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Homecoming Weekend Edition FRIDAY OCTOBER 16, 2015

The

Reflector

130 th YEAR ISSUE 14

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Student arrested in drive-by shooting, police seek more suspects

by Lacretia Wimbley Editor-in-Chief

The Starkville Police Department arrested 19-year-old Mississippi

State University student Nia Kamyra Smith for involvement in two driveby shootings that took place in Starkville Wednesday night.

The shootings occurred on Tabor Street and at

Camelot apartments on North Montgomery Street.

Shortly after 8 p.m.

Wednesday, MSU’s advisory notification system alerted the public that shots were fi red at Haven 12 and three suspects were seen running

toward the Thad Cochran Research Park, adjacent to campus.

Starkville police later confi rmed shots were not fi red at Haven 12 as originally reported. MSU’s Chief Communication Officer Sid

Salter confi rmed via tweet Wednesday night that shots were not fi red on campus.

The original shots fi red took place on Tabor Street and a second drive-by shooting took place on North Montgomery Street.

MSU hosts branding launch, new promotions

by Kelsey Horn Staff Writer

ARREST, 3

Consuming Fire, students converge on Drill Consuming Fire Fellowship visits campus all week This week at Mississippi State University, the air above the Drill Field was fi lled with the rainbow flags of LGBTQ supporters, signs announcing the wrath of God and the voices of a myriad of belief systems locked in religious debates during Consuming Fire Fellowship’s week-long visit to MSU’s campus.

Consuming Fire Fellowship is a religious group headed by Pastors Britt Williams and Charlie Kennon that travels around the south holding open-air religious sermons focused on announcing what they believe are the punishments for various ‘sins against Christ.’

Kennon said the group has come to MSU three times in the last two years, and this was the fi rst time he himself had been in

attendance.

The atmosphere of their visit this week, however, was different from previous ones.

Consuming Fire was on campus, police officers had to get in between one of the preachers and a student, but said she did not see any of that this year.

“Even though it got kind of rowdy, this year was a lot calmer than last year,” Robinson said.

MSU political science professor and lawyer, Whit Waide, said he was glad to see LGBTQ supporters on the Drill Field next to the Fellowship’s members.

“The thing about

today that I found particularly interesting is that the opposing viewpoint (to Consuming Fire’s message) made an appearance,” Waide said.

“These preachers tell everybody if they are gay they are going to hell. One thing I’ve always wanted to see was gay people to start raising hell too.”

Fellowship member Charlie Kennon

FIRE, 2

Brittney Robinson, sophomore communications major at MSU, said the last time

Fellowship members hold picket signs.

MSU’s Free Speech and Assembly Policy “Mississippi State University will protect the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution.” In 2005, the Division of Student Affairs decided to make the entire campus of MSU a free speech zone, requiring no prior approval or reservation to speak anywhere on campus. However, places such as classrooms, residence hall rooms, offices, academic buildings, administration buildings, libraries, and research labs are still considered non-public forums and thus not free speech zones. There are additional guidelines; no amplification equipment can by used, nothing can block any streets or sidewalks, no one can deface property, injure individuals or solicit on campus.

Initiative seeks to fund schools

by Emmalyne Kwansny Contibuting Writer

On Nov. 3, voters will be asked to vote for or against Initiative 42A. According to Initiative 42’s website it “would protect each child’s fundamental right to educational opportunity through the 12th grade.”

Jody Woodrum, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Starkville School District said, “A highly effective public school education system is critical to the success of our country, our state and our local community.”

Initiative 42 is a constitutional amendment that, if passed, will require the Mississippi Legislature to fully fund the state’s schools by enforcing the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) by legally forcing lawmakers to abide by it. If Initiative 42 is passed, its aim is to better all that education encompasses, everything from teachers to

Weather

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Ben Lang, Campus Connect Forecast (Department of Geosciences)

school buses.

In 1997, Mississippi Legislature passed the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). The MAEP is a law that is designed to allow for adequate education for every child in Mississippi by providing schools the necessary resources. MAEP produces a standard student cost and the state funds the difference between what the local community is able to provide and the total base student cost, that amount is then multiplied by the school district’s average daily attendance to get to get the district’s MAEP allocation.

The formula is recounted every four years. Patsy Brumfield, communications director for Initiative 42, said MAEP has failed to provide total funding necessary for education in the state and Initiative 42 will solve the problem.

“18 years ago, the state legislature passed a law in which they promised certain level of financial support for local school districts,” Brumfield

by Van Cotton Staff Writer

Patsy Brumfield, Initiative 42 communications director

said. “They have only done that twice in the past 18 years. Passing Initiative 42 would require the legislature to keep funding promise they made 18 years ago meaning every school in the state would be getting the financial floor to start the school year with enough money to provide adequate education for every child.”

In April 2014, nearly 200,000 people signed the petition for full funding of Mississippi’s public schools without cuts or tax increases which became known as Initiative 42.

Mississippi State University received national honor for the endless effort to promote diversity around campus.

Minority Access Inc, in Hyattsville, Maryland, gave honor to MSU during its 16th annual National Role’s Models conference.

Minority Access Inc. is a national conference that recognizes universities and role models for outstanding work with inclusiveness, diversity and working with under-represented communities and individuals.

MSU was recognized for programs such as: Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, the office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, The President’s Commission on the

Status of Minorities, the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, the African American Studies Program and G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans.

Also, MSU was recognized for its efforts to recruit and retain students of minorities.

Cedrick Gathings, Director of Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, Interim Assistant vice president for Multicultural Affairs, and the Assistant Dean of Students, makes it his top priority to promote diversity throughout campus.

“I think how we recognized the special need for our minorities with our different initiatives and programs is really what makes Mississippi State standout and become so well rounded,” Gathings said.

Saturday

Sunday

HI: 79 LO: 44 SKY: Sunny

HI: 71 LO: 41 SKY: Sunny

HI: 73 LO: 44 SKY: Sunny

POP: 0%

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FORECAST: Friday will be pleasant with lots of sunshine. It will be even cooler on Saturday and cloudless. A sunny Sunday will close out the weekend. Enjoy the game!

BRAND, 3

DIVERSITY, 3

INITIATIVE, 2

Friday

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MSU receives diversity award

Mississippi State University launched a new branding initiative to bring to the forefront the student driven research on campus.

The ‘We Ring True’ initiative was introduced at a recent campus celebration on Oct. 13.

According to the press release given by the university, this initiative is meant to challenge the MSU community to take an active part in the future of the university by helping with exposure to a variety of audiences. The initiative is meant to help display student led research such as the ecofriendly car of the future that will get one hundred miles to the gallon.

President Mark Keenum said in the press release that this was an exciting time in the history of Mississippi State because of the growth and increasing recognition of MSU’s leading research.

