‘PALO ALTO’ joins the artful Coppola canon
PAGE 8
PAGE 5
THE MASSACHUSETTS
A free and responsible press
DAILY COLLEGIAN DailyCollegian.com
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Serving the UMass community since 1890
News@DailyCollegian.com
SGA Speaker voices initiatives for the upcoming year Plans underway for the student senate By Eleanor Harte Collegian Staff
With a year of experience under her belt, Sïonan Barrett is back for a second year as speaker of the student senate in the University of Massachusetts Student Government Association, and is looking forward to things to come. Barrett, a junior journalism major, was a senator in the SGA during the first semester of her freshman year. That spring, she took on the role of associate speaker of the student senate. It wasn’t until last fall that she stepped into her role as speaker of the senate. “This year I know the avenues to go through. I’m more of a resource for people to go through instead of the
person asking the questions,” Barrett said. “Last year I would say a lot of my time was spent learning about my role and about the behind the scenes stuff of SGA, because usually sophomores aren’t put in that kind of position. That was one of the first times an underclassman had received that position in anyone’s recent memory.” This year, Barrett said she feels much more prepared for her role and already has a number of projects planned, one of which is a student business spotlight week planned to take place in October. “There are so many issues that are facing the student business community that no one knows about, so I really want to have people learn more about that and learn more myself too,” she said. “I want to make sure they’re successful this year.” According to Barrett, there are seven student businesses she wished to highlight, five
of which are devoted to food. Barrett said those businesses are getting pushed aside by UMass Dining. The spotlight week she’s currently planning is intended to change that trajectory. “I don’t want to see any student business fail during the time we’re here,” she said. Aside from that, Barrett has begun initiatives for several of SGA’s committees. The Diversity and Student Engagement Committee is coordinating a “Get Out The Vote” event and registering voters for the November election. “We’re going to hopefully have some party buses going out to voter polls and get students involved that way,” Barrett added. She is also working on a peer-to-peer influence program designed to reduce aggression at daydrinking events. Titled MinuteMarshals, the goal of
this program is to help calm any binge drinking and disruptive behavior, according to Barrett. “We’re hoping that with people you know and faces you might recognize, it’ll build a better sense of community and a better sense of UMass pride,” she said. Beyond those projects, Barrett’s main goal right now is making sure the student senate runs smoothly and successfully. “The first semester for senate is usually a huge adjustment period because a majority of the senators are first timers, a lot of them are freshmen. So not only are they getting adjusted to the school but also to SGA,” she said. “My goal for first semester is usually to help facilitate a transition for all those first years and hit the ground running for all the projects our chairs have been planning all summer.” With SGA elections taking
CADE BELISLE/COLLEGIAN
Barrett has served as both senator and associate speaker in the past. place this week, Barrett said “I know a lot of people she is looking forward to the have some really great ideas incoming students who are and I can’t wait to see them “going to knock it out of the park this year.” see SENATE on page 2
Transcripts reveal details Psychology professor of nursing school massacre receives national award By Malaika Fraley The Oakland Tribune
OAKLAND, Calif. — Believing that a college administrator had turned people against him and furious over an unresolved tuition reimbursement, One Goh went to Oikos University months after dropping out intending to kill the administrator and himself. When he couldn’t find her, Goh took the school receptionist hostage, fatally shot her in front of his former classmates and then turned the gun on them, according to grand jury transcripts detailing the April 2, 2012, massacre at the private Oakland nursing
school. “He brought up the fact that he killed one, and he said, you know, ‘Why not two?’ “Sgt. Robert Trevino, who took Goh’s confession to Oakland police, told an Alameda County grand jury. “Quote, ‘I killed one. Why not two?’” The grand jury met in secret for two days last month before indicting Goh of 10 counts for the seven killed and three wounded, plus special murder circumstances that make him eligible for the death penalty. Despite the recent indictment, which supersedes a preliminary hearing to order Goh straight to trial, the criminal proceedings
against Goh have been suspended since January 2013 because the 45-year-old diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic has been deemed incompetent. If he’s not found mentally fit within three years of admission to Napa State Hospital, prosecutors will have to request a conservatorship to keep him institutionalized. All but two of Goh’s victims were students whom he had worked side-by-side in a small group for over a year before he withdrew from the school in November 2011, halfway through the program preparing licensed vocational nurses. see
TRANSCRIPTS on page 2
Bonnie Strickland nominated by peers By Haley Medeiros Collegian Correspondent Clinical psychology professor Bonnie Strickland is giving even the most decorated professors a run for their money. Strickland recently received the American Psychological Associations Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in Psychology in the Public Interest for a body of work that spans five decades. According to a UMass press release, “Gold medalists are selected by their peers who have seen
evidence of a ‘sustained superior performance recognizable at a national level,’” and an “enduring contribution to the application of psychology in the public interest.” For Strickland, this award caught her off guard. “The surprise is that working in nontraditional areas would be recognized by more traditional psychology,” she said. “One of the special joys of (receiving) the award was hearing from friends and colleagues from years and years ago. That was very, very rewarding.” Strickland, who was born in Kentucky in the midst of the Great Depression, never thought she would be able to
see
AWARD on page 2
House approves Obama’s plan to arm Syrian rebels
abstract in amherst
By Lisa Mascaro and Michael A. Memoli Tribune Washington Bureau
JULLIETTE SANDLEITNER/COLLEGIAN
Viewers admire the work of John Grillo on the opening night of his exhibition in Herter Gallery.
attend college, nor had she ever considered becoming a professor herself. Raised by a single mother, Strickland initially pursued an undergraduate degree at Alabama College as a physical education major. At the time, there were only two psychology faculty members on staff at her college, according to Strickland. She credits one of them, a man named Jules Rotter, with encouraging her to pursue graduate school at Ohio State University for clinical psychology. After graduating from Ohio University with her Ph.D in 1962, Strickland
WASHINGTON — Despite deep reluctance from lawmakers, the House on Wednesday approved President Barack Obama’s plan to arm Syrian rebels in the fight against Islamic State militants, with the Senate expected to give final passage Thursday. But while the 273-156 vote was an important endorsement of the president’s new military campaign, it exposed more doubt than resolve among lawmakers from both parties over the administration’s approach. Re publicans and Democrats are skeptical of Obama’s plan to supplement U.S. airstrikes by training and arming Syrian opposition forces, whose abilities and trust-
worthiness remain untested. Members of both parties also fear entering a protracted battle that some worry could ultimately require American troops on the ground, despite assurances from Obama that combat forces will not be deployed. “It’s very sad that we find ourselves again in this situation,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who made the case that lawmakers should back the president’s approach. “We have to protect our country.” The resolution was attached to a mustpass spending bill that’s required to fund the government and avert another shutdown, making it more difficult for lawmakers to refuse. see
HOUSE on page 2
2
THE RUNDOWN ON THIS DAY... Hurricane Fifi strikes Honduras in 1974, with winds at 110 mph and killing 5,000 people, ranking it as the fourth deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record.
