The Battalion - September 26

SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2024 STUDENT MEDIA THEBATT.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

LIFE & ARTS Hindu organization hosts Ganesh Utsav festival on Simpson Drill Field. A2

@THEBATTONLINE

SPORTS Diving into roots of the A&M-Arkansas rivalry and Southwest Conference. B1

ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTALION’S FIRST ISSUE

OCTOBER 1

ADA disruptions

Admin propose ‘Aggie Loop’ built by Elon Musk company

Aggies allege discrimination within university culture

Report pitches West Campus tunnel system from The Boring Co.

By J.M. Wise News Editor

By Julia Kazda News Reporter

For almost a decade, Texas A&M students with disabilities have allegedly been harassed, verbally abused and denied equal access to seats in sporting venues on campus.

Four Aggies discussed their experiences and difficulties with gaining access to stadiums and regular campus facilities, ranging from lack of wheelchair access to harassment from fans in Kyle Field.

Structural engineering graduate Brianna Vogel, president of Aggies with Disabilities and an ambulatory wheelchair user, said she has faced difficulties participating in Aggie traditions for seven years.

“I went to Yell Practice once freshman year … and it was such a negative experience that I said, ‘I don’t want to go to Yell Practice again,’” Vogel said. “All I could see was rear ends. And my mom had gone with me, and she was frustrated … she’s deaf and she couldn’t see the ASL interpreter.”

Vogel has postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, which is caused by blood vessels improperly circulating blood, leading to lightheadedness when standing.

For Vogel — and the approximately 3,000 students with disabilities at A&M — Kyle Field has dedicated ADA sections in which standing is not permitted, allowing students in wheelchairs to see the field.

Bicycle crashes. Frustrations caused by slow walkers. Buses halted due to limited capacity. These are all negative things accompanying the crowded campus that Texas A&M has become. The Boring Company, a tunnel construction company founded by Elon Musk, may offer a solution, according to a recent capacity study report.

A&M administrators are exploring the possibility of implementing a tunnel system through campus in order to decrease student traffic.

This system would combine under and above ground elements to decrease student traffic. Peter Lange serves as the chief operating officer of the university, leading the groups that operate on all major reconstruction on campus.

“The Boring Company proposal provides a mobility solution that improves campus-wide connectivity, reduces road congestion, allows for future expansion as the need arises and the vehicles in the tunnel are zero emission electric,” Lange said.

This student-flow solution can be made feasible through several installations of stations. These stations are proposed to be installed strategically in locations that are the most congested on campus in order to achieve maximum efficiency.

“The tunnel itself would be built 30 feet below ground with a combination of above-ground and be-

ADA ON A5

Jenna Isbell — THE BATTALION

Forensic and investigative sciences sophomore Samantha Sapp in front of the Memorial Student Center during the Corps of Cadets Step-Off before Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Jenna Isbell — THE BATTALION

Engineering freshman Benjamin Willis, structural engineering graduate Brianna Vogel and former student Ashley Lindsey poses in front of the Aggie War Hymn Monument before Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green on Saturday, Sept.

21, 2024.

low-ground stations,” Lange said.

“The ‘Aggie Loop’ would connect the Polo Road area of campus with the [Memorial Student Center], White Creek Apartment and Reed Arena. Transit time from Polo Road to the MSC would be two minutes and the transit time from White Creek Apartments to the Commons area would be completed in only three minutes.”

Over the course of the last ten years, the A&M student population has increased by roughly 18,000 students. With this increase comes heightened competition for resources.

“There currently simply isn’t a way to transition the number of students we serve safely and effectively in the limited time frame between classes,” Lange said. “The Boring Co.’s unique vertically integrated tunneling process offers a potential solution by connecting the front of campus and West Campus with a loop tunnel. The tunnel route is based on the two most heavily used on campus bus routes which are routes one and three.”

It is not just Lange that has noticed the issue of overcrowding on campus. Many Aggies are suffering the repercussions this year, as according to computer science junior Lucas Bryant. According to him, Aggies continue to struggle when searching for on-campus parking.

“I think way too many people are on campus,” Bryant said. “When many paying students can’t get a parking spot, that’s how you know there’s a problem.”

Through providing a nuanced form of transportation, the Boring Company tunnel system aims to TUNNEL ON A5

Wall Street Journal names More than 50 A&M top Texas university certificates,

Admin reacts, explains second-consecutive top ranking in state

By Jordan Fox News Writer

Texas A&M University has been recognized as the top university in Texas for the second consecutive year, according to a recent ranking by the Wall Street Journal. The ranking system includes metrics such as graduation rates, post-graduation employment outcomes and student recommendation scores.

Being the oldest public institution for higher learning in Texas and one of the largest universities in the country, A&M is known across the world for its reputable education and the “Aggie Network” of distinguished former students.

Not just the Wall Street Journal recognizes A&M for its excellence, but the US News college rankings as well. As highlighted in the latest updated list, A&M is ranked number 21 in top public universities, as well as number 51 in national universities and number 70 in best value schools.

“We have known it all along,”

Provost Alan Sams, responsible for the academic research operations and enrollment management of the university, said. “Look at all the indicators: the graduation rate, the corporate leaders. … I wasn’t surprised one bit about it.”

Peter Lange, A&M’s chief operating officer and senior vice president, said his department keeps campus facilities, architecture, utilities, transportation, dining, environmental affairs, health and safety well-maintained — a primary reason he believes A&M is so heavily admired by students around the nation.

“When you think about the way the campus looks or the way the campus is lit, it’s always clean,” Lange said. “Clean usually equals … safe.”

The focus on providing robust academic support also played a key role in the ranking. According to Sams, the various resources available to students, such as the Math Learning Center, Writing Center and Academic Success Center are designed to help students succeed academically. Sams and his department are directly in charge of these facilities.

RANKING ON A5

minors to end

A&M proposal awaiting further faculty, staff administrative approval

By Nicholas Gutteridge Managing Editor Texas A&M has begun deactivating 38 certificates and 14 minors after an internal review found the number of students enrolled in each was below the internal threshold.

In August 2023, Alan Sams, A&M’s provost and executive vice president, collaborated with the Council of Deans to establish a method for identifying “low-producing” programs. The subsequent thresholds were modeled after state standards for degree programs. According to a university statement responding to inquiries, neither the A&M System’s Office of Academic Affairs nor the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or THECB, require the university to set minimum thresholds for certificate or minor enrollment.

The THECB classifies a bachelor’s program as low-producing if it awards fewer than five degrees per

Graphic by Sophie Villarreal — THE BATTALION

academic year and fewer than 25 degrees in five years.

The 52 certificates and minors being deactivated are part of the 320 total offered at A&M — 176 being certificates and the other 144 minors. Originally, 44 certificates and 26 minors were identified for deactivation, but according to the statement, 18 were exempt for various reasons.

Exact programs being deactivated were not mentioned, and an A&M spokesperson said the official list will not become public until it appears before the Faculty Senate. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14.

When asked, various A&M officials confirmed the LGBTQ Studies and Asian Studies minors were among the cuts as well as two certificates from the Department of

Economics: quantitative economic methods and business economics.

The university statement confirmed students currently enrolled in the minors and certificates will be allowed to complete the program even if it’s in the deactivation process.

According to the statement, the change requires a full review process. Once approved by the appropriate department or college, the request is then sent to several reviewing bodies, including the Faculty Senate, and President Mark A Welsh III. The university statement said in the past five years, A&M created triple the number of programs being deactivated. Courses associated with the deactivated programs will be unaffected.

LIFE & ARTS Students find family, passion in Western dance

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Aggie Wranglers spread spirit through footwork

By Ayena Kaleemullah Life & Arts Writer The Aggie Wranglers, Texas A&M’s country and western dance team, aren’t just about perfecting footwork — they’re about friendship, leadership and the Aggie Spirit.

Founded in 1984, the Aggie Wranglers evolved from a small Bible study group to an organization renowned for its performances across the state. Dedicated to showcasing the heart of Texas A&M through dance, with a rigorous tryout process and a commitment to excellence, the Wranglers are more than just dancers — they’re a family.

Biology junior Dixon Ponce, president of the Aggie Wranglers, shared his passion for the organization.