Sid Salter, Chief Communication Officer for Mississippi State, said, “The Strategic Direction program started after a research group here at State pitched a proposal to get funds from a large company. The group did not receive the funding another university received it. The company chose the other university because they had not heard enough about Mississippi State to feel comfortable. This was a call to action instead of a sign of defeat.”

Salter said a large number of people worked on this strategy plan by doing market research, focus groups and personal interviews among students, alumni, faculty and staff. Salter said the overall feelings were good, but some faculty and staff saw where improvement could be made to make MSU more regionally and nationally recognized for research and development projects.

This two year plan is already six months in, and the launch was showing the progress and work of the last few months. Salter said the initiative will help display the university’s national success like the UAS that received the FAA’s center of excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

According to the university’s press release, another project to be highlighted is the agriculturerelated research in the fight against world hunger.

Salter said, “The program will help with food security especially in areas that it is hard to grow crops.”

Salter said the university has produced videos to promote the new initiative.

Some are short thirty second snap shots for commercials during football, basketball and other athletics activities.

Others are longer videos, produced to act as the University’s visual business card.

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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

INITIATIVE

Initiative 42 calls for a gradual introduction over seven years by using natural growth in state revenue to make full educational funding possible. It is estimated that Mississippi’s general fund will increase at three percent annually through 2022. The increase in general fund will be used to better education as about a third of the general fund will subsidize the cost of education.

President Mark Keenum addressed the Mississippi State University faculty senate regarding Initiative 42 on August 21, 2015.

“I am for more funding for education in the state of Mississippi because

FIRE

When asked about the presence of the LGBTQ supporters, Kennon said he believed it was caused by the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage.

Kennon said, “There

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our state is dependent around campus would on education to move have to take severe cuts. forward,” Keenum During the 2015 said. “I am vehemently Legislative Session, opposed to the cuts in the Legislature passed higher education that I am being told by our state “I am vehemently legislature to expect. I have opposed to the cuts in been told to prepare for how higher education that we will respond when we are called I am being told by our to cut 7.8 percent of our budget.” state to expect.”

He said the -Mark Keenum effects would be felt all across Mississippi State University.

To balance the possible Alternative42Awhichsays budget cut, Keenum said “The Legislature shall, tuition would have to by general law, provide increase or departments for the establishment,

has been a greater boldness that I have seen on college campuses. They have been somewhat empowered by that (ruling).”

Kennon said regardless of how Consuming Fire is received by the student body, he will consider it a success if they have stayed obedient to the ‘great commission,’ and accurately represented Christ.

Robinson, who spent most of her Tuesday afternoon on the Drill Field as one of a handful of students with rainbow flags draped Taylor Bowden| The Reflector across their shoulFellowship preacher listens to rebuttals Wednesday. ders, said she wanted

maintenance and support of an effective system of free public schools.”

Patsy Brumfield said that Alternative 42A “will do nothing to fully fund our schools. In fact it supporters admit that there is no new money in there. It is merely a ploy by the legislative leadership to confuse voters and kill initiative 42.”

The ballot on November 3rd will fi rst ask voters to choose between approval of either Initiative 42 or Alternative 42A or against both initiatives.

Then voters will be asked to vote for Initiative 42 or Alternative 42A. CONTINUED FROM 1

to make an effort to listen and understand Consuming Fire’s message and be seen as a peaceful presence.

“I feel like they think people like me out there with rainbow flags hate them as equally as they profess to hate us, but I wanted to show them no, I really do love everyone equally and want to understand what they are saying even if I don’t like it,” Robinson said.

Robinson said at one point during the day, she approached Consuming Fire’s tent and asked for water. She said, odd looks aside, they gave her a bottle of water just the same as they had been providing water to others who asked.

MSU Police Department

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 1:02 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for driving under the influence and requirement to use the lights.

8:40 p.m. An Event Group employee was arrested on MSU campus for felony bench warrant.

Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015 1:20 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for minor in possession of alcohol, possession of marijuana, speeding and driving under the influence.

1:41 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for public drunkeness.

Monday, Oct. 12, 2015 10:11 a.m. Officers reported damages to the windshield of a MSU patrol vehicle.

11:02 a.m. A student reported her wallet missing.

1:22 p.m. An employee was having seizures at the Wise Center.

The subject was transported to OCH. 8:00 p.m. A student was arrested on Magruder St. for disregarding a traffic device and a suspended driver’s license.

Justice Court citations were issued.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015 12:08 a.m. A student was arrested on Fraternity Row for minor in possession of alcohol.

10:20 a.m. A student reported she was assaulted by her roommate’s boyfriend in Herbert Hall.

12:09 p.m. A student reported her cell phone and ID missing from the bus stop at Montgomery.

1:26 p.m. A visitor was hit on the head with the I-Beam at construction site at the old Evans Hall.

3:32 p.m. A student reported receiving a suspicious text message from an employee.

3:26 p.m. A student reported his bully bike stolen from a bike rack at Rice Hall.

6:30 p.m. A student received a referral for threatening a staff member at the Sanderson Center.

Chief Vance Rice said while several officers were present at the Drill Field at various times, it was not in response to specific calls or incidences.

“Officers’ presence keeps the ministers from being quite as aggressive and the student’s responses more peaceful,” Rice said.

“Just them being out there, not them even having to do anything.”

While many saw the scene on the Drill Field as chaotic, Kennon said MSU’s campus was relatively calm compared to their trips to other campuses.

“I have preached at LSU, McNeese State and

Southeastern and out of those three experiences the students here are night and day different from those other college campuses,” Kennon said. “The students here are more respectful, the students desire rational dialogue. The students are polite, they allow you to speak and they raise their hands. I greatly appreciate that.”

Waide said he is a staunch advocate for the first amendment, and was pleased to see people with multiple viewpoints engaging each other on campus.

“I was glad to see the gay pride flag today,” Waide said.

“I was glad to see people yelling at each other on the Drill Field.”

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DIVERSITY Stephen Middleton, Director of the African American Studies program, said this was a well-deserved award for MSU. “Minority Access showed great judgment in recognizing Mississippi State for its strides in fostering an inclusive community for students and employees.

Our leaders, President Mark Keenum and Provost Jerry Gilbert, set the tone in word and deed that MSU is truly the people’s university,” Middleton said. “Most recently, the Maroon Edition speakers, Lynn Vincent, Denver Moore, Ron Hall, the authors of The Same Kind of Difference as Me, is representative of their commitment to an inclusive institution.”

Minority Access Inc. is an organization whose main objective is committed to increasing diversity, decreasing disparities and reducing incidence of environmental injustices.

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According to their website, their mission is to assist colleges and universities, the Federal Government and agencies of other governments and corporations of all kinds in implementing programs and providing services to recruit, enhance and retain underserved and underrepresented populations.

The MSU chapter of Society of African American Studies and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s President, Wilburn Smith said in an interview that diversity on a college campus because it prepares students for the real world and educates them about people from different backgrounds.