AROUND THE WORLD
The Ebola outbreak in
West Africa could have a “catastrophic” economic effect on the region unless there is a swift response, the World Bank said Wednesday.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Thursday, September 18, 2014
An analysis by the bank
says the Ebola crisis is already wreaking havoc on the economies of the hardest-hit countries, making the nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone $359 million poorer in
AWARD
continued from page 1
landed her first professorship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, a major accomplishment for a Southern woman in the 1960s. Strickland was an active participant in the civil rights movement during her tenure at Emory and is considered a forerunner in the women’s rights movement. She also began her marginalized persons research at Emory and her extensive work on the topic when she arrived at UMass in 1973. Strickland’s research has mainly focused on minorities, specifically blacks, lesbians and gays. Through her dedication and initiative, several common societal and community problems have been presented with solutions. “I think a lot of folks follow a more traditional path but I was very interested in social activism, gay-lesbian activism, and also achievement of black children,” she said. “It just so happened that these areas had not had a lot of research, so it
2014 than they would have been without the disease’s spread. Los Angeles Times
Militants in Iraq are
seeking to blunt the effectiveness of U.S. airstrikes by dispersing their forces into urban areas and increasingly adopting terror tactics such as suicide attacks and bombings, says a senior American military officer. “What we’ve seen so far is a lot of the black flags have come down, a lot of the convoys have dispersed, a lot of the assembly areas have been moved into urban areas,” Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a small group of reporters Tuesday. “We’ve seen an increase in the number of improvised explosive devices and suicide attacks.”
The shift in tactics by
Islamic State militants in Iraq comes less than a month after the U.S. began airstrikes. Iraqi and Kurdish troops with backing from U.S. advisors are seeking to eject an increasingly shadowy enemy from towns and cities while defending against attacks. Los Angeles Times
NEW DELHI — Chinese
President Xi Jinping arrived in India Wednesday for a three-day trip aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries and to give a push to the resolution of a decadesold border dispute.
Xi, accompanied by
his wife Peng Liyuan and a high level delegation, landed to a grand welcome at Ahmedabad, the principal city in the western state of Gujarat, which is also Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state.
Setting aside protocol,
Modi waited to greet Xi as he arrived at a local hotel, where they held brief oneon-one talks followed by the signing of three agreements. DPA Distributed by MCT Information Services
SENATE
was easier to step in. … It was just something people weren’t doing and it just never occurred to me not to do it”. In addition to serving as APA’s president in 1987, one of Strickland’s main contributions to psychology was her work on the NowickiStrickland Locus of Control Scale for children. This instrument is now “widely used both nationally and internationally,” and is a measure of generalized locus of control of reinforcement, Strickland said. Strickland’s passion for her research and her students is evident, and she plans to continue that. “Just teaching…I just always wanted to be a schoolteacher. I tried to retire in 2002 and I failed,” she said when asked about her current endeavors in the psychology field. “I flunked retirement.” Haley Medeiros can be reached at hmedeiros@umass.edu.
continued from page 1
happen,” she added. Barrett noted that she would also like to change the SGA’s image among students, noting that the senators “have something to prove this year.” “I hope people see SGA in a good way this year and see all the good work we do. Because we do a lot of good work, it’s just no one knows about it,” added Barrett. Barrett said there are many ongoing projects that stu-
dent senators have been working on, yet students are unaware because their work often goes by unheard. Despite this, Barrett still just wants to make a difference. “We don’t really care to have our face on there, we just want to see the University be better as a whole,” she said. “We’re ready to take on this challenge.” Eleanor Harte can be reached at eharte@umass.edu.
DailyCollegian.com
TRANSCRIPTS Goh told police that he was concerned there was cheating at the school, and he believed that a female administrator had led people to hate and harass him. The administrator no longer worked at the school at the time of the shooting, unbeknownst to Goh, according to grand jury testimony. Goh said he didn’t feel the school was taking him seriously about his tuition reimbursement, and that he would be a “laughing stock” if he didn’t get his money back. “It was either that he was going to get the money and walk away, or that he was going to kill (the administrator) and himself,” Trevino testified. The shooting scene, as told to the grand jury by three shooting survivors, played out like a horror movie: About a dozen of Goh’s former classmates and a new transfer student were taking a test when Goh entered the classroom, holding the clearly terrified receptionist, Katleen Ping, 24, with
HOUSE
continued from page 1
one hand and a .45-caliber handgun in the other. “Everyone to the front of the class,” Goh reportedly yelled. “You guys think I’m (expletive) joking?” The students were in process of standing up when Goh began shooting people, starting with Ping. Goh told police the gun “went off” when one of the students “scoffed” at his order. Some students ran from the classroom, others tried to hide within it. Goh told police that he saw the elderly teacher, Ms. Laura, hiding behind her desk and spared her. Goh described her as a “very nice lady” and told Trevino that he “felt bad” she had to witness the shooting. Students in a nearby classroom turned off the lights, locked the door and hid upon hearing the gunfire. Knowing that people were hiding from him, Goh fired several rounds through the door but no one was injured. Twenty-seven rounds in all were fired before Goh fled
the campus just five minutes after he entered the school. After taking the bus to the Edgewater Drive campus, he drove to Alameda in a stolen car, ditching the gun and several magazines in the shoreline marsh on the way. The car belonged to 38-yearold Tshering Bhutia, whom Goh fatally shot four times in the classroom before lifting his car keys from his pants pocket. Ping, Doris Chibuko, 42; Lydia Sim, 21; Grace Kim, 23; Judith Seymour, 53; and Sonam Choedon, 33, were also slain in the attack. After being taken into custody that same day in an Alameda supermarket, Goh told police that he came up with the idea to kill the administrator and bought the gun in February 2012. Trevino said they asked him why he brought four magazines if he only planned to kill himself and one other person. Goh replied that “two wasn’t enough,” Trevino said.
continued from page 1
Both the stop-gap spending bill and the authority to arm Syrians are effective only until December, all but guaranteeing another debate in the postelection lame-duck session of Congress. Comments from the Pentagon’s top military officer on Wednesday that U.S. ground troops may be needed in some circumstances only heightened the unease of many lawmakers
opposed to overseas combat in the aftermath of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Lawmakers from both parties vowed to return from the November election to force a debate-and voteon whether the president should be able to engage in broader military action. “What in the world are we doing?” said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., on Wednesday before the vote. “Congress should be exam-
ining all of the solutions to this crisis, not just the military ones.” Although the administration maintains that the U.S. is conducting airstrikes against targets in Iraq and Syria under War Powers Resolution authority granted by Congress in 2001 and 2002, lawmakers increasingly argue those resolutions do not cover this effort.
