The Battalion: October 27, 2016

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2016 STUDENT MEDIA | @THEBATTONLINE

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AGGIES VS AGGIES FIRST MEETING OF A&M AND NEW MEXICO STATE SATURDAY AT KYLE FIELD ALYSSA MICHALKE PG 5

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A&M VS NMSU PG 12 Morgan Engel — THE BATTALION

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The Battalion | 10.27.16

A&M System, Blinn College collaborate for RELLIS campus

The Texas A&M System and Blinn College are collaborating on the development of the RELLIS campus, which is located where the old lot of the Riverside Annex used to be.

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Blinn College partnered with the Texas A&M University System in the development of the new RELLIS Campus that is taking shape, as was proposed in a meeting between the Board of Trustees and TAMU System May 31.

The RELLIS Campus is a premier, high-tech research, technology development and education campus which will be located on the old lot of the TAMU Riverside Annex — 2,000 acres of underdeveloped real estate bordering State Highways 47 and 21, according to John Barton, director of RELLIS Campus and associate vice chancellor of engineering.

“Blinn sees the RELLIS Campus as a tremendous opportunity and we see it as an opportunity for those students that may not be attending Texas A&M College Station, but want to remain in the Bryan-College Station area to transition through Blinn … We really want to promote that concept,” said Karen Buck, vice president of administration and operations.

Shortly after John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, publicly announced the creation of the RELLIS Campus, the Blinn College Board of Trustees and TAMU Board

of Regents began conversations of partnership at the RELLIS Campus in May 2016.

“Based on a consensus opinion of both boards that this partnership between the two institutions was valuable and desirable, the Blinn College Board of Trustees took formal action to proceed with the construction of their first building at RELLIS during their August 2016 Board meeting,” Barton said.

Prior to Blinn College’s acceptance to be involved with RELLIS, Blinn purchased a 90-acre plot of land on Leonard and Harvey Mitchell Parkway. To save around $15 million on infrastructure expenses, the Board of Trustees decided to accept the A&M System’s offer to further their partnership, according to Buck.

“We still own the [90-acre plot of land] but the decision has not been made by the Board of Trustees on whether or not they’ll build on it at a future date … We have some other programs that we’d like to develop so we might use that plot of land to develop some different programs,” Buck said.

Blinn College will primarily provide the underclassmen — freshman and sophomore — courses for the program provided at the RELLIS Campus, according to Barton.

“In this role, they will be instrumental to the education and workforce de-

velopment goals of the RELLIS Campus and will be a significant contributor to the degree programs offered to every student,” Barton said.

The experiences on the new campus include earning a college degree, receiving workforce training and involvement in research implemented by university institutions. Richard O’Malley, assistant vice president for facilities, planning and construction, said there will be a focus on STEM education at the new campus.

Construction of the RELLIS Campus began at the end of September with the development of the first facility, the Center for Infrastructure Renewal, underway.

Buck said the development of the campus would be economically beneficial for the surrounding community, because of the additional 10,000 students that will be living in and contributing to the economic impact.

Construction on this “new state-ofthe-art, multi-disciplinary lab” will be completed in the fall of 2018, Barton said. The construction of other facilities currently planned at RELLIS will begin over the next 12 months, all with planned completion in the next 36 months.

“We’re excited to be a part of this and look forward to continuing to grow with A&M and being good partners,” O’Malley said.

LIFE&ARTS

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L O O KStudents I NweighGin onFonlineOdating R appsL O V E

By Ana Sevilla @anavsevilla Blind dates, movie nights and serendipitous meetings are one way for the average person to meet a potential significant other, but a variety of e-dating services are changing the game.

Apps like Tinder and PlentyofFish and sites like OkCupid have broadened the horizons for people seeking a relationship, giving them pictures of other users and information about user interests and common contacts.

While some still prefer to find romance through face-to-face contact, the stigma surrounding online dating has dropped significantly. According to Pew Research Center, only 10 percent of 18 to 24 year olds in 2013 used online dating compared to today’s 27 percent, nearly tripling in only a few years’ time.

Some students at Texas A&M have had success with their experiences. English junior Sarah Mangus first ventured into online dating when she was 18 after leaving a bad relationship.

“It was really fun just going through different people, and within a few hours of having made the account [on OkCupid] I matched with a really cool guy — from Australia,” Mangus said. “Which led to a very long distance relationship.”

Kinesiology junior Briana advises users to remain open and honest in personal profiles. Last year, Briana said she was worried about encountering people she knew on a dating site. To solve this, she decided to post honest personal information in her bio but chose a picture of a stranger, gathered from a Tumblr search of a “pretty girl,” otherwise known as a method of cat-fishing.