“Mississippi State is big on promoting diversity and inclusion, but without inclusion, diversity is dead. I view diversity as a variation of many forms such as gender, culture, ethnic groups, and backgrounds,” Smith said.

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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

LGBTQ History Month Thursday, several organizations at MSU hosted a panel discussion between Joce Pritchett, an open LGBTQ member currently running for State Auditor and Rob Hill, an MSU graduate and director of Human Rights Campaign of Mississippi. The panel discussed difficulties of coming out in Mississippi while holding positions of power.

National Coming Out Day was on Oct. 11 and began in 1988.

LGBTQ Ally Appreciation Day was Wednesday and was started in 2005 by the Gay Lesbian Student Education Network.

Safe Zone:

On Oct. 19, the Safe Zone Advisory Board is hosting a Safe Zone training. The event is hosted in the Union ballroom on the second floor of the Colvard Student Union. Trainings give attendees the knowledge and language of LGBTQ issues and explain to them how to be a safe space for LGBTQ students. At the end of the training, those in attendance are given the opportunity to sign an Ally agreement that makes them a safe advocate and space for students to seek out. Allies receive a rainbow paw print sticker to hang in their designated space. The training has 30 open spots for students, faculty or staff to fill on a first-come first-serve basis. Registration begins at 5:30pm.

ARREST SPD officers pursued suspects driving a blue Honda Accord to the vicinity of Haven 12 apartments.

Suspects then vacated the vehicle and fled on foot in the direction of the research park and the female driver, Smith, was taken into custody.

As police searched the car, multiple guns were found and removed from the trunk.

SPD swept the research

park with K-9 units Wednesday night searching for the other suspects and the Mississippi Highway

BRAND The main video will be shown at alumni association events, receptions, send off parties and other activities that the university is either the host of or a major player in. The videos display and talk about leading projects at the university.

“The university is making the switch to digital with new apps as well as being more visual,” Salter said, “New applications such as the interactive map on State’s website.”

Salter said the information now is being presented in the way students want it by using more visual outlets and via social media.

“The students are the stars,” Salter said, “The students are the ones in the videos and they are the ones leading in much of the research and developing projects.”

Salter said diversity was a big part of our success and wanted to make it clear the students were the main focus of this

Patrol used helicopters in the search as well that night.

There was no shooting toward officers and no one was reported hurt or injured.

During a Municipal Court hearing at 2 p.m.

Thursday, Smith’s bonds were set at $15,000 for drive-by shooting and $5,000 for felony possession of cocaine.

SPD reported they are investigating Smith as well

as other suspects for a connection to fi re arms trafficking.

No other arrests have been made in connection to this incident and the investigation is on going.

To report information regarding this incident, contact the Starkville Taylor Bowden| The Reflector Police Department Starkville Police Officer searches car left at Haven 12. at 662-323-4131.

CONTINUED FROM 1

initiative.

Salter said the best way for this strategy plan to work is for the students and the community to “The students are the stars.”

-Sid

Salter,

cheif

communications officer

work together. Not just the students programs or the faculty, but every program and outlet available. Salter said every group buying in would make this initiative a success.

Salter wanted to thank the people that have worked and supported this initiative, and that this was just the beginning of the branding push. Salter especially wanted to thank the office of public affairs, who worked

on this initiative along with their normal work load.

Students also weighed in about the new branding initiative.

William Holcomb, senior Kinesiology major, said he felt like the push towards more media exposure will lead to higher enrollment along with a possibility for more athletic success which might bring in more money for the university.

Katie Wilson, sophomore majoring in Engineering, said, “I think the initiative creates pride to the fact that we have to live up to the standard of MSU.” Wilson said it created school spirit as well.

Carly Wells, freshman Communication major, said the new branding initiative shines a light on areas of research that needs to be highlighted and the showcasing of different research programs might influence students to come to Mississippi State.

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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

NEWS

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Social Media

presents shift in culture

by Jennifer Flinn Staff Writer

The use of social media is deeply embedded in American culture, forcing classroom settings to adapt to the evolving online medium and tailor toward students whose lives often revolve around Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Many teachers across Mississippi State’s campus utilize electronic mediums, such as PowerPoint, and social media to effectively relay their information to students in the classroom.

Assistant Professor Whit Waide of the Political Science and Public Administration department said using social media and other electronic means of conveying material unnecessarily complicates the teaching process.

“This may be just me, but I’ve yet to see what social media, and what all this technological garbage brings to the classroom experience,” Waide said. “I just think it’s unnecessary. It’s not my style. It’s not what I do.”

Waide said bringing technology into the classroom becomes a crutch for some teachers and takes away from real teaching. However, he said he recognizes these are good tools that some teachers use in an advantageous way for students to learn.

Waide said in the past he has had an active presence on Twitter, voicing his opinions on many controversial issues and

gaining as many as 10,000 Twitter folPhilip Poe, an assistant professor for lowers. He said his connection with the the department of communication, said university caused him to be more cautious regardless of how a teacher views social about his posts to the social media site, media in their personal life, teachers which would reflect, either positively or should strive to meet students on their negatively, on MSU. level in regard to social media.

MSU’s social media guidelines for “It’s just a different way of looking at employees states there should be a clear the world, and clearly, I’m in the minoridistinction between personal and profes- ty,” Poe said. “I do have to try to undersional uses of the networking sites. It also stand those motivations, those gratificasaid an employee should not incorporate tions that come from using social media.” the university’s name in their username Poesaidpartofhisjobisshowingstudents for the site, and the employee should never he is knowledgeable about social media attempt to speak on behalf of MSU. and its evolving use in the news industry.

“When your social media activity He said adapting his course to incorpois observable by rate social end-users, stakemedia and holders, and/or to bring other professionin guest “We don’t live in an age al audiences, your speakers where everything is private behavior should repwith an resent you well and expertise anymore. We live in an age reflect positively on in the field the university,” the can betwhere everything is public.” social media guideter exhibit lines said. how a proChandler Gurley, fessional a junior majoring uses social - Chandler Gurley, in communicamedia daily. tion studies, said Poe junior communication major through courses allows the emphasizing the use of lapuse of social media top comin the professional puters in workplace she sees his classes, social media as the modern day business although, he said he recognizes this is a card. disincentive for his students to pay attenGurley said social media can be used to tion to the lecture. promote the individual using it and make Waide said his classroom policy bans them more recognizable as a professional the use of electronic devices of any kind. to future employers. She said social media He said his students must listen to his lecoften plays a role in getting job offers, or ture and put pen to paper to take notes. even, job interviews.

Poe said social media is not necessari“We don’t live in an age where every- ly a hindrance to the classroom because thing is private anymore. We live in an age there have always been distractions in where everything is public,” Gurley said. the classroom, even before cell phones “Social media isn’t for everything in your made them much more accessible and life, it’s for certain things in your life.” entertaining.