Opinion Editorial THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
“The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” -Buddha
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Editorial@DailyCollegiancom
Want student power? End the SGA The comment I heard when I went into the Student Government Association office this week to pull nomination
Emily O’Neil
papers for the senate race was enough to explain the problem with the fall elections cycle: “Commuter area is going to be a tight race again this year – hope you can manage to get elected.” That’s a joke. This year, there
tions. The SGA does not represent the interests of actual students, and for this reason, we need the SGA to dissolve itself. Let me explain: while the members of the SGA may strive to represent student interests and, indeed, some students may feel that their senators do productive work regarding the issues they care about, what the SGA lacks is a proper channel for student power. What is “student power,”
“The UMass Student Government Association does not represent the interests of actual students, and for this reason, we need the SGA to dissolve itself.” are eight people on the commuter ballot and 17 spots available. In fall 2013, half of the people elected to the SGA’s sixteen senate seats designated for off-campus students received less than 10 votes each. In other words, get your roommates to write your name in on the Campus Pulse ballot and you’re in. Across campus, there have been similar issues with distribution of candidates for SGA Senate; too many passionate candidates in the Southwest Residential Area, not enough in the Northeast Residential Area. Our current SGA system throws up roadblocks in front of those who are not already involved and rewards those who exploit a flawed system. The SGA senate is currently made up of 50 students, distributed proportionally around the eight residential areas on campus. But how much does living in Northeast really qualify a person to represent the other people living there? And how is a student living in Southwest unable to understand the experiences of students in the Central Residential Area? The SGA ends up full of political science majors who are too busy playing Frank Underwood to garner real support of the measures they propose from their widespread and often uninformed constituencies. While there are certainly benefits to having a clear picture of where to find your constituents, this does not guarantee that their voices are heard. Instead, the SGA should allot senate electoral districts proportionally by college. This would ensure a greater diversity of experience and greater representation of the different academic backgrounds that the University of Massachusetts provides. Of course, current SGA senators would see this move as making their future election more difficult, and many will ask if it is less feasible to reach the fellow members of your college than the people you live and eat with. While it certainly would make campaigns more difficult, it would also force candidates to do real voter outreach, making SGA elections more democratic. The elections commission could make many changes in order to actually reach more voters, such as extending the voting period, demanding a minimum turnout percentage in order to validate a senate election, allotting a slightly larger campaign budget to each candidate or scheduling public debates for senate posi-
really? As students of UMass, we’ve seen the bureaucratic nightmare that is the daily function of this campus – you’ve seen it if you have ever stood in line at the Bursar’s office trying to dispute your financial aid package. Student power means being able to cut through these institutional obstacles and make meaningful change that will last long after we have graduated. I want to make our campus care about divesting from fossil fuels, creating more supportive processes for reporting sexual assault and making internships an option for all, not just an option for those who can afford to take a summer off from paid work. As it functions now, the SGA is not able to propose measures with lasting effects. Rather, it is mainly a rubber stamp for administrative measures that require some measure of student consent. And the consent of a few SGA members is not worth much if it doesn’t truly represent a larger and more specific constituency than areas of campus.” In an ideal student governance body for UMass, there would be no division between the undergraduate senate, the graduate senate and the faculty senate. This collective senate would serve as the legislative branch to the administration’s executive branch. Legislators may propose motions that then can be passed and approved or vetoed by the administration, and any executive action on behalf of the administrators would require consent from a senate that is more powerful and comprehensive than the three senates could ever be if kept apart. It would still be subject to the quick turnover that any student organization experiences but would ensure fuller understanding of student demands and university actions. As a rational student of this university for the last two years, I understand that this proposal will seem ludicrous to the administration. But I firmly believe that the SGA must take the first step toward truly democratic student power and reassign senate electoral districts by college. Not only would it involve and interest more students in a process that affects their everyday lives but it would also ensure a more representative and responsible student government than the senate we are about to elect.
Millennials’ votes can make a difference in all elections So you think Washington is full Ironically, we can begin to change of bologna and that’s why you don’t this attitude by voting. The sheer vote, huh? Well, that’s why you number of the Millennial voting population can produce tangible results Maral Margossian if we all actually voted. We believe that elected officials do not share our priorities, but we are the ones who should. First, let me break down the elect them into office. Mark your calAmerican voting population into endars. On Sept. 9 the Massachusetts age groups. The Baby Boomers, born between 1946 to 1964, make up 76.4 million people, about 24 percent of the American population. Generation X, born between 1965 to 1976, make up about 50 million people, which amounts to around 16 percent of the American population. The Millennials, born from 1977 to 2000 Primary Election will be held and make up 80 million people – that is, 25 this Nov. 4, the midterm elections will percent of the American population. take place. Sen. Ed Markey is up for Most of us fall into the Millennial reelection, while Gov. Deval Patrick category. We make up one-fourth announced that he will not be runof America’s voting population; an ning for reelection. This is a chance incredibly compelling reason for us to produce the tangible results we fail to vote. However, during the 2012 to see. elections, less than half – about 45 We believe that politics have percent – of those between the ages become too partisan and perceive of 18 and 29 voted. both sides unfavorably. As a result, 50 This is unsurprising consider- percent of Millennials who have reging Millennials’ attitude towards istered to vote register as indepenWashington. A Harvard IOP study, dents or not with any political party. “Survey of Young Americans’ So if you find yourself foregoing elecAttitudes Toward Politics and Public tions because you cannot choose a Service” cited in “The Atlantic” side, registering as an independent is article, “The Outsiders: How Can always an option. Millennials Change Washington If Though we reject partisan poliThey Hate It?” found that one third tics with half of us as registered of Millennials believe that “politi- independents, most Millennials hold cal involvement rarely has tangible views that are more liberal when it results.” Fifty-six percent believe comes to social issues. We are overthat elected officials don’t share their whelmingly in favor of government priorities, that about three in five involvement in making college more believe that elected officials are self- affordable, creating more jobs, helpishly motivated and half believe that ing the poor, providing retirement “politics has become too partisan.” security for seniors, the economy, the With these cynical outlooks, our low environment, protecting the rights voter turnout rate is nearly expected. of women and minorities, address-
“The sheer number of the Millennial voting population can produce tangible results if we all actually voted.”
ing climate change and protecting consumers and workers. We are also in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, raising the minimum wage and gun control. What does all this mean? For the short run, we can be the deciding factor during the 2014 midterm elections. In 2008, we flooded the polls with 66 percent voting for Obama in hopes of a discernible change. Reality fell short of our hopes and in 2012, as 60 percent of us voted for him. A predicted 53 percent of us will vote Democratic in the upcoming election. These past years have doused our confidence in the political system, but we fail to realize how significant our votes can be. Others have already recognized the weight of our votes in the upcoming midterm. A Project New America article, “POLL: Millennials will Decide 2014 Elections… If They Vote,” assesses, “. . .if progressives have any hope of stopping conservatives in 2014, they must engage, inspire, and turn out more Millennial voters.” In the long run, consistent voting by the Millennials could lead to an end in partisanship in Congress. Political parties aside, the general trend in the Millennial generation to lean toward progressive values could indicate greater cooperation between individuals, even of different parties. Studies on our generation consistently find that we are an idealistic generation determined to make a positive change. We can begin by changing Congress to reflect the people they represent. Maral Margossian is a Collegian columnist. She can be reached at mmargossian@umass.edu.
