The Student Printz September 14, 2022 | Volume 108 Issue 3

USM Student Collects Bottled Water for Jackson Residents

As the Jackson water crisis continues, residents still strug gle to access safe water sources. Seeing this, student Bethal Miles stepped up to help. Miles has collect ed over 200 cases of water to distribute to Jacksonians, and he’s just getting started.

The water system in Jack son, Mississippi, has been plagued with problems for years. The situation reached crisis levels in late August when excessive rain and flooding from the Pearl River caused pumps at Jackson’s primary treatment plant to fail. As of the writing of this article, water pressure has returned, but there is still a boil-water notice.

After learning about the water crisis on the news, USM junior Miles felt compelled to act. “I woke up one day seeing the story…and just thought, ‘What can I do to help?’”, he recounted. Miles has struggled with similar issues in his own life. “I come from poverty,” he recalled. “A lot of times, I just needed one person to pat me on the back and tell me it was going to be okay.”

It all began with a post on TikTok, where Miles has over 449,300 followers. In the original video, he states his plan to go to Jackson with cases of water and calls on his followers for help. “I really wanna get out there and help the people,” he states. “There

is no way the blackest city in America doesn’t have water.”

The project runs on do nations, which are accepted through his Instagram: @ bethal_miles. He accepts cases of water or money to buy water and cover transpor tation costs. The exact plans are still in development, but Miles plans to travel to Jack son to distribute the water. He will accept donations until Wednesday, Sept. 14. That weekend, Miles intends to move the water cases out of his house and set up a dis tribution center by Saturday, Sept. 17. He also posts regu lar updates on social media

for transparency.

The water drive started small on a whim but has become a runaway success. “I started getting donations, and then they just gradually got bigger and bigger and bigger,” Miles said. His initial goal was 100 cases of 40-pack water. Since the first video, he has received 220 cases and is still getting more.

Miles does much of the work himself but has received much support. He credits his line brothers at Omega Psi Phi fraternity and other members of USM’s Greek life. But mostly, he is grateful for all those who donated.

“A lot of this stuff is possible because of the donations,” he said. “The story is incredible. Like, you wouldn’t believe it if you’d seen it.”

Miles calls the project “a blessing in so many ways.” He wants the water drive to be the first of many volunteer projects. “Now that I’ve done a little bit and contributed a little part, I just want to keep growing,” he said. “I want to see what I can do.” He is in contact with several charities and has big ambitions for the future. “Just help people, that’s really my message. Just help people.”

SIMEON GATES

SM2 REPORTER

Via Instagram

Miles shows water collection.

SEPTEMBER

The Student Printz is the student-produced newspaper of the Southern Miss Student Media Center (SM2) in the School of Media and Communication at The University of Southern Mississippi. It is published every Wednesday morning and updated online at www.SM2media.com. The newspaper has been printed since 1927, serving the campus and community with news and information. Today, SM2 student journalists and media producers create and share stories with multiple medias on mul tiple platforms using the most modern technology housed in College Hall. SM2 includes Southern Miss Radio, Southern Miss TV, Southern Miss, SM2 Creative, and SM2 Strategic Communication.

THE CONTRIBUTORS

SM2 News Director Kyra Lampley kyra.lampley@usm.edu

Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

Editorial Policy Opinions

The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not represent those of the faculty, staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submission must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@ gmail.com by 5 p.m. on the Friday before publication. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space or journalistic ethics.

Printz Executive Editor Loren Jones loren.jones@usm.edu

SM2 Sports Director Austin Lindsey austin.lindsey@usm.edu

4th Street Sports Reporter Mya Evens mya.evans@usm.edu

4th Street Sports Producer Charlie Luttrell charles.luttrell@usm.edu

SMTV Executive Producer Garret Grove garret.grove@usm.edu

@ southernmissstudentmedia

@studentprintz

@ southernmissstudentmedia

Southern Miss Student Media

SM2 Reporter

Wilson

SM2 Reporter Huey Turlich huey.turlich@usm.edu

Printz Layout Team Ben Milburn benjamin.milburn@usm.edu

Printz Layout Team Cam Bonelli catherine.bonelli@usm.edu

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

JA’TERRICA WILSON SM2 REPORTER

The University of South ern Mississippi’s Hat tiesburg campus offers a variety of online graduate and undergraduate programs for stu dents looking to obtain a college degree.