“So I try to increasingly bring that stuff into the classroom because I understand that’s what students need, and it’s my job to give them the information that I determine they need moving forward,” Poe said. “I say it a lot, but if you’re not in college to prepare yourself to be a professional, what are you here for?”

Poe said the importance for students to learn how to use social media properly cannot be overstated because every post to a social media site lives forever online and creates a trail for potential employers to follow.

“That’s the point I’m trying to make in everything I do and say in the classroom is that you’ve got to learn what skills you have and can accentuate and that are marketable, and social media is certainly one of

those skills,” Poe said.

Poe said he welcomes new ways to utilize social media, both in and out of the classroom, as a way to engage with students on their terms. He said he is increasingly asked by students to help refi ne their online profi les to better display what employers want to see, and he admits he needs to be more up to date in this area.

Poe said he is constantly trying to improve how he teaches his writing-based classes because everything but the letters and words themselves changes.

Gurley, of Amory, Mississippi, said having an online presence is important for self-promotion during a job search.

“I feel like everything is not private anymore and there is a way that you can market yourself, and I guess that would be a good component of a class would be a way to keep your private life private, but also market the things you want to market,” Gurley said.

Poe said the communication department is currently in discussions about creating a class specifically to teach students the in’s and out’s of using social media properly and effectively to market their skills, but that such a class would likely take several years to fi nalize.

Amanda Clay Powers, an associate professor in the Mitchell Memorial Library, holds classroom workshops to teach faculty, staff and students how to tailor their social media profi les to specific professional environments.

Powers said about 93 percent of recruiters look at social media information about people they intend to interview, which is why cleaning out Facebook, Twitter or Instagram profi les is important.

“That’s one of the things I really talk about is creating, if it’s appropriate for your discipline or your field that you want to go into, a professional twitter account so you can follow people in that field,” Powers said.

Powers said social media is more than a way to communicate with others; it is a way of being in the world by utilizing different tools to achieve different goals.

“We have students leveraging a lot of different tools for what they want to do, who they want to reach, and how they want to communicate,” Powers said.

Poe said the negative side of social media presents a psychosis because what is shared on these networking sites is an individuals’ best case scenario that does not necessarily depict real life.

Poe said there have been increases in bullying, suicides, depression and mental illness in the fi rst generation to grow up with social media, however, there is no data to discern if these issues have actually increased or if professionals in those areas have merely gotten better at recognizing the symptoms.

“In some aspects, visual culture is all about being envious, being jealous of what you don’t have, Only Your Mother Could Make You what you could have, or what you think Feel Better Faster you could be, but I think social media has made it easier for the average person to project an image that’s not accurate,” Poe said.

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beautiful pictures of familiar campus scenes that bring back special memories of your time at Mississippi State. The official State calendar has become a Bulldog tradition. With pictures taken by MSU’s own award-winning photographers, it’s truly one-of-a-kind. You may also purchase holiday cards featuring an original watercolor illustration by MSU alumna Tracie Grace Lyons. Spread the Bulldog spirit by ordering today. Visit the MSU Foundation website at msufoundation.com or call 662-325-7000.

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Go Bulldogs!

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OPINION

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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Letter of advice from a professor Much like life in general, college can be a stressful experience. There are classes (and parties) to attend, bills to (maybe) pay, and often, exams to take. Balancing your academic and social life can be particularly hectic during midterms and finals. Here are some things I think you need to know.

Cramming doesn’t (and won’t) work. According to a 2012 study published in the journal, Child Development, a research team from UCLA found that a good night’s sleep was more conducive to information retention than a caffeine-fueled all-nighter. If you’re still struggling with new information the night before an exam, your best bet is to sleep on what you already know. But what about the stuff you don’t?

Pace yourself. Because you’re not cramming anymore, you may need to relearn how to study. Is Chem II harder for you than Comp II? Spend a half hour after class reviewing your notes, paying careful attention to concepts you don’t quite get. Then, tackle that reading or writing assignment after lunch but before your three-hour Netflix binge.

Manage your time, and your expectations. If you don’t already keep a calendar or schedule, however informal, now’s the time to start. Laying out your month, week, or day can be an immediate stress reliever. You can’t possibly do it all, so why not decide up front what (and who) is in or out?

In fact, I find the very act of budgeting my time feels like an accomplishment on its own. Pencil in time for attending class, studying, socializing and the ever-important “doing nothing.” Remember: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, texts, phone calls, telegrams and Sportscenter will still be there whenever you’re done doing what you need to do.

-Philip Poe, assisstant communication professor

On the Issues

Susan G. Komen founder paves way to a cure Hunter Swanzy is a senior majoring in biochemistry and pre-law. He can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

Tomorrow, in the United States alone, it is estimated that cancer will claim the lives of over 1,600 individuals. Although this statistic is inherently disheartening, it is important to recognize there is still hope for a better future, there is still hope for a cancer-free tomorrow.

This is exemplified by progress that has already been made. Thanks in large part

to the efforts of the Susan G. Komen organization, breast cancer has been on a near steady decline since the year 2000, and over 2.8 million breast cancer survivors currently reside in the U.S. In 1980, the Susan G. Komen organization began with a promise. Nancy G. Brinker, founder of the organization, promised her dying sister Susan that she would dedicate her life to ridding the world of breast cancer. According to the Susan G. Komen website, “What was started with $200 and a shoebox full of potential donor names has now grown into the world’s largest nonprofit source of funding for the fight against breast cancer.”

The website also reads,“To date, we have invested more than $2.6 billion in

groundbreaking research, community health outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 30 countries. Our efforts have helped reduce death rates from breast cancer by 34 percent since 1990 and has helped improve five-year

volumes to the perseverance of both Nancy Brinkler and of the organization as a whole. By turning a devastating loss into an outcry for support, Nancy Brinkler incited a revolution. This revolution, a war against cancer, has led

“Nancy G.Brinkler, the founder of the organization, promised her dying sister Susan that she would dedicate her life to ridding the world of breast cancer.” relative survival rates for early stage cancers from 74 to 99 percent. And we won’t stop until our promise is fulfi lled.”

These words speak

to groundbreaking research that could someday serve to fulfi ll Nancy Brinkler’s promise.

As we fi nd ourselves in the midst of Breast Cancer

Awareness Month, it is imperative that we recognize there is still progress to be made. As opposed to 1980, the war on cancer is now being fought on multiple fronts. Areas such as public policy are becoming equally as important as traditional areas such as research. Although October is deemed Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the fight against cancer is a yearround commitment, a commitment that begins with safeguarding ourselves.

The importance of regular screenings cannot be overstated in the fight against cancer. According to cancer. gov, “Estimates of the premature deaths that could have been avoided through screening vary from 3 percent to 35 percent, depending on a variety of

assumptions.” This means somewhere between 18,000 and 171,000 deaths a year, in the United States alone, can potentially be prevented.