Emily O’Neil is a Collegian columnist. She can be reached at econeil@umass. edu.
t h e m a s s a c h u s e t t s D a i ly C o l l e g i a n BUSINESS
NEWS
News Editor - Aviva Luttrell News Producer - Christina Yacono
NEWS ASSISTANTS Katrina Borofski Jaclyn Bryson Catherine Ferris Marie MacCune
GRAPHICS
EDITOR IN CHIEF - Nick Canelas MANAGING EDITOR - Patrick Hoff MANAGING EDITOR/DAILYCOLLEGIAN.COM - Conor Snell
Business Manager - Omer Sander Advertising Manager - Andrew Carr Distribution Manager - Nick Gorius Advertising Production - Nick Damren
Production Manager - James Desjardin Special Issues Manager - Randy Crandon
PRODUCTION CREW on staff for this issue NIGHT EDITOR - Patrick Hoff COPY EDITOR - Jaclyn Bryson
OPINION & EDITORIAL
ARTS & LIVING
SPORTS
PHOTOGRAPHY
Op/Ed Editor - Zac Bears Op/Ed Producer - Claire Anderson
Arts Editor - Cory Willey Arts Producer - Robert Rigo
Sports Editor - Mark Chiarelli Sports Producer - Marc Jean-Louis
Photo Editor - Cade Belisle
O p /E d ASSISTANTS
ARTS ASSISTANTS
SPORTS ASSISTANTS
PHOTO ASSISTANTS
Steven Gillard Ian Hagerty Kate Leddy Maral Margossian
Alex Frail Adria Kelly-Sullenger Jackson Maxwell Sarah Robertson
Anthony Chiusano Andrew Cyr Ross Gienieczko
COMICS
Comics Editor - Tracy Krug
Araz Havan Robert Rigo Christina Yacono
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian is published Monday through Thursday during the University of Massachusetts calendar semester. The Collegian is independently funded, operating on advertising revenue. Founded in 1890, the paper began as Aggie Life, became the College Signal in 1901, the Weekly Collegian in 1914 and the Tri–Weekly Collegian in 1956. Published daily from 1967 to 2013, The Collegian has been broadsheet since January 1994. For advertising rates and information, call 413-545-3500.
WEB PRODUCTION MANAGER - Claire Anderson NEWS DESK EDITOR - Katrina Borofski O p /E d DESK EDITOR - Zac Bears | Ian Hagerty ARTS DESK EDITOR - Alex Frail SPORTS DESK EDITOR - Andrew Cyr COMICS DESK EDITOR - Tracy Krug GRAPHICS DESK EDITOR - James Desjardin
Arts Living THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Thursday, September 18, 2014
“Sweeter than a plate of yams with extra syrup.” - Outkast
Arts@DailyCollegian.com
FILM REVIEW
Nostalgia and angst abound in Gia Coppola’s ‘Palo Alto’ Jack Kilmer stars in superb debut role By Alexander Frail Collegian Staff
Two boys sit in a car. Drinks and joints in hand, they dim the headlights in a remote parking lot. A conversation about King Arthur rambles on, and then the driver slams the gas and the car smashes into a wall, crumpling its hood and billowing steam into the night. After the title card, the passenger mutely mops the blood from his forehead as the driver hollers in ecstasy. “Palo Alto,” the debut effort of director Gia Coppola, knows it’s a master of character development from its first shot. We know that the driver is a fearless hooligan, while the passenger straddles a line between childhood innocence and teenage delinquency. An excellent first film from Coppola, “Palo Alto” highlights the dangers of living too lightly and takes us on a nostalgic journey through the untamed wild known as high school. Coppola, niece of direc-
tor Sofia Coppola, adapted her screenplay from James Franco’s “Palo Alto,” a collection of short stories that draw from his childhood. The film debuted over the summer and raked in a little under a million in revenue. Emma Roberts stars as April, a high school senior on the cusp of an illicit relationship with her soccer coach (James Franco). In her opening shot, April sneaks a cigarette during soccer practice before she hisses out a sigh and flicks it aside, as if participating were an ordeal. Her eyes exude both profound pathos and indifference. Jack Kilmer delivers a wonderful debut as Teddy, April’s counterpart. Teddy flirts with danger at every turn. For most of the film he oscillates between delinquent and golden boy, and his journey mirrors April’s as both teenagers see how far their morals can sink before they derail their lives. Without direction from teachers or structure from parents, April and Teddy fall victim to wandering imaginations and reckless boredom. A perpetual phone call consumes April’s mother, while
her stepfather (an underused Val Kilmer) smokes weed from dawn ‘til dusk. In rebellion, April pursues her soccer coach. Meanwhile, Teddy nixes each opportunity at redemption as he drives drunk and curses at cops. Jack Kilmer steals the show. His portrayal of Teddy, ostensibly an early 90s stoner, delves deep into the teenager’s soul and brings forth an anti-hero you can root for. Kilmer’s shy expressions suggest a boy whose ambivalence towards change traps him in routine, his spirit torn between ambition and angst. Nat Wolff stars in a supporting role as Fred, a completely irredeemable bully who charms his way out of trouble. Some of his lines will turn your stomach. He targets everyone’s insecurities to sculpt a role of dominance, and as he selfdestructs, he ruins many opportunities for Teddy’s reformation. Fred’s recklessness, at first the root of Teddy’s missteps and then the catalyst for his awakening, could’ve been handled much better. Coppola’s screenplay turns it into an obvious plot device by the film’s midpoint.
