Dean, department head removed from positions, professor red after viral video
Hidden-camera footage shows student, lecturer locking horns over gender studies during summer session class
By David Swope Associate News Editor
The Texas A&M Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Mark Zoran and English department head Emily Johansen were removed from administrative duties Monday evening in response to a viral video circulating the platform X, according to a statement from A&M President Mark A. Welsh III.
Welsh announced the termination of senior lecturer Melissa McCoul in a Sept. 9 statement following backlash on social media. Welsh claims the College of Arts and Sciences continued to cover subjects outside the approved curriculum despite previous directives and takes sole responsibility for the decision to fire McCoul.
“Our students use the published information in the course catalog to make important decisions about the courses they take in pursuit of their degrees,” Welsh wrote in the statement. “If we allow different course content to be taught from what is advertised, we break trust with our students. When it comes to our academic offerings, we must keep faith with our students and with the state of Texas.”
The Board of Regents have ordered a System-wide audit of all courses, according to a statement from the Regents posted on X. The hidden camera video, posted by Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison (R-10), shows a student protesting McCoul’s teaching of gender studies and sexuality in her children’s literature course. McCoul then removed the student from the class.
Welsh posted an official statement on X, stating that leadership within the College of Arts and Sciences defied existing policies regarding the course’s material set by the A&M administration.
Chancellor Glenn Hegar also took to the platform, calling the lecture an unapproved push for personal political agendas and a violation of the university’s commitment to academic neutrality.
The decision comes from increasing political pressure from both the federal and Texas state governments.
President Donald Trump has signed multiple executive orders aimed at eradicating what he calls gender ideology, with Gov. Greg Abbott following suit through his use of gubernatorial directives.
Harrison called for further action in response to Hegar’s statement on X, demanding the removal of Welsh.
Earlier this year, A&M passed a state audit confirming its compliance with Senate Bill 17, which banned DEI policies at public universities in Texas.
TRADITIONS
Members certified, learn key safety procedures at Bonfire’s annual Cut Class prior to first Cut held Sept. 7 A2
SPORTS A&M and Notre Dame face o in rematch in South Bend, Indiana, in first ranked game of the season A6
‘We don’t have enough space’
but the biology facilities on campus have aged to the point now where they are simply inadequate for teaching…” Welsh said at the meeting. “This new state of the art facility will keep this great department on the leading edge of the field, which is exactly where they deserve to be.”
By David Swope Associate News Editor
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved $1.925 billion in proposed construction projects and renovations as part of the upcoming 2026-2030 Capital Plan on Aug. 28. The Capital Plan totals $6.6 billion and includes $4.6 billion for previously approved projects set to begin design or construction.
The budget allocates $595.1 million for proposed projects for A&M’s College Station campus, with further funding divided among the University System’s satellite campuses.
Administrators within the System met to discuss the programmatic budget reviews and Capital Plan at the Meeting of the Committees on Finance and Buildings and Physical Plants on July 28 and 29.
“In total, there are $830.6 million dollars of projects proposed to be initiated in the upcoming fiscal year,” Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer Maria Robinson said at the meeting. “Approval of the Capital Plan will permit the system members to proceed with pre-construction services for those projects… so they can work on things like architecture, engineering, site preparation and demolition if applicable.”
A&M President Mark A. Welsh III highlighted the costliest of the agenda items at the meetings: the biology department’s Biology Teaching and Research Building, and the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts’ Center for Learning Arts and Innovation.
“The biology programs at A&M have been a tremendous success story for decades,
The project comes in response to com-
plaints regarding the department’s facilities from both students and faculty. Many of the courses are currently held in Heldenfels Hall, which some members of the department argue is too old to support the utility and infrastructure needs of upper-level biology research and labs. The building is set to be four
stories and sit across from the Corps of Cadets quad arches.
Across campus, the Center for Learning, Arts and Innovation has been in the works since the College of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts launched in September 2022. Located on the current site of Lot 74, the building will give the college 187,000 square feet and five stories of dedicated learning space.
