03-30-15

The Oracle MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015 I VOL. 52 NO. 101

Floridians hoping for minimum wage hike left counting change.

n

Focusing while on technology becomes growing struggle for millennials.

Page 6

By Wesley Higgins N E W S

E D I T O R

Montage

S P O RTS Bulls show new up-tempo offense needs a tuneup.

BACK

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Banking on change

Inside this Issue

O P I NION

www.usforacle.com

The Index

News.................................................................1 classifieds..............................................7 Opinion.......................................................6 Crossword.........................................7 sports............................................................8

“USF student Alexis White worked for minimum wage at McDonald’s and Wendy’s for the first few years of college,” could have been a sentence in just another story about hard work overcoming any challenge. But the real world doesn’t always go along with the simple stories people like to believe in.

In reality, though the small checks supplemented financial aid and provided a little extra spending money, White still had to live with her mother who helped with car payments she needed in order to drive between work and school.

White o f t e n worked the night shift before early morning classes. She said her grades suffered because she struggled to stay awake in class. White quit her job.

Thankfully, White said she didn’t need to work because of those in her life who lent a helping hand. Yet walking away from a minimum wage job may be a luxury many can’t afford.

For workers without family support or those expected to support a family of their own, White said she doesn’t think minimum wage is enough money on which to survive.

“I saw people who couldn’t afford to go school or didn’t have anyone to help,” she said. “If I was a single parent, I wouldn’t be just some kid with a job.

I’d be trying to sustain my life and family. I would want to be

paid more.”

Many agree with White, including the president. In the 2014 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called for a national $10.10 minimum wage.

Though Congress has not taken action, state legislators across the country have introduced legislation along the lines of this recommended level.

Even in Florida, where the $8.05 minimum wage is already higher than the federal mandate of $7.25, four Democrats in the

Florida House of Representatives felt it was necessary to file a bill (HB 47) that would raise it to $10.10 at the beginning of 2016.

Rep. John Cortes, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, said raising the minimum wage is an act of compassion for one’s fellow man.

“I’ve worked in the hospitality area for the past nine years, and minimum wage doesn’t do anything for those poor people,” said Cortes in an interview with The Oracle. “I’m used to seeing people living in their cars, work-

n See WAGE on PAGE 3

TEDx explores the worlds beyond ourselves

By Zach Leete S T A F F

W R I T E R

There are unknown worlds everywhere. There are places in our world too small to see, foreign traditions ingrained in everyday life that other cultures could never relate to and possibly universes behind the veil of our reality’s fabric.

TEDxUSF brought together undergraduates, alumni and professors Saturday to discuss “A World Beyond Ourselves.”

Only 100 attendees were permitted to view the live presentations, with another 100 attendees observing from an on-site live streaming room.

“Imagine for a moment that we are aliens looking down at humans,” Deby Cassill, an associate professor at USF St. Petersburg, said. “Humans

wander around, go places … ingesting good food, similar to at this scale they could never a dog wagging its tail. understand our stories, personCassill also said ants sural lives and emotions.” vive better as a family, when Cassill studies the “rich inner every member is doing its part lives of fire ­­ a n o t h e r ­­­­­­­­­­­— ants.” The charac“We all talk about self-proteristic being the change you shared with claimed ant whisperer wish to see in the world. humans. surveyed “In a the activity It’s time to tell your story w o r l d of fire ants beyond ourto a world beyond through a selves, no microscope matter how yourself.” and found big or small, behavior everyone Carissa Caricato patterns counts,” USF alumna, TEDxUSF speaker comparable she said. to humans.

U S F She said Research the neurons of humans and Associate Parmvir Bahia disants were interchangeable and cussed the importance of bridgfire ants “booty waggle” in ing the gap between scientists response to pleasure from tak- and non-scientists through ing care of little sister ants or organized events in social set-

tings.

She directs the U.S. chapter of Pint of Science, an organization that brings together scientists and non-scientists to discuss science in an understandable way over a brew.

