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Reflector The

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM 125TH YEAR | ISSUE 26

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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Forums on tobacco policy allow for Q&A, Dawgs to aid in making decision on smoking ban play Wildcats

in Gator Bowl

BY KRISTEN SPINK Sports Editor

Gator Bowl president Rick Catlett made the announcement Sunday night in a teleconference, “On behalf of the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, I’d like to extend an invitation to Northwestern University to play Mississippi State University in the Jan. 1, 12 p.m. Gator Bowl.”

Once Jim Phillips, Northwestern vice president for athletics and recreation, accepted the invitation for Northwestern, MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin followed suit.

Two years ago, No. 21 MSU faced Michigan in the Gator Bowl and dominated the Wolverines 5214. This year, in MSU’s third consecutive bowl appearance, the Dogs will face No. 21 Northwestern in its fifth consecutive bowl game.

Whereas MSU’s five-game bowl win streak ties Rutgers for the longest active bowl winning streak, Northwestern’s nine-game bowl losing streak is the longest in FBS history.

Both Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald and MSU head coach Dan Mullen said they are taking the next few weeks to get young players extra practice time.

Fitzgerald said although the Wildcat senior class is the winningest senior class in the history of the program, his team is young and exciting to watch.

“We’ll take the early part of this month to really focus on our young players and almost look at it as a first spring practice for them, and then as we get closer to game week, we’ll obviously shift our focus to more game plan,” Fitzgerald said. “We will use this time to improve our program.”

For MSU, only eight current starters and 22 players total were on State’s roster when the Dogs made their last appearance in the Gator Bowl. Many of the key players on this year’s team were on the sidelines as redshirts when the Dogs defeated the Wolverines two years ago.

Mullen said he plans to implement the same schedule as two years ago and playing a team for the first time will be a challenge but a special opportunity.

BY HILLARY LAPLATNEY Staff Writer

Last week, Mississippi State University held two open forums regarding the proposed tobacco policy designed to eventually make MSU’s campus completely tobacco-free.

Bill Kibler, vice president of Student Affairs, was one of the speakers at the open forums.

Kibler said approximately 30 people came to each session.

“It was hard to know what to expect, but we were pleased with the turnout,” Kibler said. “Both forums had plenty of discussion.”

Kibler said there was a variety of questions, answers and conversation made by the audience about the proposal.

He said questions ranged from specific inquiries about the proposal to the outcome of a poll sent to MSU students, faculty and staff last spring.

SEE FORUM, 2

SEE GATOR BOWL, 8

Campus makes Parking Services designs app to changes for ease on-campus parking woes exam week ZACK ORSBORN | THE REFLECTOR

BY CANDACE BARNETTE Copy Editor

For anyone having trouble parking on Mississippi State University’s campus, the answer might be found at the push of a button.

Many students like Casie Mahalitc, senior business management major, agree finding a parking spot takes plenty of time and searching.

“You have to get here at least 30 minutes early to park at least, if not more. And it’s always ride around, ride around, ride around

and you finally find somewhere,” Mahalitc said.

Some students such as senior business management major Bailey Ivey said is often only found at the expense of being tardy. Ivey said he frequently ends up being late for class with a ticket to add to his stress.

“A lot of times I’ll park in the dorms, and sometimes you’ll get tickets,” he said. “Sometimes, you know, 10 to 15 minutes I’ll look for a spot and then just sacrifice and be late for class. It’s unfortunate, but I’d rather be late than not go at all.”

Mike Harris, director of Parking Services, said his team is aware of the difficulties students face finding a place to park and has had a plan in the works for the past eight months to alleviate some of that stress.

MSU’s Parking Services now offers a new app for smartphone users to see which parking lots are full before they reach campus.

Harris said the app is an easy way to view any lot’s parking availability at any given time to know whether it is worth going into beforehand.

“The students appreciate it be-

cause they don’t waste their time going into a lot that’s already full, and it’ll basically steer you into a lot where there’s available parking, thus saving you time and frustration,” he said.

The app, Parker by Streetline, Inc., can be downloaded free by both iPhone and Android users.

The app uses color-icons above a map of the lots on campus to show how many parking spots are available.

A green icon indicates plenty of spaces are available, blue indicates some spaces are available and red indicates the lot is full.

SEE APP, 2

Left: Parker

by Streetline, Inc. will be available to iPhone and Android users to assist them when looking for a parking spot on-campus.

BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN Staff Writer

As the fall semester draws to a close, final exams will be at the forefront of student life.

To coincide with students’ end-of-semester mindsets, changes in study spots, campus eateries and residence halls will be made.

One of these changes will be Broyles different operating hours for campus eateries.

Bill Broyles, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, said the Colvard Student Union food court and Einstein Bros. Bagel Company in the Mitchell Memorial Library have extended their hours to accommodate students who are studying late.

“Starbucks in the Colvard Student Union, and Einstein’s in the library will be open until midnight on Sunday, Dec. 9 through Tuesday, Dec. 11,” Broyles said. “We will have free coffee outside Einstein’s after midnight, until it is gone, for those very late-night studiers.”

Subway will be closed beginning Dec. 5.

“We have to do some utility infrastructure work in Perry that will require us to close Subway. We are doing it before the holidays to ensure that we are complete prior to school reopening in January,” Broyles said. “We regret that we have to close this popular campus restaurant, but the utility work must be done and we feel this time period causes the least inconvenience for our customers.”

Along with the Student Association, the Marketplace at Perry will host the Pajama Jam. SEE EXAMS, 2

JAY JOHNSON | THE REFLECTOR

Editor’s note: This is the last issue of The Reflector of this semester. The Reflector will begin printing again on Jan. 11.

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TUESDAY , DECEMBER 4 , 2012

FORUM McMillen said there was confusion regarding what the polls meant.

“We did a faculty and staff vote using a secure online system,” McMillen said. “It was sent to every single faculty and staff member.”

McMillen said participants were given three options from which to choose regarding the policy. Contributors could choose to vote in favor of making no changes to the policy, in favor of changing the policy to limit the designated smoking areas or in favor of eradicating tobacco completely.

McMillen clarified although the majority of participants voted in favor of changing the policy, there was not a large number of participants.

