The Battalion - November 16, 2018

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2018 STUDENT MEDIA

We Remember Them

Miranda Denise Adams ‘02 • Christopher D. Breen ‘96 • Michael Stephen Ebanks ‘03 • Jeremy Richard Frampton ‘99 • Jamie Lynn Hand ‘03 • Christopher Lee Heard ‘03 • Timothy Doran Kerlee, Jr. ‘03 • Lucas John Kimmel ‘03 • Bryan A. McClain ‘02 • Chad A. Powell ‘03 • Jerry Don Self ‘01 • Nathan Scott West ‘02

Photo illustration by Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

Senior Boot Bag

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On Nov. 18 at 2:42 a.m., Bonfire Remembrance will be held in memory of the 12 Aggies who died in the 1999 collapse.

Honoring through remembrance Students, community to gather Sunday for 19th Bonfire Remembrance Ceremony at 2:42 a.m.

Megan Rodriguez, Editor in Chief Luke Henkhaus, Managing Editor Taylor Fennell, News Editor Anthony Pangonas, News Editor Jordan Burnham, Asst. News Editor Kathryn Whitlock, Life & Arts Editor Hannah Falcon, Life & Arts Editor Samantha Mahler, Asst. Life & Arts Editor

Angel Franco, Sports Editor Abigail Ochoa, Asst. Sports Editor Cassie Stricker, Photo Chief Jesse Everett, Asst. Photo Chief Daoud Qamar, Video Editor Kevin Christman, Asst. Video Editor Sanna Bhai, Special Sections Editor

THE BATTALION is published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the 2018 fall semester and 2019 spring semester (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

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By Katie James @kaytayjames In the cold early morning hours of Sunday when campus is usually deserted, hundreds of Aggies will make their way to the Bonfire Memorial to remember the 12 Aggies who died after the stack collapsed at 2:42 a.m. on Nov. 18, 1999.

This year’s Bonfire Remembrance will mark the 19th anniversary of the collapse of Aggie Bonfire, which killed 11 students and one former student and injured 27. The ceremony begins at the time the stack fell in 1999 and is a somber reminder of the lives cut short.

Technology management senior Stephanie Chheng, a member of Traditions Council’s Bonfire Remembrance Committee, said the ceremony is all about letting the families of the deceased know their children are still remembered.

“The Aggie Spirit is so palpable during the ceremony,” Chheng said. “I can’t even put it into words. It’s really powerful to see so many Aggies gathered for people they probably didn’t know.”

The Yell Leaders start Remembrance by reciting the poem “The Last Corps Trip” because that was traditionally how Burn Night began. Then the names of the 12 are read out, and “Here” is said in reply to each. Typically, songs including “Amazing Grace” and “The Spirit of Aggieland” are sung to close out the night.

Distinguished professor of English Margaret Ezell, who

has been teaching at A&M since 1982, heard about A&M traditions from her Aggie grandfather when she was growing up and remembers Bonfire before the collapse.

“Most people enjoyed the tradition of Bonfire, but there were concerns about safety because it was getting enormous,” Ezell said. “The partial collapse a couple years before worried a lot of us. I learned about the collapse later in the morning because I was taking my husband in to be treated for cancer. I saw the news on the TV mid-morning, and it was shocking. We were hoping they would not find anyone underneath, but it was incredibly sad and heartbreaking.”

The 1999 tragedy was caused by structural unsoundness of the stack. The collapse sparked controversy over the university’s failure to ensure safety during such a large construction project undertaken by students. It prompted an outpouring of grief from the campus community, including a candlelight vigil on the night Bonfire would have burned.

“It’s hard to describe the atmosphere of campus the next day,” Ezell said. “The trauma was terrible — there were very few undergraduates who didn’t know someone who was hurt or involved. It wasn’t isolated; it was like a shockwave.”

In addition to the ceremony, the MSC Hospitality is offering free tours of the Bonfire Memorial from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, including information on the history of Bonfire and the symbolism of the Memorial. A reflections display memorializing the lives lost is currently set up in the MSC Flag Room.

“As an Aggie, Remembrance is an experience you kind of need to have,” Chheng said. “It’s an integral part of A&M’s history, and it really puts things in perspective. It exemplifies what it means to be an Aggie.”

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PROVIDED

Aggie Rings were left at the base of the flagpole of the Administration Building after Bonfire collapsed. All of the rings were returned to their owners. One ring was left in another location and could not be returned. It is now on display at Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center as a permanent tribute to those who died.

