SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927 • WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM • DECEMBER 1, 2021 | VOLUME 108 | ISSUE 14
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
PG 4
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
PG 5
ADELE’S ‘30’ ALBUM REVIEW
PG 7
Southern Miss closes out season strong with win over Florida International
JACKSON HOWELL PRINTZ REPORTER
T
he Super Back offense once again paved its way to victory as Southern Miss defeated Florida International University (FIU) 3717 on Senior Night. The Golden Eagles ended the season winning its last two games after a 1-8 start. “[It was a] really good way to end the year. I’m so proud of these kids and the way they battled. [With] all the stuff they’ve been through the last two years, they hung together and kept representing the university the right way,” said Head Coach Will Hall. The running backs combined for 324 yards on the ground. Dajon Richard eclipsed 100 yards for the second consecutive game while Frank Gore Jr. rushed for two touchdowns and 68 yards. Gore also threw two touchdowns on four of five passes. “He’s good,” wideout Jason Brownlee said about Gore. “He’s everything you want back there in that backfield. When you’ve got Frank back there, you know something good is going to happen.” The Golden Eagles started the game strong as Jay Stanley forced a fumble to give Southern Miss possession. The Golden Eagles scored on a 29 yard touchdown rush by Richard after a 92-yard drive on nine plays. Stanley was not done wrecking havoc, however, as he intercepted a throw from Max Bortenschlager on the next play. One play later, Gore threw a 34 yard touchdown
to Brownlee. The Nasty Bunch defense forced a three-and-out on the next FIU possession, and Natrone Brooks returned the punt 77 yards to the FIU two-yard line. Gore plunged into the endzone to give Southern Miss a commanding 21-0 lead. Stanley then forced a third turnover in the first quarter as he recovered an EJ Wilson fumble, but the Golden Eagles’ drive ended after a trick play resulted in an interception. “We’ve been playing good defense, but we’ve been talking about forcing turnovers,” Stanley said
after the game. After the interception, the Panthers clawed their way back into the ballgame. Bortenschlager connected with Tyrese Chambers on a 91-yard touchdown pass. The Golden Eagles went three-and-out, and the Panthers marched down the field for an eight yard touchdown rush by Lexington Joseph, getting the Panthers back within one possession. The game went back and forth for a while. Southern Miss scored next as Briggs Bourgeois converted on a 25 yard field goal. In turn, FIU answered with a field goal drive of their own.
The Golden Eagles’ next offensive possession would turn the tide, however, as they drove down the field on a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. The pivotal moment occurred on fourth and one to begin the fourth quarter. “I’m going to be honest with you: I wanted to punt it,” said Hall. “Our kids came to the side and said, ‘Nope, we’re going for it’.” Hall reluctantly agreed and was visibly fired up on the sideline after Gore converted on a five yard rush. “We took over the game from that play on. That’s what teams that win do,” said Hall. Gore finished the drive with a touchdown rush to push Southern Miss to 31-17. On the next possession, Gore once again connected with Brownlee on a 34-yard touchdown to put the game away at 37-17. The Super Backs were key in helping the Golden Eagles end the season strong. Though they proved to be successful, Hall said the offensive scheme in 2022 will not revolve around the running game. “We’re going to play a real quarterback, [and] we’re going to have a quarterback get drafted and play in the NFL. That’s who we are. We want to be a program that
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 The Golden Eagles wrap up an FIU runner for a loss of yards.
Sean Smith | Printz
SPORTS MEET THE CONTRIBUTORS SM2 News Director
Charlie Luttrell charles.luttrell@usm.edu
Executive Editor
Mary Murphy mary.s.murphy@usm.edu
Printz Reporters
Cordaveon Carter cordaveon.carter@usm.edu Garret Grove garret.grove@usm.edu Jackson Howell jackson.howell@usm.edu
DECEMBER 1, 2021 WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM
Southern Miss closes out
develops kids to get in the NFL,” said Hall. Hall mentioned Ty Keyes as a potential starter for next season, and is open to new recruits. Gore also said he looks forward to returning to his role at running back. Despite the rush-heavy offense, Brownlee was able to shine down the stretch, finishing the game with five catches for 98 yards and two
touchdowns. Though Brownlee battled injuries throughout this season, he was glad to be able to end on a high note. “It was hard, but we just had to find a way to keep going and try to make something work,” Brownlee said. Despite finishing the season at 3-9, Hall remains determined that Southern Miss will be a power-
house in due time. “I’m proud of the direction we’re going in,” Hall said. “I’m gonna say it one more time: if you’re gonna get us, you better have got us this year[,] because there’s gonna come a day where you ain’t gonna be able to get us.”
