she will have a drawing on display in Janu-

ary in a show in New York City at the Dacia Gallery.

“It feels a little surreal to see my own work on display in a public venue,” Scavo said. “When I applied to these shows, I didn’t truly expect to get into them, so it was a very pleasant surprise and a nice confidence boost.

“It’s both gratifying and intimidating to be able to see gallery attendees examine my work and hear feedback from people outside of an academic setting.”

For the solo exhibits, Scavo was selected from among several artists who applied.

She was chosen by a committee from the galleries after she submitted a portfolio of her work and an artist statement explaining the story behind her pieces.

Conversely, for the group shows, Scavo submits one or two pieces.

“I try to research the galleries pretty thoroughly before applying, to make sure that my work fits in with the type of work that they would typically exhibit,” Scavo said.

As for her on-campus position, Scavo said she is mainly responsible for setting up and taking down the different shows throughout the semester.

“Both of [these positions] have been incredible and very practical experiences,” Scavo said. “I’ve learned a lot about not only how

to work in a gallery and a museum, but also how to hang and prepare my own work for exhibition.

“It’s also a very valuable experience to be able to work and interact with professionals in the field.”

With the university museum, she is also taking inventory of the museum’s collection, which she described as her favorite part of the job.

Scavo said the main reason she started getting into art as a child was because she was really shy, but that reason has changed over time.

“Growing up, art and writing were ways that I could express myself without necessarily drawing attention to myself,” Scavo said.

“More recently, I have come to deeply appreciate the way that art can communicate complex and intricate ideas in an endless variety of ways and the connection that can exist between visual art and academic research.

“I love being able to see all of the works that the museum has in storage.”

After graduation, Scavo plans to keep herself open to different opportunities within the art field, while also continuing to work on her own art.

She has enjoyed her time within the IUP gallery and museum and could see herself continuing this, but she wants to remain flexible, as well. Scavo also offered some advice to other IUP students, especially other art majors.

“Be willing to put yourself out there, even if you think it’s a long shot,” Scavo said. “Look for opportunities outside of IUP and work to expand your resume while you’re in college instead of waiting until after you graduate.

“Especially as an artist, it’s not enough to just complete assignments for class. You have to really dedicate yourself and be willing to put in extra hours, especially during breaks in the academic year.

“If art isn’t something that you do outside of class, it’s probably not something you’re going to continue after you graduate.”

December 8, 2017

News

Sexual allegations lead senator toward resignation

More Americans to fly during holiday season

By HUGO MARTIN Los Angeles Times TNS

More people are expected to take to the skies during the Christmas holiday period, continuing the surge in travel demand that is projected to generate strong profits for U.S.-based airlines, according to industry forecasts.

During the 21-day Christmas travel season, 51 million passengers are expected to fly on U.S.based airlines, representing a 3.5 percent increase over the same period last year, according to a forecast by Airlines for America, the trade group for the country’s carriers.

Travel demand has been growing steadily for the last four years, partly because of an improving economy and competition from low-cost carriers that has kept airfares relatively low, said John Heimlich, the chief economist for the trade group.

“Intense competition within the airline industry is enabling passengers to choose the flights that most closely match their preferences and budget,” he said in a statement.

The busiest days for travel are expected to be Dec. 21, Dec. 22 and Dec. 26, the trade group said.

Carriers in North America are

9

(TNS) According to industry forecasts, more people are expected to fly during the Christmas holiday this year.

expected to pocket $16.4 billion in profit next year, up 5 percent from 2017, according to a forecast issued Tuesday by the International Air Transport Association, the trade group for the world’s airlines.

North American airlines have been responsible for more than half the profit for the world’s airline industry over the last three years, the forecast said.

Despite the healthy profit, the trade group warned, rising fuel and labor costs will put pressure on airlines in North America. The trade group also warned that airlines can face trouble if governments fail to adopt global security standards, reasonable levels of taxation and improvements to airports to accommodate the growing demand.

Continued from page 4.

Besides Conyers and Franken, Rep. Ruben Kihuen of Nevada, another Democrat, has been accused of sexual aggression against a former campaign aide.

He issued a limited apology and said that he would not resign.

Another member of Congress, Texas Republican Blake Farenthold, allegedly harassed an aide who received an $84,000 taxpayer-financed settlement, which was revealed last week.

Farenthold told a Texas television station that he did nothing wrong but would try to repay the money, and Republicans in the House have not pressed for his departure.

The subject of harassment was a central issue in last year’s presidential campaign after Donald Trump was accused by more than a dozen women of inappropriate behavior, including sexual assault. Trump has consistently denied the accusations, despite saying on a 2005 video made by “Access Hollywood” that he had

groped women in a predatory manner. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed again last month that the president contends that all of his accusers are lying.

THE FACT THAT MY OWN ACTIONS HAVE GIVEN PEOPLE A GOOD REASON TO DOUBT [THAT I RESPECT WOMEN] MAKES ME FEEL ASHAMED.

—AL FRANKEN In recent weeks Trump flung insults at Franken via Twitter.

“The Al Frankenstien picture is really bad, speaks a thousand words. Where do his hands go in pictures 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 while she sleeps?” Trump tweeted, misspelling the name of the fictional character, after Tweeden released the photo of Franken.

The Democrats’ handling of Franken unspooled slowly. Several senators immediately condemned him and said they would

return campaign donations from Franken, who had transferred his pre-political celebrity into a highprofile fundraising role for party candidates. Few initially said that he should resign, instead either remaining silent or arguing that his case should be heard by the Ethics Committee.

But the timing of the Franken accusations was highly uncomfortable, coming in the midst of a Democratic effort to defeat Roy Moore, the Republican Senate candidate from Alabama who has been accused of making advances on and molesting teenagers as young as 14 when he was a local prosecutor in his 30s. One of the women has accused him of sexual assault. Moore faces voters on Tuesday.

As the number of women accusing Franken rose, female Democratic senators in particular reached what one of them called a judgment that “enough is enough.” They unleashed their demands on Wednesday, and then waited for his Thursday response.

Our Holiday plans, hints and tricks to make it through finals

OPINION

Opinion

1. Editor-in-Chief, Chris Hayes

My winter break will consist of sleeping in and applying for jobs. It’s tough realizing you’re going to be a member of the real world in about six months. As for finals, my advice is to not panic. If you worked hard and did your homework all semester, you’ll be fine. If not, well, good luck.

2. Managing Editor, Alexandria Mansfield

During this winter break, I’m hoping to make some extra money working as a freelance writer, but before I get there, I’ve got to make it through a Russian history final at 8 a.m. As a journalism major, I’ve relied on mostly not having to take concrete exams and instead writing papers during what other students call “the worst week of the year.” So, we’ll see if that will actually work out for me this time around.