However, in addition to recognizing the progress to be made, it is equally as important that we celebrate the lives that have been saved. Human life is to be cherished and every death that is prevented is a testament to the resiliency of individuals such as Nancy Brinkler. Although cancer has caused devastation in the lives of many, as a society, it has not yet broken our spirit. Over the next several years that spirit will be tested. I truly believe the efforts of individuals like Nancy Brinkler will continue to light the way and inspire hope for a cancer-free tomorrow.

RE F L E C T I O N S “Cancer is really hard to go through and it’s really hard to watch someone you love go through, and I know I have been on both sides of the equation.”

- Cynthia Nixon, breast cancer survivor

The

Reflector

Managing Editor Nia Wilson

Editor in Chief

Lacretia Wimbley

News Editor Taylor Bowden

Multimedia Editor

Opinion Editor

Bek Yake

Bailey McDaniel

Life Editor

Photography Editor Sarah Story

Noor Mujahid

Copy Editor Ashley Brewer

Sports Editor Anthony McDougle

CONTACT INFORMATION Editor in Chief/ Lacretia Wimbley 325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu Managing Editor/Nia Wilson managing@reflector.msstate.edu News Editor/Taylor Bowden news@reflector.msstate.edu Opinion Editor/Bailey McDaniel opinion@reflector.msstate.edu Sports Editor/Anthony McDougle

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector.msstate.edu.

Letters must include name and telephone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

reflectorsports@gmail.com Life Editor/Noor Mujahid life@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Sarah Story Multimedia Editor/Bek Yake multimedia_editor@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising Sales/Julia Langford 325-7907 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu Circulation/Brie Pruitt

EDITORIAL POLICY

The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University. Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff.

The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

circulation@reflector.msstate.edu

CORRECTIONS

The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error we will correct it. To report an error, call 325-7905.

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OPINION

THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Letter to the editor

What does Homecoming mean to your SA President?

Dear Editor, As president of the student body, few events excite me like Homecoming. Homecoming is a unique opportunity for alumni, current students and future students to join together on these hallowed grounds as one Bulldog Family. Likewise, Homecoming gives our family a moment to reflect on our history, while simultaneously building on our university’s rich the tradition of excellence.

For our Alumni, Homecoming provides a chance to return to Mississippi State. For many, these acres are the place where they became the men and women they are today.

Here, they chartered their career paths, made lifelong friends, met their spouses, and captured lasting memories. This weekend provides an opportunity to reignite those memories, and share those memories with their posterity.

For our students, this is yet another opportunity for us to rekindle our love and affection for our institution. This week of

activities serve as exuberating reminders of why we chose this place, and why we will forever cherish it. I challenge each of my fellow students to join me in absorbing all that Homecoming has to offer. As our alumni join us on campus, it is incumbent upon we as students to continue to carry the torch that they left with us in a manner that is indicative of our gratitude, and our love for this institution.

With so many of the festivities of Homecoming behind us, I am proud of how we displayed solidarity and resolve. The Bulldog Spirit is alive and well on our campus, and it has been my pleasure to journey through this week with you. I hope that you enjoy tomorrow’s game and enjoy a safe and Happy Homecoming.

Yours in Maroon and White, JoJo

JoJo Dodd, SA President

Drew’s Views

The Martian and Sicario: October must see movies Drew Carter is a senior majoring in marketing.

He can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu.

Since we find ourselves in the middle of October, we can expect some great movies coming our way as Oscar season comes full swing. This past weekend was no exception, as “The Martian” and “Sicario” both opened and were universally praised, both standing at over 93 percent out of 100 on Rotten Tomatoes(or they were the last time I checked)

The Martian

It’s been quite a while since Ridley Scott has been able to please both critics and audiences. With his most recent critically panned movies including “The Counselor”, “Exodus: Gods and Kings”, and “Robin Hood,” to name a few. Movies with some critical praise like Prometheus, met with a lot of frustration (mixed with confusion) from fans of the Alien series. So it seemed like the great director of “Gladiator,” “Alien” and “Blade Runner” lost his

touch somewhere along the way.

Thankfully, “The Martian” finds Scott with a great return to form. It seems he remembered his sci fi roots and discovered how to make a great movie again. His signature world building is completely absorbing, making you feel like you’re trapped on Mars alongside Matt Damon and making you root for this marooned astronaut as he struggles to stay alive on Mars, all the while trying to make his way back to Earth.

It even led Lou Lumenick from the New York Post to state it’s “The best thing that either Matt Damon and director Ridley Scott have done in years.”

Damon is spectacular in his role, he’s charming and optimistic, making you cheer for him each step along the way, hoping with each moment that he’ll be able to make his way home.

While his super optimistic sense of humor may be jarring at the beginning, given his predicament, once it lands in a groove it’s very easy to root for him, often giving that “Wow, he actually did it!” feeling when he accomplishes something seemingly impossible.

The rest of the cast is also terrific. With Jessica Chastain leading her crew as they return to Mars to rescue the crew mate they accidentally abandoned.

You find them full of remorse and their chemistry with each other, along with their quick wit and smart mouths make them enjoyable to follow through space on their mission.

The same sentiment goes for the people at NASA, including David Oyelowo, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig and several others as they try to solve how to best communicate and rescue their stranded astronaut.

This is definitely a movie that needs to be seen,so don’t let a fear of deep space or intimidation of

out in 2013, I was blown away by how intense of a thriller it turned out to be.

When I found out the same director, Denis Villeneuve, would be following it up with Sicario, a story about a young F.B.I. agent thrown into a task force whose job is to kill a cartel leader, which also starred Emily Blunt, I couldn’t have been more excited.

From the trailer, my expectations were raised higher, seeing that Villeneuve planned to bring all the elements that made “Prisoner’s” such a great

“Both of these movies are fantastic and should not be missed.” a lot of science talk keep you away, “The Martian” is entertaining from beginning to end and has a finale that gives even 2013’s “Gravity” a run for its money.The film was so inspiring to Peter Debruge from Variety, that it lead him to say “‘The Martian’ should do more than just make Fox a ton of money; it could conceivably rekindle interest in the space program and inspire a new generation of future astronauts.”

Sicario

When “Prisoner’s” came

film. Including: strong, interesting characters, an eerie setting and a tense atmosphere to his new project. So with a high amount of anticipation, I went into the movie.

For the most part, I thought “Sicario” was incredible. From the very beginning when Emily Blunt and her team raid a drug house to find the bodies of the cartel’s victims hidden in the walls, I knew I was in for a genuinely intense and horrifying experience. With an abundance of visceral, violent action sequences,

an eerie score and amazing camerawork throughout, I felt like I was watching one of the best movies I’d see this year.

My main problems with the movie were with some of the characters and how their stories played out. I love Emily Blunt. Not only is she a great actress but she has a certain charisma that lets her play a tough character without seeming like she’s trying too hard.