Kibler said there were questions concerning the overall changes which have been made regarding tobacco use on campus. He said he considers the current proposal to be the “next step” in a 30-year evolution to eradicate tobacco use on campus.

“Knowing that (the change) affects a lot of people, we have been very deliberate about getting feedback from as many people as we can to be sure we’re considering all viewpoints before submitting the final proposal,” Kibler said.

Sarah O’Quinn, junior biological sciences major, said she agrees with MSU’s plan to become a tobacco-free campus.

“I don’t like the fact that smoking is allowed

APP

Harris said the parking lots are checked every 30 minutes by the same Parking Service ticketers who check for parking violations. They report back by radio every 30 minutes with the number of empty parking spots in each area.

Sean Pratt, marketing specialist for Streetline, Inc., said there are currently three options for updating the lots’ availability to the app. MSU uses the manual update.

“Using ParkEdge, a parking provider can add their facilities and then manually adjust the parking availability using the ParkEdge web portal,” Pratt said.

Parking Services previously launched a shuttle GPS app to help student transit on and off campus. According to Harris, with the use of the shuttle GPS app currently reaching anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 people per week, Parking Services expects to see similar interest in the Parker app soon, as well.

“That’s where they (students) get their infor-

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continued from 1 on campus,” O’Quinn said. “It has been proven that secondhand smoke is harmful. In certain areas, people are smoking where I can’t avoid walking right by them. I hate walking into clouds of smoke.”

David Bond, junior civil engineering major, said he disagrees with the policy.

“In my opinion, if you are over 18 years old, you should be able to use tobacco anywhere that will not harm another individual,” Bond said.

“If (a smoker) is outside and away from the entrances to buildings, then they should be allowed to smoke. If someone else doesn’t like it, they can simply not walk beside (the smoker).”

To show the difference a tobacco-free policy can make, McMillen referred to studies done at the Indiana University and Purdue University.

The two universities are similar in student body and in region, but Indiana went tobacco-free in 2008, whereas Purdue did not.

The study looked at students both before and after the policy took place at Indiana University. There was a drop in Indiana students who were smokers, but no change in Purdue students smokers.

“The results of the study would suggest that by changing the tobacco policy, we can reduce the number of students who graduate addicted to a substance that could very likely kill them,” McMillen said.

Kibler said the plan is for MSU to be completely tobacco-free by August 2014.

continued from 1 mation. We certainly want to embrace that as much as we can and become part of that because it’s all about creating that stability and advances and convenience of having those things right in your smartphone,” he said. “We want to take advantage of that as much as we can to give that information to our students in a way that they receive it.”

Parker does not limit users to Starkville, though. Once downloaded, the user can check parking availability in cities, parking garages, lots, airports and colleges all over the country.

Harris said MSU Parking Services decided to give it a try after the positive feedback from other universities using it, such as Auburn.

Pratt said MSU is one of 10 universities using the app, but that number is expected to increase by 2013.

To download Parker, students can search the app store or scan the QR code on many of the parking meters found around campus.

JAY JOHNSON | THE REFLECTOR

Mitchell Memorial Library changed its operating hours to accommodate students’ preparation for finals.

EXAMS

On Dec. 10, students will be offered a breakfast dining option from 8-10 p.m.

“There will be a DJ and other entertainment to offer students an opportunity to take a break from their studies and to enjoy time with friends,” Broyles said.

He said with the increasing stress of exams and final grades, he hopes students keep eating habits in mind.

“We hope that students will maintain a healthy diet during exam week because we want them to be at their academic best. We will be ready to take care of them,” Broyles said.

As final grades and final exams approach, students utilize many ways to help keep anxiety levels at a minimum.

Studying can be the most important factor in limiting stress. The Mitchell Memorial Library will be open 24 hours from Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. to Dec. 13 at 4:45 p.m.

Landry McMillan, senior

continued from 1 marketing major, said avoiding all-nighters and studying a good amount of time prior to the night before an exam are best for students looking to steer clear of stress.

“You’ll just have to think of other things to tweet about besides being in the library and how much coffee you’ve had and how many hours you’ve been awake, like everyone else,” McMillan said.

Lana Johns, professor of music, said pulling an all-nighter is not wise.

“Get your sleep. Pulling an ‘all-nighter’ generally ends in disaster. Your brain/body needs time to process and recuperate,” Johns said. “If you cheat it of this time you are asking for a huge ‘brain dump’ right before the exam. Even if you only get four or five hours of sleep, that’s much better than nothing. “ She also advised students to focus on study materials and not other activities but breaks should be taken regularly.

“You cannot study continuously. Take breaks, healthy ones, like a walk in the fresh air, a short workout at the gym, or just a quick snack or beverage with a friend. Then get right back to work,” Johns said.

“Things that were difficult before will magically seem to now have answers.”

The end of the semester also brings residence hall closings.

Residence halls will be closed on Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. and will be reopened on Jan. 4 at 2 p.m.

Hannah James, freshman elementary education major, said she has to clean out her dorm room fridge and unplug it.

Her residence adviser also has to check the room and swipe her student ID so she cannot get back into the hall until it reopens.

“I’m fine with my dorm being closed for that long, but I sure hope I don’t forget anything,” James said.

Final exams are from Dec. 7-13 and December 5-6 are reading days.

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Thursday, November 29 jana carter | the reflector

Mississippi State University professor Joan Mylroie has taught at MSU since 1996 and said she plans to retire in August.

Professor relates experiences to class

By Alie DAlee Staff Writer

The plane begins to descend into Fais, a small island belonging to the Federated States of Micronesia, in the Western Pacific.

Instead of typical emergency instructions, prayer tracks can be found in the backs of passengers’ seats.

What many would call the adventure of a lifetime is a typical field study for Mississippi State University world geography professor Joan Mylroie.

“In the back pocket, (of the seats) instead of a safety guide featuring in case of fire, etc., there was a prayer track explaining ‘pray this way.’ It was a little bit different,” Mylroie said, laughing.

Mylroie, a first-generation American from a Norwegian family, was brought up in a multi-cultural New Jersey town with many first generation Americans. Mylroie said she was frequently around bilingual families.

The melting pot environment Mylroie said first brought to her attention the plethora of cultures to be discovered.