Rhondel Whyte was the first of two undergraduate speakers to give his presentation. “Quantum Mechanics with the Prime Minister, the Vice President and the Crime Kingpin” envisioned three alternate universes in which Whyte’s life changed entirely based on certain important decisions.

“You can’t change your past to affect your future,” Whyte said. “You can flash forward.”

Prolepsis occurs when the mind flashes forward and envisions a possible outcome.

Whyte said prolepsis could be

n See TEDx on PAGE 4

2

M O N DAY, M A R C H 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

●

T H E O R AC L E

Softball

Claudio powers Bulls to two wins over Tulsa

By Jacob Hoag A S S T .

S P O R T S

E D I T O R

With the weight of the game resting on her shoulders and the crowd falling silent Saturday, senior Karla Claudio blasted a two-out, walk-off shot to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning and ignited the crowd with an 8-7 comeback win — the Bulls’ second of the weekend.

After dropping two games to open conference play last weekend, USF (30-11, 2-3) bounced back over the weekend against Tulsa (21-12, 4-2) and won two of three in its conference home opener.

Claudio’s heroics in game two of the series were not her first of the weekend. She extended game one with a grand slam to tie the game as part of a six-run rally in the bottom of the seventh. The Bulls would end up winning 8-7 in 10 innings off a D’Anna Devine RBI-single.

“We like to win. Coach gave me the opportunity to hit today and I didn’t want to let my team down,” Claudio said. “I really wasn’t thinking about anything … I was just trying to swing the bat and get the barrel to the ball. I like to win so that’s what I was trying to do.”

Claudio finished the day batting .500 with three home runs and nine RBIs. “Claudio was seeing the ball well

SLAMS

Continued from PAGE 8

spin and topspin, nothing major,” Kingston said. “He’s taking it and running with it.”

Putnam’s not the only Bull hitting for power, and Kingston said a few factors have prompted a more potent offense.

“The guys are all a year older.

They’re stronger,” Kingston said.

“The new balls have definitely helped as well.”

This season, the NCAA introduced flat-seamed baseballs, that can travel up to 20 feet farther than the previous raised-seamed baseballs, according to ESPN.com.

Perhaps as a result, USF’s offensive numbers have ballooned since last season. The Bulls currently have 18 homers, five triples and 48 doubles, compared to the six hom-

last week. I thought she had some great at-bats against Houston and we need somebody behind Spivey to protect her, so I think right now Claudio has won that job,” coach Ken Eriksen said.

Claudio’s hot bat cooled off Sunday going 0-for-2 on the day as the Bulls fell 1-0 to the Golden Hurricanes.

Tulsa was able to get on the board early with an Erica Sampson homer to left field off Susan Wysocki to take a one-run lead in the third inning.

USF was unable to push across any runs off six hits partly due to the solid pitching by Tulsa’s Caitlin Sill, who pitched a complete game shutout with three strikeouts.

“Caitlin Sill just threw one heck of a ballgame,” Eriksen said. “She really toyed with us pretty good today and you’re not going to make adjustments on a pitcher like that that’s moving the ball like that.

It was a gutsy performance.”

Sophomores Juli Weber and Kristen Wyckoff each went 2-for-3 on the day, but USF couldn’t make anything out of its opportunities.

Redshirt freshman pitcher Susan Wysocki (7-1) took her first loss of the season pitching 3 2/3 innings, striking out two and giving up only one earned run.

USF heads to UConn for a threegame series beginning with a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m.

ers, eight triples and 36 doubles they had last year at this time.

Hard hits helped the Bulls in Saturday’s 4-3 walk-off victory. With two men on base and one out in the 11th, sophomore Andres Leal hit the ball deep down the right-field line to score junior Luke Maglich.

In Friday’s game, Maglich climbed the right-field wall to rob the Bearcats (6-19, 0-3) of a threerun homer in the ninth.

The Bulls won 8-4 behind Jimmy Herget (5-1), who tossed six shutout innings with 11 strikeouts.

“I came out, and the ball was really jumping out of my hand,” Herget said. “I was just trying to pound the zone and get ahead of hitters.”