She plays the part well, but I had a problem with how her character was used.

Throughout the movie, she, and the audience is kept in the dark of the real intentions of her supervisors and team members ( Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro) and argues with them constantly about their ever increasing corrupt methods of getting closer to the cartel leaders. Blunt is seen as an observer to the story unfolding before her, never really achieving much, and by the end when you find out the real intentions of the team leaders, you see that her character was mostly used to overstep a few laws and allow Del Toro’s character to get closer to the cartel leaders for revenge .

It’s disappointing, seeing as I expected her to be the hero of the movie. Ultimately, this was the movie’s intention. Showing how a moral person can be taken advantage of even if it’s for

the greater good, does not make a difficult situation easier to swallow.

Despite the problem with Blunt’s character, I really enjoyed this movie.

Villeneuve creates a horrifying world in his film.

From aerial views of Mexico showing our outnumbered team in a dangerous place, to small cramped areas like the drug house at the beginning, everything has a claustrophobic and dangerous feel to it, which keeps the tension up at all times. Aiding it is an unnerving script by Tye Sheridian, a creepy score

by Johann Johannsson, and amazing camera work by Roger Deakins.

This adds up to an eerie and emotionally draining experience throughout.

Leaving Matt Pejko from Matt’s movie reviews to state “Sicario is a film that will unnerve you and then stick with you long after the credits roll…”

If you’re a fan of well made thrillers or you want to see a movie that feels like a “Breaking Bad” fever dream, this is the movie for you.

Bottom line, both of these movies are fantastic and should not be missed.

Especially with all the Oscar buzz surrounding them.

You will not want to feel left out when they’re being brought back up during the awards season.

Letter to the editor

by Abby Brightwell

Today, Oct 13. we had a family come to our Drill Field in the name of Christianity hollering out condemnation at us. My hope is that with this letter I can put a bandaid on what these people have broken. My name is Abby Brightwell. I am a freshman this year and I am from Texas. I am a Christian. Proudly. I want to tell you something that wasn’t told to you today by the people on our Drill Field. This is the Gospel, my friends. God created the world and all that is in it. (Genesis 1) Satan, who is a fallen angel, came and convinced human kind (Eve) to sin against God. (Genesis 3) This is when creation was broken.

We call this “the fall.”

At this point sin entered into all aspects of life and it became

our human nature to sin. Now the story isn’t over there, nor does it peak there. God, because He loves His creation so much, He in His goodness and in His justness and power sent His son Jesus Christ to earth to live a life as fully God and fully man and take the burden of all of humans sins. He did so beautifully and with grace.

He took our sin, lived a life free of sin and died the death that we deserve. (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19) He rose from the dead and is now seated with God for all eternity and He is our judge. (Matthew 18, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20. Luke 22:69) Not the people on the Drill Field. Not our president. Not fellow Christians.

God is the judge. ( James 4:17) He is the only judge.

I am different from the people on our Drill Field and I feel I represent a large number of other

Christians because I believe God is love and that is the main point in His story. Our job is, to go out boldly and confidently with love to reach “the lost” aka “people who aren’t Christians,” but in to do that we are supposed to go and represent our God of love and tell the story that He wrote. Not just the rules.

In regards to the rules, I agree with the rules in the Bible and I agree with the rules we heard today on our Drill Field, but that’s not the starting place. The starting place is God. It all points to God. I have one illustration before I wrap up this letter. Let’s look at Christianity as a household, a family. When someone is in the family they have to follow the house rules right? Yes. But someone who isn’t in the family doesn’t have to follow the house rules. But if someone is going to

enter into the house, they have to agree to those house rules and follow them. I don’t want you to get me wrong, I don’t believe in a sugary version of Christianity where there are no rules, but I also don’t believe in a Christianity routed in fear. I believe that we can look to our creator and see what love He has for us and in return love him and want to follow His house rules (because we see that He wrote them for our good). So to the gay students who felt shamed today I’m sorry, my god loves you.

To the cheater today that felt hurt, I’m sorry, my God loves you. To those who saw this and thought it was foolish, my god loves you.

To the teacher, cafeteria worker, average student or any wanderer today who felt anything but love, I am sorry, my God loves you.

The bottom line is this: Yes, we are sinners but, “God

RE F L E C T I O N S “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without air.”

- Martin Luther

demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

This is the base of the Christian faith. The part that is up to us is whether or not we accept it. If we accept Christ then we are born again and are a part of the family of Christ. That is what the goal of the people on the Drill Field was today, to get you to the family of Christ, and that is what my goal is as well, but I am telling you God’s story along with His rules. I want you to know the “why” behind the “what” and the freedom that comes in Christ. I hope that this letter can put to words what a lot of Christians were thinking and give peace to a lot of people who felt damned. Our God is a good God and our God wants every person to see His love for him or her and respond in love for Him in return.

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BULLETIN BOARD

CLASSIFIEDS POLICY The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; the deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Classifieds are $5 per issue. Student and staff ads are $3 per issue, prepaid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost.

FOR RENT 3 BR/2BA mobile home. Private country lot. Two miles past Walmart. $550/mo with $550 deposit. Available Oct. 1. Call Joy Odom at 662-312-6238 FOR RENT 2 BR/2BA mobile home. Private country lot. Two miles past Walmart. $500/mo with $500 deposit. Available Oct. 1. Call Joy Odom at 662-312-6238 CLUB INFO The deadline for Tuesday’s paper is 3 p.m. Thursday; deadline for Friday’s paper is 3 p.m. Tuesday.

MSU student organizations may place free announcements in Club Info. Information may be submitted by email to club_info@ reflector.msstate.edu with the subject heading “CLUB INFO,” or a form may be completed at The Reflector office in the Student Media Center. A contact name, phone number and requested run dates must be included for club info to appear in The Reflector. All

submissions are subject to exemption according to space availability.

STARKVILLE TECH MEETUP The main goals of this club are to connect, to collaborate, and to create projects and activities related to web development. We welcome everybody with an intrinsic interest in programming, web development, engineering, design and entrepreneurship.

Contact Sergio Pichardo at stkvtech@ gmail.com for more information.

MENS CLUB SOCCER Come support the club soccer team this season! Our schedule is as follows: Sept. 20 at Memphis, Sept. 27 at Auburn and Oct. 9 at Alabama. We also play Southern Miss on Oct. 11 and North Alabama on Oct. 18. We play on the multipurpose fields, and we would love to see you out there, ringing your cowbells. Follow us on twitter: @HailState Soccer for updates on our schedule and scores.

LGBTQ +UNION LGBTQ + UNION is a student organization focused on the awareness activism and acceptance of the LGBT related issues.

We strive to promote a culture of equality and diversity on the MSU campus. October is LGBTQ history month.