Mylroie studied biology and science education at Syracuse University in New York. There she met her husband John Mylroie, a fellow MSU professor of geology. The pair tackle their field work as a duo, and Mylroie said they have been to at least 30 countries and just as many islands.

Mylroie said many of her most memorable experiences took place during her travels to Fais Island. On one such trip Mylroie said she was greeted at the landing with wheelbarrows because there were no cars on the island and very few bicycles. Mylroie said it was one of the most amazing places.

The community lives off of subsistence agriculture, and Mylroie said dinner was always a surprise.

“They would serve us dinner, and I would think I have seen that swimming in the ocean, but I never realized anyone would ever eat that fish. And some days we would get vegetables, and I would look and it would look like a genuine tree branch,” Mylroie said.

Mylroie said her experience gives her a distinct appreciation for being an American citizen.

“It just makes you realize how lucky we are in the United States, even in the poorer states. Our standard of living is just so amazingly good compared to other parts of the world. Our freedom, our democracy, our system,” Mylroie said.

John Mylroie said their field work is an aspect of their profession, but it also happens to correlate well with the topics Mylroie teaches in her world geography class.

“It’s clear how she uses costumes and displays and plays music that she

is highly committed to successful instruction,” Mylroie said.

To paint a picture of his wife’s personality, John Mylroie explains how she obtained the outfit she wore during the interview.

“We were at a Geological Society of America meeting, and we were at the part of the meeting that is a poster session. There was an African man from Burkina Faso. She was talking to him, and then I see cash exchanging hands.

About six weeks later in the mail arrived that costume,” John Mylroie said.

John Mylroie said it is this intellectual awareness that keeps his wife intentionally thinking how to better enable her students’ understanding.

Joan Mylroie has been teaching at MSU since 1996 and said she is planning to retire in August.

She took a moment to reflect on past field studies incorporating students.

“A lot of the students I’ve done research with over the years are like a part of my family,” Joan Mylroie said.

John Mylroie doubted if his wife had acknowledged she was honored at MSU as the 2003-2004 most outstanding female faculty member.

“No, she wouldn’t tell you. She is a proven, serious, capable intellectual.

She’s a classic,” John Mylroie said.

• 3:34 p.m. A resident of Starkville was arrested off campus for possession of a stolen motorcycle.

• 9:04 p.m. A student reported a weapon violation at Sessums Hall.

• 10:48 p.m. A student was arrested for possession of a weapon on a college campus.

Saturday, December 1 • 1:05 a.m. A resident adviser reported a female subject causing a disturbance in the lobby of Critz Hall.

• 1:15 p.m. A student was struck by a vehicle when crossing the crosswalk on Herbert Road. The subject was transported to OCH by a friend.

• 4:01 p.m. A resident adviser reported a non-criminal fire in Rice Hall.

• 5:36 p.m. A resident adviser reported someone put hot coals in the trash can outside of Cresswell Hall.

• 11:42 p.m. Bully Patrol reported a vehicle struck a sign on the west side of Oak Hall.

Sunday, December 2 • 1:44 a.m. A student was arrested in Starkville for public drunkenness.

• 1:56 a.m. A student was issued a student referral for being intoxicated in Oak Hall. The subject was transported to OCH. • 2:04 a.m. A student fell down the stairs in Hull Hall. The subject was transported to OCH by a friend.

• 3:24 a.m. A student was arrested on Stone Boulevard for driving under the influence.

• 12:24 p.m. A student was arrested for possession of marijuana in a vehicle in the Zacharias Village parking lot.

• 8:42 p.m. A resident adviser reported a threatening note left on his door in Evans Hall.

Citations:

• 3 citations were issued for speeding.

• 6 citations were issued for driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

• 2 citations were issued for disregard of a traffic device.

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TUESDAY , DECEMBER 4, 2012

OPINION

THE REFLECTOR

the voice of MSU students

ONE LITTLE SPARK | WHITNEY KNIGHT

EVERYBODY NEEDS TO CALM DOWN | ZACK ORSBORN

I

I

Opinions can change, maturity t’s that time of year again fusing. College means change. when we all sit down and It’s a time to try on different watch a blockhead and identities and try to see the a kid with a blanket and a world through others’ points lisp try to save Christmas. “A of view.

That can be hard when Charlie Brown Christmas” will be on our televisions on you are afraid if you change one channel or another for the your mind you will be called next month, and that got me “wishy-washy” and others will thinking about everyone’s fa- look down on you.

In science, the term “flipvorite round-headed kid and the insult that is most often flop” does not always have heard in relation to him. Lucy such a negative connotation. and company never seem to New evidence comes out, scilet a chance go by to call good entist reads it, scientist flipol’ Charlie Brown “wishy- flops on her former viewpoint washy.” And with the election and everyone is okay with just past, I can’t help but think that. Why can’t it work that Lucy and the media have a lot way in everyday life?

If I held one viewpoint, in common. Nothing means death to a politician more but then I grew or changed or than being called a “flip-flop- met someone new or simply spent a lot of time researching per.”

Now, I understand when and changed my mind, why should I not you elect an praised official to College means change. be for my search office, you It’s a time to try on for knowlwant to make sure he does different identities and edge rather than booed what he says try to see the world as being inhe will. I just through others’ points c o n s i s t e n t ? don’t underI would like stand why of view.” to feel proud that seems to mean he has to have had the of my growth, rather than same opinions about issues for ashamed I could change.

Give me a wishy-washy his entire career.

To the contrary, I would friend any day over a friend hope a politician might who refuses to ever change change his stance on issues her mind or consider another depending on the needs of the point of view.

After all, what’s the fun of people he is serving.

And as we see with Charlie having a friend if you can’t arBrown, the negative conno- gue him over to your point of tations attached to a person view? (I’m kidding, of course; who simply changes his or her there are plenty more reasons mind does not stop with pol- to have friends: birthday gifts, itics. For some reason, we as a for one.) But in all serioussociety condemn our fellows ness, being unwaveringly defor changing their opinions. voted to your point of view For students, that can be con- does not necessarily make

“

WHITNEY KNIGHT Whitney Knight is a junior majoring in English education.

She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu. you a better person. Trying to see the world from other people’s perspectives and learning to see different sides of an issue makes you a good person.

Being compassionate and considerate of others should be a good quality, not something that makes you “wishywashy.”