The Battalion | 09.26.24

“We perform anywhere and everywhere for free,” Ponce said.

“Our goal is to spread our love for Texas A&M through country and western dance.”

The process begins months in advance for those looking to join the team, with prospective dancers urged to take multiple classes before trying out to become a member. It’s a commitment that Ponce knows all too well.

“You need to take our fall and spring classes for basic and advanced footwork,” Ponce said.

“Then there’s the jitterbug, which takes things to the next level with more aerial moves.”

The tryouts culminate in April, where dancers must perform with their chosen partner; notably, both must make the cut or neither will.

“It’s all about teamwork,” Ponce said. “And I believe it very unintentionally also reflects us as a whole because one of our values is partnership.”

The team is not just about

dancing. As a lessons coordinator, visualization sophomore Kayla West plays a crucial role in the group’s success, raising the most money the Aggie Wranglers have seen from lessons.

“I manage all the private and public lessons, where we generate most of our funding,” West said.

“Last year was our most successful year ever.”

West’s work goes beyond scheduling lessons. She and the other officers ensure everything from finances to public relations is handled smoothly.

“Our officers work like a welloiled machine,” West said. “We’re all passionate about representing Texas A&M in the best light.”

As the team continues to evolve, their commitment to foundational principles remains steadfast.

“Our core values are their integrity, respect, humility, commitment and partnership,” West said.

The group practices every Tuesday night at the Bootstack,

Photo courtesy of Dixon Ponce

The Aggie Wranglers pose in the Flag Room of the Memorial Student Center during MSC Open House on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.

followed by team meetings. Outside of official practices, the Wranglers are known for their social presence at Hurricane Harry’s on Thursdays and Saturdays.

“If you ever want to find us outside of practice, Harry’s is the place to go,” Ponce said.

The Aggie Wranglers’ impact

reaches far beyond College Station.With performances across the state and even the country, their mission remains rooted in their love for A&M. “We’re not here for the fame,” Ponce said. “We’re here to build relationships and spread our love for this university.”

Ganesh Utsav 2024

Hindu YUVA brings community together for festival of Ganesh

By Fallon Ferguson Life & Arts Writer

Photos by Sarthak Dalal — THE BATTALION

A family performs aarti during Hindu Yuva’s Ganesh Utsav at Simpson Drill Field on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

For many, September marks the start of the semester, and, in turn, anticipation of new beginnings.

This is especially true for Hindus, as September is the time of Ganesh Utsav, the celebratory festival honoring Ganesha, the god of new beginnings and prosperity.

This past Sunday, the Aggie chapter of Hindu YUVA transformed Simpson Drill Field into a place of commemoration and displayed the rich culture of Hinduism. The event contained dancing, music and an opportunity for shared celebration.

The festival of Ganesh Utsav, or Ganesh Chaturthi, is an important time of observance for Hindus to welcome new beginnings and to hope for prosperity. Students like mechanical engineering senior Shivam Vashi hope to take advantage of the new season.

“I’m basically planning to get an internship and get in industry work experience,” Vashi said. “My field of research is autonomous vehicles and self-driving cars. So I really want to get out in the world and try to have a real world experience.”

The goals don’t have to be professional. Sophomore public health major Riya Meka focused more on how she would like to transform in her personal life.

“In the social and mental side of it, I definitely want to transform into a better person every year by

stepping out of my comfort zone and talking to different people and being part of activities that I usually don’t participate in,” Meka said.

Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on Sept. 7 each year, and sparks a 10-day event.Throughout the duration of the 10 days, Hindus everywhere recognize the birth and journey of Lord Ganesha as he returns to his mother, Parvati.

“We just made a clay Ganesha,” Meka said. “We call it puja, and we do it for 10 days, and then on the 10th day, we submerge the clay model into water. Kind of, appreciating and welcoming the god and also sending him away with the equal amount of respect.”

Despite the differences in celebration, the unity of Hindus in the Bryan-College Station area was expressed through dance, music and community.

While the population of Hindus is quite large in the U.S., there are still common misconceptions about the religion, especially its deities.

“Usually, they think the god is an elephant, which he is, but he’s … a god version of another god,” Meka said. “And he does look like an elephant, but we don’t consider him as one.”

Ganesha has the head of an elephant because Shiva, Ganesha’s father, beheaded him and replaced his head with that of an elephant.

The elephant represents power and transformation. The story of Ganesha demonstrates a larger meaning of the mind connecting with the soul. For many, Ganesh Chaturthi is a time of divinity and a reminder to enjoy the changes life brings despite the hardships.

“Today’s festival is about how can you enjoy the new beginnings of your life,” Vashi said.

A man plays drum in the center of the dhol performance during Hindu Yuva’s Ganesh Utsav at Simpson Drill Field on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

An attendant performs aarti during Hindu Yuva’s Ganesh Utsav at Simpson Drill Field on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

Dhol group dances during Hindu Yuva’s Ganesh Utsav at Simpson Drill Field on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

An attendant performs aarti during Hindu Yuva’s Ganesh Utsav at Simpson Drill Field on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

TAMU Sahithya dances during Hindu Yuva’s Ganesh Utsav at Simpson Drill Field on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

Dhol group performs during Hindu Yuva’s Ganesh Utsav on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

CAMPUS

The Battalion | 09.26.24

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Hannah Harrison — THE BATTALION

Christopher Lee stands for a portrait in front of the chalkboard of VMS 201 on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.

“I took undergraduate classes

classroom as a professor.

cally has a historical past with VMS

he had not been in the vet school

said. “The vibe and feel of the situation is very different for me now than how I felt in 1995.”

Lee’s feelings toward VMS 201 have changed over the years, but there is something in the classroom that has remained constant over the years.

“I am 95% certain that two paintings that are currently in VMS 201 were in VMS 201 when I was an undergraduate and masters student,” Lee said.

Lee has introduced his connection and love for the artwork in VMS 201 to his students that share the space with him during the week.

“When I heard Dr. Lee mention that [part] of the VMS building is going to be destroyed, and he basi-

“I intend to ask the powers that be in the vet school that if those two paintings need a home, I am happy to put them in my Heldenfels office or in our home in south College Station,” Lee said.

Seeing those familiar paintings — and many other vet school details that have remained more or less unchanged over the last 50 years — brought Lee back through the decades to some of the key moments he experienced in VMS 201, including Lee’s freshman biomedical sciences orientation just a few days before the 1989 fall semester began.

“My dad went with me to the BIMS orientation prior to the onset of the fall of 1989 semester, and he said something to the effect that

came back to me.”

Lee has been on campus since he was 18 years old, but he didn’t begin teaching in VMS 201 or the veterinary school until this semester. He said he’s seen many buildings come and go during his time at A&M. VMS 201 might look different starting in February 2025, but the connection Lee has with the space will not change.

“First a building goes down and then a new building is erected upon that soil,” Lee said. “I have probably seen that 15-20 times in my time here in Aggieland, but VMS is a little different given I had not been in that building in almost 30 years and being back there brought back some memories.”

Biology professor there in the spring of 1992 and the “I think it is a very interesting 201, I was devastated to know that a in 20 years,” Lee said. “In the fall fall of 1993,” Lee said. “I also took a change of perspective as one goes room that means so much to him is of 1989, we had a BIMS seminar Christopher Lee’s graduate course or two there when from being a student taking classes being destroyed,” kinesiology soph- once a week in VMS 201, so I think working on a master’s degree in a room to being behind the lec- omore Melanie Wills said. that in late August of this year, as I history with soon-to-be Iinwas the fall of 1994 and the spring of tern teaching a class of 200 or more Lee said he hopes that the paint- stepped back into VMS 201, I think torn-down lecture hall 1995.” looking at you as you speak,” Lee ings will find a new home. some of those fall 1989 memories

By Brook Dryden Life & Arts Writer In February 2025, part of the Veterinary Medical Sciences building will be torn down to build a new component of the veterinary school.

One classroom of the soon-tobe-demolished building is VMS 201. The room may be a lecture hall for some people, but it’s more than that for Christopher Lee, Class of 1993.