Consequently, it surrenders all plausibility. At one point, Teddy angrily asks Fred why he has to try to act so recklessly all the time. I found myself asking the same thing. Coppola allows style to trump substance, an error her aunt often suffers from. Sofia Coppola’s landmark “Lost in Translation” perfected the introspective indie blueprint, a precedent she failed to uphold with efforts like “Marie Antoinette” and “Somewhere.” Gia Coppola’s debut resembles “Lost in Translation,” but falls just short of its transcendence. A wandering narrative hampers its excellent performances and gorgeous cinematography, courtesy of Autumn Durald. There are misplaced scenes abound in “Palo Alto.” Teddy and Fred’s father share a moment that, while intriguing for character development, opens a door that the narrative doesn’t close. Instead, it unnecessarily detracts from the narrative’s intrigue. Coppola makes up for these shortcomings with her artful depiction of April’s affair with her soccer coach. Franco, excellent in his small
FILM
COURTESY OF TRIBECA FILM
April (Emma Roberts) sneaks a cigarette during practice. role, portrays the coach as an obvious charmer who picks up on April’s crush. How he proceeds will make you squirm. Coppola handles each shot delicately and focuses on April with protracted close-ups that illustrate her gradual realization of the affair’s gravity. A beautiful score from Devonté Hynes and Robert Schwartzman buoys the film’s solid direction and moving performances. It’s a mellower cousin of the propulsive electro score of “Drive.” Kilmer also contributes a ruminative, lo-fi
instrumental that compliments the film’s tone wonderfully. As you exit the theater, it’s the works of the actors that’ll stick with you longest. Roberts headlines a strong cast with her fantastic performance, while Kilmer shines in his inaugural role. Uneven narrative aside, “Palo Alto” is an entrancing vehicle to a simpler time and a haunting tale of young adults left to their own devices. Alexander Frail can be reached at afrail@umass.edu.
FILM
Marvel’s ‘Guardians’ breaks the mold Indie delights at A survivor of the Amherst Cinema summer doldrums Theater offers new films, old favorites
By Nathan Frontiero Collegian Staff
A little film called “Guardians of the Galaxy” accomplished something pretty extraordinary this summer – you may have heard about it. It featured a cast of characters from a lesser-known comic series, essentially subverted the entire superhero film genre and redefined the cinematic universe of Marvel. It also had the best August opening in box office history. Summer is the season of opportunities – a time for beach days, traveling and generally laid-back ambling. Summer blockbusters are simply one more option. “Guardians” stood out because of an irresistible charm that is evident from the film’s opening minutes as director James Gunn keeps an eye for loose, freewheeling fun. The film wears none of the dark and broody fashions that have been in vogue over the last half decade. Even Marvel Studios has waded into sulkier waters in its recent efforts, as seen to varying levels of success in “Thor: The Dark World” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” The best part about “Guardians” is that it barely feels like it belongs in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And it is precisely for that reason that it opens up a new avenue of possibilities – not only for the ongoing mega-franchise, but for the enterprise of big-budget filmmaking as well. Here, mythology never bogs down pace, nor does it break audience engagement. The film whizzes by swiftly, and even when the explicit details fall out of clarity, Gunn ensures that the ride is
By Alexander Frail Collegian Staff
COURTESY OF MARVEL STUDIO
A band of misfits, the Guardians of the Galaxy saved the world in a new style. enjoyable. Interestingly enough, as much as an outlier “Guardians” is in terms of the current larger MCU story, it does make an effort to explain the MacGuffins that have appeared onscreen thus far. Yet, it is the way the film handles that explanation that separates it the most from previous Marvel films. All-powerful superheroes drew plenty of attention in “The Avengers,” the film to which “Guardians” is most similar, but here the focus is kept on the journey rather than the vaguely omnipotent object that ostensibly moves it along. The film takes a moment to detail some of the mythos building up its larger universe, but then it keeps right on going without skipping a beat. “Guardians” is the first film in the MCU since “Iron Man” that is primarily focused on pure entertainment. Marvel has certainly offered a lighter, more colorful brand of superhero films over the last six years, but its narratives have typically been focused on clean-cut heroes. This film under-
stands the left-field nature of its heroes and embraces the weirdness. It wears both earnestness and snark on its sleeve. It is also gleefully self-aware, never taking itself too seriously, but also avoiding a full break into selfsatire. The f ilm’s cast ear ns laugh-out-loud moments. Between the Shakespearean deadpan from Dave Bautista’s Drax, Bradley Cooper’s foul-mouthed Rocket and Vin Diesel’s impeccably timed linguistic limitations as Groot, there’s such a wealth of quotable exchanges that you might just think you’re watching a comedy. Gunn and co-writer Nicole Perlman make the wise choice to play up the eccentricities of the story. They playfully and discreetly skewer the concept of furrowedbrow filmmaking. “Guardians of the Galaxy” proves that bigger projects can run with a constant air of levity. A superhero movie can thrive on its own silliness. This film lives for its ridiculous aspects, and the quirks transcend the
sights and sounds. Tyler Bates does provide an orchestral score, but the soundtrack is comprised of 70s and 80s rock. When Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord puts on his Walkman and Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” starts playing, he’s not just starting off one of the funniest opening credits sequences in recent memory. He’s ushering in a new era of blockbusters. It’s very telling that the soundtrack, comprised of all previously recorded music, scaled to the top of the Billboard charts. The masses are ready to embrace a new paradigm of large-scale cinema. When the film’s title fills the entire screen in its glorious blocky font, you can sense the arrival of a new approach. Films of this stylistic magnitude don’t have to lumber along as if carrying the weight of their budgets. That’s an important message to send, and “Guardians of the Galaxy” delivered. Nathan Frontiero can be reached at nfrontiero@umass.edu.
experience the fallouts of oil pollution in Ecuador. The film follows Hugo Lucitante, an Ecuador native who moves to the United States in search of education, and David Poritz, an Amherst native who began Equitable Origins, a humanitarian project in the Amazon. The film studies the effects of oil on indigenous peoples. According to the film’s synopsis, these include “unexplainable rashes, childhood deformities and ballooning cancer rates.” Upcoming special events include a screening of National Theater Live, a program based in London at the National Theater that broadcasts its performances internationally. Next up is “Medea,” an interpretation of Euripides’s tragedy by Ben Power. Helen McCrory, known to American audiences for her portrayal of Narcissa Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” films, will star. “Medea” will screen at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. An “Of Mice and Men” adaptation, also part of National Theater Live, is scheduled for Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. The performance stars James Franco (“Pineapple Express”) and Chris O’Dowd (“Bridesmaids”). The theater offers memberships that provide lower ticket prices, priority purchase for special events and free admission on your birthday. These memberships are designed to not only benefit theatergoers, but also to support and to maintain Amherst Cinema. Amherst Cinema, located at 28 Amity St. in Amherst, says it offers, “the best in current and classic cinema.” One glance at its roster of films proves its tagline true. The theater maintains a palette of cinema, including films that are both contemporary and classic, unique and thought provoking.