Even in politics, I would rather know my elected official is constantly thinks about his or her policies, challenging and perfecting them, than simply picking a side and sticking loyally beside it throughout his or her entire life.

Though changing policy can often be a sign a new election is coming up, I like to believe in the possibility politicians are thinking about the issues from as many sides as possible and trying their best to make decisions that will benefit the most people.

So that’s what I want for Christmas. For people to think deeply and widely about topics they care about, and for society to support them if that happens to bring about a change in their opinions. Because that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Body image should not forgo happiness ’m going to come right out, and say it: I’m chubby, y’all. I know, I know.

Shocking. But not as shocking as what I look like in a cardigan.

From the time I entered into the cut-throat jungle of elementary school until now, I’ve always had a little extra.

From writing cursive to typing this article with chicken nugget fingers, I’ve been a slightly cooked marshmallow with a knack for not fitting in T-shirts from Old Navy.

Sort of like what Annie said, it’s a hard-knock life for us chubby people.

I can’t even walk up the stairs without feeling like I have diabetes. I can’t even look at water without imagining guzzling down a sugary Coke. My kidneys are murdered, guys. Murdered.

Guys, I’m so chubby I am physically attracted to my food. Like, singing-“A Moment Like This”-by-Kelly Clarkson-to-a-plate-of-macand-cheese attracted.

I like to make my food feel special. Build up its self-esteem. Take it out to dinner and a movie. Write cheesy poetry about the stars and the moon. And if my food ever asks, “Do I look fat in this bun?” I always give a reassuring answer of love and devotion.

Because I know in return, it’ll make me feel like the only boy in the world.

At first, I was always insecure about looking like a premature Michelin man.

Getting invited to swimming parties, am I right? Yes, I admit, I was that guy who wore

a T-shirt into the pool, who dipped his toes into the pool, lying about how cold it was. It was never cold. Never.

But as time went on (and the hell that is middle school ended), I began to love my chub for what it was.

ZACK ORSBORN The only reason I couldn’t was due to all the expecta- Zack Orsborn is the life tions a “normal” male had to editor at The Reflector. He fit. Play football. Lift some can be contacted at opinion@ weights. reflector.msstate.edu.

Throw back some protein shakes (I drank Slim Fast “I would rather be fat and one time. Does that count?) happy than be skinny and Instead of joining in that tes- sad.” By no means am I hattosterone-fest, I read books, ing on skinny people.

If you’re happy, I am happy. watched television and became close acquaintances with And it should be vice versa.

Chester Cheeto who may or If I’m skipping and whistling may not be on my speed dial. my way to Taco Bell to gorge I’ll never forget the time myself with multiple 5-layer burritos, this girl in you should my fourth Guys, I’m so chubby I grade class be happy am physically attracted that I am told me to wear a bra. to my food. Like, singing happy. I Either she don’t think ‘A Moment Like This’ was just you realize

by Kelly Clarkson to a jealous of how happy my curves plate of mac and cheese I get. Gobecause she ing to the attracted.” didn’t have gym makes any, or she me very was just being a cruel child sad. Spiraling depression sad. just like every other child that So, if you are chubby, love is cruel. yourself.

Even though that was so Look in the mirror, and say, long ago, I carried that com- “That’s right. I know I look ment with me for a long time. good,” while holding your I became an expert at crossing head and man boobs high. my arms and standing a cerDon’t be paranoid everyone tain way. on campus is staring at you I would wear hoodies in on the verge of screaming in 100 degree weather even after horror. my mom threatened to quit Because they aren’t. Do buying honey buns if I didn’t what I do. Sit in your car, and take it off. That was the hard- happily sing-cry to Christina est dilemma of my life.

Aguilera’s “Beautiful.” Works To quote a brilliant person, every time.

“

FIRST IMPRESSIONS | JULIA V. PENDLEY

Do not become pressured into marriage from society, others

T

his semester has been quite the journey, a metamorphosis of sorts. As a senior, I had to pull together a whole new life. All my closest friends were older than me and had graduated; my best friend moved three hours away to go to PT school.

But scarier than facing this semester without her was facing it single.

You see, until June, I was engaged. Yeah, I was one of those girls – the sorority girl finding it necessary to put a ring on it before graduation.

Growing up, I had always wanted to fit in just a little bit too much, sacrificing what I really wanted just to do whatever the “correct,” “proper” or “cool” thing was.

Somehow, probably some-

time during one of the hundreds of rom-coms I watched, I got into my head the ultimate “it” thing was to meet someone, fall in love and get married.

It took almost getting married to realize I couldn’t sacrifice what I wanted just to walk down the “right” path of life.

What made it hardest was my fiancé really was a good guy; he just wasn’t right for me.

He had fallen victim to the trap society and I had set.

I’m not the only girl out there who has thought this way. People joke about girls getting their “Mrs.” degree, but the need to get married is so strong in people they will make sacrifices just to get one.

My point here isn’t to prove

The

Reflector Editor in Chief Hannah Rogers

Managing Editor Kaitlyn Byrne

Life Editor Zack Orsborn

Multimedia Editor Eric Evans Sports Editor Kristen Spink

Campus News Editor John Galatas

Photography Editor Jay Johnson

Copy Editor Candace Barnette

News Editor Emma Crawford

Opinion Editor Mary Chase Breedlove Copy Editor Rachel Burke

CONTACT INFORMATION

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor in Chief/Hannah Rogers

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.

325-7905 editor@reflector.msstate.edu Managing Editor/Kaitlyn Byrne 325-8991 managing@reflector.msstate.edu News Editor/Emma Crawford 325-8819 news@reflector.msstate.edu News tips/John Galatas 325-7906 news@reflector.msstate.edu Opinion Editor/Mary Chase Breedlove opinion@reflector.msstate.edu Sports Editor/Kristen Spink 325-5118 sports@reflector.msstate.edu Life Editor/Zack Orsborn 325-8883 life@reflector.msstate.edu Photography Editor/Jay Johnson 325-1584 photo@reflector.msstate.edu Advertising sales/Julia Pendley 325-7907 advertise@reflector.msstate.edu

CORRECTIONS

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.