3. Copy Editor, Nathan Zisk

During this winter break, I will wish I were in Costa Rica, rolling in guavas. “The floor is guava,” a man would shout. “Ahh, yes. Another fine day in Costa Rica,” I would say. But alas, I will remain in Pennsylvania with family. That should be entertaining at the least. How will I cope with finals? The same way I always do. I

(Wikimedia) Culture Editor Seth Woolcock said he’s excited to be working at a movie theater during winter break because the next installment of the famous “Star Wars” saga, “The Last Jedi,” will be released. The movie comes out next Friday, but many theaters have early screenings available Thursday.

will avoid people at all costs and finish my work. It’s like my great uncle always said, “If you spell ‘introvert’ backward, it spells ‘trevortni,’ which doesn’t make any sense.” That works perfectly for me, because much like the backward spelling of “introvert,” my life is backward and doesn’t make sense. Happy holidays.

4. News Editor, Katie Mest

For winter break, I’ll be drowning in work and overwhelming myself with two online classes and a job. If no one hears from me by New Year’s Eve, don’t worry.

I’ll be spending every free moment I can under piles of warm blankets, reminiscing of simpler times.

5. Culture Editor, Seth Woolcock

Over the winter break, I will be working at a movie theater. With “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” releasing Dec. 15, I’m excited to be a part of the fan’s experience of arguably the greatest movie franchise of all time. But, before I’m in a galaxy far, far away, I have to get past my final Spanish exam of my college career. Adios, IUP.

6. Sports Editor, Sean Fritz

Over winter break, I’m probably going to try to get a job since I’m a broke college student. I’ll also be looking for internships and a real job since I’m going to graduate soon. So, I’ll probably do some adult things like that.

7. Photo Editor, James Neuhausel

My holiday plans include visiting family out of state, as well as just kicking back and enjoying my month off from school. My advice for making it through finals is if you find yourself stressed out too much, just take a step back, address the situation, and tackle it one step at a time.

8. Graphic Designer, Michael Hull

For the holidays, I will be making friends and family gifts for Christmas. During the break, I will also be planning a trip to Munich, Germany, on spring break. As a studio art major, my advice for finals is to live in the studio the coming weekend and make your final project a portfolio keeper.

(Michael Hull/ The Penn) Graphic Designer Michael Hull said he will be spending much of his break working on projects, such as his teapot, and making gifts for loved ones for the holidays.

December 8, 2017

9. Digital Media Editor, Katie Williams Just run away from your problems. Don’t look back. Just go.

10

Opinion

11

December 8, 2017

Do Americans have a Constitutional right to discriminate?

By LOUISE MELLING

WEDDING CAKES FOR HETEROSEXUALS ONLY? WE DON’T SERVICE YOUR KIND HERE.

Los Angeles Times TNS

(TNS) There is no constitutional right to refuse service to a person based on his or her race, sex, religion or sexual orientation.

with enforcing the country’s antidiscrimination laws – agreed with the bakery in a friend-of-the-court brief.

Specifically, the bakery argues that it should be allowed to refuse service to people if doing so runs contrary to the religious beliefs of its owners. That should give us pause.

In the 1960s, Piggie Park, a chain of barbecue restaurants in South Carolina, said that its owner’s freedom of religion would be violated if it were held responsible for disregarding the Civil Rights Act when it refused to serve black patrons.

In 1983, Goldsboro Christian Schools of Goldsboro, N.C., argued it had a religious right to refuse black students. In the same

case, Bob Jones University of Greenville, S.C., argued it had a right to deny admission to students who engaged in, or advocated for, interracial dating.

In 1990, Roanoke Valley Christian Schools in Virginia argued that it had a right to pay women less because their faith taught that men should be heads of households.

The courts rejected all of those arguments. They understood that religious liberty does not translate into a right to discriminate. If the Supreme Court now accepts the cake shop’s religion argument, the decision would have far-reaching consequences. Religious liberty could become a way out of antidiscrimination law.

The bakery is also arguing that

freedom of speech protects its refusal to serve Mullins and Craig.

According to its argument, the 1st Amendment protects its discriminatory conduct because the product it sells is artistic and expressive.

Any business engaged in artistic expression can refuse service, they say, not just those motivated by religious beliefs.

But Colorado’s anti-discrimination law pertains to the refusal of service, not the artistry of cakes. It does not tell the bakery how to design its baked goods. It does not compel the bakery or any other business that opens its doors to the public to make a particular product at all. It simply requires that, once a business open to the public chooses to offer a product or service, it cannot refuse to sell that product or service to a customer based on identity.

Consider the question from a different angle. What if, instead of turning the couple away, the bakery posted a sign that said, “Wedding cakes for heterosexuals

CARTOONS

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case of David Mullins and Charlie Craig, a couple turned away by Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colo., when they tried to buy a wedding cake.

The two weren’t turned away because they couldn’t afford the cake. They were turned away because they are gay.

The Colorado courts and the Colorado Civil Rights Commission found that the bakery’s actions violated the state’s law barring discrimination. In the high court, the bakery argues that the lower courts’ findings violate its rights to both religious freedom and free speech.

I’ve watched this argument tangle a lot of good people in knots.

But it shouldn’t.

The bakery’s argument is among the most radical to come before the Supreme Court in recent years.

When you scratch below the surface, the case poses the following question: Is there a constitutional right to discriminate?

The bakery argues that there is, and that the Constitution should exempt it from state laws requiring that businesses not discriminate when serving their customers. In an Orwellian twist, the Department of Justice – the very body charged

only”? Those are words, as were “whites only” and “men only need apply.” Though the Constitution protects speech, it does not protect this speech, because it communicates and contains an act of discrimination.

In the bakery’s argument, the cake is the expression, and the Constitution protects its refusal of service because the cake is expressive. Should that act of discrimination be protected simply because the refused service was artistic and expressive? By this logic, the Constitution could protect the right of a hairdresser who refuses to cut the hair of Muslims or a hotel that won’t host an interfaith wedding.

Just as speech by a business open to the public is not protected when it communicates discrimination – “we don’t service your kind here” – discrimination by a business should not be protected simply because the refusal is of a service that involves speech or expression.

If the Constitution exempts the bakery from the law’s bar on discrimination – either because the discrimination is motivated by religion or because it is attached to an expressive service – it would mean that the Constitution protects discrimination.

Today, there is no constitutional right to discriminate. Let’s hope the Supreme Court keeps it that way.

(TNS)

Culture Indiana local burns with passion for business P

Culture Editor: Seth Woolcock – S.M.Woolcock@iup.edu

By SETH WOOLCOCK Culture Editor S.M.Woolcock@iup.edu

After ordering his first box of “real cigars” from a website called CigarBid.com, Rich Croce, now 63, smoked an Acid Kuba Kuba cigar.

Croce enjoyed the sweetness of the cigar, not realizing the opportunities that could arise from his newfound hobby.

Eight years later, living in the hills of Indiana, Croce is now the owner of a local home-based cigar shop and lounge — Bulldog Cigars. Croce started the business in 2012 after connecting with an old friend on Facebook who was also in the cigar sale business.

After investing into what he hoped would be enough to start his own business, Croce became ill, leading him to sell his cigar humidor, a container that keeps cigars or tobacco moist, to Boomerang’s Bar and Grill, an Indiana bar.