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Kyra Lampley kyra.lampley@usm.edu
Photographers
James McClure james.mcclure@usm.edu Sean Smith seanasmith@usm.edu
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.
Dajon Richard rushes for his second consecutive game with more than 100 yards against FIU.
Sean Smith | Printz
Linebacker Josh Carr Jr. celebrates on the sidelines after a play by the Golden Eagles.
Sean Smith | Printz
Defensive lineman Tahj Sykes holds his fiance, former Southern Miss goalkeeper Sarah Preston, just after proposing to her.
Sean Smith | Printz
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.
SPORTS
DECEMBER 1, 2021
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Southern Miss becomes“Super Back U” CHARLIE LUTTRELL SM2 NEWS DIRECTOR
W
hen everyone thought the Golden Eagles’ football season was over, the “Super Backs” came to the rescue, creating an unforgettable legacy at Southern Miss. After a 38-14 home blowout to North Texas Nov. 6, the Golden Eagles sat on a seven-game losing streak, marking its longest losing skid since 2013. Injuries plagued Southern Miss’s quarterbacks all season long, which cost us two starters, Trey Lowe and Ty Keyes, early in the season. The team had ten players take a snap over the season, including former scout quarterback Jake Lange, Tee Webb and even student coachturned-player Jake Smithhart. That’s when Head Coach Will Hall put all his chips on the table, placing running back Frank Gore Jr. and defensive back Antavious Willis as primary quarterbacks against UTSA. It was a gamble that hit big. Though facing the undefeated UTSA team on the road, Southern Miss nearly upset the Roadrunners thanks to Gore and Willis. The game generated a lot of buzz, especially after the depth chart was released with no quarterbacks listed. It instead featured the “Super Backs”. The “Super Back” itself is not an actual position, but a term used
by Hall throughout his coaching stops, where he has similarly used them in his offenses. Hall derived the term from his college head coach at North Alabama, Mark Hudspeth. However, at Southern Miss, Hall took the experimental offense to the next step, running a system primarily through its backs for the final three games. If the team couldn’t win with its quarterbacks, Hall would win with its other athletes. Gore led the Super Back offense, rushing for a combined 193 yards and four touchdowns while also passing for 189 yards on 10 of 15 passes for four touchdowns and one interception. “The last few games [have] probably been the funniest games I’ve ever played in,” Gore said. “You get snapped the ball every time, that’s the only thing you want as an offensive guy.” Though Gore then had to recover from an injury in the LA Tech game, it paved the way for freshman running back Dajon Richard to shine. Richard tallied 38 carries in the final two games, rushing over 100 yards each game for a combined 227 yards and a touchdown. Willis also joined the fun as the secondary passer and receiver Demarcus Jones took a weight of carries during the three-game period. As the buzz grew around Southern Miss’s unconventional offense,
so did its success. The Golden Eagles had its best outing in its 37-17 win against FIU to end the season 3-9. All the Super Backs combined for a season-high 444 yards. For comparison, the offense averaged 240 yards per game in the five games without its two starting quarterbacks. The day and night difference left many wondering if Southern Miss would continue to use the Super Back offense next season. But Hall put an end to fan dreams when he said the team will get a traditional quarterback system as its starters return from injuries. The team also looks to add depth with new recruits and a potential transfer. “We’re going to play a real quarterback, [and] we’re going to have a quarterback get drafted and play in the NFL. That’s who we are. We want to be a program that develops kids to get in the NFL,” Hall said.
This is obviously the smarter choice, as the program would benefit from the stability of a regular quarterback as opposed to the twelve players it had on its roster this year. However, Hall said Gore and the Super Back system will continue to be utilized in the offense, thus continuing the legacy that the Super Backs have already developed in their short time. And it is an impressive legacy. After only three games, fans dubbed Southern Miss “Super Back U”, making signs and even wearing shirts with the title at the final game. The Super Back experience brought life back to the offense and the team’s morale, and that simply can’t be forgotten. Its impact is bound to live beyond this season and will undoubtedly be featured in upcoming games.