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.

people in their 20s are too This summer, I took part in young to get married. If you a summer abroad trip and sat truly love someone and know next to a girl, who was on the without a doubt you want trip with me, on a two-hour to spend the rest of your life plane ride from Memphis to with them, you should not Detroit without much more wait. than minimal small talk.

However, if you do in fact I’m sure at the time, she graduate single, life will go thought I was the weirdest on. If you are in a relationship most anti-social person ever. now because you’re afraid of Now, almost five months being alone, I later, she’s one promise, you Sometimes, you don’t of my closest won’t be.

If we know you are making friends.

People on can get over a mistake until you’re my shyness, this campus, your classno matter told.” mates and who you are, peers, are so varied that you you will meet friends. will find a group of friends. If Being single definitely has you put yourself out there, it’s its benefits. I have met more not that hard to make friends. people in the past six months Trust me, I’m a very shy per- than I had in the entire year son, and even I have managed before that. I have done a to find friends. lot more than sitting on my

“

couch watching TV, but most importantly, I’ve had fun.

I’ve lived those fantastically hilarious stories that I know I will retell over and over again. Laughing just as hard the hundredth time as I did the first.

Even if you are in a very happy committed relationship, even if you know you are not settling, listen to me when I say make sure none of your friends fall into this mode.

Trust me, the more “settled down” friends a girl has, the more likely she will feel the need to follow suit, and a simple true phrase from a close friend can save her.

Sometimes, you don’t know you are making a mistake until you’re told. It took my childhood friend, pointing

JULIA V. PENDLEY Juila V. Pendley is the ad manager for The Reflector. She can be contacted at opinion@ reflector.msstate.edu. out the obvious for me to realize it. Also, knowing having a least one person’s support made everything else a little bit easier.

As my intermediate fiction professor likes to quote, Chris Rock once said “People say life’s short. It’s not; it’s long, and it’s really long if you’re with the wrong person.”

THE GOLDEN THREAD | WENDY MORELL

Leave comfort, loved ones behind; study abroad

S

ince I have been somewhat-chronicling my experience overseas this semester in Dublin, Ireland, I thought it only fit to tie up loose ends in the last Reflector of the semester. I wish you well on your exams; I wish you well because I have none. (I say as my maniacal laughter permeates through the room. Oh, gosh, that was loud.

I didn’t realize you were reading this in class.) Since I will be home snuggled around the Christmas fire in 11 days from this paper’s release, I (and all the other international students) are exempt from exams here; instead, we have one assignment per class to earn credit. While I can’t say this speaks true for all exchange programs, I have heard it is quite common.

I thought I would reflect on some of my moments while abroad, and encourage you to venture abroad as well. Disclaimer: I realize not everyone may have had an experience similar to mine, so I would like to emphasize that these opinions are based on my personal experience.

Although my family is from the northeast United States, (I’m pretty sure my mom just recently learned how to hug non-family members.) I was effectively raised in the deep South, aka southeastern Louisiana. Well, going from the warm comfort of

southern people (“Do you want some sweet tea? Are you sure?

Anything else for you? I could bake a cake?”) to the different European attitude was certainly a change. Example: When walking down the street and making accidental (or purposeful, you charming fellows) eye contact with a stranger, I have gathered it is customary in the South to share a friendly smile with that person.

Then, said stranger will return the smile. Well, not here. I don’t know if people can’t be bothered or they just think it’s weird, but I have given so many free smiles out here with nothing in return.

So then my innocent smile turns into a creepy smile. Appreciate all the smiles you are getting, people.

You don’t know how precious they are.

I was able to make one larger trip while here, and so happened my trip to Paris, France. In Paris, most people you encounter speak English, but they don’t really like to speak it. They like to make your life difficult, trying to squeeze any French out of you they can. (Seriously, French people, my French is non-existent. I would throw you a bone if I could.) Example: We had just gotten this amazing hot chocolate for takeaway (togo) several blocks away from the Eiffel Tower. The takeaway price was about a euro less per cup than

the dine-in cup. (It is very common here to charge significantly less for food/beverages you get togo in comparison to purchasing them for dine-in.) We left the café and sat our stuff down on an outside table to get out the map and figure out where we were going to head next. The French barista, who had been seemingly confused when we were asking her questions about ordering hot chocolate inside, came outside less than 60 seconds later and said, in clear English, “You can’t sit here. You ordered these drinks for takeaway, and that price is less than if you were going to drink them here.”

What this trip taught me how much we should all appreciate living in America. I have met so many people here who want to vacation to the States (when it is five times more expensive than flying to, say, Italy) or live in the States upon graduation. We do have so much diversity in terms of weather, terrain and culture.

And, we have Disney World! But good or bad, it is worth it to study abroad.

Whether it shows you a new place you consider another home or makes you appreciate the home you do have, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience. And, did I mention a study abroad program looks great on a resume?

Pretty much any employer will

WENDY MORELL Wendy Morell is a senior majoring in communication.

She can be contacted at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu. flat-out tell you seeing that experience on a resume will benefit you.

If a relationship with a significant other is holding you back, don’t let it.

If the person you are with doesn’t encourage self-discovery and exploration, he or she is probably not the person for you.

Working through a long-distance relationship for a short period of time will really show you if that relationship is meant to sink or swim. It strengthens parts of the relationship you may not have even realized needed strengthening.

There are a ton of scholarships that make studying abroad completely economically feasible, and if you have any other concerns or hesitations, just make an appointment with the Study Abroad Department today. They’ll be happy to help.

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

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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.

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WESLEY FOUNDATION Insight Bible study and worship on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at the Wesley Foundation Worship Center on East Lee. Boulevard next to Campus Book Mart.

ASSOCIATION The MSU Catholic Student Association invites you to join us for Sunday mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 607 University Dr. All are welcome to $2 Tuesday night dinner at 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ msstatecsa MSU STUDENT CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MICROBIOLOGY Contact msuasm@yahoo.com or like us on Facebook, “MSU ASM,” for membership information.

YOGA MOVES CLUB School or work stressing you out? Get moving into Yoga Moves! Try our moves to get into shape and our relaxation techniques to handle the stress. Yoga Moves meets at the Sanderson Center in Studio C, Thursday evenings 5 to 6:30. Like Yoga Moves Club-MSU on Facebook.

SOCIOLOGICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION The Sociological Student Association is based in the Department of Sociology.