Lee is an instructional associate professor in the Texas A&M biology department. Before he became a professor, Lee was a biomedical sciences student attending class in VMS 201.

Lee wasn’t the only member of his family to learn in VMS 201.

“My dad took vet school classes in VMS 201 in 1968, 1969 and 1970 when he graduated from vet school with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1970,” Lee said.

Lee has a family legacy at A&M, and his sons are both currently enrolled.

“My grandfather was a member of the Aggie Class of 1941, and my wife is Class of 1993,” Lee said.

“Colonel Robert J. McMurry is my cousin, and he is in the Aggie Class of 1994. Both of my sons are on campus now taking classes.”

Lee explained that his time at A&M as a student was much different than his experience in the same

‘The love for animals drives everything we do’

Stevenson Animal Companion Center staff, College of Veterinary Medicine work to provide care, love to over 30 resident pets When somebody walks through the gate at Texas A&M’s Stevenson Animal Companion Life Care Center, they are greeted by the whiskers and snouts of the center’s most warm and inviting residents. From the smallest rabbit to A&M’s very own Miss Reveille IX, The Stevenson Center has a simple goal: to offer peace of mind for those who lack a reliable caretaker for their beloved pets when they can no longer provide the care themselves.

Thirty-five animals are currently residents of the Stevenson Animal Center, including 12 dogs, 19 cats, three rabbits, two donkeys and a bird. All the residents receive everyday care from a dedicated staff.

At the heart of their team is Ellie Greenbaum, associate director of the Stevenson Animal Center.

With over 26 years of experience, Greenbaum has been a key part of the Stevenson Center’s growth and success, making sure that each resident receives the personalized care and attention they deserve.

“What makes the Stevenson Center truly unique is that it’s not just a facility — the residents live in the center like they would at home,” Greenbaum said. “That’s what we meant for them to be. They’re not caged; they’re just living their life, living a good life.”

The center was founded in 1993 at the suggestion of Dr. E. W. Ellett, who wanted a place for animals to reside in a home-like environment while benefiting the College of Veterinary Medicine.

The opening of the center wouldn’t have been possible without the support and donations of the

“

Luse Foundation resident staff that and the center’s consists of four namesake, Madlin veterinary stuStevenson. Stedents, meaning venson donated that any animals at over half of the the center are sufunds required to pervised 24 hours open the center. a day, seven days a After her passing week.

Associate Director of the Stevenson Center in September of The animals 2000, she left her in the Stevennine dogs, four son Center aren’t cats, pony and llasimply taken care erything goes right,” Greenbaum of; they’re cherished by everyone ma in the care of the center.

The Stevenson Center operates said. “Everybody knows what our around them. For Dr. Sam Miller, as a self-sustaining facility, relying mission is. Everybody loves these who has served as the Stevenson on private endowments and do- animals, loves what we do … it just Center’s director for the past three nations to provide care for its res- keeps on evolving. It just keeps on years, it is an utmost honor to serve idents. All of the housekeeping and getting better and better. With each the animal residents. animal care is done by the staff on addition, we learn more.”

“It’s a privilege to lead a place As members of the staff, each where the love for animals drives the facility grounds, with help from the School of Veterinary Medicine individual at the Stevenson Center everything we do,” Miller said. is fully committed to the wellbeing “We don’t just provide shelter; we & Biomedical Sciences.

“If you have the right staff, ev- of their animals. The center has a provide a home. Every animal here

They’re not caged; they’re just living their life, living a good life.

Ellie Greenbaum

A cat in the care of the Stevenson Animal Center.

“

By Leticia Schenkel Life & Arts Writer

Photo courtesy of the Stevenson Center

receives the same attention and care they would if their owner were still with them.”

Miller was a practicing veterinarian before he came to A&M, with 32 years of experience counseling pet owners.

“One of the things that the pet owners really want to know is, ‘What are my options if I should pass before my pet?’” Miller said. “That’s what makes this place really stand out. It provides that comfort, that peace of mind for owners as they get older and they start to consider what they’re going to do with their estate. Their pets become a big part of that.”

The Stevenson Center gives people the opportunity to plan ahead for their pets. Miller said as soon as they are enrolled and the endowment is paid, the animals are guaranteed an exceptional standard of care for the rest of their lives.

“I think a lot of this highlights the value that people place on their animals these days,” Miller said.

“You know, 60 years ago, this was unheard of.”

According to Greenbaum, the Stevenson Center is part of what makes A&M’s veterinary medicine program unique. The amount of commitment and dedication that every member of the staff puts into ensuring the animal residents will be living their lives in comfort, even away from their owners, is beyond compare.

“We feel very privileged to have this bestowed upon us, the ability to do this for people,” Greenbaum said. “It’s not just about caring for animals — it’s about giving peace of mind and ensuring these pets live their best life in a loving environment.”

OPINION You don't work in the service industry and it shows

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The Battalion | 09.26.24

Food, retail jobs teach fundamental human decency, kindness, patience for others — qualities we need more

By Maddie McMurrough Opinion Columnist I have had the absolute — let me find the word for it — pleasure, yeah, sure, pleasure of working in both the food and retail industry.

Having worked in these magical fields, I have learned so much about myself and other people. If it has taught me anything, it's how to be a decent human being — and how to spot someone who’s never worked in either industry from a mile away.

Don’t think you can hide from me. I will most definitely be able to clock you based on one simple conversation.

Now, you may be thinking: That’s not possible, how can I tell someone’s employment history from one measly exchange?

It’s actually super easy to tell, and you Karens aren’t going to like it.

How you treat people who work in the service industry is extremely telling. If you are patient, respectful and understanding, I can tell you have experienced some of the horrors that go along with the service industry. But if you are rude, condescending and unapologetically entitled, it tells me everything I need to know.

Of course, there are always exceptions. There are some servers and cashiers who genuinely deserve to be chastised because they can be rude and bad at their job.

There are also some very kind and patient people who have nev-

er worked in the service industry.

My claim is not a one-size fits all kind of statement.

OK — I’m going to say it. Everyone should have to work in the service industry at some point in their life, because it will teach our society to be decent and respectable people in all aspects of life.

I want you to picture this, and if you can’t put yourself in this situation, imagine your child in it. You endure a day full of classes starting from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. before immediately throwing on your uniform and clocking in until 10 p.m. While you’re trying to simply make it through the day with a smile, someone degrades you and calls you stupid because, in your exhausted state, you forgot to add an extra pair of chopsticks to their order.

If you think degrading anyone like this, for any reason, is OK, then we have a bigger problem.

Ask anyone who has worked in the service industry — there is nothing easy about these kinds of jobs. I know people treat servers poorly because there’s this belief that service is an easy job for lazy people who can’t make it in the real world. I’ve heard that statement too many times to count.

Remember, we’re all people at the end of the day.

I’m just a girl, working in a restaurant, asking you to treat me with respect.

Which is, surprisingly, a lot to ask of some people. I understand that we all have our own lives and

struggles.We’ve all had our regrettable moments in a restaurant taking out frustrations on our server. But my current job shouldn’t dictate the amount of respect I receive.

Everyone deserves kindness.

Even your server and the random stranger swiping your card in the T.J. Maxx checkout line. Everyone.

In this industry, we remember the good and the bad patrons. We do better work for the patrons who are kind, going out of our way to show we appreciate you, and we argue over who has to be saddled with the bad ones. I don’t think anyone wants to be remembered for being unagreeable and mean.

What’s that saying — you attract more flies with honey than vinegar? If you’re kind and understanding, I can guarantee you will be given better service than someone who is not.

Going through the trenches of college life with a tough job on top of it all has taught me how to be decent and kind while under immense stress and pressure. It has taught me how to be patient, which, if you ask my parents, hasn’t been a virtue of mine until working in this in-

dustry. It has taught me how to stretch my bandwidth and still retain my dignity and kindness.

Slinging sushi and swiping credit cards for condescending peers and parents has made me kinder and softer to the world.

These encounters could have hardened me and made me impatient and cruel, but they didn’t.

They did the exact opposite.

We need more kindness in the world, and it starts with empathy.

It starts with the first time you cry after work because of how one of the patrons treated you. The first time you are eating with someone and they embarrass you because of how they treated their server.