With more than 200 online programs and a 51% graduation rate, USM is the third-ranked college institution in the state of Mississippi for best online programs.

“Technology is one of our big gest undergraduate programs,” Amanda Cascio said during an interview with SM2 reporters

USM’s Online Degree Programs

Ja’Terrica Wilson and Shannon Barbin.

USM students have a variety of programs to choose from, whether it be to obtain a bach elor’s degree in nursing or a master’s degree in education.

Additionally, on skooli.com, there is an online tutoring pro gram offered to students who take online courses and are in need of individual help.

Students are not bound to take classes fully online but taking in-person classes simul taneously is an option that most students choose. This gives stu dents the opportunity to manage their time efficiently.

“I find that it gives me a lot

more time to do the work that I have rather than having to set aside time to go to class,” USM student Chaislyn King said.

Most students find online classes to be a more flexible and suitable route to take during their college career.

For students seeking guidance on how to balance online class es with their everyday routine, including work, Cascio gave sug gestions on how to do so.

“You need to make sure you stay on top of your deadlines and really prioritize what you need to do and when you need to do it,” said Cascio. “Staying connected to the University, your instructor and your peers

in the class would be really ben eficial.”

The online instructors at USM publicly display in their syllabi that they are willing to meet with students on virtual outlets, such as Zoom, if the students are in need of extra tutoring.

Throughout those Zoom meetings, students are allowed to participate in the activities as they would during an in-person class meeting: ask questions, gain feedback and see their in structors’ faces.

For information on how to sign up for and become more fa miliar with the online programs that USM offers, visit https://on line.usm.edu/programs.

Online student asking a question in class.

Photo Courtesy of Collegiate Parent

The Zoo’s “Rum Under the Sun”

HUEY TURLICH SM2 REPORTER

The Hattiesburg Zoo is at it again with another fun and entertaining night for their guests. The Zoo will host its first “Rum Under the Sun” on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. The event is from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and guests 21 years old and up can enjoy an evening filled with Caribbe an food and entertainment.

“There will be a variety of Rum selections, including Rhum Barbancourt, Gosling

|Black Seal – Black Rum, Brugal 1888 and Angostura 1919,” Patience, a zoo employ ee, said.

The event will be a nice relaxing evening for drinking while watching the sunset at the Zoo. Along with nice Rum, guests can enjoy a selection of Caribbean foods consisting of an authentic grilled jerk-chick en station, Cubano Grilled Cheese, Caribbean burger sliders and many more.

Rum will not be the only drink available for guests. Bahama Mamas and Pina

Coladas will also be served throughout the night.

These Caribbean goods and high-end cigars, made avail able through the Fine Wine and Liquor Loft, will be locat ed at a private bar, THE PALM. It will be set up behind the Safari Grill by the Asbury Dis covery Center. Along with the Rum and Caribbean food, the Zoo will serve its regular food and drinks menu.

The event will also include games and entertainment for everyone to enjoy. There will be a Limbo contest for the

guests to show off how low they can go. The splash pad will also be open to the guests to keep them cool under the sun. The Tortuguero Train will roll past the wildlife through out the evening, and the Ca ribbean Carousel will spin all night.

Tickets are up for sale for $15 pre-purchase or at the gate for $20 on the day of the event.

For more information on this event, you can call the Zoo or look them up on Facebook.

Courtesy of Hattiesburg Zoo Facebook“Rum Under the Sun” flyer.

VAN ARNOLD UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

USM Nursing Professor Soars to Great Heights in Dual Careers

One minute she is teaching students how to become nurse anesthetists; the next, she is piloting a law enforcement helicopter over the vast forests of South Missis sippi. Such is the extraordinary and rewarding life of Dr. Stephanie Parks.

Parks serves as a full-time Assistant Professor in the Nurse Anesthesia Program at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), yet also manages to squeeze in part-time duty as a heli copter pilot for the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. There is no proof that she also doubles as a movie stunt woman.

But don’t tell that to Harrison County Chief Pilot Lt. Brandon Hend ry.