Undergraduates of all ages are welcome.

Meetings are held the last Thursday of every month in Bowen Hall room 250 at 5 p.m.

STUDENTS FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS SSC meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. in McCool room 212. Come and meet really cool people who all share interests in saving the environment. Don’t forget to opt-in for the Green Fund.

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BULLETIN BOARD 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, pre-paid. Lost and found: found items can be listed for free; lost items are listed for standard ad cost.

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4 , 2012

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TUESDAY , DECEMBER 4, 2012

LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT DANIEL HART’S GUIDE TO CLASSIC

THE REFLECTOR

Christmas

BY DANIEL HART Staff Writer

Around Christmas time, whether anyone likes it or not, we get assaulted with a barrage of Christmas-related entertainment. Here are a few films, short and long, I would argue are absolute necessities. A bit taken for granted by this time, perhaps, but here is a guide to some holiday classics, from which 21st century Christmas specials could take a lesson or two.

“A Christmas Story” has a multitude of hallmarks that are regonized. Visually, unexpected images define the film: the golden, glowing leg lamp and a kid with his tongue frozen to a pole. The film is equally defined by its turns of phrase, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” TBS has run a marathon of the film for 24 hours straight, beginning on Christmas Eve for 15 years now; it’s a collection of anecdotes, often hilarious, that come together to define a very specific type of holiday in a very specific place and time period during a midwestern Great Depression Christmas.

And a confession: I own three leg lamps of different sizes.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is another Christmas comedy with absolutely wild characters and situations that create one big hyperbolic reel. The Grizwald family has enough strangeness, but when a multitude of

ENTERTAINMENT

ridiculous relatives journey to their home for Christmas, the holiday is cracked wide open.

Literal chaos ensues — squirrels terrorize, cats get electrocuted and the turkey is cooked so long it pops like a paper bag when cut.

The film may not be impeccably crafted, but when a little exaggeration is needed, this is the way to go; it may even serve to make time with one’s own family a little more appealing.

“Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2” are the stories we all wished we lived as kids (especially the sequel. Hello, New York!) and are still nearly as hilarious even as college students. Macaulay Culkin’s impossible obstacle courses put those two lame robbers through treacherous pitfalls, both comical and a little terrifying. I couldn’t watch the guy step on the nail in the first one for years as a kid, but the hotel hallway scene in the second one made up for it.

And, the pièce de résistance of Christmas television is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” This is not only my favorite piece of Christmas television, but it’s one of my favorite short films in existence. I could talk about this all season long. It’s a quiet thing.

Everyone should view it at least once, and if one has already seen it, it deserves another look from every soul with life. Quiet does by no means equate to boring. This makes the case for animation as an art form. The hand-drawn work is deceptively simple, with

its gorgeous washes of ink illustrating the world of a 1960s Christmas. The show encapsulates anyone’s questions of where the holiday has headed in the past 75 years or so, as Charlie Brown ponders the commercialism he sees around him. With the same question still being posed today, its relevance has not been lost, but perhaps become more relevant. The special is just like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree, not flashy or gaudy, but rife with heart and meaning.

It’s simple with deep questions that bring out uncomplicated answers. When the spotlight hits Linus and he begins to speak about the real meaning of Christmas, I get goosebumps every time.

There’s a type of Christmas film for just about everyone. It’s really about finding what Christmas means for each individual. That idea is out there in a Christmas special somewhere. Christmas movies and specials can also pull off something extraordinary at least in my family: bringing us all together, even with our disparate taste in movies, to spend the holiday enjoying time with each other.

For that couple of hours or so, anyway.

A Culinary Christmas: a butter cookie wreath recipe

BY CHRISTINE BOWMAN Staff Writer

There are a few staples that usually make an appearance during these bitter cold months, but there is a new Christmas cookie on the block, and it is easy to make if one takes it step by step.

The finished product of this quick recipe will be mini Christmas wreaths. This desert’s formula was uncovered from a cookbook entitled “Cookies! A Cookie Lover’s Collection,” written by the kitchens of Cy DeCosse Incorporated.

Basically, the baker is covering store bought butter cookies (flat and ring-shaped with the hole in the middle) with white chocolate. Then they get sprinkled with green sugar sprinkles while the chocolate is still melted. Red hots are then added on top to be “ornaments” and a piece of licorice can be tied into a little bow to put at the bottom of the cookie, before the chocolate hardens. (Keep in mind that the store sells white chocolate in the baking isle is designed for melting.) The finished treat is ready in seconds and people cannot get enough of these!

-8 oz. white chocolate or chocolate-flavored candy coating -1 teaspoon vegetable shortening (Crisco) -36 Butter cookies with hole in center -Green colored sugar - 36 Shoestring licorice (4 in pieces) -Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Santa’s List:

How to shop for your significant other

5. For the hard to shop for, thoughtfulness is key. A framed photo of the two of you or a personal coupon book containing things such FOR HIM: as, “good for one tank of gas” or “one free laun1. Wallets, watches and belts are a few men’s dry folding” will be sure to give him a little grin. accessories your gentleman will rarely think about replacing. Luggage is also something to FOR HER: keep in mind with this kind of fellow.

1. Some girls are known for having lengthy 2. For the boyfriend with a taste for the out- wish lists, but it is possible to make them hapdoors, consider trying the Northface Khumba py. Renaldo bracelets are a must-have this year. vest, Columbia Men’s Fast Trek II ½ zip fleece Ralph Lauren polo hats, Lilly Pulitzer phone pullover and any MSU Drake products. Smart- cases and Vineyard Vines make-up bags are also wool new classic rib socks and the Patagonia good options. lined beanie can keep your honey cozy for the 2. For the girlfriend with an adventurous holidays. side, consider getting her an eno, smartwool 3. The athlete will appreciate an Adidas Side- gleaming seedling socks or a winter scarf. line Swagger jacket from Campus BookMart or 3. Your sporty sweetheart can never have too a hat from The Lodge. An MSU banner could much Bulldog gear. MSU sweatshirts, Tervis fit in an apartment or dorm room quite nice- Tumblers and a sports watch are good ideas. ly while showing that Bulldog spirit. For most Pajamas are also a creative go-to. sportsmen, a girlfriend cannot go wrong with 4. Electronics for your sweetie may be pricanything maroon. ey, but they are worth the splurge. Bose head4. If the special man in your life has a tech phones, GPS systems, the Kindle Fire and the streak, help him expand his collection of video iPad Mini are at the top of the technology chart. games with some great new additions, includ- “Just Dance 4” is also a season favorite this year. ing “Assassin’s Creed III,” “Call of Duty Black 5. For the hard to shop for, try a candle. The Ops II” and “Halo 4.” Don’t forget the iPhone scent will soothe your boo-thing and help her 5. unwind from exams.