A ring for every Aggie were collecting the artifacts from the Bonfire site,” Grider said. “I insisted that [The Association of Former Students] take possession of all the rings … and I heard they all got returned to their owners.”

Because the name had been scratched out on the inside of the ring, it wasn’t able to be returned to its owner like the other 31 rings were. Grider said she kept the ring in her office waiting for it to be collected by The Association or Cushing Library.

“The ring stayed under the control of the Bonfire Memorabilia Project in the Anthropology Department until it was finally turned over to the Cushing Archives in 2009,” Grider said. “In 2009, I got a call from the archives inquiring about the ring and I then personally turned the ring over to David Chapman, who was the Archivist at Cushing. He is apparently the one who turned it over to the Ring Collection.”

Out of many rings left after Bonfire collapse, one remains unreturned

By Keegan Hottinger @HottingerKeegan After the tragic collapse of Bonfire, one Aggie surrendered their class ring in honor of classmates whose lives were lost.

Thirty-one rings were left at the base of the flagpole of the administration building in an emotional gesture. These rings were returned to their owners soon after, but one other ring, tied to a cross near the site of the collapse, was never returned.

Sylvia Grider, retired senior professor of anthropology, said this ring was kept safely in her possession until Bonfire memorabilia was collected by the Cushing Library.

“The students found the ring when they

Julie Scamardo, ring program manager at The Association, said the ring is now on display in the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center on the back of the Aggie Ring collection on the Neely Mezzanine.

Jeff Whiting, Class of 2000, was the first to leave his ring at the base of the flagpole. He included a note addressed to those who died.

Whiting’s letter read: “To our fallen Aggies. I want you all to wear my Ring today since you who have passed away will never get to experience the joy and happiness I was fortunate enough to feel. I want you all to have my Ring for a while. You will remain in our hearts forever.”

Leaving behind an Aggie ring is an especially important display, said Kathryn Greenwade, vice president for communications and human resources at The Association.

“The Aggie Ring symbolizes achievement and an Aggie’s connection to Texas A&M and

the worldwide Aggie Network,” Greenwade said. “To me, it symbolized giving of something precious to convey an understanding of the magnitude of the loss.”

Greenwade said to leave behind something with such value is no small act. For someone to scratch their name off of the Ring to guarantee it could not be returned displays something great about what it means to be an Aggie, according to Greenwade.

“This gesture is absolutely emblematic of our values,” Greenwade said. “It demonstrated loyalty and respect, as well as the deep connection Aggies feel for one another. It demonstrates the bonds between Aggies. In a sense, it was a sharing of loss.”

The ring is now displayed and known as a ring for “every Aggie.” It remains for all who never had the chance to wear their own and is a symbol of all that was lost on Nov. 18, 1999.

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REMEMBRANCE

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Symbol of the enduring Aggie Spirit

Photos by Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

The Bonfire Memorial serves as a reminder of those who died in the Nov. 18, 1999 Bonfire collapse. The portals in the memorial each point toward the home towns of the 12 who died, and are connected by 27 stones for each of the 27 individuals who were injured.

Community finds meaning in design of Bonfire Memorial

By Salvador Garcia @SalGarJr The Bonfire Memorial stands as a monument to the 12 who died during the Bonfire collapse in the early hours of Nov. 18, 1999.

Nineteen years after the collapse, the memory of this event is still preserved by the Aggie community.

The Bonfire Memorial was erected in remembrance of the tragic collapse and is arranged in three parts. The Tradition Plaza serves as the entrance to the memorial and reflects on Aggie traditions. The 89 stones in the History Walk represent the 90 years from the first on-campus bonfire in 1909 to the collapse, with a missing stone representing the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, after which the Bonfire was not lit.

The Spirit Ring is composed of 12 portals, each pointing to the home town of the fallen Aggies, connected by 27 stones, one for each of the 27 people injured.

Communication instructional professor Nancy Street said she has taken students to tour the memorial as part of coursework relating to public memory. Street said the memorial can give students perspective on

a tradition that is slowly fading from collective memory.

“I haven’t heard anything about it in the last year or two, but up until then, students will say ‘You have to bring bonfire back to campus,’” Street said. “I thought it’d be interesting for them to go see what it really was about, the good parts and the ones that were not so good.”