“She was here long before me, but she is a legend in our aviation divi sion,” said Hendry, who has worked with Parks for the past 12 years. “There is nothing Steph can’t accom plish or achieve. Her record speaks for itself. Nurse, successful military career, skilled pilot, CRNA, DNP. I’ve never heard of anyone with that record of achievement.”

Parks’ love affair with whirlybirds began early during a family vacation in Tennessee.

“My first helicopter ride was at age 12 when my father rented a helicopter to fly us around Maggie Valley,” said Parks. “I remember the pilot putting me up front with him because I was too little and to make room for the massive camera, I insisted on carrying. I remember thinking then, ‘I can do this!’

Parks so desperately wanted to be at the controls in a helicopter cockpit that she announced an intention to join the U.S. Army upon graduation from high school. Those countless days playing “Army” as a youngster with her brothers had only intensified Parks’ patriotic passion for serving in the military. But a mother’s plea is challenging to resist, and Parks agreed to try college before attempting mili tary service.

After earning her Bachelor of Sci ence in Nursing degree at USM’s Gulf Park campus in 1996, the headstrong Parks fulfilled her teenage dream by enlisting in the U.S. Army three years later. Her primary objective: “fly big helicopters.” She underwent basic training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, grad uating first in her class and earning a second-lieutenant commission at Fort Benning, Georgia.

For the first 10 years of her 23year military career, Parks piloted the famed Sikorsky Black Hawk helicop ters. You know the ones – the versatile, dependable, unmistakable choppers featured in the classic films “Apoca lypse Now” and “Black Hawk Down.”

As a result, Parks developed an affinity for the magnificent flying machines and the assignments that often carried her into hostile territory.

“I loved flying military missions that included air assault, multi-ship operations, paradrops exercises with the Army’s prestigious Black Knights, and night missions wearing night-vi sion goggles,” said Parks. “One of my

deployments was to Kosovo. We flew many hoist operations and used our Black Hawk winch capability to lower and recover our medics to wounded personnel on the ground. Unfortunate ly, the landscape was too dangerous to land due to the number of unexplod ed ordinances dropped in the 1990s by NATO forces.”

During Operation Enduring Free dom, Parks served as MEDEVAC com mander for the U.S. Army in Kosovo and coordinated all MEDEVAC assets for the entire country. Following a 12-month deployment to the region, Parks voluntarily grounded herself by returning to school and furthering her civilian education. She earned her master’s degree in nurse anesthesia from Franciscan University in Baton Rouge in 2012. She served as Chief Anesthetist at Garden Park Medical Center in her hometown of Gulfport from 2013-2019.

While employed at Garden Park Medical Center, Parks completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at USM in 2015. During a deployment to Afghanistan in 2019, Parks received and accepted an offer to join the USM nursing faculty.

As the simulation coordinator in the Nurse Anesthesia Program at USM, Parks and her colleagues struc ture simulation scenarios that include cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning domains, on days she’s not in the classroom or a clinical setting, Parks participates in Army simulation training seminars or overseas mission trips like the one she took in May to Honduras.

That trip saw Baptist Medical Den tal Mission International (BMDMI) thrust into action during a 40-person surgical team’s assignment in Guaima ca, Honduras. Parks led a USM con tingent that included four students in the nurse anesthesia program. Health care personnel from the Hattiesburg area also participated in the mission,

which saw the medical team perform a remarkable 82 procedures in just three-and-a-half days.

Parks’ association with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office began before her Army enlistment and before she learned to fly helicopters. But, like a gym rat who yearns for a crack at the big-time spotlight, Parks volunteered at the department’s hangar to wash helicopters.

“As the former chief pilot tells ev eryone: ‘she wouldn’t go away,’ recalls Parks. “It wasn’t glamorous work, but I wanted to be part of the aviation team once I became a pilot and hoped they would give me a chance. I also trained with the police academy cadets for their morning physical training. I ran with them so that I would be in shape when I left for Army basic training.”

Grit and persistence paid off as Parks climbed up from helicopter washer to senior pilot in the depart ment’s aviation unit. Hendry notes that even though Parks works only part-time for the department, her skills, experience, wisdom, and innova tion have proven invaluable.

“Pilotage is written in her DNA,” said Hendry. “Her commitment to safety, success and the future of our aviation unit is unwavering. The mil itary experience she has is a bonus for us. It ingrained discipline, trust in procedures, and a fearlessness in her that I can see every time she gets in the pilot’s seat.”