A fan enjoys the Super Back Show, wearing a Southern Miss style "Superback U" shirt.
Sean Smith | Printz
DECEMBER 1, 2021 WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM NEWS Because of recent stresses, prioritizing mental health can be beneficial for all KYRA LAMPLEY PRINTZ REPORTER
D
ue to the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of mental health concerns among college students has been immeasurable. For many, these past few years have been devastating. From ever pressing due dates to isolation during quarantine, tensions have felt like they’ve been at an all-time high. No one is really sure how to navigate life during COVID, and few know what life is going to look like going forward. Even without the pandemic, the stress of classes can be overwhelming and, for many students, detrimental to their mental health. It makes sense that some students may find themselves wanting to turn to a professional for help. For students at the University of Southern Mississippi, there is a solution. There are a number of mental health resources on campus, including from Southern Miss’s School of Psychology Dr. Kristy McRaney, the
Director of USM’s Behavioral Health Clinic, gave the Student Printz information on how students can get help if they are struggling. “In general, for students on our campus, we are lucky to have Student Counseling services because at any point, a student can walk in without an appointment and get seen that day by a therapist,” said McRaney. College students are not the only individuals who are struggling with mental health. There has been an increase in mental health problems in older adults as well due to the constant stress of the pandemic and the surrounding world. For example, many people have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, and are struggling to survive until they can find work again. McRaney acknowledged this problem and said that USM’s services are extended to the general public as well. “I think that the more we talk about that[,] and the more the
pandemic [shows us] that we need to take care of ourselves and others[, that] we’re starting to have a better awareness about [mental health] and hearing about it more so that we can do some things to support mental health,” said McRaney. This is a crucial service for people around Hattiesburg because the state of Mississippi is a mental health deficit area. That means that, across the state, there is a need for more mental health providers. This is why there are such long waits for therapists at Student Counseling Services: for many, there are no other options. Telehealth is also used more frequently to connect to health care providers. If the provider is licensed by the state of Mississippi, their services can be utilized. For more information about telehealth services, you can visit the Mississippi Telehealth Association’s website at www.mstelehealth.org. In addition to this, McRaney also gave the Printz more infor-
mation about on-campus mental health resources for students and the wider community. “I will also mention that, in addition to Student Counseling Services, we have training clinics on our campus that serve not only our campus population, but also our community, so that helps as well. The USM Behavioral Health Clinic [and] the University Clinic for Family Therapy are [also] options for both our students as well as our community at large,” said McRaney. Students can also download apps to help with managing stress and anxiety, such as meditation apps, sleep apps and even self-affirmation apps. This year has been stressful on students, faculty members and their families. If you need to talk to a mental healthcare provider, contact Southern Miss’s Student Counseling Services during business hours at 601-266-4829 or the Behavioral Health Clinic at 601-266-4588.
FEATURES
DECEMBER 1, 2021 WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM
International student talks university life pre- and post-COVID Williams arrived at Southern Miss on Jan. 9, 2020, for the spring semester. The transition ost students at the was difficult at first. William’s University of South- accent told everyone she wasn’t ern Mississippi have from Mississippi, which meant gone on a unique path to reach lots and lots of questions. college. Fewer students have “I would have to have the charted a path to thriving in conversation about Jamaica and college. Maegan Williams, a bio- then they would tell me about chemistry student from Jamaica, their honeymoon in Jamaica, fulfills both categories. or they told me about that one Williams was initially born in cruise that they went on and I Kingston, Jamaica. She lived in had that conversation like 100 Richmond Park, a part of town times,” Williams said. “I swear, where many faced a lack of I’ve probably had it about 100 financial resources and interest in times already.” education. The youngest of two Some interactions were more siblings, Williams remembered threatening. Williams remembers the expectations she had to live an encounter with her former up to not only from her brother, roommate very well. but from her mother. “The only person that ever “My mom, she was raised in a told me to go back to my country very strict household,” Williams was a black person here. It blew said. “And school was very immy mind,” Williams