The Bulls embark on a five-game road trip beginning Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in DeLand against Stetson.

M O N DAY, M A R C H 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

●

3

T H E O R AC L E

WAGE

Continued from PAGE 1

ing three jobs just to make a living and then they don’t have time for their kids, because they (don’t have) the right money to raise a family — it helps those at the bottom.”

Nonetheless, Cortes said the bill has no chance of passing and was left for dead before being given the chance for a vote on the floor.

The reasons for why it may not be the time to raise the minimum wage are complex. Susan MacManus, a USF political scientist, said many Florida lawmakers don’t feel any urgency.

“The economy is improving, unemployment is going down and a number in the private sector are increasing the minimum wage on their own. It’s also not an election year,” she said. “The conditions are very different ... it’s not the burning issue that it was last year.”

As the economic climate is ever changing, experts often differ on what the minimum wage should be. If it is set too low, employees suffer. If it is raised too high, employers suffer.

The Economic Policy Institute claims that raising the minimum wage to $10.10 across the country would put $51 billion into workers’ pockets and increase the U.S. GDP by $32.6 billion from the creation of approximately 140,000 new jobs.

The Congressional Budget Office, on the other hand, projected the increase would result in a loss of around 500,000 jobs.

While this would leave some workers with more money, it would leave many others without a wage.

Economics, a science without a lab to test in, often relies on theory.

The people most skeptical of raising the minimum wage, MacManus said, are fiscal conservatives and business owners.

Small business owners are often especially worried about being hardest hit.

“The argument is that after increasing the minimum wage to a certain point — and finding that threshold is always a challenge — fewer people will hire minimum wage employees,” MacManus said. “That causes businesses either not to hire people or to let workers go.”

Chris Johnson, a USF Student

Government senator and a political science major, has worked minimum wage jobs since the age of 15 and said he understands how increasing wages can bind the hands of job creators.

Whenever someone is paid more, businesses must find that money from somewhere else. Other than cutting down on employment, Johnson said he noticed businesses cut expenses in another place: quality of product. “(Chick-fil-A) might make a cheaper and not as tasty chicken sandwich, which customers would decide they don’t like and would spend less money,” he said. “(The business) would then have less money to pay their now more expensive employees.”

Proponents of wage increase often make minimum wage themselves or are otherwise sympathetic to those getting by on it.

“The argument is that it is not sustainable — you can’t live on that kind of income,” MacManus said. “The argument is that if you really want to make people free of government assistance ... you give them an income they can live on.”

Another rationale is that better-paid workers may feel less resentful, more productive and less likely to leave their place of employment. This would consequently save a business money, as well as time, to interview and train new hires.

“I used to be a manager,” Cortes said. “I paid them good, I took care of them. I never had any problems with anyone leaving. If you’re going to have underpaid employees, they are not going to stay when getting abused.”

A better-paid employee, Cortes said, has more money to pay for things, which helps businesses out in the long run.

“People go out to eat more, even if it’s a fast-food joint once in a while. They’ll help the economy,” he said. “How can it effect the economy when the guys spending money got more money to spend?”

Fiscal conservatives often contend that higher wages would end up driving up production costs. Workers might make more money, but goods they spend it on are then more expensive.

“All you’re really doing is moving the goal post,” Johnson said.

“You’re not actually improving the standard of living.”

Offering a quick fix to people’s money problems, Johnson said, is what he saw as a cheap way to get votes.

“What they’re really doing — for political gains — is appealing to those more concerned with getting their bills paid tomorrow than making sure their savings account is good 10 years from now,” he said. “Whatever they’re paid today is going be worth a lot less in 10 years.”

Though it is difficult to establish cause and effect when considering the economy, much of the current anxiety comes from income inequality — the notion that the gap between the rich and poor is widening.

While poverty has declined and the standard of living has improved, according to the Economic Policy Institute, wages have stagnated for workers while capital snowballs for the rich.

Minimum wage is often seen as an answer to decrease this gap, at least in the short term.