The first time a group of 12 comes in 15 minutes before closing and you have to seat them.

The time you spend in the service industry will change how you function in the world entirely. Everyone should navigate the world with kindness as a priority, and remember, we’re all trying to make it to the next day.

So, the next time you feel your server isn’t being attentive enough, or your sales associate brought you the wrong size, try putting yourself in their shoes.

Stay kind, stay patient and apply for that job at your local restaurant. It may make you a better person.

Maddie McMurrough is an agricultural communications and journalism senior and opinion columnist for The Battalion.

Graphic by Zoe Rich — THE BATTALION

“The Substance”: gritty, gripping, glorious gore

Coralie Fargeat’s latest thriller feat is body horror at its finest

By Joshua Abraham Opinion Writer

Rating: 9/10 Spoilers ahead for "The Substance."

I’m willing to bet any amount of money against anyone’s guess as to how this movie ends — they’ll lose the money.

In accordance with the marketing of this movie, I urge anyone willing to test their limits to try “The Substance,” Coralie Fargeat’s

latest feat. Winner of the Best Screenplay Award at this year's Cannes Film Festival — and for good reason — this film torments you from beginning till end in one of the best body horror films of the 2020s.

Contemplations of self-worth make aging star Elizabeth Sparkle, played by Demi Moore, order The Substance, a cutting-edge serum that when injected creates a new, “younger, better version” of herself named Sue, played by Margaret Qualley.

The catch: They must switch bodies every seven days, no matter what.

Sue is everything that Elizabeth

MUBI

wants to be, taking over Elizabeth’s old job and rising to stardom. However, Sue is overcome with greed and begins to abuse The Substance. Rather than let Elizabeth switch back to recover, Sue leeches every last drop of Elizabeth’s life fluid. Despite Elizabeth’s body becoming shriveled and grotesque, Sue ignores the harm she’s inflicting.

In this meditation on beauty standards, Fargeat begs the question: Can beauty truly bring happiness?

Fargeat has been in the horror-thriller conversation since her last directorial effort “Revenge,” but she goes to new and higher places with this film. Launching a full-blown sensory assault on the audience, every scene pushes how much gore you can take, an exercise of toleration in visual pain and agony. From a birthed adult to pulled teeth and even blood spewed from a decapitated head onto a sea of people, Fargeat’s aggressive style of closeups and electronic music fits this world well; she constantly stuffs the frame with grotesqueness and suddenly withdraws it, allowing the audience to unpack what they have just seen only to do the same thing over and over again.

Cheers and standing ovations must be given to Moore for her performance — believe the hype.

At 61 years of age, she puts on one of the best performances in a horror film since Toni Collette in “Hereditary,” and that’s not a comparison to be taken lightly.

Being asked to shapeshift into a creature that looks like a hunchback Gothmog is something not

every actress as high profile as her would want to do, but she’s able to execute while reserving the sincerity of her character.

Unfortunately, she will go into the “Performances Snubbed for an Oscar Because It Was in a Horror Movie” category, which is tragic — Academy, prove me wrong, please.

The genius in this film lies in its screenplay. Balancing a thin wire act of shocking horror and satirical commentary on women’s beauty standards is a line many wouldn’t even consider walking, but Fargeat does so with ease. She approaches her feminist commentary with such vigor that there is no question of what her intentions are.

And it’s funny too!

As much as I was terrified, the film was expertly interspersed with extremely comedic parts — though this might just be my coping mechanism for dealing with frightening visuals. It’s clear this movie didn’t forget about having fun, but it did so in such a way as to enhance its themes, not break away from them.

While this movie is about women exclusively, I would also love to acknowledge the use of men in this film.There seems to be a consistent thread across all of Fargeat’s feature films: Men are bad. As a man, she makes a very compelling argument for her claim.

While they may not be physically present, male presence looms largely over just about every scene.

Everything that the main characters do is caused by the negative influence of men in their lives, specifically Harvey, played by a

disgustingly marvelous Dennis Quaid. Fargeat constructs this story with the patriarchy in mind but uses feminism as the driving force to tell the story — it’s sheer brilliance.

My only criticism is that the ending could’ve been shorter.

While the ending is absolutely harrowing yet genius — long live Monstro Elisasue! — it feels like Fargeat wanted to beat us across the head 30 different times about the same thing. We get it, let’s move on.

But that could also be considered the genius of the ending. In our world where we’re constantly told that unrealistic beauty standards are not OK, we still see models with borderline anorexia being praised and lauded for a body not everyone can have. The point seems to not have been made enough, clearly. This exaggerated message repeated over and over again is a blunt reminder of what this is really about: being content with what you have.

Ultimately though, this film is not for the weak-hearted.

Many people were squirming in their seats, drawing their knees and blankets to their faces throughout the grueling twohour runtime. But I believe — and hope — everyone will watch it anyway. Genre works well when applicable to reality, and this film is a raw feminist portrayal of beauty.

With such top-notch body horror, it’s no wonder “The Substance” will be in the conversation for best movies of the year.

Joshua Abraham is a kinesiology junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

CAMPUS

The Battalion | 09.26.24

ADA CONTINUED

RANKING CONTINUED “We have wrap-around academic support for students,” Sams said.

“Advisors are making sure that the courses are available and you’re taking the right sequence — and you’re not missing something along the way.”

Affordability is another critical component of A&M’s appeal. Sams said the school makes an effort to provide cost-effective education, including the implementation of open educational resources that offer freeto-low-cost materials.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve that,” Sams said. “We’ve made a lot of effort recently on open educational resources so that we have free, or almost free, books and materials and things for students.”

The loyalty and spirit of Aggies have been crucial in shaping the university’s reputation, according to Sams. This loyalty translates into strong post-graduation outcomes, especially because of the strong Aggie Network, further enhancing A&M’s standing in the eyes of prospective students and their families.

“There’s something special about this place — the sense of loyalty that the students feel,” Sams said. “The students are at the center of everything.”

The Aggie Network specifically boasts over 600,000 former students, including Aggies across the world running businesses, making connections and working toward

Photo courtesy of Samantha Sapp

The view from the ADA row of section 231 during Texas A&M’s game against Notre Dame at Kyle Field on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.

“

students with diswas allegedly deabilities. Placing nied due to his pennies on SulWe already deal with isolation and segregation and disability. Under ly’s feet, visiting ADA, public discrimination everywhere else. We just want to be the the Bonfire Mefacilities have to able to participate. morial and even provide equal acmoving through cess to seats for paAggie Park are trons with disabilall challenging ities. Refusing to Brianna Vogel for students who allow students to President of Aggies with Disabilities use wheelchairs sit outside of ADA or other adaptive seating is illegal. equipment.

According to “Aggie Park is the newest area Sutton said. “Most of these people A&M’s website on ADA complion campus … and I would argue were drunk. It’s all chaos. It’s like ance, all reports of civil rights vioit’s the worst place on campus for talking to a brick wall … and we lations are forwarded to the Office a wheelchair,” Sapp said. “I had to asked them to sit down because we of Civil Rights and Equities, or leave my wheelchair outside of the couldn’t see, and they said ‘No, we CREI, which has been historically bathroom to get inside. If you’re stand for the 12th Man. We’re not underfunded and understaffed. Best not an ambulatory wheelchair user, sitting.’”

Crowd Management, the contracyou have to crawl across the bathWhen Sutton tried to find a secu- tor who trains security guards for room floor.” rity guard, there were none available Kyle Field, denied to interview.

Agricultural leadership gradu- for his section. When he returned to Educational administration and ate student Ty Sutton, one of the his section, the behavior continued human resource development gradfirst students in the Corps to use a to escalate. uate Danielle Koehler has been exwheelchair, said he has consistently “One of the guys turns around periencing difficulties at Kyle Field encountered structural and physical and gives me his middle finger and since she enrolled in 2019. Both her barriers that prevent him from ac- says, ‘If you can’t effing stand, you and her husband — a veteran with cessing educational facilities or ex- shouldn’t effing be here,’” Sutton 100% disability — require accessible periencing campus life. seating. said.