Street said the 1999 tragedy impacted her personally because her nephew’s roommate was found dead inside the collapsed stack. In the following days, the university’s atmosphere changed, and this is the sentiment Street said she is trying to pass on to her students.

“All I can tell you is the campus was just deadly quiet,” Street said.

“Now people pop around and you see bikes zip around and there’s music. It was like people would stop and embrace and walk off. Part of it was just to say ‘Do you all know this happened right here on your campus?’”

Street said her students typically reacted in one of three ways. Some were deeply moved and even shed tears, others were respectful though they could not personally relate to the tragedy and others treated the monument as a playground.

“Was it my intent to make people weep? No,” Street said. “Was I offended that people ran and jumped and played? No. I think that you

should probably act more mature.

And then there were parts of me that thought ‘You know, the people that were killed that day probably wish they could jump around and play.’”

Brittany Tomlinson, Class of 2018, said she attended the memorial as part of Street’s fall 2015 class and the visit led her to join Traditions Council to help with the Bonfire Remembrance ceremony.

“It almost brings tears to my eyes to think of the first time I walked that gravel path, reading the light-hearted descriptions of those brave Ags that are no longer with us,” Tomlinson said. “It is part of our identity as Aggies. Everyone remembers when the stack fell.”

For animal science freshman Samuel Putz, who was born six days after the collapse, the tragedy is a memory that has been passed on to him.

Born into a family rooted in Aggie tradition, Putz said he often heard others talk about the deep impact the collapse had. But for him, the desire to be part of Bonfire remains.

“I don’t really know how I would feel about it if I was born before then,” Putz said. “But I just feel like it’s a tradition that’s gone on forever and it brings Aggies from all over the place and that’s something that I feel is important.”

The 12 portals are dedicated to each of the deceased. Each one has an image of one of the 12 Aggies, along with notes about their lives.

Trees continue to honor those who lost their lives

A LIVING

By Meagan Sheffield @mshef350

memorial

Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

The cadets in Squadron 17 often visit the tree dedicated to Jerry Don Self, Class of 2001, to eat Skittles and drink Dr. Pepper together, since those were two of Self’s favorite treats.

A tree is growing for each Aggie lost during the Bonfire collapse.

The 12 trees, planted near the Bonfire Memorial on Polo Road on March 4, 2000, were paid for by forest science alumni.

Even though the Bonfire Memorial Trees were planted more than 18 years ago, current students still visit and incorporate them into their own traditions.

Forensic and investigative sciences and entomology senior Nick Richter is a member of the Corps of Cadets Squadron 17.

Richter said that after Bonfire Remembrance each year, the outfit goes to the tree dedicated to Jerry Don Self, Class of 2001 and Squadron 17 member. The squadron listens to stories about Self from those who were close to him. The outfit also stops by Self’s tree when they do physical training near the polo fields, completing 17 diamond pushups in his memory.

Self studied engineering technology, but eventually wanted to become a youth minister.

“It’s a way for us to remember him and the legacy that he left that we are trying to uphold,” Richter said. “Pursuing excellence and giving your all in all that you do, being personable to people and living life to the fullest.”

According to Richter, Squadron 17 often sits around and tells stories while sharing one of Self’s favorite snacks — Skittles and Dr. Pepper. They also make dents in all of their cans and call them

“Jerry dents” in Self’s memory.

Freshmen in the outfit are taught about Self during orientation week and watch a Bonfire documentary, “The Burning Desire,” before the Remembrance ceremony.

“Going through the Corps and hearing the stories about how Jerry made such an impact on these people’s lives — he was constantly smiling, constantly happy,” Richter said. “We do [these traditions] because we represent something more than just ourselves and our outfit.”

Biology senior Drew Watts is the commanding officer of the Corps of Cadets Squadron 2, also known as Gator 2. Watts said his outfit goes to the tree dedicated to Bryan Allen McClain, Class of 2002, and listens to “Old Gators” tell stories about how they knew McClain. The outfit also visits the Bonfire Memorial to show freshmen cadets McClain’s portal before they receive their Corps Brass.

McClain was an agriculture freshman from San Antonio who loved music and spending time in the outdoors.

“He gave all of his time to the school and ended up giving his life,” Watts said. “I think it’s important to remember him and Bonfire because it’s people like him who represent what this school is all about.”

Senior yell leader, Squadron 2 member and industrial distribution senior Blake Jones said his outfit has a memorial saber hanging with a picture of McClain in their dorm, but the tree serves as a living memorial.