Hendry wasn’t always so enamored with Parks’ skill set.

“When I was a new pilot, our personalities clashed,” he confided. “I thought I knew it all and talked more than I should have. However, we’ve come a long way together, and I’ve grown and matured a lot with her help.”

There is undeniable exhilaration from swooshing through the air as a helicopter pilot. Still, Parks says the experience often yields a more signifi

cant payoff.

“Being a pilot requires great re sponsibility and preparation but has a greater reward,” she said. “I’ve been involved in numerous lost personnel missions when we’ve successfully aided in the safe return of a lost person. We often fly on missions with multiple agencies over both land and water. My ability to fly above a scene often gives situational awareness to the ground personnel that is otherwise impossi ble.”

Parks explains that the most chal lenging part of aviation involves the pilot’s decision-making throughout any given assignment.

“The aircraft is capable of perform ing the mission, but the pilot has to make the decision to fly and constant ly assess the risk associated with each decision,” she said. “Do I have the weather to safely perform the mission for the entire duration of the flight? Is the landing zone safe and suitable for the aircraft? Do I have enough fuel for the mission? Did the pre-flight identify anything deficient in the aircraft? Am I too heavy to fly this mission due to the number of personnel on board? Am I physically capable of performing this mission?”

Critical questions, for sure. Ones that only a trained, experienced, confi dent pilot can answer.

“A pilot’s judgment is the best de terminant for success in aviation. You must be aware of the limitations of your aircraft and yourself,” said Parks.

Though her active military career ended more than a dozen years ago, Parks remains a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, where she holds the rank of major. In addition, she has logged more than 2,000 flight hours in five different airframes. She is cur rently training to become a certified flight instructor.

Dr. Parks poses with a helicopter she pilots for the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

Photo courtesy of Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

Top 10 2022 Alternative Summer Anthems

SM2 MUSIC REPORTER

For this list I’m going to cover my personal top ten tracks released in the summer of 2022. For songs to be considered they’d have to be released between May 6 and August 22, the end of the Spring 2022 semester and the start of the Fall 2022 semester. The area of music I’m covering is more into the alternative music genre. The specific areas I’m covering consist of anything ranging from pop rock all the way to metalcore. Before I get into my actual top ten list, I’ll go ahead and put some honorable mentions below that are also definitely worth checking out.

Honorable Mentions:

“Here to Stay” - State Champs

“Cubicle Dialogue”- Static Dress

“Miracle” - A Day to Remember

“Library of Broken Bindings” - Sin cere Engineer

“Drink Milk & Run” - Hot Mulligan Top 10:

10) “gfy” (feat. Machine Gun Kelly) - blackbear: You know what the acronym is, and now you know one of the best angsty breakup songs of the summer. Produced by blink-182’s Travis Barker, this track features MGK busting a little bit of rapping for old time sake followed by harmonization with blackbear. blackbear did a great job of writing this catchy song that will have you hating your ex all over again.

9) “Low Tide” - The Wonder Years: The fourth single from the much-an ticipated new album from The Wonder Years’s “The Hum Goes on Forever’ definitely satisfied. The Wonder Years is my number one favorite band I can’t wait to go to another one of their shows to scream this song as loud as I can. This song has the grit and almost whiny vocals that make The Wonder Years the amazing band that they are. This is a great track and I can’t wait for the album that’s out September 23.

8) “Sonder” - The Wrecks: The title track from the sophomore album of alternative/indie band The Wrecks is so ridiculously catchy. I can guarantee you this track will make you get up and move whether you want to or not. Their entire album Sonder is full of electricity and amazing hooks, but the title track truly takes it to another level.

7) “Loud & Clear” - Heart Attack Man: I’ve seen people online refer to this track as “emo Wonderwall” so if that doesn’t get you intrigued, I don’t know what will. I can’t give a specific term of genre for “Heart Attack Man” because they’re all over the place in

the best way possible. This song is super smooth and I have not been able to stop listening to it since its release. This song is about growing up going through the motions of youth and feeling like your life is just start ing in your late twenties. This song is super pleasing to the ear and proves that “Heart Attack Man” is much more than a band with hilarious tweets (if I do say so myself.)