“My plan was to have good conversation and then probably delete [the profile] because I thought it was whatever,” Briana said. “Well, then I started to feel bad

because I thought ‘this guy is actually kind of nice and good looking’ and we actually had a connection.”

Less than 24 hours after their initial conversation, she confessed to her lie and was confronted with the harsh reality of his disappointment and anger.

“It was just me being stupid and I really think I hurt his feelings because I wasn’t the girl he thought I was,” Briana said. “I definitely learned that if you’re not comfortable putting yourself online, don’t. Don’t use anyone else’s pictures. It’s just not fair to whoever you’re talking to. Even though you might be doing it to pass time, some people really can’t find love where they are, so they go online and it’s important to them even though it might not be important to you.”

Telecommunication junior Roland Davila said he uses Grindr and Jack’d apps.

Davila said his worst experience with dating services was when he found a false profile of himself. Despite his negative experience, he continues to use the apps because he feels it’s one of the best ways to connect with people.

“I feel like as a gay man in College Station, which is really conservative, you’re almost obligated to use them if you want to meet people,” Davila said. “The culture here is so odd because there’s a lot of white people here, and so it’s odd being a minority. And then I’m very feminine too, so that’s very off-putting to a very conservative group of the LGBT community, and so that’s hard to navigate because you don’t really talk to a lot of people. It’s almost a necessary evil.”

According to Pew Research Center, the number of 18 to 24 year olds using online dating apps has nearly tripled since 2013.

Rachel Grant — THE BATTALION

FOOTBALL

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The Battalion | 10.27.16

CLASH OF THE AGGIES: A&M VS NEW MEXICO STATE Jacob

Texas A&M to square off with NMSU for first time on the gridiron in history

By Heath Clary @Heath_Clary

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ne of the many great things about the college football regular season is that there’s always next week. One loss is usually not the end of the world, and a team always has a chance to redeem itself seven days later.

That’s the No. 9 Aggies’ mentality heading into Saturday’s home matchup against New Mexico State University following last weekend’s 33-14 loss to top-ranked Alabama. They are not worrying about what their loss could do to their chances of making the College Football Playoff or how it affects their national ranking, they are focused solely on beating the visiting New Mexico State Aggies.

“We’re not talking about that; we have to worry about this week,” head coach Kevin

Sumlin said during Tuesday’s press conference. “We don’t have any control over what happens after that and our guys understand that. We have to beat New Mexico State this week and that’s what we refocused on and that’s what this week is about.”

Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone echoed a similar tune.

“All I know is that we have to be 1-0 this weekend — that’s our mentality,” Mazzone said. “We have to prepare today and in the next couple of days and then on Saturday we have to go out and play Aggie football and be 1-0 at the end of that day.”

NMSU (2-5) boasts a high-powered offense that has averaged 26 points and more than 430 yards of total offense per game. The NMSU offense scored 42 points and racked up 500 yards against Kentucky earlier this season, so they have proven their offense can be effective even against SEC competition.

“They’re going to throw it around a bunch,” Sumlin said. “They’re going to spread us out and it’s going to be zone-read

and taking shots down the field. A lot of vertical routes are going to test us deep.”

Defensive coordinator John Chavis praised NMSU senior quarterback Tyler Rogers, who has thrown for more than 300 yards three times this season and can also make plays with his legs.

“He’s been around the program — he knows their scheme, he knows how to deliver the football, he knows where it’s going to be open,” Chavis said. “He does a great job going through his progression of reads in the passing game.”

Saturday’s game marks the first time A&M has welcomed a team from the Sun Belt conference since 2014, and the Aggies will attempt to win their 22nd consecutive non-conference game within the friendly confines of Kyle Field.

Texas A&M will look to get back to its winning streak against NMSU, and continuing its balanced offensive attack will be critical. A&M ranks third in the SEC in rushing, has rushed for more than 200 yards in six of its

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seven games and is one of only four FBS teams in the country averaging more than 240 yards on the ground and through the air.

A&M quarterback Trevor Knight acknowledged there are areas where he and his offense can improve, specifically focusing on getting the ball in space to A&M’s deep group of wide receivers.

“I still say that we have the best receiving corps in the country, and they’ve proven that time and time again,” Knight said. “It’s getting the ball in their hands and being more consistent week in and week out.”

Mazzone said the team’s sole purpose is to focus on the single opponent in front of them.

“Coach Sumlin has done an unbelievable job all year with our mantra — it’s about us,” Mazzone said. “The guys have really bought into it. We have to go out every day in practice. You have to win Saturday’s game in practice and I think these kids will do that.”