“It’s pretty cool to think that that’s a tree that’s going to be there as long as campus is here and is living and growing with this university,” Jones said.

FOOTBALL

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TAMING THE BLAZERS A&M prepares to face challenge of UAB, celebrates senior night

Junior running back Trayveon Williams and the Aggie offense will look to break through the top-five ranked Blazers defense.

By Hannah Underwood @hannahbunderwoo

Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

The Texas A&M football team is looking to build on last Saturday’s 38-14 win over Ole Miss as it prepares to take on the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

UAB is coming into the matchup with a season record of 9-1 — it’s best start ever — including last week’s 26-23 victory in overtime against Conference USA opponent Southern Miss that earned the Blazers their first division title in school history.

The Blazers are a force on defense, allowing 260.8 yards per game, which makes them the third best defense in the nation. UAB also ranks in the top five in the nation in sacks, scoring defense, passing defense and total defense.

Last week, the UAB defense accumulated a season-high seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Senior and C-USA Defensive Player of the Week Tre’ Crawford led the defense with 3.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

The A&M run defense is ranked second in the nation

and holds its opponents to an average of 80 rushing yards per game. Last week against Ole Miss, the run defense allowed the Rebels to accumulate 67 rushing yards.

The A&M offense boasts the Southeastern Conference’s leading rusher in junior running back Trayveon Williams, who garnered 228 yards on 31 carries last weekend to climb to a season total of 1,159 yards.

The leading rusher for the Blazers is sophomore Spencer Brown. Ranked fifth in the nation in rushing touchdowns, Brown notched his 14th last week to give the Blazers the win over Southern Miss and has 913 rushing yards this season.

At the helm of the A&M offense is sophomore quarterback Kellen Mond, who is currently No. 2 in the SEC in total offense with an average of 279.7 yards per game and No. 4 in the SEC with 2,488 passing yards.

Last Saturday, Mond accounted for four of A&M’s touchdowns — three through the air and one on the ground — and added 236 passing yards with 19 completions on 38 attempts.

UAB’s signal caller, redshirt freshman Tyler Johnston III, will make his third collegiate start against the Aggies. In his first two starts, Johnston has garnered 456 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.

This is the Blazers’ second year playing football since a two-year hiatus from 2014 to 2016. The No. 25 ranking in the Coaches Poll is the first time since 2004 that the Blazers have been ranked in any poll.

Saturday night will be Senior Night for A&M as they honor the 17 seniors on the team. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Kyle Field, and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

Junior tight end Jace Sternberger leads the Aggies in receiving with 644 yards. Sternberger and the Aggie offense will take on UAB this Saturday.

Welcoming UAB to Kyle Field Blazers present challenges for Aggies on both offensive and defensive fronts

By Jack Holmes @Jack_Holmes98 Texas A&M is set to take on one-loss UAB at Kyle Field on Saturday night in a late-season, non-conference matchup.

Both teams have offenses that can move the ball, as the Aggies rank fourth in the SEC in total offense and the Blazers rank third in Conference USA. UAB clinched the C-USA West in an overtime win against Southern Mississippi last weekend and are No. 25 in the Coaches Poll, but head coach Bill Clark said he understands the challenges the team will face on Saturday night.

“I don’t know if you ever feel good about playing in front of 100,000 fans against an SEC team and all the advantages those guys have,” Clark told WNSP-FM on Wednesday. “They have great staff and players. I feel good about our team, how they are playing, how they play for each other. We’re going to

compete our butts off and see what happens.”

It is unclear if UAB will be competing with their starting quarterback A.J. Erdely, who has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury. Erdely has thrown for 1,449 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He has also rushed for 305 yards and five touchdowns for UAB. If Erdely is not able to suit up, freshman Tyler Johnston III will start his third consecutive game for the Blazers. Johnston is completing 54.7 percent of his passes and has managed 504 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

On the other side of the field, A&M quarterback Kellen Mond will be ready for action on Saturday night. He bounced back last weekend against Ole Miss, leading the Aggies to a 38-24 win, throwing for 236 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against the Rebels.

“We take it for granted because these guys are so gifted,” A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said. “But the mental disposition to compete and play at a high level and win and come back from adversity when you know yourself and you’re mad at yourself ... it takes very

special types of people to be able to compete like that.”