Amherst Cinema plays a wide array of independent films, documentaries and classic films from the past several decades. A non-profit, independent and membersupported theater, according to its website, Amherst Cinema gives a voice to many films that would otherwise go largely unseen. The theater has a rotating schedule that hosts some films for only a night or a week. Among these films have been indie hits like “Boyhood” and “Calvary.” Upcoming films include “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby” and “Mood Indigo,” the newest effort from Michel Gondry (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”). Old favorites also often resurface at Amherst Cinema. Recently, the theater screened Sofia Coppola’s 2003 classic “Lost in Translation,” while Frank Capra’s Best Picture winner “It Happened One Night” will return to the silver screen on Sept. 28 and 30. The Humphrey Bogart noir “The Maltese Falcon” will headline the cinema’s series, “Hard-Boiled: Film Noir Classics.” Screenings are scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. “Afternoon of a Faun” premieres Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. Directed by Nancy Buirski, the documentary chronicles the life of ballerina Tanaquil Le Clercq, whose career was cut short by polio. The film also celebrates the Massachusetts Dance Festival which, according to their website, provides “opportunities for professional and emergent dancers and choreographers.” Amherst Cinema also featured “Oil & Water,” a docu- Alexander Frail can be reached at mentary about two boys who afrail@umass.edu.
6
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Comics Life
is but woe, and
I
DailyCollegian.com
WE WANT YOUR COMICS! Put your comics in front of thousands of readers. Questions? Comments? Email us: comics@dailycollegian.com
am the woer.
There are three people in space!
D inosaur C omics
P oorly D rawn L ines
B y R yan N orth
B y R eza F arazmand
aquarius
HOROSCOPES Jan. 20 - Feb. 18
Beauty is only skin deep but irony goes down to the lymph.
pisces
Feb. 19 - Mar. 20
leo
Jul. 23 - Aug. 22
It’s better to have loved and lost than to never have bought that doughnut at all.
virgo
Aug. 23 - Sept. 22
Making a tuna salad is as simple as swapping out the lettuce in a regular salad for some sweet sweet tuna flecks.
Please, don’t lick the center of my tootsie pop.
aries
Mar. 21 - Apr. 19
libra
Sept. 23 - Oct. 22
taurus
Apr. 20 - May. 20
scorpio
Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
gemini
May. 21 - Jun. 21
Sometimes you have a nose bleed walking to class and it gets all over your shirt. These are days. We’ll get through them.
Though understandable, try not to cry when you realize you will never get to eat a strawberry that is the size of your body.
Ninety-nine percent of people who lose one of You are going to need more than just “it their flip flops while bike riding leave it in the tastes like almonds” to turn your friends onto bike lane. Don’t be a statistic. alternative milks.
It takes two to mango.
cancer
sagittarius
Nov. 22 - Dec. 21
When life feels like everything is not going your way and you’ll never be successful, remember: Weezer is still making music.
Jun. 22 - Jul. 22
If you’re not laughing at this page, it’s important to read it at 3 a.m. Everything is hilarious at 3 a.m.
capricorn
Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
Don’t let those three tests and paper due Monday get in the way of your weekend. What do you think college is about?
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
DailyCollegian.com
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Minutewomen lose co-captain Jackie Bruno to miss two weeks By Tom Mulherin Collegian Staff
The Massachusetts women’s soccer team must replace a significant contributor to the starting lineup in the immediate future. Co-captain Jackie Bruno suffered an injury to her right foot where a bone abnormality was discovered. Now in a walking boot, Bruno and coach Ed Matz say that she will probably be sidelined for at least two weeks. Bruno, a forward, serves as the leader of a struggling offense that is composed of mostly sophomores and freshman. In eight games, the offense has been shutout three times and has been held to just one goal in four of those games. With the offense already having issues in goal production, the last thing the Minutewomen needs is to have one of their top players sidelined for two weeks. Luckily, UMass (2-4-2) is scheduled to have only two games in the next 14 days, with the Atlantic-10 schedule starting on Oct. 3. In the meantime, Matz says that the team’s offense will definitely lose some of its fire that comes from Bruno on the field, and the focus right now is to just get her healthy for A-10 play. “We’re definitely going to miss her spark,” Matz said. “Jackie can be physical when she wants to be, she can play with a chip on her shoulder, and we’re going to miss that. Right now we’re just trying to make sure she’s healthy for the A-10s, she’s going to be very important for us in October.” Before the season started, Bruno and junior defender Rebekka Sverrisdóttir were elected co-captains by their teammates after seeing the duo’s leadership skills and determination to get
JUDITH GIBSON-OKUNIEFF/COLLEGIAN
Jackie Bruno was left in a walking boot after discovering bone abnormality in her right foot. improve during the offseason. Such recognition from her teammates doesn’t go unnoticed by the junior forward, as Bruno says that her election into captainship means a lot to her and she doesn’t want to disappoint her team. “[Being chosen as captain] was a really huge thing last spring,” she said. “Everybody was up for the position, so no one really knew who it would be. It was really great that the girls noticed how much work I put in on-and-off the field because leading them is definitely a responsibility that I wanted to have. I want to make sure that I’ll be there for them.” So far this year, Bruno has “been there” for the team by scoring two goals for the Minutewomen, which is second most on the team behind Meghan Burke’s three. Both of those goals have come in crucial moments of the game, as her first goal of the season came against Providence with one second remaining to tie the game and send it into overtime, while the other was the game-winner in double overtime against
New Hampshire. Bruno brings a different dynamic to the team that cannot be replaced by anyone else, and that is her ability to fire up her teammates both on and off the field.. Using that tenacity in her offensive mindset, Bruno and Matz say that her first focus when she touches the ball is to score, whether it comes off her own foot or by finding one of her teammates who is in a better position to score. “She has that natural ability, that natural will and desire to score,” Matz said. “She’s got a very strong left foot, and the fact that she scored a goal with one second left in the game, it shows that no matter what she is going to keep playing. No matter what the time or the score, Jackie is only going to play one way – hard.” Bruno’s contributions to the team have come since day one of her freshman year. While her effort and skill level on the field prove to be huge for UMass day in and day out, her sideline contributions are going to need to be equally as important over the next couple of weeks.
Despite not being with the team on the field, Bruno believes that she has a lot to contribute while she is out. As a captain, she believes that she is a vocal leader, which should transition well over on the sidelines. Whether it’s translating what the coach is saying in an easier way to the younger players to understand, or helping them make adjustments on the field, Bruno has served as a respectable leader. As for what she can do for the team right now, Bruno says that she is just going to be as vocal as she can off the field. “I love to talk up my team,” she said. “We’re so close, so I’m comfortable with being vocal. I know for a fact that having your teammates support you from the bench is one of the most important things. I’m just going to talk up everyone on the field with positive reinforcement and an extra pair of coaching eyes. I want to be there for my team.” Tom Mulherin can be reached at tmulheri@umass.edu.