Kickoff for Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

BASKETBALL

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COMMANDING ON AND OFF THE COURT

By Kevin Roark @Kevin_Roark

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early 140 years after Texas A&M opened its doors, the Corps of Cadets had its first female Commander: Alyssa Michalke. Upon the conclusion of her duties, the College Station native displayed some hidden talents that will come to realization this basketball season.

Before most college students are even thinking about getting out of bed, Michalke would stand in front of thousands of men and women, commanding orders to the Corps of Cadets. At a university so steeped in tradition, Alyssa Michalke has found ways to go against the grain during her entire collegiate career.

Before her stint as Commander, Michalke served as Corps Sergeant Major as a junior and was a member of the Ross Volunteers.

She was also named Most Outstanding Freshman and Most Outstanding Sophomore foin her company and brigade. As the first female Commander in A&M history, she has paved the way for her and many other students that wish to go against the norm. Michalke is now the most recent addition to Texas A&M’s women’s basketball team under Coach Gary Blair.

“My freshman year I saw they were going to have tryouts,” Michalke said. “I was already in the Corps and I said, ‘You know what, I’ve already committed to the Corps. I’m going to stick it out with the Corps and see how it goes.’ Through God’s blessing I ended up being chosen to lead the Corps, which was awesome. I knew I had this extra semester and knew if they had tryouts, I’d go give it a shot

Alyssa Michalke transitions from Commander of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets to an NCAA athlete playing Division I basketball.

Texas A&M Athletics and FILE

— the worst they could tell me was no. I decided to come on out, Coach Blair’s coaching staff brought me on and I’m just really grateful for that.”

After four years in the Corps, Michalke is now experiencing her first semester as a nonreg. Before her days as Commander, Michalke established strong roots in competitive athletics. The 5-foot-7 walk on was an All-State and District MVP at Schulenburg High School, where she led the Lady Horns to just one district loss over her junior and senior years. She was a four-sport athlete being selected as an All-District softball catcher along with lettering in golf and cross country. Michalke said there is plenty she learned and misses from the Corps that contributed to her journey in becoming a collegiate athlete.

“Just the camaraderie,” Michalke said. “I was kind of nervous knowing these girls are just amazing athletes and I thought they’d be

so superior and just run me out of the building. But they’ve been so supportive and so cohesive and welcoming. I missed the camaraderie after the Corps because I was just a student for the first half of the semester. I missed that sense of teamwork that belongs in the Corps and sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself.”

Despite her inexperience in college-level sports, Michalke has been welcomed with open arms in Reed Arena. The coaches and players can’t say enough about how her strong presence, which has already had a positive influence on the team in just the two weeks that she’s been there. Team captain senior forward Taylor Cooper said Michalke is someone who can lead on and off the court.

“Alyssa is great for us,” Cooper said. “The moment since she stepped in here she’s been a leader. Her being in the Corps, she already has the background. Off the court I think she

brings a lot of responsibility. When she speaks she’s one of those people where everybody listens. She has one of those voices where everybody respects what she says and what she has to bring.”

A strong foundation in the Corps helped the former commander develop many qualities that she awaits to apply during the basketball season. After a balancing act between school and extracurricular responsibilities as a commander, Michalke said the hard work and time management is all too familiar.

“A lot of that is just about self-discipline, knowing when you need to study, how much you need to study,” Michalke said. “Especially for these two past weeks that I’ve been here it’s been really fast-paced and a really big learning curve for me. When I was in the Corps it was grades and Corps and now it’s grades and basketball.”

SPORTS

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Morgan Engel — THE BATTALION

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FOOTBALL The Battalion | 10.27.16

Senior linebacker Claude George has 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss this season.

FILLING THE GAP Claude George brings intensity, adds depth to A&M’s linebacker rotation

By Grant Spika @GrantSpika

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fter a turnaround 2015 season for the Aggie football defense, led by new coordinator John Chavis, there was a glaring weakness at linebacker. The biggest problem with the second level was the lack of depth. This year, the linebacker corps has plenty of options and is much improved thanks to players such as Otaro Alaka coming off of injury and freshman Tyrel Dodson, but one of the biggest differences has been the improvement of senior junior college transfer Claude George.

George hails from Lafayette, Louisiana,

where he played at Acadiana High School.

The Bayou is known for its tough football players and George represents that. Acadiana won the 2010 state championship when George was a sophomore.

“You can’t be a soft football player and come out of Lafayette, not at the high school I came out of,” George said. “Ted Davidson, best high school coach I ever played for, he made me the player I am today. It’s just a way of life down there, it’s hard-nosed, our offensive linemen were going to embarrass you if you didn’t bring it.”