6) “I should’ve listened to my friends” - Magnolia Park: Yes, the lyrics in this chorus are just a little repeti tive, but you can’t tell me that exact chorus won’t be stuck in your head all day long. Magnolia Park absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one. It’s a modern pop punk banger about manipulation and how you should listen to your friends when it comes to love. I honestly don’t see what’s not to love about this song. I’ve been a fan of Magnolia Park’s back when their numbers on Spotify were in the 4-digit area, so to see tracks with +5 million streams and them soon playing huge venues with A Day to Remember truly makes me happy.

5) “Teenagers” (feat. Against the

Current) - The Summer Set: You might know The Summer Set from the days of neon hair and myspace back when they released songs like “Boomerang” and “Chelsea”, but they’re recently reunited with a few new tracks. They have their upcoming part 1 of their 2-part album “Blossom” that releas es this Friday, September 9. This is their first big hit coming back from a +4-year hiatus, and what a way to come back. This is an enthralling pop rock anthem that also features Chrissy Costanza from the very talented band, Against the Current.

4) “dumb” (feat. Tom The Mail Man) - Stand Atlantic: This Australia based melodic pop punk band is back again with their latest album, F. E. A. R. This is one of the breakout tracks from this album and I’ll let you go ahead and guess what the acronym stands for. This explosive pop song features none other than “pop rap” artist, Tom the Mail Man. Tom fits really well on this song and even joins in on the second chorus alongside Stand Atlan tic’s insanely talented vocalist, Bonnie Fraser.

3) “FOUR OF A KIND” (feat.

Extra Large Holiday Card) - 93FEE TOFSMOKE: “Emo rap” sensation 93FEETOFSMOKE never shies away from features and this is definitely my favorite one yet to come from him. XLHC is the solo project from Hot Mulligan’s own, Chris Freeman. Chris provides rhythm guitar and backing vocals in Hot Mulligan, but truly shined on this feature as well. 93’s new EP GOODGRIEF was full of amazing tracks but this one shined brightest in my opinion.

2) “Riptide” - Beartooth: Beartooth has returned on their best track to date. I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t ever been the biggest fan, but this track changed my entire perspective. This Columbus, Ohio, based metal core crew released their most unique sounding track to date and it changed everything. Every single thing about this song is just perfect, from the explosive instrumentation to vocals that punch you right in the face, this song rules. The band took some time off and singer Caleb Shomo returned completely sober and absolutely ripped, thus just showing even more that this era of Beartooth is by far an entirely new reinvention.

1) “Funeral Grey” - Waterparks: I don’t even know where to begin with this track. Waterparks teased their fans for weeks upon weeks and when they finally did drop this new single, every single second of that wait was very much worth it. This is a song that I believe truly anyone can enjoy, even if you don’t like or aren’t familiar with their genre. This track is a pop rock anthem, that I can honestly say just might be the catchiest song I’ve ever heard. This chorus hits you like a brick wall in the best way possible, and Aswten Knight’s very fast and pop inspired vocals fit perfectly in place. I actually got the opportunity to hear this song in person over the summer and it blew my mind all over again. This is an incredible track that any one can enjoy so I would recommend checking it out immediately, your ears will thank you I promise.

Thanks for making it this far, I hope you’ve enjoyed my top ten tracks from the summer. If you’ve enjoyed any of my musical tastes and opinions then feel free to check out my own music related radio show, Bring Me the Radio. It airs every Thursday night 8-9 p.m. on WUSM 88.5. My co-host and I talk everything music related that comes out of the alterative music scene. Thanks for reading my article and I hope you’ll get to tune in every Thursday!

BEN MILBURN

Photo Courtesy of Jawn Rocha

Group shot of Waterparks.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Volleyball wins Southern Miss Invitational

MYA EVANS

STREET SPORTS REPORTER

Day One Southern Miss lost a five-set battle in their home opener against the Stephen F. Austin Lady Jacks Friday.

Despite the loss, the Golden Eagles reached new heights, in cluding outside hitter Mia Wesley’s career-high of 31 kills and 18 digs. Wesley is second in the nation in kills per set.

“We could have won. We were the better team. It was in our control. We should have managed more things on our side of the net,” Wes ley said.