After waiting only six months, Croce decided to get back into the business. But, this time, he wanted to build a place where people could buy a cigar, sit down and smoke.

He renovated a spare bedroom in his basement into a fully functional cigar lounge.

After browsing Craigslist and the Salvation Army for furniture, Croce installed two rapid air purifiers from Rabbit Air to clear the room of the smoke and purchased a new humidor to store his cigars in the appropriate setting.

Bulldog Cigars now has the widest range of cigars in Indiana, offering more than 50 different blends.

Croce has worked full-time as a correction officer at the Indiana County Jail for almost 30 years and plans to retire in April.

“I had a full head of hair when I started working at the jail,” Croce said. “So, the thing about cigars that I love is that it takes about an hour to an hour-and-a-half. That time is dedicated to just relaxing, concentrating on the cigar, seeing what flavors I can get, and then I reflect on the people who

12

(Seth Woolcock/ The Penn) Bulldog Cigars is located at 824 White Farm Road in Indiana.

produce them because they’re all handmade from countries like Nicaragua, The Dominican Republic, Hondurus and Mexico.

“But, it is very stress-relieving because I feel totally relaxed when I smoke one. So, it’s a time to just chill out.”

Croce said that he usually

listens to soft jazz while smoking a cigar alone.

But even when he’s smoking, watching the football game and everyone is going crazy, it is still a relaxing time.

“The whole point for me smoking a cigar is that it’s me time,” Croce said. “I come home from

December 8, 2017

work and look forward to smoking a cigar.”

But, having a cigar shop and lounge in his basement is not the only interesting thing about Croce. Also located in the basement is his wife’s home gym and pilates studio, Barb’s Fit U, where she works as a fitness trainer and

life coach. When Croce is not working at the jail or smoking cigars, he enjoys staying busy.

He used to work as a part-time photographer. Now, he works as an Uber driver in Indiana.

“It’s kind of fun,” Croce said.

“Normally I’m bringing kids from party to party, house to house.

Later at night, I bring them from the parties to the bar, and then home. I enjoy it because I like people. When you’re hanging around young people, you feel younger.”

While not working, Croce and his wife enjoy traveling. On his travels, he said he often finds himself searching for new lounges and shops with hopes to meet other “brothers of the leaf” and discover new cigar smoking experiences.

According to Croce, his customers are a wide range of members from the Indiana and IUP community.

Even though most of his customers are in their 30s, 40s and 50s, he wants to get more college students to come to his shop and lounge. In fact, Croce offers a 10 percent discount to anyone with an I-Card or college ID. Bulldog Cigars is often at local events, such as Levity Brewing Co.’s outdoor festivals.

Croce said that his main goal is to “make his presence known in town,” while he also wants to introduce new blends, interesting brands and smaller companies to the average cigar smoker.

In time, Croce hopes to make Bulldog Cigars into the established cigar shop and lounge of Indiana.

Culture

December 8, 2017

13

Culture

(Facebook) Eating food, taking a walk and working out can help relieve stress during finals week.

The Penn offers ways to remain calm during finals

By VICTORIA CASSELL Staff Writer V.V.Cassell@iup.edu

This article contains opinion.

Whether you’re an overachiever, athlete, fashionista or foodie, finals week hits us all pretty hard. Here are a few tips and tricks to overcome the stresses of exams, papers and projects.

11. Take a Walk: Taking a 10- or 15-minute walk can prove to be relaxing and a good way to get your mind off all your thoughts and concerns. Grab a friend and crack a few jokes or go solo and listen to music or sing to yourself.

There are certain chemical mixes like prolactin and adrenocorticotropic, which are released as a result of emotional crying.

This is why crying yourself to sleep feels so good sometimes.

Hey, we’ve all been there.

10. Cry: Yes, that's right. Cry. Sometimes a good cry is all it takes.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released when you cry.

9. Self Care: Get your nails done, get a haircut, take a bubble bath, spend that extra hour in front of the mirror complimenting your perfectly toned calf muscles.

Do whatever it takes to take your mind off your worries, and give yourself that extra boost this finals week.

It’ll be worth it when you receive compliments on how bright your skin is looking after using that snail mask that you just spent $60 on.

8. Kissing: Kissing is not only a good way to burn calories and exercise your face muscles, but studies also show that it reduces stress. So, grab some mistletoe and get ready to pucker up.

If you’re single, just grab the next attractive person you see walking down the street. If that person objects, tell him or her it’s to relieve stress. That person will understand.

But in all seriousness, make sure you get consent first. Because he or she might not actually understand.

7. Sleep: Sometimes stress can build up as a result of a lack of sleep. So, this finals week, make sure to get all eight hours of sleep or however much time you need to be a functioning college student.

6. Exercise: Exercise releases endorphins in the brain that can relieve stress and give you a better night’s sleep. Plus, once your muscles start burning, you’ll definitely forget all about the crippling pain of finals.

5. Plan Ahead: Planning ahead can not only reduce your stress, but it can also save you a lot of time and energy. Getting a head

start on studying for finals will give you more time to relax and do the things you love.

4. Eat: Hunger can cause stress, anxiety, depression and many other negative effects on your emotional health.

Eating improves your overall mood and can be a good way to decompress after a lengthy exam.

Just make sure you’re stuffing your face with healthful foods that will improve your focus and concentration, like bananas, nuts and dark chocolate.

3. Laugh: Laughing with friends – or on your own if you don’t have any – can be one of the best ways to relieve stress.

Memes, vines and funny videos on a loop are perfect laughter material. Sit back and enjoy.

2. Music: We all have that one song that sends us to our happy place. So, next time the pressures of final week start getting to you, listen to that song and crank up the volume extra loud and just forget that you exist for a while.

1. Ice Cream: If exercise is not a word that exists in your vocabulary, ice cream may be. Surely not much explaining is needed on how ice cream increases our happiness. Ice cream is delicious and perfect for forgetting all of your worries. There is vegan ice cream as well as lactose intolerant options. Everyone can win this finals week.

December 8, 2017

14

CRIMSON HO-HO-HOAX

Culture

This is a satirical news column

Santa Claus ain’t coming back to town

By DAVID FORADORI Staff Writer A.D.Foradori@iup.edu

The Unholy Meter Attendants Society (UMAS) struck again as it gave Santa Claus nine parking tickets while he was dropping off presents.

Santa Claus was in for a surprise late Thursday evening when he decided to visit IUP before winter break went into effect. As he was exiting the Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Mr. Claus noticed that he had nine parking tickets on his sleigh.

“What in the ho-ho-hell are these meter attendants trying to prove?” Claus asked. “I’m out here spreading Christmas cheer while these miscreants are financially destroying people! Coal!

Coal for all of those heathens!”

Claus is now considering skipping coming to IUP altogether

because of the way he was treated

by UMAS. Students are not happy about this news.

Chris Mass (senior, marketing) said he is beyond upset that Santa is considering skipping IUP because of the UMAS. “Bro, Santa is lit,” Mass said. “I made a joke last year saying that all I wanted for Christmas was a case of Natty Light. Next thing I knew, I was cracking a cold one with the boys. He always delivers!”