“The worst experience I had was “When I talk to the 12th Man, Sutton said he tried to obtain a during the Auburn game in 2023,” ticket outside of ADA seating and they say, ‘Oh, it’s on security to fix the betterment of society. Through email, President Mark A. Welsh III said he has always known A&M was among the best — and it’s nice to see others noticing.

“Our former students do everything in their power to help our students prepare to chase their dreams,” Welsh wrote.

As A&M celebrates the achievement, its community focuses on further enhancing the student experience, Welsh wrote. He said he remains dedicated to ensuring that future generations of Aggies benefit from the same dedication and spirit that has propelled the institution to the forefront of higher education in Texas.

“We got here the same way Texans get anywhere else: hard work,” Welsh wrote. “Aggies understand that educational success is a team sport, and we have the best team on the planet.”

While college counselors may no longer believe that rankings hold the same prestige as they used to, President Welsh wrote the university’s distinguished reputation based on firsthand student accounts far outweighs even the Wall Street Journal ranking. In a time when higher education is facing significant challenges, the recognition of A&M as the top university in Texas reinforces its commitment to excellence and community.

“There is an almost spiritual pillar to this university,” Welsh wrote.

“Aggies lean on that pillar when things get tough.”

“

For people with POTS, being forced to stand up during games may present a physical hazard to their health, Vogel said.

“They sit down, and they start getting yelled at,” Vogel said. “They start getting booed … There’s at least one occasion where a student stood back up just to get people to be quiet, and she immediately passed out and got a concussion.”

Forensic and investigative sciences sophomore Samantha Sapp is only the fourth wheelchair user to be in the Corps of Cadets, a position which she says has made her aware of the inaccessibility of many of A&M’s traditions.

At the McNeese game on Sept.

7, Sapp and another Corps member who uses a wheelchair had security called on them after they asked a student in front of them to sit during kickoff so they could see the field.

Sapp said her experiences with football games have been so exhausting that she avoids going to sporting events that she is not required to attend. During most games, Sapp cannot see the field due to students standing in front of her.

“Guess what they did the entirety of the game?” Sapp said. “They stood in the no-standing seats …

Security came over, corrected them … and the students then cussed out security. I was honestly scared to confront any of them about it because they cursed out a security guard. What are they going to do to me?”

Sapp has been advised to never be alone at Kyle Field by other students in the Corps with disabilities who have been verbally and physically attacked.

“It’s almost like the moment that you walk in, everyone is like, ‘Oh, you can’t do our tradition?” Sapp said. “Then you don’t deserve to be an Aggie.’ And that’s very, very disheartening.”

Kyle Field is not the only place on campus with physical barriers for

A5 the problem,’” Koehler said. “But you hire them. You do the contract.

It is your problem, and the students should be your number one priority — and the ADA section should be a priority.”

Koehler and her husband were seated in the ADA section during the Aug. 31 football game against Notre Dame when she realized that people standing in front of her had tickets for a different section. When security guards came to check tickets, the situation only escalated.

“They started arguing with security, saying, ‘Well, somebody is in my seat, so I came here because nobody is sitting here,’” Koehler said.

The people then left with security and returned, blocking Koehler and her husband’s view. Koehler’s previous attempts at changing how ADA seats are treated within Kyle Field resulted in the installment of a metal sign in sections that are designated as ‘No Standing.’

Erin Jones, the assistant director for athletic event management, said it’s difficult to ensure patron safety when students fail to comply with security guards’ instructions. While guards can remove patrons from the stadium, she said it is often the last resort.

“We have been told in many cases, by students, that when the ushers go through there to tell them to sit down, they cuss them out, they yell at them, they tell them to mind their own business,” Jones said.

For students who have complaints about conduct, Jones recommended speaking up. Ticket holders need to follow rules in their section, and ADA section tickets state that standing is not allowed.

“It would be a great learning experience for the student body, policing themselves,” Jones said.

For students with disabilities like Vogel, discrimination at Kyle Field is where they draw the line.

“We already deal with isolation and segregation and discrimination everywhere else,” Vogel said. “We just want to be able to participate.”

TUNNEL CONTINUED offer a solution to the parking congestion. However, this type of construction will require large amounts of time and money.

“We are still evaluating how best to fund construction and ongoing maintenance for a project like this,” Lange said. “Likely, the university would need to fund this centrally and transit resources would be allocated to improving existing routes.”

Construction could pose a problem considering the already-congested state of the campus. Because of this, Lange addresses to what extent construction will impact the daily Aggie by addressing the specificity by which pavements will be chosen to start and end construction.

“The beauty of the tunneling process is that it is not disruptive along the path meaning that the impact on daily campus life would be minimal,” Lange said. “There would be areas of campus that would be ‘launch’ and ‘recover’ areas on the surface for the boring machine, but considering the overall system, those areas are not big.”

Along with this positivity comes skepticism. Because this is such a large project, students shared their concerns about the time and changes it may cause.

“It could work,” computer science junior Joe DePolo said. “But it would probably take way too much overhead and cause campus to be

Graphic by Nikhil Vadi — THE BATTALION

even more crowded during construction.”

Skepticism is a shared sentiment among students when faced with the idea. Most students either see the construction of tunnels as an added hassle or simply infeasible.

“I’m not sure if a tunnel is the solution because that feels like a complex and expensive solution to a simple problem,” Bryant said. “I feel like a better solution is to admit less people each year and just maintain or lower student population as students cycle in and out. This would make an A&M degree more valuable and handle the overcrowded issue.”

According to the article, “Elon Musk’s tunnels to nowhere”, from Vox, Musk’s first tunnel trial un-

der Hawthorne, California was not ideal. The cars were recorded to be bumpy, and the vehicles used were not able to reach the potential speed.

Because this system is simply a proposal, all of the details are still up for consideration and debate.

However, experts on this issue are researching the potential benefits that would come out of the project.

“Projects like this do take a tremendous amount of time to plan and prioritize against other critical building needs,” Lange said. “Constructing world class buildings and solutions is always expensive, but this is a very feasible project. It is a highly cost-effective solution to a persistent challenge and allows for future expansion based on the university’s growth.”

ENTERTAINMENT

A6

Battalion Crossword ACROSS 1 British people put it on toast 5 Opposite of "bien" 8 Something you shouldn't forget?

9 Key accessory for any self-respecting superhero 10 Like plain writing 11 What Kendrick Lamar does 12 "Round and Round" band 13 Molecule components 15 Professors hate seeing them in their lectures 17 Neutral title for a woman 18 Solemn ceremonies 19 2019 Octavia Spencer thriller

21 Money-related 23 Member of A&M's football opponent on Saturday, Oct. 5 25 Release hot air or frustrations 26 "Johnny B. Goode," "Waterloo" or "Sunday Best," e.g.

27 Joins with a blowtorch 28 They go marching down?

29 Sweet wines 30 Company's head of info 31 Suit's counterpart ---DOWN 1 Inky marks used in a Rorschach test 2 Hidden clues and references in media (2 words) 3 Winehouse, Poehler or Adams 4 "No," in Italian

The Battalion | 09.26.24

5 "Just the facts, ___" (famous "Dragnet" catchphrase) 6 Phone downloads that can be addictive 7 "___ Miserables," 1862 novel 8 Most residents of Riyadh 9 Episodes where characters from another TV show appear 10 A toddler's whip 13 Member of a cast 14 Person likely to have acne and/ or angst 16 Immature response to 75-6 19 Elvis hit "Suspicious _____" 20 Play divisions 22 Like ice when above 32° 23 Author Morrison 24 Enthusiastic about 26 Cul-de-___ 27 Misfortune 29 Media department

BUS LINES AND SILVER LININGS

by Zoe Rich

SQUIRREL THOUGHTS

This Week in History Out of the Archives: Sept. 29, 1983

September 26, 1960 The first ever televised presidential debate, between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, airs.

September 28, 1920 Eight members of the Chicago White Sox are indicted for fixing the 1919 World Series in the "Black Sox Scandal."

September 28, 1066 England is invaded by William the Conquerer and the Normans.

September 29, 1982 An unsolved series of poisoned Tylenol bottles kills the first of seven victims in Chicago.

"Just a little off the sides, please."

September 30, 1955 James Dean dies in a car crash.