For more information, contact Bailey McDaniel at bsm255@msstate.edu

Oct. 13 Crossword Solutions

Across

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ACR COACH

Tweet us your tailgating photos this weekend! @Reflectoronline

An In-Class Distraction

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Need a ride to the game site for the first game of the season against Southern Miss?

Seats are still available!

Call ACR Coach for details to get your ride today!

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Hey Bulldogs!

Get the word about your organization. Stop by the Reflector and fill out a club information form. For free!

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8 LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT

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THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

NEW MOVIES RELEASING OCT 16 BRIDGE OF SPIES GOOSEBUMPS CRIMSON PEAK WOODLAWN

TOP BOX OFFICE THE MARTIAN made $37.01M in 2 WEEKS Emma Katherine Hutto | The Reflector

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 made $20.42M in 3 WEEKS PAN made $15.32M in 1 WEEK THE INTERN made $8.68M in 3 WEEKS

ʻHomecoming Concert:ʼ MSUʼs Music Maker Productions teamed up with the Student Association to put on a Homecoming concert

Wednesday night. The concert featured The Peddlers at the amphitheater. The eclectic band is from Starkville.

BYX to host annual Island Party

SICARIO made $7.58M in 4 WEEKS Bek Yake, The Reflector

Happy Birthday Shellie Aultman!

Get Focused.

Taylor Thomas| Courtesy Photograph

MSUʼs Beta Upsilon Chi, Christian fraternity, will host its annual Island Party from 8-11 p.m. on Oct. 22 at the Amphitheater. Last yearʼs event (pictured) headlined the Weeks and Rock Eupora with a crowd of 2,500 people. This year, Chasing Edom will open for Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors.

by Georgeann Kenney Staff Writer

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Beta Upsilon Chi will host a free concert for students at the Amphitheater from 8-11 p.m. on Oct. 22.

The event, titled “Island Party,” will have Chasing Edom as the opening act and Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors as the headlining entertainment.

This will be BYX’s 15th time hosting the event. Last year, the fraternity had about 2,500 people come to see Rock Eupora and the Weeks perform.

Taylor Thomas, BYX vice president, was the social chair for last year’s event. Thomas said his favorite thing about the event last year was the

100 Russel Street Starkville, MS 39759

organization,” Thomas said.

“I thought that was really

“I think free live music on campus is awesome, especially when the headlining band is one of the top upcoming indie-folk artists around right now.”

-Hunter Walt, Chasing Edom band member year, and they definitely brought in a crowd that usually wouldn’t find themselves at an event that’s put on by a Christian

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cool.”

There will be T-shirts, cheese fries and snow cones for sale at the event and Ryan Brown will be

speaking between the two performances.

Hunter Walt, sophomore biochemistry major, plays keyboard and auxiliary percussion for Chasing Edom. Walt said the band is looking forward to performing.

“We are all very excited to open for a high-caliber musician,” Walt said. “I think free live music on campus is awesome, especially when the headlining band is one of the top upcoming indie-folk artists around right now.”

Thomas said he is expecting about 3,000 people this year and he is hopeful that the event will continue to grow each year. For more information, students can follow @MSU_IslandParty on Twitter.

9 LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT

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“Dracula” Lyceum Series presents "Dracula" Performed by L.A. Theatre Works October 20 at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium Tickets free for students with MSU ID in Center of Student Activities, $25 for non-students Bek Yake, The Reflector

PUBLIC EDUCATION IS PRIORITY #1 • Fully Funding K-12 public schools • • Better Schools for our Children Expanded community college job training • Healthcare programsthat is Affordable and Close to Home • • Fighting for our Seniors and Veterans Strengthening the state-sponsored college • Supporting Higher Education savings plan • • Better Jobs through Economic Development Making university tuition more affordable

• Community Revitalization

I ask for your vote on November 3rd so I can work hard for the families of Senate District 15.

-Cecil Simmons

WORKING TOGETHER, WE ALL WIN!

VOTE NOVEMBER 3RD Paid for byPaid Cecil Simmons Political

The meaning of Homecoming: MSU Alumni return to campus

by Erin Hayden Contributing Writer

Homecoming is officially upon us, but sometimes students are confused about what the annual tradition actually means.

Homecoming is a time when Bulldogs from near and far travel back home to their beloved Mississippi State University. MSU alumni return to brush shoulders with their fellow graduates and the university offers several departmental parties to aid in this.

Jojo Dodd, senior economics major and president of the Student Association, said he believes Homecoming is a time for students and alumni to mingle and an opportunity to receive insight from people who have already gone through the MSU college experience.

“As a first year student, I recall running into an elderly man standing in the Junction with his cowbell.

It seemed quite old, so I asked him about it. The cowbell, he claimed, was a cowbell from his time as a student here over 50 years ago,” Dodd said. “He stood there with his intricately carved maroon cane, and his great-grandson dressed in the gaudiest of maroon outfits. I remarked to myself how special this place must have been for him to care so much and to continue to come home and share it with others. That is a

Homecoming moment that I will never forget.”

Sid Salter, head of the Office of Public Affairs and MSU alumni, said he is looking forward to this weekend.

“I’m looking forward to the football game. The

friends and classmates,” Salter said. “I enjoy meeting their families. It’s a very special time in the life of the university.”

Homecomingisessentially a time to appreciate MSU’s positive impact throughout the years and connect

“As a first year student, I recall running into an elderly man standing in the Junction with his cowbell. It seemed quite old, so I asked him about it. The cowbell, he claimed, was a cowbell from his time as a student here over 50 years ago.”

-JoJo Dodd, SA President Louisiana Tech team is pretty tough this year and winning the game is pivotal to having a good season,” Salter said.

“I’m also looking forward to the event honoring Dr. Richard Holmes, MSU’s first African-American student.”

Salter said Homecoming is a wonderful time for alumni and friends of the university to return to campus and see how it has progressed over the years.

“Personally, I enjoy Homecoming because of the opportunity it provides to renew friendships and relationships with MSU

with fellow Bulldogs.

Students can participate in Homecoming events such as the Homecoming parade tonight at 5:30 p.m. taking place through downtown and campus.

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SPORTS

THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

MOST IMPRESSIVE 5-0 START? Cincinnati Bengals

by Dimerious Townsend

Dimerious Townsend is a sophomore majoring in sports communication. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@gmail.com.

With all the hype circling college football, most people who are not playing fantasy football probably have not taken an interest in the NFL season this far.

With it being only week six, there have been a few shocking developments in the season so far.

For example, Seattle is starting to look like the old Seahawks again and New England is undefeated and is starting to resemble the undefeated 2007 team.

Some teams are undefeated but are not making a big impact such as the Broncos. Even the Panthers and Falcons look good right now in the youth of a long football season. That is especially surprising considering they both had difficulties last year.

The most surprising

start of the season in the NFL is the Cincinnati Bengals. With newly paid quarterback, Andy Dalton, and young, versatile wide receiver A.J. Green, this duo looks promising. Also, tight end Tyler Eifert is looking like the Cincinnati Bengals’ edition of Rob Gronkowski for the New England Patriots.