The administrators in Sutton Hall have taken notice to the perils of UMAS and are now scrambling to get back on the “nice list” with Santa. IUP President Dr. Colldris frantically ran around Sutton Hall searching for ways to make Santa come back.

“This is not the IUP way,” Colldris said. “I know that the Unholy Meter Attendant Society is a necessary evil, but this is too far! We

love having Santa come to IUP. Such a tragedy should not have fallen upon this beautiful campus.

Sad!” UMAS couldn’t be more pleased with its actions. In the organization’s hidden lair, maniacal laughter could be heard from the depths bellow. Unnamed Inquisitor, the leader of the meter attendeants’ evil cult emerged from the depths to give forth his unholy message.

“We financially burdened Santa to appease the Dark One,” Inquisitor said. “And appease Him we have. Such joy plagues this campus. The Dark One asks upon us to impose His dark will and financially burden anyone who dare stands in His path with parking tickets!”

However, Santa sent word from the North Pole saying he will come back to IUP with his elves to combat the evil nature of parking tickets. Happy holidays, everyone.

2017: Year of music in review MOST STREAMED ALBUMS: 1. Divide - Ed Sheeran 2. More Life - Drake 3. DAMN - Kendrick Lamar 4. Starboy - The Weeknd 5. Stoney - Post Malone

MOST STREAMED TRACKS:

1. Shape of You - Ed Sheeran 2. Despacito - Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee Feat. Justin Bieber 3. Despacito - Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee 4. Something Just Like This The Chainsmokers & Coldplay 5. I’m the One - DJ Khaled Feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper

By SETH WOOLCOCK Culture Editor S.M.Woolcock@iup.edu

As 2017 approaches its end, there is no better time to look back on all of the artists and albums that helped shaped the year.

Country music had a year for young and emerging artists to breakout while veteran artists stayed low-key for most of year.

Luke Combs was virtually unknown a year ago, but after releasing his hit single “Hurricane,” people were pretty excited for his debut album “This One’s For You.” Logan Mize was another artist who broke through in 2017 with a catchy single, “Ain’t Always Pretty.” Mize showed he’s more than just a one-hit wonder when he released his album “Come Back Road”.

Other younger artists such as Kip Moore and Chris Stapleton proved they are here to stay.

Moore released arguably his all-around best album to date

with “Slowheart,” which dropped in September. Chris Stapleton continued his singer/songwriter dominance while he released “From a Room Vol. 1 and 2.”

Brad Paisley showcased his veteran country experience when he released “Love and War,” which also included a full visual album.

The 2017 pop scene included some new albums released by fan-favorite artists. Ed Sheeran released his third studio album, “Divide,” while experienced DJ Calvin Harris released “Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1.”

Sheeran proved his best is still yet to come, while Harris made it clear he can collaborate well with big-name artists.

Teenage sensation Lorde made her long-awaited comeback with her second studio album “Melodrama.” The Chainsmokers, a young electric duo, made its claim for the top of pop when it released its debut album “Memories…Do Not Open.”

The rock and alternative scene stayed quiet for most of the year until the American

rock group Imagine Dragons released its third studio album, “Evolve,” in June. Weezer, a popular rock band from the ‘90s, attempted a comeback when it released its 11th album, “Pacific Daydream.”

The year continued the trend of hip-hop music gaining popularity among today’s youth. This was in thanks to veteran artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Big Sean. Some argue Lamar’s “Damn” was his best work yet.

While Drake and Big Sean both added solid works to their legacies when Drake released “More Life” and Big Sean released “I Decided.”

Two of the biggest hip-hop albums of the year came from artists that were virtually unknown a year ago. Eccentric Philadelphia rapper Lil Uzi showed off his beats when he released two EPs followed by his debut album “Luv is Rage 2.”

Post Malone became a cultural icon after his debut album “Stoney” and has remained at the top of the charts almost all year.

Culture

December 8, 2017

15

December 8, 2017

16

Culture

‘Last Jedi’ cast reveals tidbits about next ‘Star Wars’ film

By RICK BENTLEY Tribune News Service TNS

Director Rian Johnson (“Looper”) and 10 members of the cast of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” – Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran – face a small army to journalists to discuss the latest film in the galactic franchise.

There are only two small problems. The cast has been sworn to secrecy, so beyond admitting they are part of the movie, very little information can be shared.

And, the members of the media can’t ask about details as they have not been shown the movie.

But, there are times when a lot can be said without saying anything. Add that to the tiny tidbits revealed and there are a few things that are known about “The Last Jedi.” Don’t worry. None of this information is big enough to fall under the header of being a spoiler.

Here are 15 things revealed about “The Last Jedi.”

1. Look for the familiar rolling

(Facebook) The “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” cast appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Dec. 2.

introduction. Laura Dern, who plays the new character of Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo, says as soon as the cast saw the familiar opening for the “Star Wars” movie when they got to see the final print, everyone got excited.

2. The film continues to add strong female characters. Along with Dern’s role as the new leader of the Resistance, Tran will play the role of Rose Tico. The first film gained great praise for having Ridley’s character of Rey as the central hero.

“I knew it was a big deal, but the response was so beyond anything I could imagine. It was so monumental, the response and how people felt about it,” Ridley says.

3. The increase in strong females doesn’t phase one character. Serkis, who plays Supreme Leader Snoke, jokes that as the leader of the First Order, “Snoke is very unimpressed with the huge female force that seems to be growing in the universe.”

4. Mark Hamill is back as Luke

Skywalker. How much Luke gets involved with the up-and-coming Jedi in Rey (Ridley) is a mystery.

“We are assuming that I train Rey. I have to be very careful.

People say ‘was it difficult to pick up and weld a lightsaber again?’

And, I go ‘Do I?’” The only thing Hamill will confirm is he will be in “The Last Jedi” at least twice as long as he was in “The Force Awakens.”

He was in the 2015 “Star Wars” movie a total of 39 seconds.

5. The team of Rey and Finn is breaking up. One of the strongest parts of “The Force Awakens” was the relationship between the two characters. But, according to Ridley and Boyega, the two go in separate directions for “Jedi.”

Ridley says, “Because of the way people responded to John and I as a team, I was worried about not being a team not so much in this one. So I think for me personally, it was a challenge; the film was a challenge to be in different combinations of people.”

6. There will be no Ewoks.

When asked if the furry creatures from “Return of the Jedi” will make an appearance in the new film, Johnson says the only way a person will see Wicket and the gang in the movie depends on how many drugs they take before the screening.

7. More will be revealed about Kylo Ren (Driver) and General Hux (Gleeson). The background of the competition between the two major villains will be revealed. Driver praises Johnson for being able to put together a movie with so many big special effects and characters while being able to find time to provide a look at the personal stories.

Gleeson adds, “There’s a huge amount of b****ing and in-fighting. It is really fun to see them hurt each other from the inside as well as the outside.”

8. Things aren’t going well.

Despite a big victory at the end of “The Force Awakens,” the Resistance is in trouble and on the verge of being defeated.