October 1, 1893 The Battalion publishes its first ever isssue under Editor in Chief E.L. Bruce.

October 2, 1965 Scientists at the University of Florida invent Gatorade.

October 3, 1995 A Los Angeles court acquits O.J. Simpson of his wife's murder.

October 4, 1957 Russia launches Sputnik 1, the world's first space satellite.

The original caption reads: "Doug Termel, a junior geology major from Houston, is apparently unaware that he is being considered for additional mulching material for the grass near the Academic Building. Termel was talking a quick catnap between classes Wednesday afternoon." Image recolorized from black and white.

Photo of the Week: Aggies-to-be The best snap from Batt Photo, as selected by our photo chiefs

Young fans cheer during Texas A&M’s game against Oklahoma at Ellis Field on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

Photographer: Micah Richter

SPORTS

THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2024 STUDENT MEDIA

In 80th matchup, Aggies to finally end rivalry game with Razorbacks in storied Southwest Classic in Arlington

By Noah Ruiz Sports Writer With the clank-clank of fish spurs jangling around the Quad once more, Aggieland prepares for a battle in Arlington.There will be cold drinks, some Cowboy stars and maybe some bacon for the ride home.

As the 80th meeting between Texas A&M football and Arkansas approaches, it’s easy for ol’ Ags and current students alike to reflect on what used to be. How could they not? The Aggies amassed 17 conference titles, three national championships and a Heisman trophy winner in their 81 years in the Southwest Conference — the precursor to their admission into the Big 12.Through those years in the conference, a common foe was met time and again: the University of Arkansas.

Since the first meeting in 1903, by way of a 6-0 Aggie win, Arkansas and A&M have been locked in competition since the latter was referred to as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. The two schools would go on to play three times between 1903 and 1912 before becoming founding members in 1915 of the soon-tobe powerhouse Southwest Con-

Archive photo — THE BATTALION

A&M sophomore running back Darren Lewis carries two Arkansas defenders in 1988’s 25-20 loss in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Appeared in Nov. 22, 1989 edition.

ference.

Yet oddly enough, the universities would not play each other until 1927. After another short hiatus lasting until 1934, the Aggies and Razorbacks resumed an annual conference contest from 1934 until Arkansas’ departure to the Southeastern Conference following the 1991 season. Arguably the most notable in those 57 years of consecutive games was the 1939, 27-0 pummeling of Arkansas, as A&M went on to boast an 11-0 record and be named national champions by the Associated Press.

With Arkansas’ move to the SEC, the rivalry would, once again, go dormant until another

2009 revival, when the competition would dawn the name of the Southwest Classic. Arkansas got the best of A&M the first three years with a combined score of 105-41, but that would change when the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012.

Starting that year, A&M began a rampage of revenge, taking 11 of the next 12 Southwest Classic trophies back home, including a 9-game winning streak from 2012 to 2020.

It would seem like no matter what, the Maroon and White always found their way back to their Southwest Conference roots.

So much history can be found

in the old conference, which was composed of the top schools in the great state of Texas and one in Arkansas: Baylor, Rice, SMU, Texas, A&M, TCU, Texas Tech, Houston and Arkansas.

Originally known as the Southwest Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the title was shortened to simply the Southwest Conference by 1925. In the 1930s, the conference went through its first stint of national dominance with four national titles by way of TCU in 1935 and 1938, SMU and A&M in 1939.

The teams went on to compete and hold their own nationally throughout the middle years

of its existence. The 1960s, however, brought in the second stint of gridiron perfection, with Texas and Arkansas claiming three national championships between the two of them, spanning from 1963 to 1970.

But good things cannot last forever. While the highs were high in this conference, the lows were most certainly the lows.With time churning ever forward into the ‘80s and ‘90s, the university fallouts would begin in response to numerous recruiting violations and subsequent punishments.

Most notable of the punishments was the “Death Penalty” given to SMU in 1987 over its transgressions in paying players to sign with the football program, which went through a 2-year ban from the game.

Not to mention the conference was no longer playing at the highest level of college football.

The Aggies’ Cotton Bowl victory in 1988 was the last of the SWC champions to win a bowl game, with the following eight conference champions going on to lose such contests. This, along with various NCAA infringements, led to the SWC being left out of the national title hunt. It would be the nail in the coffin to a dying conference of champions, which would disband in 1996.

Now SEC members, A&M and Arkansas will add yet another chapter to a storied rivalry this Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The competition will give a nod to the days of old, when Mustangs were corralled, Farmers truly fought and conferences simply made regional sense.

A&M, Arkansas prepare for duel in DFW Aggies aim to hogtie Razorbacks in next step of SEC campaign

By Mathias Cubillan Sports Writer Despite questions about the quarterback position swirling after enduring a chaotic fourth quarter to narrowly avoid an upset to Bowling Green, coach Mike Elko has Texas A&M winning football games. Now, with momentum building, the Aggies stare down the meat of their schedule, beginning with Arkansas at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday.

The eyes of the 12th Man will set on AT&T Stadium in Arlington as the Aggies look to continue their three-game winning streak against the rival Razorbacks in the final edition of the Southwest Classic at the neutral site.

“This game means a lot to both teams, and we always seem to get [Arkansas’] best and we always try to give them our best,” Elko said.

“When two teams do that, you wind up with a lot of really close, entertaining football games.”

The two teams find themselves in similar situations, as both sides enter the matchup at 3-1 with losses against ranked opponents.

The familiar foes battled 12 times since A&M joined the Southeastern Conference, with the Aggies winning 11 of those contests.

Led by Boise State transfer junior QB Taylen Green, Arkansas comes into the game eighth in total offense while putting up 40.5 points per game. Green’s dual-threat skillset has formed a two-headed monster in the backfield with redshirt senior running back Ja’Quinden Jackson. The Razorbacks’ 16th-ranked rushing attack is coached by former A&M offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.

“I went against [Petrino] back in the ACC when he was at Louisville and I was at Wake [Forest],” Elko said.“I think he’s really sound at what he does. He’s got a really good plan for how they want to run the football. He’s got a really good plan for how they want to create shot plays down the field.”

The Arkansas offense also features an array of potent pass catchers, including redshirt sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Sategna. The

deep threat will likely spend time matched up with junior cornerback Will “The Blanket” Lee III. Lee and fellow member of the secondary, sophomore safety Marcus Ratcliffe, have been active around the ball, combining for four interceptions and two pass breakups on the season.

After A&M starting redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman was sidelined with a shoulder injury, redshirt freshman QB Marcel Reed stepped up and performed admirably in a win at Florida on Sept. 14. After a backto-Earth game for Reed against Bowling Green and Weigman still being a game-time decision, Elko showed faith in his young backup quarterback. “[Reed’s] got a big arm; he’s got tremendous athleticism,” Elko said.

“I still think there’s some progressions, reads, checks, that he is still working through. I think those things have made tremendous strides from spring ball, through fall camp, through playing against McNeese and Florida.”

While A&M boasts the eighthbest rushing offense in the country, averaging 256 yards a game on the ground, Arkansas only allows

Kelii Horvath — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss (8) carries the ball during warmups before Texas A&M game against Bowling Green on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

82.8 yards per game. Headlined by star senior edge rusher Landon Jackson and redshirt senior defensive tackle Eric Gregory, the staunch Razorback front seven will be a tough bunch to handle for a banged up A&M offensive line. Jackson’s blend of power and effort will be a tall task for junior left tackle Trey Zuhn III to stymie on an island.

As both teams arrive at a gauntlet of ranked teams on their schedule, the matchup could be considered a must-win. With so

much at stake, the game won’t just be a battle for bragging rights but a critical step toward achieving the lofty expectations set by the passionate fanbases.

“They’ve been very competitive games,” Elko said. “They’ve had a lot of talented players. So have we. It’s been fun playing games up there, certainly for the fans. We’ll go up there and give them one more.”

The Southwest Classic will be broadcast on ESPN.

SPORTS

B2

The Battalion | 09.26.24

Battle brews in the trenches before Southwest Classic at AT&T Stadium Top-10 A&M rushing offense against stout Arkansas rush defense

By Justin Chen Sports Writer

Kelii Horvath — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M wide receiver Noah Thomas (3) drags multiple defenders after making a catch during Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green.