George spent his first two years of college at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas where he recorded 51 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, five passes broken up, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in just his freshman year. George then followed up his spectacular

rookie campaign with 69 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hurries in his sophomore season, which earned him second team All-America honors.

George originally committed to the University of Miami in the summer before his sophomore season, but backed out on his commitment to the Canes on October 16, 2014 before committing to the Aggies on October 30, a day after A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin extended an offer to George.

“George is fighting for a starting job, there’s always competition,” Chavis said. “We’re going to put the best people on the field, and I like what George is getting done.”

So far at Texas A&M, George has filled and accepted his role on the team with flying colors. In 2015, George recorded 24 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss in 11 games for the Aggies, including six tackles against Auburn. In 2016,

Morgan Engel — THE BATTALION

George has already recorded 29 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and an interception in just seven games.

Recently, he picked off Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts in the first half of the Aggies’ 33-14 loss last Saturday. “[George] is a really good player,” Sumlin said. “He’s made the transition from a hand on the ground defensive end in junior college to a stand-up guy who has to read and react.

He’s a great pass rusher, that’s where you see him at his best, when we blitz him, he’s made a lot of great plays.”

Senior safety Justin Evans said George is a hardworking teammate who will never back down from a challenge.

“Claude George is a phenomenal athlete,” Evans said. “When he’s on the field, he’s going to give you everything he’s got. He’s one of our best producing linebackers.”

FOOTBALL The Battalion | 10.27.16

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AROUND THE SEC WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN WEEK 9 OF THE CONFERENCE

Kevin Roark

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@kevin_roark

t the halfway point of the season, six SEC teams reside in the Top 20 and continue their hunt for playoff berths entering Week 9. As we approach the home stretch of the 2016 season, some conference teams have their focus on the Championship, while others are scraping together their pride before stumbling into a bowl game. Week 9 offers some intriguing SEC matchups to keep the Top 20 honest in their rankings.

Georgia at No. 14 Florida Oct. 29, Jacksonville, Florida – 2:30 p.m. CST

After an impromptu off week, No. 14 Florida (5-1, 3-1 SEC) ran over Mizzou in a 40-14 domination before diving into yet another off week. They now head into this weekend’s annual rivalry game with just a single loss under their belt. Unfortunately their postponed matchup against LSU would have been a nice indicator as to where this team really stands. The Gators sit at the top of the SEC East heading into the newly named River City Showdown, facing off against Georgia (4-3, 2-3 SEC) which has struggled to find their identity in the conference. Gator signal caller Luke Del Rio returned from injury against Missouri but didn’t play like the passer we saw in the first three weeks of the season. He threw three interceptions after being picked only twice this season. However, Florida came out with a solid win thanks to its unrecognizable run game that

posted 287 yards. The Gators boast a dominant defense that’s allowed just 72 points all season. They have at least two first-rounders in their secondary duo Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson, who lead the SEC in interceptions.

Bulldog freshman quarterback Jacob Eason has had what most would say is a mediocre season. Luckily the Georgia offense focuses mainly on the ground game through Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and Brian Herrien, who each have more than 300 yards on the season. This will most likely be the plan of attack when they line up against the Gator pass rush. On the flip side, Georgia’s allowing just 111 yards rushing per game. This should force Del Rio to attack through the air and prove he’s not the quarterback we saw against Missouri. At The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, you never really know what you’re going to get. This is a must win for Florida and a real test of Del Rio’s ability to conduct the Gators to a high-stakes win. Watch for Georgia to play smart on the ground but the Gators’ shutdown secondary will force a turnover and swing things in their favor.

Prediction: Florida 23, Georgia 14

17 yards and scoring on a third of his caries. Auburn (5-2, 3-1 SEC), however, suffered a couple early losses and is now on a four-game winning streak.

They’re sleeping well after leaving Arkansas hog tied in a 56-3 performance.

Auburn’s team as a whole has been firing on all cylinders but its defense cannot be overlooked. The Tigers have allowed just 37 points in the last month and held the Razorbacks to 215 yards of offense. Ball-carrying duo Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson has carried Auburn to the third-best rushing offense in the nation. Ole Miss signal caller Chad Kelly confusingly leads the conference in passing and turnovers, and a stagnant run game has left the Rebels stuck in the mud. Ole Miss defense struggles against the ground game (113th in the nation) and is allowing 227 yards per game. With Auburn rolling hot and running downhill, it’ll be a long day for Chad Kelly and company.