Whether it’s the right answer for this state, it may be awhile until Floridians find out.

Both HB 47 in the Florida House and an identical bill in the Florida Senate (SB 114) are waiting in committee before going to the floor for a vote. Cortes said the Republicans are unlikely to put it on the committee’s agenda for consideration.

As the state government ended committee meetings by time of print, another attempt at a high minimum wage will have to wait until next year.

Hiking the minimum wage to such a level hasn’t happened in any other states but soon won’t be unprecedented.

So far, it looks as if five states are set to increase the minimum wage to $10 or more in the coming years. These states are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland and Vermont, as well as the District of Columbia.

MacManus said many Floridians are in favor of increasing the minimum wage, but often underestimate the influence their voice can have.

“They are not organized as an interest group that reflects their size of the population,” she said.

“There’s a lot of cynicism. They think involvement isn’t going to change anything.”

Cortes said he recommended people call their representatives to let them know their feelings on the issue.

4

TEDx

Continued from PAGE 1

used as a tool for decisionmaking to ensure that we live our lives to the fullest.

Whyte said prolepsis is an indicator that parallel universes exist — ­­­ that in a different universe we live with whatever consequences arise.

He asked the audience to “visualize a moment where, if you made a different decision, your life would be fundamentally different.”

“If there’s something in your life that has you dissatisfied, go out and change it,” Whyte said.

“Because there’s a version of you that is happy.”

Before intermission, USF alumni team member Gloria Munoz and La Lucha, a jazz trio of alumni, took the stage.

Munoz and the band said they developed music that examines the many aspects of living with people who have neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.

“Oh, body that is swept of its

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

senses, you learned to love with your brain and your breath.

Your children will be born into the fog-clogged years,” recited Munoz as a soft, jazzy melody played behind her.

Munoz and La Lucha played three songs in-between discussions about the severity of Alzheimer’s, the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Munoz is hopeful her unique approach will affect change: “After all, it’s better to travel in hope than arrive in despair.”

The speakers were all in attendance at intermission.

Whyte answered questions from the audience in the concert hall.

“You’re thinking to yourself, everyone here is at the height of research in their field, has degrees, some have companies and I’m just an undergraduate,” Whyte said. “It was intimidating.”

Whyte said his intrigue for “what if?” scenarios is part of what made him go through with giving a talk as an undergrad. After all, in a parallel universe he never seized the opportunity to give a TED talk

●

M O N D AY, M A R C H 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

at USF. After intermission, a lecture titled “Why Play?” was presented by Ryan Swanson, a USF alumnus and founder of The Urban Conga, a nonprofit that encourages community activity and social interaction through play as a way to catalyze creativity and inspiration.

“As we get older, our idea of play gets a negative connotation,” Swanson said. “We’ve forgotten how to play.”

Swanson said activating your city streets through play and giving the community opportunities to create and inspire eliminates dead space in communities. The world of play doesn’t disappear after childhood.

Daniel Yeh’s presentation, “Taking on the global grand challenges of water, energy, food and sanitation at their nexus through bio recycling engineering,” explained the importance of harvesting energy from less popular sources — like poop.

The USF professor discussed photosynthesis as “nature’s perfect way of harvesting solar

●

T H E O R AC L E

energy” and “poop power.”

“Waste material is sprinkles of sunlight,” Yeh said. Plants utilize sunlight more effectively for energy than humans because human waste holds almost 90 percent of the energy we consume. Essentially, poop holds solar energy.

Jill McCracken’s lecture, “Selling Sex: Contradicting Violence with Choice,” explored the world of sex work, and how negative stigmas create more problems for people taking part in the controversial line of work.

“Sex workers are some of the most courageous, strong and powerful people I have ever met,” said McCracken, a professor of rhetoric. “It may be hard for people to understand that some people willingly choose sex work and enjoy it. It’s the criminalization and stigma that keeps sex work hidden in plain sight.”

She said viewing sex workers as victims was incorrect, and further pushed the theme of “a world beyond” to a much more palpable and real world not far from our own.