Junior running back Trayveon Williams is the conference’s leading rusher after rushing for 228 yards and a touchdown against Ole Miss, earning SEC Player of the Week honors.

“His leadership, his competitiveness, and his drive to be good and get the most out of himself that he can get — that’s all you can ask out of somebody,” Fisher said. “When they have physical abilities as he does then you start to produce the numbers.”

UAB also boasts a talented running back in Spencer Brown. The sophomore leads the team on the ground with 913 yards and poses as a threat in the end zone, totaling 14 touchdowns this season. “[Brown] is elusive, can break tackle — there’s nothing he can’t do,” Fisher said. “He wears on you. He pounds you. He’s a heck of a player.”

Junior tight end Jace Sternberger still leads the Aggies in receiving, with 644 yards, six touchdowns and averages 16.9 yards per catch. Cameron Buckley and Quartney Davis each surpassed 400 total yards for the season in last week’s game and will look to continue

their contributions on Saturday.

Sophomore Jhamon Ausbon returned last weekend, catching five passes for 66 yards against Ole Miss. Sternberger said Ausbon’s return has given a jolt to A&M’s offense.

“It was great to have Jhamon back,” Sternberger said. “He’s one of the hardest workers on the team with the passion he has for this game. Any time a person gets back in the game [it revives] the team. Everybody felt his energy out there.”

The Blazers also have an explosive player on the outside, in senior Xavier Ubosi who has averaged 28.1 yards per catch, totaling 505 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Fullback and 12th Man Cullen Gillaspia, who will be taking part in A&M’s senior night activities on Saturday, said the team understands what they are up against in this weekend’s non-conference game.

“It’s not going to be an easy game,” Gillaspia said. “It’s going to be a dog fight out there.

They’ve got a good defense and they’ve got a great offense as well. It’s going to be a fun matchup. I’m excited to see what they’ve got to bring and see how they can handle Kyle Field.”

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FOOTBALL NEWS

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The Battalion | 11.16.18

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 12

With the Thanksgiving weekend rivalry games on the horizon, many teams are competing for key wins before season’s end. Week 12 features some out-of-conference games and some in-conference showdowns in the SEC with plenty on the line. Here’s a look at action heading into this weekend:

By Dylan Poitevint @Poitite

Rice (1-10, 0-7 USA) vs. No. 7 LSU (8-2, 5-2 SEC)

Arkansas (2-8, 0-6 SEC) vs. No. 21 Mississippi State (6-4, 2-4 SEC)

Saturday, Nov. 17 — Tiger Stadium — Baton Rouge, Louisiana 6:30 on ESPNU

Saturday, Nov. 17 — Davis Wade Stadium — Starkville, Mississippi 11 a.m. on ESPN

LSU enters this game as one of the strongest teams in the nation. They have bounced back since their humbling loss to Alabama and are looking to finish the season strong. The Tigers feature one of the strongest defenses in the nation, ranking 34th nationally in total defense.

LSU only allows 343 yards a game to opponents on average and that largely has to do with the performance of junior linebacker Devin White. He has registered 89 tackles on the season and is one of the biggest leaders on the squad. White’s play should give trouble to a Rice team that is struggling offensively, averaging 324 yards a game. Senior quarterback Shawn Stankavage has struggled in 2018 and has 10 interceptions with 10 touchdowns and 1,227 yards. Rice and Stankavage will have to play their best football all season to give the Tigers a run for their money and LSU will win this one convincingly.

This Western showdown pits a struggling Arkansas on the road against a strong Mississippi State team. The story for the Bulldogs all season has been their stellar defense, which is ranked first in the conference. Mississippi State allows 281 yards a game to opposing teams and features a gifted senior defensive end in Montez Sweat. Sweat has 41 tackles in 2018, along with 10 sacks. Meanwhile, Arkansas averages 362 yards per game and is dead last in the West in total offense. Junior quarterback Ty Story has been inconsistent this season but has 1,423 yards in the air. He will have to limit turnovers and rely on his defense to get out of Starkville with a win. Watch for Arkansas to falter early and the Bulldogs to crush drives defensively.