Watch for the Tigers to press Kelly with their dominating defensive line headed by Carl Lawson. The Rebels will look to get the run game going but it’ll be Auburn who dominates the ground and builds momentum preceding their meeting with Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

Prediction: Auburn 38, Ole Miss 28

No. 15 Auburn at Ole Miss Oct. 29, Oxford, Mississippi – 6:15 p.m. CST

Through plenty of ups and downs and twists and turns, the Ole Miss Rebels (3-4, 1-3 SEC) have had nothing short of a disappointing season.

They’re coming off a big loss to LSU where Leonard Fournette carved up their defense, averaging more than

No. 18 Tennessee at South Carolina

Oct. 29, Columbia, South Carolina 6:15 p.m. CST The Volunteers (5-2, 2-2 SEC) are coming off a much needed off week after a physically and mentally draining two weeks. They were

bruised and battered by Texas A&M before being trampled by No. 1 Alabama with seven of their 16 returning starters on the sideline. South Carolina (3-4, 1-4 SEC) saw just a glimmer of hope last week as they scored more than 20 points for the first time this season. Freshman Jake Bentley made his debut at quarterback and seems to be the main man heading forward as he posted 201 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Despite a humiliating 49-10 loss to the Tide and a heartbreaking double overtime loss in College Station, the Volunteers have only lost two games, both to top 10 teams. They’re not out of playoff contention by any means. Joshua Dobbs and friends will be on the hunt to gain some swagger back against a stout Gamecock secondary that’s allowing a mere 184 passing yards per game.

Running back Alvin Kamara passes the throne down to Jalen Hurd while he recovers from injury. Hurd has struggled thus far with a subpar 3.82 yards per carry. While the Gamecocks don’t score a lot of points, they also don’t allow many. A strong secondary and rush defense has kept every opponent under 30 points and boasts the second most solo tackles in the SEC. As much as I want to think Tennessee won’t follow suit and have another slow start, they haven’t proved me wrong. Watch for a long, low-scoring game where the Volunteers will bounce back and get their much-needed running game going.

Prediction: Tennessee 27, South Carolina 17 Kevin Roark is a mechanical engineering junior and sports writer for The Battalion.

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The Battalion | 10.27.16

Week 9 staff picks No. 9 A&M vs New Mexico State Saturday, Oct. 29 @ 6:30 p.m.

No. 14 Auburn vs Ole Miss Saturday, Oct. 29 @ 6:15 p.m.

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Morgan Engel

Page Designer @AustinTXHokie

Photographer @cmefoto

Aggies will win either way, might as well pick the superior school.

Angel Franco Sports Editor @angelmadison_

The only good thing about New Mexico State is that it is only 50 miles from home. AKA El Paso.

That War Eagle won’t even get off the ground this weekend. Ole Miss wins!

Alex Miller Sports Writer @AlexMill20

As the crazy callers of ‘The Paul Finebaum Show’ would say .... WAR DAMN EAGLE PAWWWWWWWL!

Chris Martin

Heath Clary

Sci-Tech Editor @martin19340

Asst. Sports Editor @Heath_Clary

What’s the difference between Aggies? The school with the better football team.

CORRECTIONS

Auburn has been really hot, Ole Miss has been really cold.

The trend continues.

In Wednesday’s edition of The Battalion, we inaccurately identified two photos. (left) We inaccurately identified Ashlynn Harryman as Grace Piper. (right) We also identified Lauren Salinas as Cassandra De La Torre. Additionally, Trevor Knight has thrown six interceptions instead of two.

OPINION

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The Battalion | 10.27.16

DIVERGING HISTORIES While many people in College Station and across the nation are familiar with Texas A&M and the powerful university that it has become, there is another university 725 miles away from the Brazos Valley in southern New Mexico that is also proud to be the Aggies and rep similar colors.

AG AWAKENING Fourteen years after the 1862 Morrill Act passed, the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College opened its doors, now known as our home—Texas A&M.

CREATIVE COMMONS

RELATED ROOTS

Also created under the 1862 Morrill Act, the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts began classes in the fall of 1890 and until 1960 was known as New Mexico A&M.

BREAKING SOIL

CREATIVE COMMONS

In 1894 the Aggies of Texas A&M started their football program and eventually established itself as a nationally acclaimed program.

FILE

OFF RECORD In that same year the Aggies of New Mexico State formed. They have stumbled to a poor all-time record of 420-615-30 after more seasons with losing records than winning ones.

REVEILLE

CREATIVE COMMONS

A&M’s Reveille and her handler lead the Aggies of Texas A&M out of the tunnel before football games.

FILE

STRIKING

New Mexico State’s own collie, Striking the Wonder Dog, has become a famous icon. He retrieves the kicking tee after each NMSU kickoff during home games.

Alex Miller is a journliasm freshman and sports writer for The Battalion.

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