Cara Atkinson had a blazing game with 15 kills, five digs, and a .423 percentage, and Kenzie Smith added 59 assists and 15 digs. The team had an overall .242 percent age.

The first set showed that the Lady Jacks came to play, as they went back and forth on streaks until the end of the set, where they went point for point. SFA took the set 33-31.

In the second set, the Golden Eagles started strong with a 7-3 lead, but SFA had an answer that gave them a lead to hold on for the remainder of the set.

“My hitting percentage wasn’t great in the first two sets, so I need to work on that for the next game,” Wesley said.

But the third set was a transition ing moment for the Golden Eagles, as Wesley came through with four consecutive serves to force an SFA timeout.

Atkinson kept the momentum going as Southern Miss blocked the attack and kept SFA trailing behind them to take the set 25-19.

The Golden Eagles set the tone in the fourth set again, starting 1115 with Atkinson getting out on the blocks again. Southern Miss sent it to a fifth set with a 25-17 finish in the fourth.

SFA regained the momentum as they fought evenly with Southern Miss in the final set of the game, eventually winning 15-13.

“SFA is a good team, they won their conference a lot, and they are a disciplined team,” Southern Miss Head Coach Jenny Hazelwood said.

“We knew our percentages weren’t as good, and our hitting wasn’t good. But, when you are playing a good team, errors are not provided. You must execute every set to succeed.”

On the other hand, SFA’s Leah Powell had 20 kills and 22 digs to lead the Lady Jacks, Jayden Flynn had 19 digs, and Isabella Ortiz had eight kills and 11 digs.

“We saw a lot of bright spots in the game. Mia Wesley is a go-to player, and Cara Atkinson is a great blocker. We have a chance to do good in this game. We have a lot of talent, and we are young. I think we are going to be special,” Hazelwood said.

Day Two

Southern Miss volleyball wrapped up the Southern Miss Invitational with wins against Mississippi Val ley State (25-9, 25-13, 25-9) and Houston Baptist (25-21, 27-25, 2522) at the Southern Miss Wellness Center on Saturday. The wins gave the Golden Eagles the tournament title and moved them to 7-2 on the season.

Redshirt senior Kenzie Smith was named tournament MVP and Wesley was named to the All-Tournament

Team.

“I am really proud of the way we responded today after playing a tough, five-set match last night against a really talented Stephen. F Austin team,” Head Coach Jen ny Hazelwood said. “That was a Houston Baptist team that had not dropped a set this weekend, and we came out swinging. We are in a good spot as we get ready for the last preseason tournament next weekend at Jacksonville State.”

The Golden Eagles cruised to a convincing win against in-state foe Mississippi Valley State on Saturday afternoon. Wesley paced Southern Miss with a game-high 12 kills on 18 attempts for a .611 hitting clip. In total, nine different Golden Ea gles recorded a kill in the three-set sweep. Cara Atkinson continued her hot play by adding eight kills on 12 attempts.

Smith dished out 26 assists to go along with six digs and a kill. While making her first collegiate start, freshman Cailin Demps recorded three kills.

Southern Miss took the first set from Houston Baptist via a five-kill opening frame from Wesley. The Golden Eagles closed out the set

on a 6-1 run that culminated in an Ari Barksdale and Demps block to secure the opening frame.

The Black and Gold saw them selves staring down a 24-22 deficit but fought back to take the second set, 27-25. Back-to-back blocks by Southern Miss assisted in the set win after Wesley paced it with seven kills. Demps added another four kills.

Facing another deficit at 1510 in the third set, Southern Miss stormed back again thanks to a 5-1 run and three-straight service aces from Wesley.

A stretch of errors from Houston Baptist gave Southern Miss a 2120 lead, and it never looked back. A service error from the Huskies sealed the tournament champion ship for Southern Miss.

Wesley finished with a gamehigh 18 kills and 11 digs to secure a double-double. Smith dished out 33 assists and 15 digs to earn an other double-double.

The Golden Eagles will head to Jacksonville State next weekend for the JSU Invitational, where they will face Auburn, Jacksonville State and Jackson State. The first serve against Auburn is slated for 1:30 p.m.

Aliah Giroux; left; and Megan Harris; right; celebrate after Southern Miss scores a point during their match against Sam Houston State on September 10, 2022.