9. The death of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in “The Force Awakens” will impact Rey deeply.

Ridley points out that in the first film, Rey had lived on her own for years and never had a real parental figure in her life. That changed when Solo came into her life.

“He was a figure that she had never dreamed of for her, and he

was snatched away,” Ridley says.

10. “The Last Jedi” continues the trend of delivering messages about hope, courage, family, etc.

Driver says what message the moviegoer finds in the film will be up to the individual.

“There probably will be some who will see nothing,” Driver says. “Whatever is happening in your life speaks to you in a different way than anyone else.”

11. The theme of growing up is continued. Johnson explains in all of the “Star Wars” movies the hero’s journey is not about becoming a hero, but about the transition from childhood into adulthood and finding your place in the world. That was the case with Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy, and now Rey is filling that role.

Hamill says the line that best explains his journey has been that “this is not going to go through the way you think.”

12. War is hell, even in space.

Boyega points out that all of the “Star Wars” movies have dealt with war, and “The Last Jedi” explores that theme more than any of the past installments.

13. There is a big difference between the film and all the other “Star Wars” movies. According to Hamill, “The Last Jedi” is longer than the past installments. The running time is currently listed at two hours and 32 minutes. The running time of “Star Wars: The Last Hope” is two hours and five minutes.

14. Carrie Fisher had a massive impact on all members of the cast. Each applauded how much energy, talent, spunk and humor the actress brought to the set as General Leia. Christie was a huge fan of how Fisher was changing the world before being cast to be in a film with her.

“I was first shown ‘A New Hope’ when I was 6, and I remember thinking ‘Wow, that character is really different.’ It stayed with me through my formative years that she’s really smart, really funny. She’s courageous. She’s bold. And, she doesn’t care what people think and isn’t prepared to be told what to do,” Christie says. “There was inspiration there that you could be an individual and celebrate yourself and be successful without making some big compromise.”

15. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” opens Dec. 15.

December 8, 2017

Culture

17

The Cause to visit The Brown for Christmas

By TARYN LINDER Contributing Writer T.A.Linder@iup.edu

The Cause, a Pittsburgh-based band, is set to perform at The Brown Hotel’s last event of the semester, an end-of-the-year Christmas party starting at 8 p.m.

Saturday.

David Tauberg, a member of The Cause, said “our set list is sworn to secrecy.” But, of the 250 songs the band usually performs, he said The Cause will perform covers of The Grateful Dead, The Beatles and more but emphasized it is not a recreation band.

“Our music is deadhead,” Tauberg said. “So, we play a lot of music by Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead — those types of bands.”

The Cause played some significant gigs with some notable talent, such as Steve Kimock, who Tauberg described as “a premium guitar player,” and Jeff

(Facebook) The Cause will be the final performer at The Brown Hotel for the semester.

Mattson, of Dark Star Orchestra.

“In our world,” Tauberg said, “you don’t play with them unless you’re pretty good.”

Other musical entertainment will include songs from Sean Howard, manager of The Brown Hotel, and Jason Gamble, a local musician.

“The Brown Hotel is my favorite place to be,” Aaron Crawford (senior, political science/pre-law)

said, “especially on a Tuesday night. They have good music, good food and great drinks.”

Renée Williamson (senior, journalism and public relations), the public relations coordinator for The Brown, said this event is usually hosted every year.

In addition to live talent, there will be a Christmas sweater contest. The winner will receive two

NOT SURE WHERE TO EAT???

Check out indianagazette.com/restaurant guide indianagazette.com

in print daily

|

online always

YOUR GUIDE TO THE AREA’S BEST EATS!

tickets for every show held at the Brown Hotel in the 2018 Spring semester. There will also be a free buffet from 7 to 9 p.m., after which

the kitchen will be open for orders.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the first act, Howard, starting at 8 p.m.

SPORTS

P Sports Editor: Sean Fritz – S.D.Fritz@iup.edu Lead Sports Writer: Jarrod Browne – J.W.Browne@iup.edu

In his words: Longtime beat writer gives his insight on this year’s IUP football team

By CHRIS HAYES Editor-in-Chief

C.T.Hayes@iup.edu

The IUP Crimson Hawks football team will host the University of West Florida at noon Saturday for the right to play in the NCAA Division II Championship. The Crimson Hawks have appeared in the championship game twice in their history and lost both times, in 1990 and 1993. The last time IUP played in the national semifinals came in 1999.

Matt Burglund, who has been covering the team for The Indiana Gazette since 1998, sat down with The Penn to talk about the 1999 team compared to this year’s squad: The Penn: What are some key similarities and differences between the 1999 team and the 2017 team?

Burglund: I would say they’re not similar at all. The 1999 team had a quarterback issue early in the season, and they were down to their third-string quarterback by, I think, the second game. The thirdstring guy was a true freshman [Brian Eyerman], and he led them to the semifinals. They were 3-3 at one point; they were going nowhere. Then, they rallied together and barely made the playoffs.

This year’s team, everybody knew they were going to be good.

Their quarterback situation has been stable – they have one of the best in the country who’s an experienced junior [Lenny Williams (accounting)]. It’s not really a surprise they’ve gotten this far.

The Penn: In only his first year,

18

(IUP Athletics) This season, head coach Paul Tortorella has led the Crimson Hawks to an undefeated record, a PSAC title and the program’s first appearance in the national semifinal since 1999.

(IUP Athletics) The undefeated Crimson Hawks will host the University of West Florida at noon Saturday at George P. Miller Stadium.

head coach Paul Tortorella has taken the team to new heights. How has Tortorella been so successful right off the bat?

Burglund: I think the thing that Paul has is the ability to relate to the players. They know he’s got their back in a lot of ways. Those players really love him and care for him, and he feels the same for them. I think in years past that was the case, but there was a different relationship there sometimes. Paul has been here so long. He knows all the players. He worked for three head coaches before he became the head coach. So, he saw what they did and what worked and

quickly,” and you could just see it every week. By the end of the year, they’d won their last four games.

He, as a quarterback, was improving so quickly that the team was improving quickly.

They also had a very experienced defense. So, their job was to keep the game close until the offense scored some points. There are some teams that I’ve seen over the years that, as the season goes on, just kind of regress in a lot of ways.

Players get hurt, and they’re not replaced with good enough players. That team in ’99 just got better every week.

what didn’t work.

The interesting thing with him is how he relates to his staff.

He doesn’t micromanage – he lets them do their jobs. That’s a big deal in college football. It’s a much different team now with him coaching.

The Penn: What made that 1999 team so special?

Burglund: When they lost to Slippery Rock [University] here, I think Eyerman threw four interceptions. He had been in high school in June. This was October.

I remember [head coach at the time] Frank Cignetti said, “Brian’s going to have to come along

December 8, 2017

The Penn: Do you believe this year’s team has what it takes to win IUP’s first national title?

Burglund: I see the potential, yes. I also see the other important factors. You look at the rest of the field, and IUP is the only undefeated team left. It looks like IUP’s toughest opponent could be itself right now. They’re clearly the favorites this Saturday, even though West Florida is a really good team.