The final speaker of the night, Carissa Caricato, gave a lecture on turning the dark stories of one’s past into new and purposeful life. “Dancing for Freedom: Your Dark Story has a Purpose” documented her journey from victim of sexual abuse to champion and benefactor for joy overseas.

Caricato, a USF alumna, talked about the integral role the hula-hoop played in freeing her from her dark story, and in teaching others to do the same.

“The hoop has changed my life,” she said. “It helps me feel graceful and beautiful like a child.”

Caricato traveled to India to teach children how to use story-telling dance to transform their dark stories into beautiful dances. Caricato’s five-color hula-hoops represent the stages of getting past darkness, from before the darkness sets in to after it has been used to help others.

“We all talk about being the change you wish to see in the world,” Caricato said. “It’s time to tell your story to a world beyond yourself.”

USF hosted its own TEDx event Saturday where professors, students and alumni shared their ideas on the Barness Recital Hall stage in the School of Music. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

M O N DAY, M A R C H 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

●

T H E O R AC L E

5

6

Opinion UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

●

M O N D AY, M A R C H 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

Focusing when using technology is becoming a test of willpower

Isabelle Cavazos COLU M N I ST

Usually when professors see technology as distracting to their students, they respond by banning laptops and cellphones in the classroom.

Yet, a University of Washington professor is tackling technology’s everyday distractions by teaching students how to be more mindful of their use of it in order to improve their attention spans, as reported by the Chronicle of Higher Education. One exercise involves students recording themselves and their Internet activity while they check their email to study their emotional responses to multitasking and notice when they become distracted.

In an age when juggling a computer screen and smartphone notifications are pretty much part of the college experience, it’s understandable why such a course — titled Information and Contemplation — would seem necessary for students

the Oracle

overwhelmed by the toll technology may take on their everyday lives.

However, the fact that this assistance is available shows the control technology has over its users.

Especially since many of us, as reported by the Chronicle, don’t realize things such as our posture and the stress that comes from attempting to reach our multitasking limits.

It’s alarming to think that regular, common habits on computers could slow down the process of even finishing a lengthy book, a concern mentioned in the article, and how being frustrated by something such as email can foster “pleasure” or “hatred,” which are both, essentially, “(reactions) to robots.”

According to a survey by the Common Sense Project, approximately 60 percent of teachers believe technology negatively impacts students’ “ability to write and communicate face-to-face.”

Another survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a part of the Pew Research Center, found 90 percent of teachers thought technology builds a “distracted generation.”

When most students rely on computers to get their work done, or at least assist in doing so, it’s worrying to think that distractions and shortened attention spans are just negative consequences they must learn to live with.

These consequences don’t have to be part of the reality of being a student. Given the unconscious aspect of turning to technology and ending up on a YouTube video without remembering the process of getting there, it could be more helpful for students to think of technology as simply an aid during the time they intend to be productive on it, that way all actions are conscious and intentional.

All in all, using technology can be a practice of self-control. As mentioned in a column by the Huffington Post, the simple action of snapping a quick photo of something on the board in class can be a convenient reference for later.

However, it also mentioned one has to avoid giving in to the distraction of other activities while the phone is out. As the column noted, students don’t need much help using technology, but they could benefit from learning ways to use it consciously.

Of course, distractions do have their place. There’s nothing inherently wrong with mindlessly scrolling through Facebook or Tumblr when the time is right. However, allowing these distractions to take place while attempting to complete other important tasks only holds students back and highlights how incapable students can become in comparison to their devices.

●

T H E O R AC L E

What you said In light of a recent Washington Post report that Goucher College in Baltimore County is asking applicants for a video instead of essays or test scores, editors Isabelle Cavazos and Adam Mathieu asked students their thoughts on applying to college with a video.

“I love it because standardized testing is black and white. I feel like colleges should do that, but it might take the objectivity out of it.”

— Apearre Ao, a freshman majoring in cell and molecular biology

“I agree. You get to see the person instead of what’s on the paper.”