Prediction: LSU 45, Rice 7

Prediction: Mississippi State 28, Arkansas 10

Missouri (6-4, 2-4 SEC) vs. Tennessee (5-5, 2-4 SEC)

Ole Miss (5-5, 1-5 SEC) vs. Vanderbilt (4-6, 1-5 SEC)

Saturday, Nov. 17 — Neyland Stadium — Knoxville, Tennessee 2:30 p.m. on CBS

Saturday, Nov. 17 — Vanderbilt Stadium — Nashville, Tennessee 6:30 p.m. on SECN

This Eastern matchup could come down to an offensive shootout with both teams’ offensive approaches and lack of defense. Missouri is an offensive juggernaut ranked 17th nationally and is led by a quarterback who is looking strong in his senior campaign. Drew Lock is averaging 264 yards per game and has 21 touchdowns with eight interceptions.

Meanwhile, Tennessee is led by another talented quarterback in sophomore Jarrett Guarantano, who has 1,768 yards in 2018 and 11 touchdowns with two interceptions. The Volunteers have truly struggled protecting Guarantano however and this has killed many offensive bursts they have displayed. It will be a close one through the first quarter, but the Tigers will quickly find a rhythm while Tennessee struggles to meet the Missouri offensive output.

This is an inter-divisional game that features two teams desperate for a win. The question will be who can unify together for what should be a close game. Ole Miss is coming off of a tough loss to divisional rival Texas A&M. The Rebel defense allowed over 500 yards to the Aggies, making the unit a hindering factor for this team. On the other hand, senior quarterback Jordan Ta’amu is leading a very impressive offense, which averages 535 yards a game and is ranked fifth nationally. Vanderbilt may struggle with containing that explosive unit as they allow 421 yards on average to opponents. Senior Commodore quarterback Kyle Shurmur has been the bright spot for this struggling Vanderbilt squad, as he averages 228 yards a game and has 17 touchdowns with five interceptions. This game will come down to which team can play with a balanced approach and superior defense. Look for Ole Miss to overwhelm the Commodore defense on the way to a vital win.

Prediction: Missouri 38, Tennessee 24

Prediction: Ole Miss 42, Vanderbilt 28

WEEK 12: STAFF PICKS Texas A&M vs. UAB Saturday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. on ESPN2

Abigail Ochoa

Angel Franco

Asst. Sports Editor @AbigailOchoa88

Sports Editor @angelmadison_

ANGEL

It’ll be interesting to see the game from a place that isn’t the press box for the first time in two and half years... A&M wins.

My cousin used to be a UAB Blazer, so if A&M loses, I’ll get an earful this Thanksgiving.

Samantha Mahler

Luke Henkhaus ABIGAIL LUKE

SAMANTHA ANTHONY

Asst. Life & Arts Editor @mahlersamantha

Managing Editor @luke_henkhaus

Pretty sure breathing fire is just a little bit better than a strong run defense...

I’ve picked the Aggies in every staff pick this semester. I can’t go back now.

Cassie Stricker

Anthony Pangonas

Photo Chief @cassie_stricker

News Editor @apangonas

I guess A&M needs to blaze past UAB because we certainly are not going to against LSU...

UAB? That’s cute.

CASSIE Megan Rodriguez

MEGAN TAYLOR

Editor-in-Chief @MeganLRodriguez

This will be the second and final home game I attend as a student so a Fightin’ Texas Aggie win would be much appreciated.

Taylor Fennell

News Editor @taylorpaige1299

And when grandma asks what I’m thankful for, I’ll say “Another Fightin’ Texas Aggie Win.”

FOOTBALL NEWS

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The Battalion | 11.16.18

5 things to watch for during A&M-UAB

By Brian Bass @brianbass4

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Turnovers from the UAB offense UAB is facing an issue at the quarterback position. Their unit is not elite by any stretch of the imagination and normal starter A.J. Erdely has not played in a couple of weeks due to a shoulder injury. His touchdown to interception ratio is currently 7-6 and he has not thrown a touchdown in five weeks. In his last game versus UTEP, Erdely threw for 79 yards and a interception, which doesn’t bode well for the injured QB. His backup, Tyler Johnston III, has put up inconsistent performances as well. Johnston has started for the past two weeks and thrown four touchdowns and four interceptions. Johnston never completes more than 60 percent of his passes.

A closer game than many people expect

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A&M’s rushing facing some difficulty

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Renewed sense of confidence from A&M

Yes, it’s true, UAB didn’t even have a football program two years ago, but it doesn’t mean that this team should be underestimated.

During this season, they have put up very respectable numbers on both sides of the ball and played well on the road. If the Blazers decide to put the ball in the air more, A&M could have a major problem on their hands.