So, it’s just a matter of them playing their own game and doing what they’re supposed to do. But, the potential is clearly there. This is the best IUP team I’ve ever seen in 20 seasons.

Sports

December 8, 2017

Sports

19

IUP prepares for semifinal matchup Crimson Hawks set to battle West Florida

By SEAN FRITZ Sports Editor

S.D.Fritz@iup.edu

The IUP football team will host the University of West Florida in its national semifinal matchup at noon Saturday at George P. Miller Stadium.

The Crimson Hawks come soaring in with an undefeated FOOTBALL record of 13-0 and are in need of one more win to send them to the Division II National Championship which will be played Dec. 16 in Kansas City.

The Crimson Hawks, winners of Super Region One, will host the winners of Super Region Two, West Florida, after the final four teams in Division II were reseeded for the national semifinals.

IUP is coming off a scare against Assumption College in the Super One Region championship game, a game in which the Crimson Hawks turned the ball over four times and needed to fight and claw their way to victory.

Quarterback Lenny Williams (redshirt junior, accounting) was responsible for three interceptions, a statistic that has been unfamiliar to Williams this season. Williams has been a huge contributor to the IUP offense’s success with his 30 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions along with 2,703 yards in the air and a 66 percent completion percentage.

Along with Williams, the IUP passing attack has been boosted by a number of players at the skill positions. Wide receivers Chris Wuestner (graduate, business), Dom McNeil (sophomore, kinesiology), JoJo Gause (redshirt sophomore, communications media) and Allen Wright (senior, management) have each accounted for at

(IUP Athletics) Defensive lineman Matt Mowad (graduate student, kinesiology) sacked Assumption College quarterback Brendan Tobey in IUP’s win over the Greyhounds last week. The Crimson Hawks will now host the University of West Florida at noon Saturday at George P. Miller Stadium for a chance to advance to the Division II National Championship game.

least four receiving touchdowns with Wuestner leading the receiving corps with six.

Wright, the team’s season leader in receptions with 73, is just two receptions away from becoming the program’s single-season receptions leader, surpassing Len Pesotini, who has the previous record which was set in 1975.

Although, the key for the IUP offense heading into the meeting with West Florida will continue to be its ability to run the football.

Going up against a defense in West Florida that allows an average of 128 rushing yards per game, IUP might get its committee of backs started early to set the tone.

Defensively, IUP’s top defense will be without one of its top playmakers and leading tacklers, safety Max Redfield (senior, philosophy), who went down with a hip injury in the last week’s win over Assumption. IUP will look for consistent

play in the secondary and hope that its pass rush can continue to pressure the quarterback to take some pressure off the Crimson Hawks backend.

Linebackers Damon Lloyd (sophomore, kinesiology) and Nick Amendola (sophomore, safety sciences), who are tied for the team lead in tackles with 99 total tackles each, will be called upon to be strong in both run defense and in pass coverage against West Florida.

As for the Argonauts, they come into the matchup 10-3 after winning their last three games in the Division II playoffs including a 31-0 win over Wingate University, a 1714 win over the University of West Georgia and a 28-21 win over the University of West Alabama in the Super Region Two Championship.

West Florida’s offense is led by redshirt freshman quarterback Mike Beaudry, who has thrown for more than 2,800 yards, 26 touch-

downs and 12 interceptions on the season. Beaudry’s top target in the passing game this year has been junior wideout Antoine Griffin, who leads the team in receptions with 52 as well as receiving yards with 732. Although, the team leader in receiving touchdown is a 6’5” redshirt freshman receiver named Ka’Ron Ashley, who has hauled in six touchdown receptions in 2017.

Similarly to IUP, the Argonauts will use a trio of running backs to establish the ground game.

Chris Schwarz, Anthony Johnson and Leroy Wilson have all carried at least 60 times for more than 300 rushing yards each.

However, Schwarz is the lead back with 170 carries for 638 yards and five touchdowns. Together, the trio has accounted for more than 1,300 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

Defensively, the Argonauts have had a strong year, allowing just 20 points per game.

The most impressive stat for the West Florida defense has been its ability to force turnovers.

The Argonauts have a total of 24 turnovers this season, which is of course not as much as IUP’s defense with 33, but it does show that they have the ability to make offense’s pay for not protecting the football.

Defensive back Marvin Conley is someone the Crimson Hawks will have to keep an eye on. Conley leads the Argonauts in interceptions with four and has 150 return yards on those four picks.

Overall, the numbers for this semifinal matchup look a bit lopsided on paper, with IUP having one of the country’s top offensive and defensive units, respectively, but West Florida will likely be another test for the Crimson Hawks, and IUP will need to have a full performance if it wants to return to the national championship for the first time since 1993.

20

December 8, 2017

(IUP Athletics) Colter Long (junior, computer science) finished in second place in the 100-meter individual medley and broke a record in the 100-meter breaststroke.

IUP prepares for meet with Clarion

By SARAH MOLTZ Staff Writer

S.J.Moltz@iup.edu

The IUP swimming teams are getting ready to host the Clarion University Golden Eagles at 10 a.m. Saturday in Pidgeon Natatorium.

The Crimson Hawks jump back into action Saturday after having a two-week resting period after the men and women competed in the sixth annual Magnus Cup in Cleveland.

The men and women combined for 11 top-10 finishes, with the men tallying nine.

Two of those nine finishes came from senior swimmer Shane Hallet (management/MIS) taking 10th place in the 100-meter individual medley (56.83) and taking eighth in the 200-meter breaststroke (2:08.28). Teammate Colter Long (junior, computer science) also impressed, coming in second place in the 100-meter individual medley (51.74) along with sophomore Robert Jones in seventh in the same event (54.16).

Juniors Regan Chalk (psychology) and Nicole Smith (dietetics) shined for the women, getting top-10 finishes in the 100-meter individual medley (1:001.1) and 100-meter freestyle (52.07), respectively. In addition to the Crimson Hawks’ success, Long was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Men’s Swimmer of the Week last week.

Long not only finished second in the 100 IM, but he also broke a 12-year record and scored in all 10 events, tallying four PSAC qualifying marks. He broke the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 55.82 in the preliminaries of the event, finishing fourth in the finals.

“I actually surprised myself a little, actually,” Long said. “One of my goals is to beat the 100 fly record. However, I wasn’t even focused on the 100 breast record.

After winning the 50 breaststroke, I knew I would be close to breaking the record.”

Long said he was grateful to break such a record his junior year.

“Getting a record as a junior means so much to me,” Long said.

“Especially breaking it midseason, because it shows that I have more time to drop for PSACs. Seeing my other teammates do so well during the meet was also so encouraging.”

The IUP men’s team stands at 5-0 in the conference while the women’s team is 4-1 overall.

The Golden Eagles men’s and women’s swimming teams are coming into Saturday’s meet on a losing streak, falling to both Carnegie Mellon University and Bloomsburg University. IUP lost to Clarion last season at Clarion.