BY CHRISTINE BOWMAN Staff Writer

Columbus Seventh-day Adventist Church

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662-329-4311 Saturday Worship 9:30 am am 9:30

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Wednesday Prayer Meeting 6:30 pm

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SPORTS

REFLECTOR-ONLINE.COM

National championship to be closer than expected

T

lack of

BY AUSTIN CHANCE Staff Writer

FORREST BUCK Forrest Buck is a junior majoring in sport pedagogy.

He can be contacted at reflectorsports@gmail.com. running attack early and force the Irish offense to become one dimensional. Everett Golson is a young QB, and if Bama forces the Irish to throw more, the odds go up Golson will make mistakes.

Secondly, Bama must throw the ball effectively. Notre Dame possesses a great defense, but it is most vulnerable in the secondary.

If Bama can throw the ball down the field with success, it can loosen up the Notre Dame defense, making the run easier.

That was the approach the Tide used last year in the title game, and it really took the LSU defense by surprise.

Thirdly, Alabama must remain disciplined and contain Golson. Alabama has only lost three games the past three seasons, and those losses have one thing in common: the opposing team had a mobile QB. Ultimately, I believe Alabama is going to win this game. Offensively, the Tide is going to be able to attack the Notre Dame secondary. Also, Bama will be able to run more effectively than other teams Notre Dame has played.

Bama’s O-line does a great job of getting to the second level, and those guys will be able to use combo blocks to neutralize Notre Dame’s talented D-Line and then get up to their LBs and disrupt their pursuit.

Defensively, I think Bama will stop Notre Dame’s run game and force the Irish to throw, and I believe Golson will make mistakes and throw a couple of interceptions that will ultimately be the Irish undoing. I predict Alabama

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7

Thinning roster,

THE COACH’S CORNER | FORREST BUCK

his year’s BCS National Championship game will feature the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Notre Dame and Alabama have met a total of six times, with Notre Dame winning five of those meetings. Despite being ranked No. 2, Alabama will be the favorite to win this game. But as we have seen over the years, being the favorite does not always ensure victory.

Notre Dame went 12-0 this past season with significant wins over Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Oklahoma and what was left of USC. I have heard so much disrespect about Notre Dame all season, but I’m here to tell you the Fighting Irish is legit and will not be a pushover in this game.

Many people say the Irish will not be able to move the ball on Alabama’s defense, and that is a fair assessment. Bama was second in the nation in defense, only allowing an average of 10.7 points per game on the season.

But people need to realize Bama is not going to just run rugged on Notre Dame. Only one team was better defensively than the Tide on the year, and that team was Notre Dame. The Irish only allowed 10.3 points per game and have a great defense in its own right. The Fighting Irish is led by Heisman candidate Manti Te’o, who I believe is the best defensive player in the nation.

For Notre Dame to win this game, here are some things it must do. First, the Irish D-line has to win the line of scrimmage battle against Bama’s O-line.

Second, the Irish must win the turnover battle. On paper, Alabama is a better team than Notre Dame, and to win this game, the Fighting Irish players cannot beat themselves.

Notre Dame must also force turnovers. The Irish most likely will not be able to score very many points on Bama, so forcing some turnovers, getting extra possessions and shortening the field will help the offense tremendously.

Thirdly, Notre Dame must pressure A.J. McCarron. McCarron leads the nation in passer rating and has been the most efficient QB in college football all year. He’s only thrown three interceptions and has made very few mistakes all year.

If you let him sit back and have all day to throw, he can pick you apart. But as Georgia showed in the SEC Championship game, if you successfully put pressure on him, you can rattle him and force him to make mistakes.

For Alabama to win, the Tide must first stuff Notre Dame’s

TUESDAY , DECEMBER 4, 2012

Only one competitive sport at Mississippi State University is self-sufficient; its budget is based purely on donations, and its practice facility is at least an hour away. This is the sport of ice hockey at MSU. With no ice anywhere between Starkville and Tupelo, members of State’s ice hockey team have a difficult time getting much done. The team travels to places such as Tupelo, Birmingham or areas close to Memphis just to practice, and sophomore Kyle Grider said this becomes an issue for the team.

“We need ice,” Grider said. “Travel is expensive, and it hurts our pockets to have to travel so much.”

This program is not a club sport since it is headed by the intramural office here at State. Therefore, all of the proceeds are based on donations.

The team considers each promotional item purchased a donation, with that being the team’s only f o r m of income aside from oth- e r d o n a t o r s in the commu- n i t y.

T h e r e - fore, if the d o n a - tions a r e not there, c o s t t h e f o r athletes to play rises and the roster slowly dwindles throughout the year.

Last weekend in matches against Alabama and Memphis, a lack of roster played a large factor in two losses for the team. Senior R.C. Mar-

ice for Ice Dawgs create issues

tin said the lack of bench greatly affects the team.

“We only had six guys at the game on Saturday, five of which had to be on the ice at one time,” Martin said.

“If we do not have skaters at practices and games, how are we supposed to get a feel for each other and create chemistry?”

Many sports fans use the word ‘chemistry’ to describe how well teams play together. If a team has good chemistry, it is likely the players have a strong friendship with one another and have been around each other long enough on the court or field, helping them to know each other’s tendencies and creating the best opportunities to win.

Likewise, teams with bad chemistry have issues during practice with how many players show up, causing them to not know each other’s tendencies, usually resulting in losses.

This is the defining factor f o r t h e MSU ice hockey team.

Also, with the expense to play on the team, students can find difficulties in paying the fee to play. Players must provide their own equipment, as well

COURTESY PHOTO | THE REFLECTOR

Senior R.C. Martin and the MSU Ice Dawgs travel at least an hour to practice and must raise funding for the team on their own.

as pay an additional fee to playing hockey.