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The rushing performances by both junior Trayveon Williams and freshman Jashaun Corbin have been outstanding the past couple of weeks. Williams posted the second most rushing yards in his career last week against Ole Miss and rushed for 107 yards the week before at Auburn. However, UAB is ranked 15th in rushing defense this season and hasn’t allowed more than 100 yards on the ground since the first week of October. Last week, UAB allowed only five rushing yards against Southern Miss.

The offensive line has flourished in the rush blocking aspect and should be able to create some holes for Williams on Saturday.

Now that A&M is a couple weeks out of the SEC road gauntlet and has captured a victory over Ole Miss at home, the Aggies seem to have their confidence back. Williams rushed for the most yards he has all year against a FBS program. A&M quarterback Kellen Mond really pulled it together in the fourth quarter and A&M’s defense didn’t allow a single point in the fourth quarter. The win last week was crucial to how A&M will to play for the rest of the season.

The Aggies earned their bowl eligibility last week and will play tough against UAB to earn a better bowl placement in the postseason.

Another standout performance from Kellen Mond Despite the back-to-back turnovers on the first two drives of the second half, Mond was very accurate in his ball placement for each of his touchdowns last week. He finished with four all-purpose touchdowns and two turnovers, but really showed out in the fourth quarter. Don’t be surprised if Mond has another impressive performance this week.

Congratulations to

Custodial Associate of the Month, Tony Young

Associates who receive this award are recognized for going above and beyond their normal duties to promote teamwork, unity, a positive attitude, kindness and exceptional customer service.

Thank you, Tony, for all your hard work and dedication to Corps Housing Crew!

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ANSWERS

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FOOTBALL

8

The Battalion | 11.16.18

at Dallas County Community Colleges

Courtesy of UAB Athletics

In 2017, the UAB football program started back up after being cut for three years for financial reasons. About one year after their return, UAB looks to take on Texas A&M.

Blazin’ back to football UAB makes their presence known after program cancellation in 2014

By Abigail Ochoa @AbigailOchoa88 After closing its doors for three years and resurfacing in 2017, the University of Alabama-Birmingham football program has become the No.1 team in Conference USA with a 9-1 record — the best start in the school’s history.

During their 2014-2015 football season, the UAB administration cut the football program, saying it wasn’t financially sustainable. At the time, head coach Bill Clark was in his first year with the team. He said the decision sent a ripple effect through staff, players and fans.

“My first thought was I had to find my players places to play and my coaches jobs,” Clark told The Washington Post in October. “That took up a lot of my time the first few months.”

Six months after the dismissal of the program, more than $27 million was raised and used to bring Blazers football back. Clark signed a five-year contract and was given two years to start a program that included players, staff and new facilities.

“We needed to go after older kids, mostly junior college kids,” Clark told The Washington Post. “What we told them was, ‘We aren’t hoping you play — you have to play.’

We weren’t just selling them hope. We were selling them a promise.”

In September of 2017, during their first season back as a UAB football team, the Blazers went 8-5, and qualified for the Ba-

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hamas Bowl. Clark had previously led the team to a bowl game in 2014, though it didn’t get a chance to appear in the game since the football program was terminated shortly after.

Now, with its first and only loss in week two of the season and earning its first divisional title, UAB has continued into the 2018 season with its head held high. The Blazers have also made their way onto the Top 25 Coaches Poll for the first time since 2004, taking the 25th spot.

Blazer redshirt junior linebacker Fitzgerald Mofor said after he heard the news about the ranking on Sunday, he was in disbelief and is excited to prove UAB’s spot on the field.

“Honestly, I probably must have looked at it maybe 10 times yesterday even though I knew it was there,” Mofor said. “It’s just a great accomplishment. It’s something that we set out as a goal in the beginning of the season. It’s just something to work off.”

UAB will travel to Texas A&M on Saturday and offer up a non-conference challenge for the Aggies. A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, who was up for the head coach position at UAB in 2004 while an offensive coordinator at LSU, said UAB will be treated as an SEC-style opponent despite not being in the conference.

“This is a great football team, UAB,” Fisher said. “They can flat out play. No matter who you play, whether you’re playing Alabama or you’re playing UAB, you’re playing Auburn, you’re playing Georgia, you’re playing LSU, you’re playing Arkansas, it doesn’t matter. This team right here is in the Top 25. They’re just like another SEC team.”