— Destin Fleming, a junior majoring in political science

“It would be unfair for someone who worked really hard if they’re not a camera person.”

Isabelle Cavazos is a junior majoring in English and Spanish.

— Samantha Denis, a junior majoring in health sciences

the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966

Editor in Chief: Alex Rosenthal .............................. oracleeditor@gmail.com Managing Editor: Grace Hoyte ......................... oraclemeditor@gmail.com

News Editor: Wesley Higgins .......................... oraclenewsteam@gmail.com Sports Editor: Vinnie Portell ........................ oraclesportseditor@gmail.com Lifestyle Editor: Ariana Matos .................. oraclelifestyleeditor@gmail.com Opinion Editor: Isabelle Cavazos ....................... oracleopinion@gmail.com Copy Editors: Safeena Kassoo, Caitlin Lochner Multimedia Editor: Adam Mathieu

The Oracle is published Monday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters, and twice weekly, Monday and Thursday, during the summer.

The Oracle allocates one free issue to each student.

Additional copies are $.50 each and available at the Oracle office (SVC 0002).

BY PHONE Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sports ................

Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . .

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

974-6242 974-5190 974-1888 974-2842 974-2398 974-2620 974-6242

Assistant Editors: Sebastian Contento, Jacob Hoag, Brandon Shaik

Website: Facebook: Twitter:

Graphic Arts Manager: Luke Blankenship

CORRECTIONS

Advertising Sales Manager: Ashley Pollio

The Oracle will correct or clarify factual errors.

Contact Editor in Chief Alex Rosenthal at 974-5190.

usforacle.com facebook.com/usforacle @USFOracle

“A lot of people who excel academically aren’t personable. It focuses on how students can come off a certain way and leaves room for unintentional bias.” ­ Britne Simpson, a — sophomore majoring in health sciences

Classifieds UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

To place a classified ad go to

●

Crossword

M O N D AY, M A R C H 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

http://www.usforacle.com/classifieds

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HELP WANTED

Technical Support/Customer Service Leading Online Education Provider looking for a full time Customer Service/Tech Support Person who will help support the company’s growth by generating a high quality of customer service. We are looking for focused individuals who thrive in an environment of high growth.

Email Shane@sky-learn.com

Swim Instructor Must love kids and be enthusiastic.

Call LaFleur’s: 813.264-5000.

LaFleur’s Gymnastics Coaching Positions Available Immediate openings for experienced, enthusiastic Girls Compulsory and XCEL coaches.

Contact Alecia at 813.264.5000 or optionalgirls@lafleurstampa.com.

●

T H E O R AC L E

7

Sports

8

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Rundown

●

M O N D AY, M A R C H 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

●

T H E O R AC L E

Football

Baseball

Bulls’ offense falls flat USF slams Cincinnati in series sweep

Outside USF The NCAA Final Four has been set, with undefeated Kentucky squaring off against fellow top-seed Wisconsin, while 12th-seeded Michigan State advanced to play top-seeded Duke. Final Four games will be held in Indianapolis on Saturday.

Weekend scores

Softball

Tulsa USF Baseball

1 0

Cincinnati 4

USF

15

Spring Football

Green White

10 9

Conference update Baseball USF has risen to the top of the AAC standings after a weekend sweep of Cincinnati. The Bulls (20-8-1, 3-0) have won 12 of their last 14 games.

Softball The UCF softball team remains undefeated in AAC play after sweeping UConn in a three-game series over the weekend. The Knights (34-5) are now 6-0 in conference play.

Baseball

USF (20-8-1, 3-0) at Stetson (14-15) When: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Melching Field at Conrad Park, DeLand

TV/Radio: Bullscast, 1010AM

Quinton Flowers (left) and Marlon Mack were the offensive leaders of their respective teams in the USF spring game, but neither was able to produce a touchdown. ORACLE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU its potential under new defensive yards, but missed his second kick

By Vinnie Portell S P O R T S E D I T O R from 44 yards, which would have coordinator Tom Allen.