Kelii Horvath — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) evades pressure in the pocket to make a throw during Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green.

After an early drop to Notre Dame, No. 24 Texas A&M has rebounded and built itself a churning train, rattling off three straight wins including a crucial conference win against Florida. However, a revitalized Arkansas team will meet the Aggies at AT&T Stadium on Saturday for the annual Southwest Classic.

Both SEC clubs come into the Southwest Classic battle-tested after their first four games, and, unlike their blue-starred hosts, both teams stand at a formidable record of 3-1. With established presences in A&M’s run game and Arkansas’s rushing defense, the 80th Southwest Classic will be a hard-fought one in the trenches.

For the Maroon and White, offensive coordinator Collin Klein has institutionalized the team’s offensive character, and it hasn’t been through the air like in previous years. This season, he has the Aggies up close and personal.

Klein’s run-centric scheme has placed heavy responsibilities in the backfield duo of junior running backs Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels. Moss is on par for his best year yet, rushing for at least 70 yards in each game with three total touchdowns. He’s filled the shoes of original starting sophomore back Rueben Owens pleasantly while Daniels has served as an operational backup.

There’s also been an under-the-radar weapon that Klein’s been utilizing in redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed. The Nashville, Tennessee native has emerged as a worthy competitor of being QB1 in the absence of injured redshirt sophomore Conner Weigman. While coach Mike Elko was secretive about who would be the starting quarterback against Arkansas, a Reed start wouldn’t be surprising. Reed’s dynamic play has breathed life into A&M’s offense with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

While his showing against Bowling Green fell short of his performance against Florida, he’s had a favorite target in the end zone in each game with sophomore tight end Theo Melin Öhrström. The mighty 6-foot-6, 265-pound Swede had made himself a red zone favorite for Reed, collecting a touchdown in both games.

While Reed’s throwing ability has sufficed thus far, it’s his legs and speed that have been heavily showcased. So far, he’s averaged 87 rushing yards in his starts, including a SportsCenter-worthy ankle-breaker in The Swamp — and he has been able to dance outside the pocket when needed to.

Though Klein’s quarterback and running back weapons are the main stars of the show, it wouldn’t be possible without the improved play up front on the line. Elko said he wanted the offensive line to be the identity of the program and it’s paid off thus far. Junior left tackle Trey Zuhn III has bolstered a line that’s suffered injuries at the center position and is a key reason why the Aggies are ranked eighth in the nation

in rushing yards per game.

However, the Maroon and White face their toughest battle in the trenches as the Razorbacks have also made their identity in their run defense. Defensive coordinator Travis Williams has orchestrated an Arkansas rush defense that stands 14th in the country, allowing only 82.8 rushing yards per game. In the team’s lone loss to Oklahoma State, Williams’ defense shut down star Cowboy junior RB Ollie Gordon II to only 49 yards on the ground, a far cry from his production a season ago.

Sophomore safety TJ Metcalf has been the star of the defense, collecting 26 total tackles as well 17 solo tackles. Redshirt junior linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. has been his running mate, putting up career-best numbers across the board with 25 total tackles, 12 of them being by his lonesome.

Though he had a career-high 12 tackles against the Cowboys, Metcalf officially broke out against Auburn, grabbing two interceptions and forcing a fumble en route to winning SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

Sorey and Metcalf’s supporting cast have also filled in the gaps where needed. The defensive line of redshirt junior Cameron Ball, junior Nico Davillier and redshirt senior Eric Gregory will give A&M’s offensive line a run for its money, as the trio has played a big role in fortifying Arkansas as one of the nation’s top rushing defenses.

With unlikely stars breaking out on both ends of the ball, this season’s Southwest Classic has the makings of being a top game in the rivalry.

Aggie defense looks to slow down Razorback dual-threat quarterback Newly improved Wrecking Crew will attempt to stop Hogs

By Eric Liu Sports Writer Fresh off a victory versus Bowling Green, Texas A&M football heads to Jerry World to face Arkansas in the Southwest Classic at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Aggies’ run defense was porous to start the season, but has tightened up in recent weeks, allowing only 89 rushing yards against the Falcons. The improvement has been in large part due to increased intensity from the defensive line, but there’s still work to be done. A&M was giving up chunk plays on the

ground to Bowling Green in the first half but tightened up its defense in the second.

“I think we need to stop runs before they get to the second level,” junior defensive lineman Nic Scourton said. “I think we’re going to practice harder. We’re going to go and work harder, and we’re going to try to stop that.”

The Maroon and White will have their hands full trying to contain the Razorbacks’ backfield duo of junior quarterback Taylen Green and redshirt senior running back Ja’Quinden Jackson. The pair of transfers are in the top 10 of the SEC in rushing yards and sit behind a strong offensive line headlined by redshirt senior offensive guard Joshua Braun.

Green is a true dual-threat quarterback able to take off at a moment’s notice, and the Aggies would be wise to have a QB spy on him at all times.

“Regardless of down and

SENIOR

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distance, area of the field, situation, he has the ability to make an explosive play either with his arm or with his feet,” coach Mike Elko said. “And that type of explosiveness creates a higher level of focus within your defense because you can’t make mistakes.”

A&M’s highly-touted pass rush has been able to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks but has had a hard time finishing plays. A year after topping the SEC in sacks, the Aggies currently rank second to last with only five to start the year.

Green is able to make a break for it when forced to the outside, so A&M should prioritize keeping him in the pocket. When the protection breaks down, Green can get jittery, leading to mistakes, as shown by his four interceptions for second in the SEC. If Green makes an error, sophomore defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe will be waiting to pounce.

Ratcliffe currently leads the nation with three interceptions after snagging a pick in the end zone to end Bowling Green’s dreams of a comeback. Ratcliffe combines sure hands with solid defensive instincts and is a potent combination lurking in the secondary.

The Razorbacks are currently

Kelii Horvath — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner (5) sacks Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak (7) during Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green.

second in the nation when it comes to third down conversions, but an increase in sacks will force Arkansas into obvious passing situations. This will help prevent its option attack, a staple when it goes to third and short.

The defensive line pair of senior Shemar Turner and junior Shemar Stewart was banged up against Bowling Green, but each notched a

sack. Their matchup against Braun will be key in how effective the Razorbacks’ rushing attack will be.

Redshirt senior wide receiver Andrew Armstrong serves as Green’s safety blanket with his 6-foot-4 frame, but junior DB Will Lee III has the size to match up well with him. Look to see them battle for positioning when it comes to passes to the outside.

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 09.26.24

B3

Week 5 staff picks: Arkansas Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN Texas 30

1

939

2

913

3

Ohio State 3

Georgia 3

Braxton Dore’ Asst. Sports Editor

Woo Pig Sooie never works.

880

IAN

Ian Curtis Alabama

4

BRAXTON

Features Editor

814

Bobby Petrino’s motorcycle says Gig ‘em.

Ole Miss

5

785

Luke White

LUKE

Sports Editor

6

Tennessee

7

Miami (FL)

8

Oregon

783

700

Beating Arkansas has to be a tradition at this point, right?

Mikayla Martinez News Editor

MIKAYLA

TEXAS BBQ IS BETTER.

643

Chris Swann Penn State

9

630

10

CHRIS

Photo Chief

Why can’t they just be friends? :(

Missouri 604

Matthew Seaver Asst. Sports Editor

11

Utah

12

Michigan

13

LSU

599

478

America explain how can this one be ARKAN-SAW???

Charis Adkins Opinion Editor

CHARIS

Call us Kermit the way we’re boutta be giving it to the piggies.

433

J. M. Wise

14

MATTHEW

Notre Dame

J.M.

News Editor

406

I do not know a world in which we lose this game. Vegas has us up by 4!