MEN’S SOCCER
Minutemen ready for home opener O’Neil has no plans to move Matt Keys By Anthony Chiusano Collegian Staff
For the Massachusetts men’s soccer team, it has been a long wait to return home after a five-game road trip to open the season. But come Friday, the Minutemen will welcome Fairfield to Rudd Field in their home opener, as they search for their first win of the season. “It’s definitely a good feeling to be home,” senior forward Josh Schwartz said. “We had a tough road schedule to start the season, so it’s definitely a little comforting to come home and play a team that’s familiar.” UMass (0-5) enters Friday’s matchup struggling on offense, recovering from three consecutive shutout games and totaling two goals for the season. Interim coach Devin O’Neill said that he hopes to jumpstart the Minutemen’s offense from the onset of the game by extending the team’s attack further up the field and applying added pressure closer to the Stags’ goal to create more opportunities for “garbage goals.” “At times, we just don’t look as opportunistic as I would like us to in our scoring chances,” O’Neill said. “We have to run with purpose, look for second opportunities and expect mis-
takes. If we do those things, I think we’ll put the opponents under pressure, which may lead to some breaks and some bounces that will come our way.” Schwartz said that this collective attack is something that was often missing from UMass’ offensive strategy in previous games. “We tended to sometimes not get all of us into attack, so we’ve really been working on stepping up the full-field pressure,” Schwartz said. “It’ll be a new style from us.” One change that O’Neill said he is not currently looking to make to create offensive opportunities is moving senior defender Matt Keys to forward. This was a strategy implemented last season by Sam Koch on Sept. 28 that lasted the remainder of the year. With the Minutemen experiencing similar earlyseason struggles in 2013 – UMass began the year with an 0-8-1 record – Keys was moved up front and finished the season with 10 points, good enough for second on the team. As recently as last Saturday against Boston University, Keys was moved to forward in the late minutes of a 2-0 loss. Despite this cameo, O’Neill said that Keys’ impact on the defensive unit, which has allowed five goals in the past three games after conceding nine goals in the first two games, is too crucial to make the position swap again. “We want to be a team
COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO
Matt Keys dribbles the ball away from a defender. that is pretty hard to play against and part of that is that you don’t concede a lot of goals,” O’Neill said. “We’re not built to be a team that relies on three or four goals to win, so good defense is always critical.” However, according to O’Neill, he will continue using Keys on the Minutemen’s frontline in some late-game situations when UMass is looking for a goal. O’Neill said that the 6-foot-4 Keys will also play a role on Friday in combatting the Minutemen’s height disadvantage against Fairfield (2-1-1). While Keys is one of two UMass players that are listed above six feet – along with sophomore defender Josh Jess – the Stags boast eight
position players at 6-foot1 or taller on their roster. According to O’Neill, this was a similar problem that the team faced when trying to defend the Terriers in Saturday’s loss. “In certain situations, that can cause problems, especially in defensive restarts,” O’Neill said. “We want to try to limit those opportunities and do a good job defensively in those situations.” Prior to Friday’s game, there will be a short ceremony at Rudd Field honoring Koch, who lost his battle with sinus cancer in July after 23 seasons as the coach of the Minutemen. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Anthony Chiusano can be reached at achiusano@umass.edu and can be followed on Twitter @a_chiusano24.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
PSU
7
continued from page 8
draft in a year or two years. He’s a great kid. … He’s got all the things you’re looking for. That’s why (Penn State) will have a chance to win the Big Ten title.” Whipple stayed starryeyed while talking about what it will be like to face Penn State, a school still dear to him and his family. He joked that he’d prefer to be in the stands when the Nittany Lions play. “They’re talented across the board,” Whipple said. “But I’ve been there before. It’s a great opportunity for us and I think our kids will be excited. “They’ve got bigger, faster players than we do, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to win the game. You’ve got to go out and execute.” That’s been the Minutemen’s problem lately. The winless team has blown double-figure leads in backto-back games, which both ended in three-point losses. UMass is a work in progress, but has shown steady improvement each week behind quarterback Blake Frohnapfel, who is 46-for-94 with five touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. The
KICKERS
graduate student is starting to show his ability to get down field with the help of receivers, notably junior Tajae Sharpe. Alex Kenney, a graduate student wide receiver and Penn State alum, believes the Minutemen will put up a fight against his alma mater. He called the looming matchup “strange,” but said it won’t be difficult for him to focus. “We have an explosive offense and great athletes and a great quarterback,” Kenney said. “So if we execute, I think we can be very effective.” Austin said UMass has quickly bounced back from its losses, but that doesn’t mean the team is content. He said losses to BC, Colorado and Vanderbilt were learning experiences. “The team has really bought in to winning,” Austin said. “It’s not like ‘we got close against (elite teams),’ it’s ‘we should have won that game.’ We’re ready to win now, and I think that’s a big step.” Peter Cappiello can be reached at pcappiel@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @petecapps.
continued from page 8
through the speakers at McGuirk. In addition to practicing with loud noise, Whipple and Frohnapfel could exercise a silent snap count if hearing becomes an issue. UMass had tossed the idea around last week at practice in preparation for playing at Vanderbilt, however this is the week that the offense might have to use that options given the expected turnout in State
WOODLEY Woodley said. But according to Woodley, he put too much pressure on himself. “The only thing that was running through my mind was ‘I’m getting back on the field for the first time this season significantly,” Woodley said. “So I was just focused too much on making a play instead of just playing my game.” Woodley’s game is a valuable asset to a UMass squad that’s suddenly depleted at running back. His sturdy frame and ability to run between the tackles is something Whipple praised. “I think he’s a pretty good inside zone runner and I think he has speed to get outside,” Whipple said. “He did a nice job on a couple things inside.” Against Penn State Saturday, UMass needs Woodley to shoulder the offensive load. The Nittany Lions boast an
College. “Playing in front of all those fans… I think this is going to be really fun,” Jovan Santos-Knox, linebacker, said with an earto-ear grin, looking like a kid on Christmas morning. Kickoff from Beaver Stadium is set for 4 p.m. and can be seen on the Big Ten Network. Andrew Cyr can be reached at arcyr@umass.edu, and can be followed on Twitter @Andrew_Cyr.
continued from page 8
impressive defensive line and Woodley noted he’s working with running backs coach Marcel Shipp to lower his pad level when running to power through tackles. Assuming the starting role also means increased practice reps, something that will only help in shaking off the rust and should help Woodley improve his consistency as a player. “It’s very important because the more reps you get, the better you get and the more you learn,” Woodley said. “The more mistakes you make in practice, the more you learn from them. … It helps you prepare for the game. So when you get in the game you know what you’re going to do and you’re ready for everything to come.” Mark Chiarelli can be reached at mchiarel@umass.edu and followed on Twitter @Mark_Chiarelli.
THE MASSACHUSETTS DAILY COLLEGIAN
September 18, 2014
Sports@DailyCollegian.com
@MDC_SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Showdown in State College UMASS AT PENN STATE SATURDAY 4 P.M. BEAVER STADIUM
UMass, Penn St. set for battle By Peter Cappiello Collegian Staff
CADE BELISLE/DAILY COLLEGIAN
Blake Frohnapfel looks for his first win in maroon and white on Saturday in State College, Pennsylvania.