said. portant to her and her mom, and Then the pandemic started. so she just instilled that in me.” The Spring 2020 semester was Going into high school, this trying for many at universities emphasis on education helped across the world. Most students her succeed. Williams scored were forced to leave campus to high marks on her entrance complete their classes online. exam and got into Campion Col- However, Williams was among lege, one of the highest ranked the few that could not return to high schools in Jamaica. home. Williams initially thought she Because of various travel rewould stay in the Caribbean to strictions during the first wave of pursue her higher education, COVID-19, many international but ended up finding out about students found traveling back Southern Miss at an SAT prep home a logistical impossibility. center. The person who told her Not everything was bad, about the university was Petra though. For most students, online Marlin, the Director of Interna- classes made it difficult to contional Recruitment at Southern nect with others. But for Williams Miss. and other international students Williams remembers the conon campus, their friends became versation she had with Marlin family. well. “It’s like you only have each “I was like, ‘Alright, is it other,” Williams said. “You have warm?’ She said, ‘Yes, it’s warm.’ to -- it’s survival. You have to ‘Is it cheap?’ ‘Yes, it’s cheap.’ I start to form your own tribe.” was like, ‘Great, sign me up,’” Though her on-campus conWilliams said. “That’s pretty nections helped Williams sigmuch how the decision went.” nificantly throughout COVID, GARRET GROVE PRINTZ REPORTER
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there were still some things about living on-campus that weren’t as great. One of those things was on-campus dining. “When you’re going through COVID, when you’re going through isolation and [when] you’re missing your family, not to mention being worried about the COVID situation back home with your family, all you have is food. And then the food sucks?” Williams said. After the Spring 2020 Semester, Williams and most of her COVID tribe decided to live off campus. This included her current roommate, Eunice Oladeji. Oladeji is a medical doctor from Nigeria currently working on her master’s in Public Health with an emphasis on Health Promotion and Health Behavior. She met Williams at an event with the African Caribbean Society at Southern Miss. A close friendship soon blossomed. “I’m not sure exactly when it went beyond just ‘someone who I found a place to rent with to my roommate’ to ‘a very good friend’ to... I don’t even know where we are right now,” Oladeji said. “But I think it’s a really good place.” Williams also grew close to
Luba Sishuba, a psychology major and soccer player. They first met in the cafeteria last year, and also grew close really fast. “Maegan is a really sweet person,” Sishuba said. “As I got to know her, I just realized that she’s like a friend that became a sister to me.” And in big sister fashion, Sishuba and her friends even taught Williams a few things, like how to ride a bike. “It’s really funny because we usually make fun of her, but now she knows how to ride a bike,” Sishuba said. Kathy Pope oversees iFriends, a Facebook group that serves as a resource for incoming, current and former international students at Southern Miss. This Facebook group is also where Pope first interacted with Williams, and she said Williams has been instrumental for a lot of international students at Southern Miss. “If she finds out someone needs something, she’s always connecting them to what they need on iFriends,” Pope said.
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FEATURES
DECEMBER 1, 2021
International student talks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 “I’ll see her tagging people.” Jennifer Lewis is part of the legal counsel of Southern Miss and is the Associate Director of Compliance and Ethics. She became close with Williams through volunteer work. They picked and cleaned food together, which helped international students get fresh produce. “She knows a lot about what it is to be an international student here and all the barriers there are,” Lewis told the Printz. “So I mean, I can see her starting like a nonprofit where she’s providing and meeting some of these gaps that you’re seeing.” Oladeji and Sishuba agree with Lewis. “I’d say it’s reassuring knowing that there’s someone who is my friend, not because I did anything in particular, not because she’s expecting anything from me, but just because that’s the
kind of person she is,” Oladeji said. “Specifically with her, I appreciate her honesty, the support and the positive vibe she brings,” Sishuba said. Maegan Williams, like most of her peers, plugged herself back into the conventional college experience this semester. She’s also been doing a lot since the pandemic began, like winning first place at USM’s Got Talent Show. “She’s going to finish and succeed at what she set her mind to,” Lewis said. “I think she has a lot of personal pride in herself.” Right now, however, Williams just wants to see where the road takes her. “I want to help people. I’m good at science. I’m good at math. Whatever happens, happens. I don’t want to tie myself down or put myself in a box right now,” Williams said.