“We are prepared for swim this weekend just like any other meet, due to the fact that we are working extremely hard,” Smith said.

“Personally, I’m just trying to stay focused on the long-term goals, which are PSAC Championships.”

Sports

December 8, 2017

Sports

21

College Football Playoff under scrutiny

By NICK BAUMGARDNER Detroit Free Press TNS

Jim Harbaugh said it before.

And with the Big Ten's absence from the 2017 College Football Playoff, Michigan's head coach took the opportunity to say it again.

The idea of a playoff is correct.

But he believes the execution should be tweaked.

"There should be more than four teams in the playoffs," Harbaugh said this week when asked for his reaction to Ohio State's absence from the playoff. "Just to reiterate: Eight teams, 12 teams, 16 teams.

"Sixteen would be ideal."

Harbaugh's long been a fan of the way the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) handles its postseason system. It started with a four-team format back in the late 1970s, then increased size over the years. In 2013, it moved to a 24-

(TNS) Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh

team playoff.

Some have advocated for a playoff that features automatic bids from each of the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences; others have pushed for automatic bids for the Power 5 leagues (Big Ten, SEC, ACC, Pac-12, Big 12) with three other at-large bids.

The common thread, though, remains the same.

"I think what hurts it is the mindnumbingly short-sighted notion that four teams for a playoff somehow establishes something and

that's a very clever approach. ...

Nobody does it that way," Washington State coach Mike Leach said earlier this season. "If we were so smart, wouldn't all the other sports say 'let's have a committee, why not, we're America and we love committees.' ... There's people on the committee that don't even have remote associations with football ... other than being a fan.

"We should just ask them at the beginning of the season: Go ahead and vote on it, figure out 1, 2, 3 and 4 and let's just not (bother). That's not a playoff. How can you call it a playoff when there's four teams and conference champions don't even necessarily make the playoffs?"

Harbaugh's not necessarily against a committee or some sort of selection organization, but he does believe the situation needs to be expanded. This season, for the first time since its creation in 2014, the CFP committee selected two teams (Georgia and Alabama)

from the same conference. The Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide were joined in this year's field by Clemson and Oklahoma.

The 2017 playoff will mark the second straight year the Big Ten champion (Penn State last year and Ohio State this season) has been excluded from the playoff.

And for the first time since its inception, the CFP will move forward without a Big Ten representative.

Harbaugh's touched on the idea of expansion throughout his three-year tenure at Michigan, as he looks at other major sports and sees a larger postseason field to determine a true champion.

Some have countered that adding teams to the CFP would increase the number of games played, though Harbaugh and several other coaches quickly point to the fact that this year's two CFP finalists will either be on game No. 14 or 15.

Keep the idea. Just add to it.

"It would make us more like every other sport, every other col-

legiate sport that has a playoff," Harbaugh said. "Every league in sports that has a playoff and a championship that does it through a playoff format ... .

"I think it's the ideal way to do it."

As far as his own team is concerned?

Harbaugh was clear about that, too. Right now, they're not good enough. Not for a four-team playoff, an eight-team playoff or any type of playoff.

"We look at it right now, we're not good enough. Not good enough to win all our games," said Harbaugh, whose Wolverines (8-4) will close the season against South Carolina in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1. "We need to be better. We need to be good enough. That starts now. It really started last week.

"We'll go forward building and attacking, using our meeting time, training time, practice time and this next bowl game to motivate us and improve as a football team."

December 8, 2017

22 APARTMENTS Available 2018/2019 student rentals for the student that doesn’t want roommates and groups of 3 to 5 students. We are located next to campus across the street from Wallwork Hall. All are fully furnished. We pay ALL utilities including cable with HBO and internet. ample parking is available. Showings are Monday through Thursday between noon and 6pm. Visit our website www.heathhousing. com and then call to schedule your tour 724-463-9560.

2018/19 RK Rentals. 1 bedroom $2675. 2 bedroom $2275. 3 bedroom $2375. (per person/semester). Tenant pays electric, cable/internet. iupapartments.com 724-388-5481

2,3,4,5,6 bedroom apartments and houses for Fall’17 Spring’18. Visit our website www.iupapartments. net All utilities included, fully furnished, low sec dep. Text me at 724-681-8381.

2 bedroom apartment available for Spring’18, semester only 450 Nixon Avenue. Visit website or text me at 724-681-8381. www.iupapartments.net

Spring’18 2,3 bedrooms.

Adjacent to the HUB. Air conditioned, parking and utilities included. Dishwahser, washer and dryer 724-549-1219.

Fall’18 Spring’19, 2,3,4 bedrooms. Adjacent to HUB. Air conditioned, dishwasher, washer, dryer, parking and utilities included 724-549-1219.

One person efficiency. Semesters of 2018/2019. Unfurnished.

Private, secure walk to campus.

Parking included. Text or call 724-388-5055.

2 Bedroom Fall’18/Spring’19, Neat/Clean, parking inc. $1,800/semester. 412-309-0379.

1 Bedroom Fall’18/Spring’19, Neat/Clean, parking inc. $2,000/semester. 412-309-0379.

1 Bedroom Spring’18, Neat/ Clean parking inc. $2,000/ semester. 412-309-0379.

1,2,3,4 and 5 bedroom apartments available. Apartments for rent on campus and on Philadelphia Street.

Some furnishings. $1700 to $3250 per semester. Call or text 724-388-3952 for more details or see photos at www.dynamicmgt.com Apartments for rent, 3 or 4

Bedrooms, close to campus, furnicshed, includes water, electric, cable, internet, parking, $1500 semester/ person, available starting fall 2018, call or text Ryan 814-512-1831 for photos and showings.

2-5 bedroom apartments next to campus, call Jim 724-3885687 or Judy 724-388-2008.

Fall ‘18 Spring ‘19. 4-5 bedroom apartments. Furnished.

All utilities included. Parking and laundry. 724-388-6978. jlbrick212@gmail.com One person efficiency. One semester apartment for Spring 2018. Unfurnished. Private, secure walk to campus.

Parking included. Text or call 724-388-5055.

Sublet available Spring 2018 for Female. Close to campus.

Includes heat and water. Call or text 724-388-5055.

Fall’18 Spring’19. 3 bedroom apartment. Utilities included. $2000/person per semester.

724-464-7399.

Two 5 bedroom apartments for rent starting Fall ‘18. Fully furnished, utilities included, wifi and cable. Close to campus. Can be reached at

crimsonhousing@gmail.com or 724-840-5028.

Duplex for rent. One spacious furnished three bedroom house with laundrey in quiet neighborhood. Looking for 3 great students to make it a home. Easy walking distance to campus. One off-street parking space available. Also, garage area will park 2 vehicles. Some utilities included.

724-840-2847.

One block, Two blocks, Three blocks, Four?

Better Shop NOW or Walk some More!

OakGroveRealty.net 724-471-1234.

SPRING 2018 Rooms & Apts.

AVAILABLE ! & FALL/SPRING 2018-19 Prices near 1/2 Dorm Rates!

OakGroveRealty.net 2-3 bedroom apts & houses.