If you have Andy Dalton or A.J. Green in your fantasy lineup, then you should already know what kind of season they are having. Dalton has thrown

by Dalton Middleton Dalton has been in the league for five years and his lack of playoff victories has been a consistent knock on his game. In fact, Andy Dalton has led the Bengals to the playoffs every year since he took the helm but has been unable to close the deal.

It will be interesting to see how the season continues, with the usual playoff staples like the Seahawks and 49ers not producing. There is still much of the season left and it is definitely way too early

“Andy Dalton has been in the league for five years and his lack of playoff victories has been a consistent knock on his game.” over 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and only accounted for two interceptions. That is a major improvement from last season, but the question is, can he finish the year like that?

The Bengals are infamously known for having a terrific regular season but not having the same success in the playoffs.

Atlanta Falcons

to tell which teams will face off in the Super Bowl.

Still an early start is crucial to success in the NFL, as injuries could plague a team any given week. It is important to see who is doing well so far in the season so fans will have a good estimation of who will square off in Santa Clara, California, in February for Super Bowl 50.

Dalton Middleton is a junior majoring communication with an emphasis in journalism. He can be contacted at reflectorsports@ gmail.com.

Entering week six of the NFL, there are six undefeated teams, setting a record for the most undefeated teams this deep into the season in NFL history. A few of the teams are far less surprising than the others, and that group includes the Patriots, Packers and Broncos who are all led by the top quarterbacks(Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady) in the league.

There are three surprise teams in the group of the undefeated, with two of them coming out of what some NFL fans would say was the worst division last season, the NFC South.

The Falcons, Panthers and Bengals are the undefeated teams that not many people outside of their own fan bases would have predicted would be in this position.

The Falcons have been the most impressive team in the

NFL, as they have pulled out some close victories while also managing to blow out the Houston Texans 48-21.

There are some major factors in the way the Falcons have been so successful.

Matt Ryan is the first factor.

Ryan is a monster and one of the most efficient quarter backs in the league. The duo between him and Falcons’

ranked 26th in the NFL last year, but Jake Matthews is healthy at left tackle this year finally and leading them. The Falcons have made some much needed changes in the interior section of the line.

As of right now, the offensive line is ranked number one in the NFL. Atlanta’s defense has also been a stabilizing factor in

“Atlanta’s offensive line was ranked

No. 26 in the NFL last year, but Jake Matthews is healthy at left tackle this year and finally leading them.” offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who is the second factor, is unbelievable.

Ryan has shined this year in Shanahan’s system throwing for over 1400 yards through five games and six touchdowns. The rushing statistics have also been great, with 630 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Ryan is an elite franchise quarterback and since he entered the league in 2008, he is first in the NFL to register 30 game winning drives.

The offensive line has also been a huge factor in the success of the Falcons.

Atlanta’s offensive line was

their hot start this season.

The defensive backs have given up over 1400 yards, but they have intercepted the ball six times, which is as many times as they have allowed scores. Rushing wise they have only allowed 392 yards, but teams have mostly been passing while playing from behind.

The Falcons have been very dominant so far this season, and that has shown in their 5-0 start. A season after the team finished third in the NFC South with a 6-10 record, they look poised to capture the division crown.

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SPORTS

11 THE REFLECTOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2015

Mississippi State football midseason review Taylor Rayburn is a freshman majoring in communication with an emphasis in broadcast journalism.

He can be contacted at reflectorsports@ gmail.com.

The Mississippi State football team began the 2015 season with several unanswered questions.

Many wondered how star running back Josh Robinson would be replaced and even more wondered how the offensive line would fare heading into the season.

With half of the college season in the books those questions and more have been answered. However, some fans may be unhappy with the answers.

Being at the mid-way point of the season, and knowing that students just got done with mid-terms, it would be a great time to give out midterm grades for football.

Run Offense: DAt the beginning of the year people asked who would fill in for Robinson, but no one at the running back position has stepped up. So far no running back on the roster has over 160 total rushing yards. Between the loss of Robinson and having new starters all over

the offensive line MSU has struggled to get a run game going. After averaging 233 rushing yards per game last year, MSU’s production has dropped off this season as they are only averaging 150 rushing yards a game, which ranks 91st in the country.

The only saving grace is Dak Prescott who leads the team with 220 yards rushing.

Passing Offense: A Where the run game has fallen off, the pass game has picked up the pace.

Dak Prescott has played phenomenally this season, completing 64.8 percent of his passes, Prescott has 1353 total passing yards and has eight touchdowns. But most importantly he has thrown zero interceptions.

Not only is MSU getting a lot of production out of the passing game, they are getting it from all over the field. Six MSU players have over 100 receiving yards and they are led by Fred Ross who has 386 yards on 35 catches. In touchdowns MSU is led by De’Runnya Wilson, who has 348 yards and three touchdowns.

The grade would be a little higher if not for some drops early on in the season. Part of the production can be attributed to pass protection as Dak has only been sacked seven times this year. Now without a running game, MSU has had do something they have never really done before, and that is be a pass first team.

Rush Defense: B

MSU has given up 1021 total rushing yards this season. At first glance that appears quite bad, however, when you look at the full picture it is not as bad as it may seem. MSU has been run against 274 times, that is the fifth most in the country.

They are holding teams to 3.7 yards a carry, good for 44th in the country. They also are holding teams in the redzone. Other teams have been in the redzone 21 times, however, of those 21 times they have only scored five rushing touchdowns.

So, while teams are getting scoring opportunities, the defense has stepped up when it matter.

PassDefense: B+ Since its troubles last season, MSU has greatly improved in pass defense.

MSU ranks in the top half of college football in pass defense and are holding teams to an average of 190.8 yards a game. MSU also is averaging over two sacks a game and is forcing quick decisions by opposing QBs. It helps when you have linebackers who can cover the ball, like Richie Brown and Beniquez Brown.

Both the Browns have one interception on the year, and Beniquez leads the team in passes defended. Giving MSU a top to bottom solid pass defense from the Defensive Line all the way back to the Safeties.

Noah Siano| The Reflector

Redshirt freshmen running back Nick Fitzgerald hands the ball off to a running back during last week’s home game against Troy.

Special Teams: A After being the weakest part of the team for most of Mullen’s tenure, special teams has been a strength this season. Already having two return touchdowns

this season, Fred Ross is averaging 10.45 yards per punt return and Brandon Holloway is averaging 29.42 yards a kick return. Kicking the football Westin Graves is a perfect 7-7, however, Devon Bell’s miss against LSU is what is holding

them back from an “A+” grade. Punting the ball, Logan Cooke is averaging just over 40 yards a punt and has pinned teams inside their own twenty yard line seven times, making this a strength the Bulldogs can rely on.

12

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