Tashon Whitehurst was the given the White team the lead with standout player on defense with 12:45 remaining.

Though coach Willie Taggart 19 tackles, including a sack and Harris suspended indefinitely said a change in offensive style is an interception. Whitehurst had 11 Whitehurst was in a battle with supposed to make the Bulls’ game more tackles than the second-lead- junior Nigel Harris for most of the more up-tempo, both the Green ing tackler and said he’s enjoying spring, but Taggart gave word foland White teams combined for the transition to a nickel defense. lowing the game that Harris has one touchdown Saturday during “It allows me to just run around,” been suspended indefinitely. the USF spring game at Corbett Whitehurst said. “For me to be able Although Taggart did not allude Soccer Stadium. to just run around and hit one gap to why the linebacker was susEven with the lack of offense by to another, that’s just a credit to the pended, he was seen arriving both teams, the Green team was defense.” at the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics able to edge the White team 10-9.

Center soon after the game had New players making an impact Green team quarterback Steven Redshirt freshman Chase started by an Oracle reporter.

Bench’s 62-yard touchdown run Whitehead was a go-to target on Alumni come back to town down the right sideline with 11 short throws for quarterbacks Mike As part of the spring game fesminutes left in the first quarter White and Bench on the Green tivities, former USF players came was the lone touchdown in a game team. The wide receiver led both back to participate in an alumni ridden with penalties and stalled teams with six receptions for 38 flag football game. drives — much like the Bulls’ past yards.

Among these former playtwo seasons.

After losing receivers Andre ers was quarterback B.J. Daniels, “I thought the offense on both Davis and Deonte Welch due to who is currently under contract sides had opportunities but they graduation, Whitehead could pro- with the Seattle Seahawks. Daniels didn’t take advantage of them,” vide needed depth to the receiving spoke about how important it is for Taggart said. alumni to come back. corps.

Both teams combined for 13 “I think it’s important to see Redshirt freshman tight end penalties and nine punts through- Elkanah Dillon led the White team the guys that have been through out the game. And though there with three receptions for 62 yards, the same struggles that you have,” was a running clock during the sparked by a 49-yard reception Daniels said. “It’s not easy — you second half, neither team was able from sophomore Quinton Flowers. have to battle school and football to put any points on the board. and there’s a lot going on. It meant Replacing Kloss “I wasn’t happy with our tempo Both kickers fared well for kick- a lot to me as a freshman and I today,” Taggart said. “And I told our ing on a windy afternoon on a want to do the same.” team that today. I thought we were field with field goal posts that were As the group huddled together walking around too much. Part of it smaller than ideal. following the event, Taggart spoke is depth-wise when you divide the Senior Michael Hill made all to the former Bulls about just what teams up.” three of his attempts, with his it means to the current athletes to While the offense left much to longest coming from 36 yards hear from them and encouraged be desired for the 3,255 fans in out. Sophomore Emilio Nadelman all of them to continue showing attendance, the defense displayed made his first attempt from 32 their support.

Buddy Putnam has six home runs over the past six games, including a grand slam Sunday.

ORACLE PHOTO/ADAM MATHIEU

By Tiana Aument C O R R E S P O N D E N T

Buddy Putnam’s walk-off grand slam Sunday put an exclamation point on the Bulls’ 10-run seventh inning, which sealed the sweep of Cincinnati.

The Bulls won 15-4 by NCAA mercy rule, which states a game can end if a team’s lead exceeds 10 runs after at least 6 1/2 innings on a travel day.

USF (20-8-1, 3-0) leads the AAC as the only undefeated team in conference play. The sweep also makes the Bulls 12-0 at home in March.

“You’re on top of the world when you end a game that way,” said Putnam after hitting his first career grand slam. “But a big part of baseball is coming back down and trying to keep a flat line of emotion — not get too up, not get too down.”

Putnam, who has six homers over the past six games, has made adjustments at the plate, coach Mark Kingston said.

“All we did with (Putnam) was tweak a little bit in his followthrough to try to create more back-

n See SLAMS on PAGE 2