Hammond, LA
December 3, 2019
S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y
Southeastern beats Villanova 45-44, advances to face University of Montana
GERARD BORNE Staff Reporter
The Lions advanced to the second round of the FCS Playoffs with a 45-44 win over Villanova University on Nov. 30. The football team came back from a 31-14 deficit to win their first playoff game in over six seasons. Southeastern outgained the Wildcats 602 to 501 in total offensive yards in the victory. Frank Scelfo, head coach, talked about the Lions’ offensive performance on Saturday night. “Chason was slinging the ball tonight,” explained Scelfo. “He was reading all the coverages really well and brought his A-game tonight. Some guys have the capability to be ‘that dude,’ and tonight he was ‘that dude.’” Scelfo discussed Villanova’s performance in the playoff game. “They really stepped up tonight and fought really hard,” said Scelfo. “You have to give up to Coach Ferrante and his staff. They fought and played all 60 minutes tonight. They are a really great team and Coach Ferrante has really turned that football program around.” Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, senior defensive lineman, shared what the coaches told the defense in the locker room at halftime. “They told us to step up and play our game,” commented Adeyemi-Berglund. “Coach Guidry always preaches to us to have a shut-out third quarter and we did that to help the offense.
Coach Guidry told us, ‘Win the small battles in order to win the wars,’ and we did that tonight.” Adeyemi-Berglund explained what the defense did to stop Villanova’s fourth-quarter comeback. “On the last play, we wanted to push their o-line hard to pressure their quarterback, and we did exactly that,” shared Adeyemi-Berglund. Chason Virgil, senior quarterback, talked about what went through his mind on the Lions’ game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. “Coach Scelfo signaled the play to us, and I went through all of my reads and progressions,” said Virgil. “A lot of people do not know this about that play, but CJ is the fourth read. So, I have to give it up to the offensive line for giving me enough time to go through every single read on that critical play.” Villanova head coach, Mark Ferrante, commented on the game’s officiating. “I think that call on the last drive was not necessary, especially with only two minutes left to play,” shared Ferrante. “I did not see the offensive-pass interference myself, but obviously they saw something I didn’t. Southeastern only had three penalties to our 11. I wish it would have been a little bit more balanced, but I can’t do anything about that.” With the victory, the Lions will go on to play Senior quarterback Chason Virgil throws a pass in the second quarter of Saturday’s 45-44 victory against Villanova the University of Montana on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. University. Virgil finished the game with three touchdowns and 474 total passing yards. The Lions will head to Missoula, with snow projected in the weather forecast. Mont. on Dec. 7 to take on the University of Montana in the second round of the FCS playoffs. Courtesy of Randy Bergeron
Auditions to become the next Roomie the Lion underway
Roomie the Lion appears in several events including the Homecoming Parade, Storm 30 and Strawberry Jam. To audition for Roomie, contact Catherine Lawrence. File Photos/The Lion’s Roar
SAMANTHA GAMBINO
university cheer team is looking to recruit a student who wants to represent Roomie the Lion. As the current Roomie Catherine Lawrence, head is about to graduate, the cheerleading coach and spirit Staff Reporter
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director, informed that the new mascot will be trained and assured that there will be little to no difference between the old and new.
“Roomie attends a workshop to get down all the traits of our Roomie,” explained Lawrence. “We want to make this transition seem as if it
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Campus Life.................................2 Opinions.....................................3 A&E............................................4
Horoscope, Crossword, Sudoku....5 Sports & Fitness...........................6 News..........................................8
never happened. The goal is for the crowd and fans to never know who is in the suit, they all have to carry the same traits when in suit. They also attend a weekend-long college camp with the spirit programs to learn more generalized mascot ideas.” Lawrence talked about what the auditions will entail and what the group is looking for. “The tryout process of Roomie will involve an interview session with all candidates,” explained Lawrence. “It will involve each candidate getting into the suit and showing us their best Roomie traits, such as his walk and how he interacts with others. We put together a panel who works with Roomie for events to help pick out the next candidate.” Through time and effort the student puts into representing the mascot, they gain many benefits. “Being Roomie comes with having all the benefits of our Spirit Program,” said Lawrence. “Access to our athletic facilities such as weight room, training room, academic center, priority schedule and much more. They also receive a scholarship to help with all the time spent being Roomie.
He attends events all through the summer, fall, winter and spring.” Olivia Nesom, a senior history major and cheerleader, discussed what she thinks of Roomie. “To me, Roomie is the heart of Southeastern,” said Nesom. “Roomie has the energy and charisma that enables him to uplift the spirits of everyone around him. Roomie should be someone who embodies Southeastern at its entirety. The current Roomie eats, sleeps, and breathes Southeastern, and it definitely shows inside and outside of that lion suit.” The current Roomie was able to share their experiences and what it means to him. “If anything, it has taught me to better my time management skills,” said Roomie. “While being Roomie is important to me, taking care of my school work is a top priority. I can say that through all the time I have been Roomie, it has been some of the most memorable experiences I have had.” Students looking to audition for the mascot should contact Catherine Lawrence at catherine.messenger@selu. edu.
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