“When I see fans come play for the team and pay for their own travel. These to watch us play, I feel like I’ve made it,” costs add Grider said. “I up quickly, When I see fans come to play and without come to watch us hockey.” the ability Grider said for scholarplay, I feel like I’ve he shares in ships, there made it. I come to these feelings are few ways play hockey.” for the game for players to he loves. pay for everyKyle Grider, “Yes, it is thing. sophomore costly to play, H o w e v e r, players such as Martin and but if you love the game, you Grider have made it very do whatever it takes,” Marclear why they continue tin said.

“

Sanctions Received for Student Honor Code Violations: 2012

The University values academic honesty in the classroom. In order to successfully promote academic honesty, the campus community must be vigilant in discovering and reporting alleged violations of the Student Honor Code. The purpose of this document is to deter academic dishonesty by publishing the sanctions that students received for violating the Student Honor Code this calendar year. We intend to periodically publish this information to the campus community.

Total Cases Resolved: Responsible: Not Responsible: Instructor Dismissed Charges:

Charge

Cheating

226 207 5 14

92% 2% 6%

Number Reported

Percent of Total

89

Sanctions Received XF Zero on Assigment Lower Course Grade Suspension Other

Plagiarism

Honor The Code 101

Sanctions Received XF Zero on Assigment Lower Course Grade Suspension Other

Complicity

18

Multiple Submissions

23% 55% 6% 4% 12%

46%

Percent 20% 66% 9% 1% 4%

8%

Sanctions Received

Percent

6

3% Percent

XF Zero on Assigment Lower Course Grade Suspension Other

Falsification

40%

Percent

Sanctions Received AIIP Lower Course Grade

7

Sanctions Received XF Zero on Assigment Suspension Expulsion

47% 20% 12% 7% 14%

33% 67%

3% Percent 58% 14% 14% 14%

SPORTS 8

|

TUESDAY , DECEMBER 4 , 2012

GATOR BOWL “We’re going to spend the next couple of weeks with final exams coming up giving a lot of young players reps, and then we’ll hone in on gameplanning later,” Mullen said. “When the game day kicks off, that’s when everything changes. For our guys, they know they will have their hands full playing a team that’s gone to a lot of bowl games the last couple of years and that’s nationally ranked in every poll right now.”

Mullen and Fitzgerald are not strangers to each other. In fact, the two coaches are actually good friends. While Mullen was a quarterback’s coach at Bowling Green, his team played Northwestern, where Fitzgerald was the linebackers’ coach.

The two met at the game and continued to get to know each

THE REFLECTOR

STAT OF THE DAY:

MISSISSIPPI STATE AND RUTGERS ARE TIED FOR THE LONGEST ACTIVE BOWL WIN STREAK, WITH EACH TEAM WINNING ITS LAST FIVE BOWL GAMES.

continued from 1

other when they recruited in the Houston, Texas, area at the same time when Mullen was at the University of Utah.

Fitzgerald said head coaches do not have many friends in the world, but he and Mullen have stayed in contact ever since they recruited in the same area.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for the person Dan is. He’s a great family man. You learn a lot about guys on the road and their character and who they are, and Dan is the best in the country,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s one of those situations where it’s going to be fun. You always love to compete, and when you get to compete against a friend it makes it that much more special.”

Although Fitzgerald is two years younger than Mullen, the

Northwestern coach has been a head coach a few more years than the Bulldog head coach. Because of this, Mullen said he asked Fitzgerald about all the different issues that head coaches deal with on a day-to-day basis.

“I’ve called him on a lot of different occasions just about different questions and how to handle different situations and how you set up your schedule,” Mullen said. “Pat is someone who’s always been gracious enough to help me out and would help us when we had questions or when he had ideas.”

But on Jan. 1, the coaches will become fierce competitors, as only one coach will take home the Gator Bowl trophy.

MSU fans can purchase Gator Bowl tickets at Hailstate.com.

INTENTIONAL GROUNDING | JOHN GALATAS

Heisman race will be less thrilling

W

ith the conclusion of college football’s conference championship weekend, the nation’s best athletes turn their attention to Radio City for the Heisman ceremony. In seasons past, the list of candidates is set in early November, barring a complete collapse in performance. But this season, invitations seem sparse, and only three hopefuls are certain.

Texas A&M freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel is the Heisman favorite in numerous polls. In 2006, Tim Tebow surprised the college football community, becoming the first sophomore to win the prestigious award.

Saturday, Manziel can add

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more credibility to the “Legend of Johnny Football” by being the first freshman to win the Heisman.

Manziel met with media for the first time last week and did his best to somewhat silence his praises.

“I don’t really see myself as the Johnny Football crazy that’s kind of swept Aggie land and swept around the nation a little bit,” Manziel said. “I see myself as Johnny Manziel. I’m a guy from Kerrville, Texas, who is trying to be a laid back guy, who likes to hang out with my friends and be a normal college student just like anybody else.”

Manziel, whose name was first mentioned in the Heisman race after handing Alabama its lone loss, has completed 68 percent of his passes and thrown for 3,419 yards and 19 touchdowns. On the ground, Manziel has 1,181 yards and 24 scores. Total, Manziel set an SEC record with 4,610 yards of offense and 43 touchdowns.

With every Heisman winner, there can be argued a definitive “Heisman moment.” One candidate who lacks a “Heisman moment” is Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o.

JOHN GALATAS John Galatas is the campus news editor of The Reflector.

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

The senior linebacker looks to become the first defensive player to win the award since cornerback Charles Woodson won in 1997 and the first linebacker to win since 1961.

Woodson and last year’s candidate cornerback Tyrann Mathieu impressed voters with their special teams play. Te’o only has one job on the field, but he does it better than anyone else.

Kansas State’s Collin Klein opened the season as a Heisman favorite, but his numbers have slipped heading down the stretch of the season. Many voters were ready to hand the award to Klein after a win against TCU following an injury, but his stock plummeted a week later after being boat raced by Baylor 52-24.

Klein did rebound against Texas to help Kansas State finish the year 11-1, Big 12 champions and with a BCS bowl berth.

Other candidates include Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller and USC wide receiver Marqise Lee. Miller and Lee’s stocks are falling, but the two hopefuls may get invites to complete the list of candidates.