15

USC

16

Louisville

Around the SEC:Week 5

400

393

17

Clemson

18

Oklahoma

19

Oklahoma State

20

Illinois

21

Iowa State

22

Kansas State

23

BYU 94

24

Texas A&M

25

By Matthew Seaver Asst. Sports Editor

A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR THIS WEEK’S GAMES

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263

250

224

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No. 2 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama

No. 21 Oklahoma at Auburn

Saturday, Sept. 28 — 2:30 p.m. on ABC Bryant-Denny Stadium — Tuscaloosa, Alabama This rematch of the 2023 SEC er, who inherited several of Saban’s Championship will have major im- recruits. plications on both programs for the Alabama has picked up right remainder of the season. Georgia where it left off, averaging 49 points coach Kirby Smart is only 1-5 versus per game led by redshirt junior quarAlabama, but all five of those losses terback Jalen Milroe. However, the were to coach Nick Saban, who no Bulldogs defense is ranked fourth in longer leads the Crimson Tide. The the country and only allows 6 points new man on the sidelines at Bry- per game. Sweet home Alabama — ant-Denny Stadium is Kalen DeBo- where the Georgia Bulldogs lose!

Saturday, Sept. 28 — 2:30 p.m. on ABC Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, Alabama The Sooners got a rude welcome much more calm under pressure to the SEC in Week 4 when they from the orange crush. were embarrassed by the No. 5 TenMeanwhile, the biggest news out nessee Volunteers. One positive note of Auburn is the postgame comments from that game was the changing of from coach Hugh Freeze regarding the guard at quarterback by coach the disappointing loss to Arkansas.

Brent Venables. Sophomore QB “If we play them nine more times, Jackson Arnold fell apart against the we beat them nine times,” Freeze Volunteers, totaling three turnovers. said. The Sooner Schooner rolls in The new man in charge is freshman to settle and feast on the War Eagle.

QB Michael Hawkins Jr., who was

Prediction: Alabama 24, Georgia 20

Prediction: Oklahoma 31, Auburn 13

Kentucky at No. 6 Ole Miss

South Alabama at No. 14 LSU

Saturday, Sept. 28 — 11 a.m. on ABC Vaught-Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, Mississippi Kentucky kept things close with Georgia Southern. the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 2, so Senior QB Jaxson Dart has led it might try to utilize a similar game Ole Miss to the No. 1 passing and plan for a chance at defeating No. scoring offense in the country and 6 Ole Miss. The Rebels have been looks to continue the same level of crushing their opponents so far, play to begin SEC action. The only dominating all four games by a col- chance the Wildcats and junior QB lective score of 220-22. However, Brock Vandagriff have of beating those opponents include Furman, the Rebels is in EA Sports College Middle Tennessee, Wake Forest and Football 25.

Saturday, Sept. 28 — 6:45 p.m. on SEC Network Tiger Stadium — Baton Rouge, Louisiana LSU is on a three-game win streak Perkins Jr. for the season after he suffollowing a down-to-the-wire loss fered a possible torn ACL last week. to the then-No. 23 USC Trojans to South Alabama holds a 2-2 record open the season. Redshirt junior QB which includes a 87-10 bashing of Garrett Nussmeier has done a great Northwestern State in Week 3. No job finding all the elite weapons at matter how much they miss their dewide receiver for the Tigers. How- fensive captain, the Tigers will come ever, LSU has a big hole to fill after out on top of this catfight against the losing star junior linebacker Harold Jaguars.

Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Kentucky 10

Prediction: LSU 45, South Alabama 21

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80

Indiana 62

The SMP represents the top 25 teams in college football as voted weekly by student journalists across the nation New entrants: Illinois (20), BYU (23), Indiana (25) Dropped out: Nebraska (21), Memphis (24), Arizona (25)

Receiving votes: Boston College (45), Boise State (40), UNLV (35), Washington State (22), UCF (21), Iowa (18), Pitt (15), Nebraska (14), Arizona (14), Memphis (13), Liberty (9), Duke (7), Colorado (3), Vanderbilt (3), South Carolina (2), Arkansas (2), SMU (1), Rutgers (1)

Student Media Poll is sponsored by Indiana University Student Media

SPORTS

B6

The Battalion | 09.26.24

Rocio Salgado — THE BATTALION

The Aggies react after dropping a point during Texas A&M’s game against Temple at Reed Arena on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.

Aggies begin SEC play against Longhorns With a 9-1 record, volleyball must slow down Texas to start SEC slate with victory

By Shalina Sabih Features Writer Following a win against Troy on Sept. 22, Texas A&M volleyball is spiking into SEC play with a 9-1 record under coach Jamie Morrison.

Against the Trojans, the Aggies had 51 kills, 50 assists and 46 digs and showed why junior middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla earned SEC Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 16. Her ability to lead the team in blocks and disrupt opposing offenses is giving A&M the upper hand in closely contested sets.

As A&M approaches conference action, its key to continued success will be building on the

strengths it demonstrated in nonconference matches.

A&M’s ability to distribute the offensive load, as seen with four players hitting double-digit kills against Northern Iowa on Sept.

19, is critical. If the Maroon and White maintain this balance, they will keep SEC opponents guessing, especially against tough defenses such as No. 12 Kentucky and No. 15 Kentucky.

The Maroon and White’s undefeated streak was snapped after a hard-fought 3-0 loss to No. 7 Wisconsin, which could be a valuable lesson as the team goes into SEC play. The Badgers were able to create separation in key moments, particularly in the third set, when they turned a 15-14 lead into a decisive 25-19 finish.

A&M will need to tighten its defense and focus on stopping momentum swings from opponents.

Strong serving runs, like those by junior MB Morgan Perkins with her two aces, can put opponents on their heels and should be a key weapon going forward.

Serving has been another crit-

ical element of the Aggies’ game, and it can serve as a weapon in SEC play. Junior libero Tatum Thomas’ serving, especially under pressure, will be key as the Aggies face more elite teams. Against Wisconsin, Thomas delivered crucial serves in the second set, helping A&M close the gap and push the frame into extra points.

Thomas’ ability to serve consistently and apply pressure against top teams like Wisconsin shows that A&M can use strong serving to disrupt the flow of even the most elite opponents. In SEC play, keeping opponents off-balance with aggressive serving will be essential to gain momentum, especially in critical moments.

As the Aggies prepare to face No. 8 Texas in their SEC opener, they can draw several insights from the Longhorns’ recent 3-1 win over Hawaii.

Senior outside hitter Jenna Wenaas led Texas with 15 kills while hitting an impressive .448, and junior OH Devin Kahahawai added 12 kills at a .476 clip. A&M’s defense, particularly its blockers,

must key in on these two players to limit their effectiveness and prevent them from finding open space on the court.

Just as the Longhorns went on a 7-0 run against Hawaii to regain control in the second set, A&M must be ready to counter such momentum swings.

Keeping composure during these runs and finding ways to stop Texas’ serving streaks will be essential.

One of A&M’s strengths in its match against Wisconsin was forcing the Badgers out of system with strong serves. It must continue this approach against Texas, with players like Thomas and Perkins stepping up to apply pressure and disrupt the Longhorns’ offense.

The Aggies will head into SEC play on Friday, Sept. 27, hosting Texas at Reed Arena at 6:30 p.m.

SPORTS

The Battalion | 09.26.24

B7

GALLERY: Football vs. Bowling Green

By Adriano Espinosa, Hannah Harrison, Kelii Horvath

Texas A&M scraped by Bowling Green 26-20 at Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. In his first home start, Marcel Reed threw for 173 yards and three touchdowns.

Members of the Texas A&M Aggie offense celebrate and dance after scoring a touchdown during Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green at Kyle Field.

Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nana Boadi-Owusu (12) carries the 12th Man flag before the Texas A&M and the Bowling Green football game at Kyle Field.

Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe (3) before the Texas A&M and the Bowling Green football game at Kyle Field.

A member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band stands awaiting the football team’s arrival before Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green outside Kyle Field.

Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Noah Thomas (3) dodges a defender after making a catch during Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green at Kyle Field.

Texas A&M Aggies running back Le’Veon Moss (8) midtackle during the Texas A&M and the Bowling Green football game at Kyle Field.

Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Daymion Sanford (27) celebrates a tackle during Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green at Kyle Field.

Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Noah Thomas (3) goes up to catch the ball in the end zone during Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green at Kyle Field.

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (right) stands injured before Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green at Kyle Field.

Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) prepares to throw the ball during Texas A&M’s game against Bowling Green at Kyle Field.