Close to campus. Available 2018-2019. Different locations.

Call 724-762-8338.

Sublet Spring 2018. 1/2 roomates for a 4 bedroom AND 5 bedroom apartment.

724-388-6978.

HOUSES 2018-2019 Two bedroom

Classifieds house firnished, utilities and parking included, close to campus 814-341-5404.

5 Bedroom large brick house, wash/dryer, covered patio, sun porch, parking inc. $1,800/ semester. 412-309-0379 Houses and apartments.

Utilities paid. Pet friendly.

724-840-2083.

Campbell student housing.

2-3-4-5 bedroom houses for 2018/2019. Next to Campus.

Utilities, parking, furnished, W/D included. Very Affordable Rent. 724-516-3669.

Fall 2018/Spring 2019. 929 Wayne Ave. (across from McDonalds). One student needed for 4-bedroom house.

412-354-9476.

Spring 2018, 1 & 2 bedroom, furnished, utilities and parking included. 724-549-5681.

Fall 2018 Spring 2019 six person for 6 bedroom house.

Easy walk, furnished, utilities included $1,800 per semester.

724-422-3559 724-840-2498 text or leave message.

SPRING 2018, 4 BEDROOM HOUSE. 3 BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS. FREE PARKING. FURNISHED. $1500 PER PERSON/

SEMESTER. UTILITIES NOT INCLUDED. 412-289-0656.

Fall 2018-2019 4 bedroom, 2 bath furnished. Laundry, parking. Walk to campus. $1,900 per person. Keys given early.

724-388-3388.

2018-2019. Great houses. 2 and 3 BR. Close to campus.

Marble and Hardwood inside.

724-388-6535 Looking for a group of 12 females that can get along. Air conditioning, utilities included, wifi and cable. Near campus.

Can be reached at crimsonhousing@gmail.com or 724840-5028.

Spring’18 2,3 bedrooms. Adjacent to the HUB. Air conditioned, parking and utilities included. Dishwahser, washer and dryer 724-549-1219.

Fall’18 Spring’19, 2,3,4 bedrooms. Adjacent to HUB. Air conditioned, dishwasher, washer, dryer, parking and utilities included 724-549-1219.

FOLLOW THE PENN ON TWITTER

@ThePennIUP

December 8, 2017

23

Sports

Goff and Wentz: joined at the hype

By GARY KLEIN

Los Angeles Times TNS

They will be forever linked as quarterbacks selected No. 1 and No. 2 in the 2016 NFL draft.

They share the same agents, remain in contact via occasional text messages and track each other from afar.

Jared Goff of the Rams and Carson Wentz of the Philadelphia Eagles will play against each other Sunday for the first time when their division-leading teams meet at the Coliseum. If Goff and Wentz continue to perform as they have this season, it could be the first of many marquee matchups between the ascending stars.

"It'll be fun," Goff said Wednesday during a news conference in Thousand Oaks. "It'll be good to see him, good to talk to him and good to compete on the same field.

"But ultimately ... I'm competing against their defense and he's competing against ours."

Wentz echoed Goff's thoughts.

"We're both excited for this game and just for those matchups in the future," Wentz said during a teleconference with reporters, adding, "They're a great football team, and so are we right now, so there's lot riding on this one. ... A lot more at stake than just me versus Jared."

The Rams are 9-3, atop the NFC West and on track for their first playoff appearance since 2004.

The Eagles are 10-2 and lead the NFC East with a chance to clinch a

playoff spot Sunday and maintain or improve their status as the No. 2 seed in the conference behind the Minnesota Vikings (10-2).

The Rams and Eagles are tied for the league lead in scoring, averaging 30.1 points a game. A major reason is quarterback play.

Second-year Eagles coach Doug Pederson has been impressed with Goff's development.

"It's fun to watch, quite honestly," Pederson said. "Just to see the growth in his play and all the things that we saw in him when we were scouting and working him out and evaluating all these quarterbacks a year ago, this is exactly what we saw."

As the Washington Redskins' offensive coordinator in 2016, Sean McVay saw Wentz play as a rookie.

Now, as the Rams' coach, he and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips are game-planning against him.

"The growth has been extremely impressive to watch," McVay said of Wentz. "It's why he's in consideration he's talked about as one of the best in the league.

"He's getting a variety of playmakers involved. Then, he can create on-schedule or off-schedule and when things happen and break down ... it's a scary thing for most defenses and he's made a lot of big plays doing it that way."

Goff, 23, and Wentz, 24, became entwined during the run-up to the draft. They worked out together at times in Orange County, and became the focus of a media crush when the Rams traded to the top of the draft so they could select a

quarterback.

The following week, the Eagles traded into the No. 2 spot.

Speculation mounted over whether the Rams would select Goff, who had played three seasons at California, or Wentz, who had completed his fifth season at North Dakota State.

The Rams worked out and interviewed both, ultimately choosing Goff on draft night in Chicago.

"We both weren't exactly 100 percent where we were going," Wentz said. "I think we both kind of had a pretty good idea where it would end up, but we still were waiting for that call when the Rams were on the clock."

When the Eagles tabbed Wentz, it marked the seventh time in NFL history that quarterbacks were selected with the first and second picks in the draft.

It did not take long for many to deem the Rams' choice a mistake.

Goff joined a Rams team that included quarterbacks Case Keenum and Nick Foles. The Rams released Foles on the eve of training camp, but Goff sat behind Keenum for nine games before coach Jeff Fisher elevated him to a starting role.

Goff completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,089 yards and five touchdowns, with seven interceptions, in seven winless starts. He was sacked 26 times as the Rams finished 4-12.

The arrival of offense-minded McVay, receivers such as Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp, and offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan aided Goff's development.

He has completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,184 yards and 20 touchdowns, with six interceptions.

"Seeing him on tape and everything, you just see some of the throws he makes and some of the things they're doing offensively down there," Wentz said.

Wentz initially joined an Eagles team that included quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel, so it appeared he also might sit for a while behind the veterans.

But on the eve of the season, the Eagles traded Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings, who had lost quarterback Teddy Bridgewater because of a season-ending knee injury.Pederson named Wentz the starter and the rookie got off to a fast start, leading the Eagles to

three consecutive wins, including a 34-3 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wentz started every game during a 7-9 season, completing 63 percent of his passes for 3,782 yards and 16 touchdowns, with 14 interceptions. He was sacked 33 times.

He has built on the experience this season, completing 61 percent of his passes for 3,005 yards and a league-high 29 touchdowns, with six interceptions.

Goff has been impressed by "everything" Wentz is doing.

"Especially his ability to extend plays and make plays outside the pocket," Goff said. "I know that's always something he was always really good at and is continuing to get really good at.

"A lot of respect for him and what he's done. He's one guy who has really worked his way into everything he's earned ... and expecting him to continue to keep getting better."

With their play this season, the two young quarterbacks are raising their already high profiles.

Wentz is the leading vote-getter by fans among all players for the Pro Bowl. Goff ranks ninth.

24

December 8, 2017