Austin Whipple, fatigued from a Massachusetts football practice that lasted over two hours, was surprised to be stopped on his way to the locker room. He had one more job to do: face his newfound popularity. The redshirt freshman quarterback, who joined UMass this year after transferring from Penn State, has become an unwitting authority on his old team, whom the Minutemen (0-3) will visit on Saturday. Teammates and media members both have been asking Austin to tell stories and give perspective on the Nittany Lions (3-0). He went through two rounds of interviews after practice Tuesday. “Everyone’s asked me if the hype’s real and if they’re that good of a team and if the atmosphere is as big as it is,” Austin said. “And it is. They’re one of the two teams (Nebraska) that’s still undefeated in the Big Ten, and I don’t think that happens by chance.”
Penn State boasts a strong defensive line, anchored by tackles Austin Johnson and Anthony Zettel, but the team’s star is quarterback Christian Hackenberg, the first sophomore captain in program history. The 19-year-old threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns last season – good enough to break 12 of his school’s freshman passing records. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Hackenberg (79-for-127) hasn’t lost his touch. He has 1082 passing yards and four touchdowns to go with two game-winning drives in his 2014 campaign. Head coach Mark Whipple, Austin’s father, can’t help but respect Hackenberg. He met the Nittany Lions’ wunderkind when Hackenberg shared an apartment complex with Austin, and is familiar with his play. “He’s got NFL level talent,” Mark Whipple, a former NFL quarterbacks coach, said Monday. “This guy’s going to be the first player picked in the see
PSU on page 7
MCT
UMass coach Mark Whipple believes Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg could be first overall pick in NFL Draft.
Minutemen starting kicker to be Woodley given named on game day says Whipple second chance Lucas, Wylie battle in practice for top spot
Sophomore to make first start of season
By Andrew Cyr
By Mark Chiarelli
Collegian Staff
When Blake Lucas trotted onto the field to the 22-yard line with six seconds remaining against Vanderbilt last Saturday, he knew exactly what he his job was: make the field goal. Come this Saturday however, when the Massachusetts football team takes on Penn State, Lucas, or backup kicker Matthew Wylie for that matter, won’t know what his job will be until game day when Whipple decides who the starter will be. “We probably won’t know who it is until the game,” the coach said. “We’ll wait until Saturday unless someone stinks it up or someone does well, but yesterday they both kicked the ball well so we’ll go day-today.” Lucas’ job was jeopardized after missing the game tying “chip shot” kick by a wide margin. Lucas is twofor-four this season, after struggling last year making only three of his 10 attempts. He is 12-for-22 in his career with the Minutemen. “You definitely feel for him,” Wylie said. “No one ever wants to see that happen to anybody.” Wylie earned his way onto the field by taking kickoff duties against Vanderbilt in his first collegiate game, kicking off a total six times for a total of 311 yards, an average of 51.8 yards per attempt. “I’m excited. I’m just going to go out there and compete and try to do the best I can do this week, ” said Wylie.
Collegian Staff
MADELINE PARSONS/COLLEGIAN
Blake Lucas awaits kickoff against Colorado Sept. 6.
Once in a lifetime opportunity When the UMass takes the field on Saturday, it’ll be in front of a crowd that most of the players have never seen before. In 2013, despite the postseason ban, Penn State finished with the fifth highest attendance average in FBS college football at 96,587 fans per game. Beaver Stadium is the second largest stadium in college football, with a capacity of 106,572, only trailing “The Big House,” Michigan Stadium. The Minutemen played their first FBS road game at Michigan in front of 110,187, the largest crowd UMass has ever played in front of. Beaver Stadium is also ranked the fourth largest stadium of the world only trailing Rungrado May Day stadium in North Korea, Salt Lake Stadium in India, and Michigan Stadium. “Playing in that stadium will be a pretty cool experience for us all and it’s something we’re all really
excited about,” quarterback Blake Frohnapfel said. Frohnapfel had some experience playing in front of large crowds during his career at Marshall. He said at practice on Wednesday the big ones that came to mind were Lousiville, Purdue, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, but claims that Virginia Tech was the “rowdiest” crowd he’s ever seen. “The main thing is, is to have fun. Playing in front of 100,000 people, that’s a fun experience. We can just enjoy it and keep playing because I think we’ll definitely have a shot in this game,” added Frohnapfel. Whipple is no stranger to playing on the road in loud environments during stints at the University of Miami and with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In order to simulate the sounds of the crowd, the Minutemen have been practicing with loud music blasting see
KICKERS on page 7
Massachusetts football running back Lorenzo Woodley’s career is off to an unsteady start. The 6-foot, 212 pound sophomore experienced just enough success during his freshman season to remind fans why he was a highly recruited running back out of high school with offers from the likes of Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Pittsburgh. Despite missing four games due to injury, Woodley still rushed for 314 yards on 84 carries. It was a taste – only a glimpse – of what Woodley is capable of doing. And just as soon as he appeared, he quickly disappeared. Amid a coaching change and a fresh start to UMass football in 2014, Woodley found himself lost in the shuffle behind starting running back Jamal Wilson and freshman J.T. Blyden. Minutemen coach Mark Whipple noted after UMass’ 34-31 loss to Vanderbilt that Woodley was at one point in his “dog house.” “It motivated me a lot,” Woodley said. “I was just trying my best to get back to where I was. Unfortunately, nobody wants to be in the dog house but I tried to do the best that I can to get out.” Because of injuries to other running backs and a renewed clean bill of health, Woodley received an opportunity against
the Commodores. Wilson suffered a serious ankle injury in the first quarter against Vanderbilt – he’s expected to miss significant time, if not the year – and Blyden, his reserve, didn’t play due to injury. So the starting running back duties quickly belonged to Woodley. And his first impression wasn’t strong. Woodley bobbled a toss from quarterback Blake Frohnapfel on a designed run play to the left side. He failed to pick up the loose ball and knocked it into the end zone, where a Vanderbilt defender fell on the fumble for a touchdown. The miscue cut the UMass lead from 17-7 to 17-14. “It hurt at first because I know I hurt my team by fumbling the ball,” Woodley said. But when Woodley returned to the sideline, Whipple was the first person waiting for him. And instead of reprimanding Woodley, Whipple urged him to look ahead. “He just told me ‘just let it go, don’t worry about it, play the next play,” Woodley said. “And that’s what I tried to do. I tried to come back and make more of a statement by playing better and tried to make my team win.” Woodley’s statement came in the form of two touchdown runs for 22 yards on 43 carries. He struggled at first, but adapted to the offense as the game progressed. Part of it was simply getting used to playing meaningful football again. “I was just trying to get that rust knocked off and trying to come out and make an impact,” see
WOODLEY on page 7