Sean Smith | Printz

Southern Miss drops Miami matchup 30-7 aftertaking early lead

CHARLIE LUTTRELL 4TH STREET SPORTS DIRECTOR

The No. 15 Miami Hurricanes (2-0) flexed their strength with a 30-7 win in a matchup against Southern Miss (0-2), but the Golden Eagles put Hard Rock Stadium on an early upset watch Saturday.

True freshman quarterback Zach Wilcke connected with Jason Brownlee on an over-theshoulder shot to the endzone for a 32-yard touchdown in the second quarter to give South ern Miss a 7-3 lead.

Wilcke’s 16 completions were a significant shift in of fense from Southern Miss’ superback system featured in week one, marking the most completions since Jake Lange’s 23 last October against Rice. He threw for a 59% comple tion rate for 207 yards with a touchdown and a pick.

“I thought he played well. His eyes were right and I thought he threw a really accu rate ball which we see every day in practice,” Head Coach Will Hall said. “We made the deci sion to play him really more about Miami than about us. I got great respect for Miami but they [had] a base defense and let their athletes play, so we knew Zach would know where they would be and let his talent take over.”

Southern Miss fans saw more of what was expected from the defense, but this time, against a ranked offense. The Nasty Bunch held the Hurri canes to just 20 rushing yards in the first half and pressured quarterback Tyler Van Dyke with constant pressures that resulted in three sacks.

“We’re going to be a tough

one,” defensive back Malik Shorts said. “There’s a long road ahead, but Rome wasn’t built in one day either. We still have time, but this defense is probably the best defense I’ve been a part of since I’ve been here at USM that I can say I contributed to. These guys play hard and will continue to play hard, and I’m just thankful for these guys- we push each other every day.”

Shorts led the defense with another double-digit tackle per formance, getting 11 stops and again earning an interception against a ranked opponent.

Southern Miss shocked early, but the game’s momentum quickly shifted after a dropped interception by Natrone Brooks led to a continued drive capped off by a one-yard touch down rush by Henry Parrish Jr. to make it 10-7.

The Hurricanes never looked back, putting 27 unanswered points on the Golden Eagles with three consecutive drives for touchdowns.

“We wanted to come out

hard and make them feel it, but looking back at it, we’ve got to bring that same energy in the second half along with us, and if we do that, we can close out some games,” Shorts said. “We shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times on third down. We’ve just got to get off the field on third down.”

Miami came out of the half with a heavy rush attack, rush ing ten times with Thaddius Franklin Jr. scoring on a diving seven-yard attempt.

The Hurricanes’ establish ment of the run game cata pulted the production on their offense and marked a notable difference between the teams. Miami rushed for 191 yards to tal while Southern Miss rushed for just 24 yards.

“I thought they wore on us as the game went on, specifically in the trenches,” Hall said. “I thought they did a great job and we’re proud of how our kids came out and the energy they had I thought we did some good things early offensivelybetter than what we’ve been

doing. But we’re not really into moral victories anymore.”

Southern Miss Frank Gore Jr. could not replicate his week one performance or have the homecoming he wanted, some thing he placed on failed exe cution and Miami’s attack in the box.

“We know we’re a dangerous team, we know we’re going to play hard every game and fight. I feel like we rode the roller coaster too high when things were going good, but we’ll fix it and be ready for next week,” Gore said.

However, the offense did get a look at what it has not been able to in a while- its receiver play.

Brownlee turned 11 targets into five catches for 102 yards and the team’s lone touch down. Jakarius Caston caught four passes for 23 yards and Demarcus Jones hauled in a leaping 36-yard catch.

Southern Miss had oppor tunities to strike back in the second half, but turned the ball over three times, including Wil cke’s red zone interception and a fumble from the freshman.

Wilcke made Southern Miss’ quarterback situation even more interesting, but both Hall and he stated that Keyes should be cleared soon and be back to compete for the start ing job.

“I thought [this week] was really encouraging for the receivers because they didn’t really get the ball last week but Ty’s going to come back and be ready to compete for the starting job- he’s a really good player too,” Wilcke said.

Southern Miss returns to Hattiesburg to play Northwest ern State Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.

Zach Wilcke warms up ahead of his collegiate debut against Miami.

Charlie Luttrell| Printz