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ENTERTAINMENT
DECEMBER 1, 2021
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Students love being heartbroken over Adele’s ‘30’ CHARLIE LUTTRELL SM2 NEWS DIRECTOR
CORDAVEON CARTER PRINTZ REPORTER
dele is back after a six year hiatus with her new album, ‘30’. The 12-song album gives listeners the classic Adele we all know, flexing her strong and distinct vocals but it also experiments with new sounds and ideas she has never showed before in her two previous projects. This continues Adele’s progression as a distinguished artist, serving as a refreshing listen. However, those who are looking for a hit like “Rolling in the Deep” or “Hello” probably won’t be satisfied with this project, as she does experiment a lot. The most recognizable song with chart-topping potential is its single, “Easy on Me”. It offers the Adele most listeners are familiar with while still serving as an overview of the album’s main themes. “Oh My God” and “Cry Your Heart Out”, which are placed next to each other on the album’s tracklist, are the most upbeat tracks. They also feature a unique sound from Adele, which is nice to hear. They aren’t the strongest songs of the project, but serve as a bridge to the final track’s message. Known for her emotional lyrics, the album’s subject matter is the most emotionally raw of all her albums. Adele poured all of her thoughts and feelings into ‘30’, and it shows. “My Little Love” includes recordings of Adele talking to her son and to herself about her emotional state after her divorce. Each track focuses on her journey through her emotions, and she isn’t afraid to share her true thoughts on things, no matter what. ‘30’ reaches its peak at the 11th track, “To Be Loved”. Accompanied by just a piano, the song is carried through raw emotion and features one of Adele’s best vocal performances. The song is moving and feels the most authentic. It’s Adele telling her audience the final message in the pre-chorus, “I’ll never learn if I never leap / I’ll always yearn if I never speak”, that connects ‘30’ together and ends it on a reflective note. There’s always a next step and new approach artists can take, and Adele has shown us that with ‘30’. This album is experimental at times but fully cohesive. It serves as a reminder of Adele’s powerful voice, proving she’s one of this generation’s most talented artists Charlie’s Rating: 9/10
dele recently released her highly anticipated album ‘30’ last week. People were so eager for this album to come out and deliver, and it did just that. This album was fantastic. It really dives deep into Adele’s personal life to show us a glimpse of her mind during her divorce. It draws a lot from that past relationship, showing her at the worst mental state of her life. She is no different from any of us, especially with how she deals with her own personal demons. Personally, I feel as if this album took a lot of courage for Adele to finally release when she finally did release it. It’s hard to talk about such a personal matter, and the resulting project literally blew me away. ‘30’ shows the meaning of having true and great mental health and happiness. Her last relationship was extremely rough, but it also showed her the value of knowing self-worth. This is evident due to the simple fact that her voice got better, and she has gotten in the best shape of her life. The song selection was great. Despite a run time of 58 minutes, she still manages to pour her all into each and every track. She did not miss once on the entire album. This album was personal, and you can hear that in every single note of every single song. My favorite songs were the last three: “Hold On”, “To Be Loved” and “Love Is a Game”. This was truly a masterpiece and, honestly, one of the best albums of this decade. Carter’s Rating: 10/10. An absolute Must Listen. I also suggest bringing tissues.
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A reinterpertation of promotional art for Adele’s ‘30’.
Graphic by Charlie Luttrell
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DECEMBER 1, 2021
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James McClure | Printz
An early morning view of the Lucas Administration Building, featuring a Christmas tree.
A special thanks to... ...our student contributors, both new and old: Skyler Angus-Barker Charles Arnold Sariah Bonds Skye Bortz Cordaveon Carter Seth Daspit Tyron Dawson Z’eani Furdge Garret Grove Scarlett Gully Marissa Haas
Jackson Howell Loren Jones Sarah Kofman Kyra Lampley Morgan Lawrence Lohn Lenoir Austin Lindsey Charlie Luttrell James McClure A’Darius McCormick Ben Milburn Dima Mixon Koby Moore Mary Murphy Brooke Parker Alisia Powell
Larensy Rogers Jennifer Shields Sean Smith Sethanie Smith Kiara Stirgus Abagail Marie Troth Joe Weishaar
...and our readers. This year has been a series of ups and downs, and we’re glad to have seen you through it all.
...our faculty coordinators:
Happy holidays, and we’ll be back next semester.
Chuck Cook Shea Drake Wilbur Martin Lindsey Maxwell Jonathan McGowan Christina Tartavoulle
Thank you, The Student Printz