“Consolidating VPFA in this building will open up space in at least six different buildings on campus where their faculty, staff and classrooms are currently located,” Welsh said. “It allows for the consolidation of people and activities from several other colleges that are also space limited.”
Welsh also commented on the Discovery Drive Parking Garage during the meeting, where an additional 1,800 to 1,900 parking spaces will be added to facilitate the transportation needs of the student population. The garage is part of the University’s larger initiative to expand the infrastructure of West Campus, where the recently unveiled 211,000 square-foot Aplin Center will be built.
Additional items on the Capital Plan include $588 million in future proposed projects, with start dates as early as 2027. Some of these projects include renovations to the Heep Laboratory Building, construction of a West Campus Learning Commons and another dedicated building for Mays Business School.
“Continuing the focus on creating a robust West Campus infrastructure, this project gives us critically needed classroom and study space,” Welsh said. “ … It will also help us minimize student travel between West Campus and Main Campus, which is an important safety issue for our campuses these days.”
Jackson Stanley THE BATTALION
Regent Michael J. Plank discusses the Board of Regents’ meeting agenda with Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III before the regents’ quarterly meet on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024.
Adriano Espinosa THE BATTALION
Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III during Midnight Yell at Kyle Field on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
One sh, two sh, old sh, new
Bonfire welcomes new members at annual Cut Class, where new fish complete certification process to “killing” trees prior to 2025’s first Cut
By Kynlee Bright Managing Editor
A few miles south of Ledbetter and an hour away from the heart of Aggieland, the men and women of a tradition dating back to 1907 can be found with pots on their heads and axes in hand.Yells from students in red, green and brown hard hats can be heard far and wide on the 250-acre plot of land as Aggies swing away, cutting down trees that will be used to build the next rendition of Student Bon re.
But before this can happen, safety precautions must be taken.
Each year, Student Bon re’s Senior Redpots lead Cut Class, a two-day event where members can gain a Cut card — their o cial ticket into the organization.
On Sept. 3 and 4, Aggie Park was lled with prospective Bon re members who learned how to safely and e ciently “kill” trees and recognize the calls to look out for in the woods in order to ensure both organization and safety for all participants.
“The woods are separated,” agricultural business senior and Senior Redpot Thomas Nielson said. “Each crew has their own section of woods; that’s where they cut down the trees at, and then you have loadsight. But it’s just everyone goes to their woods, cuts down trees and we will keep them in the right direction.”
The yearly Cut Class allows students to gain a better understanding of Bon re’s levels of leadership and basic safety precautions used in the woods.
“This is the course where we teach everybody the basics and whatnot for cutting in the woods,” agricultural systems management senior and Senior Redpot Michael Branch said. “We don’t want them to come out and just know nothing. We want them to be able to be competent. There’s a lot of lingo that goes into this that a lot of people don’t know, and we introduce a lot of that lingo here.”
Cut Class helps ensure that when Redpots yell, “I need some meat,” sh don’t come running to deliver a ribeye, but instead a helping hand.
Unique Bon re slang such as “pots,” “meat,” “swamping” and “chief” that is frequently used in the woods is taught at Cut Class to guarantee that incoming members know what terms to be aware of.
But Cut Class isn’t all rules and regulations. The echoes of storytime and the yells of “Build the hell outta Bon re” lled Aggie Park, bringing a lighthearted atmosphere to the organization’s rst outing of the year.
Agricultural systems management senior and Senior Redpot Sam Reynolds said that this event isn’t only held to highlight safety precautions, but also to recruit for the upcoming year.
“Bon re is important to join because it really links you with not only a lot of really cool people that are currently at A&M, but also, through the ages of A&M,” Reynolds said. “ ... The people that you get to meet and the friends you get to make are really strong because you’re working hard together … you’re learning a lot about yourself and what your limits are, and you’re all doing it together.”
Relationships are not only what draws members in, but also what keeps them coming back.
Forensic and investigative science sophomore and second-year member Macy Penney explained how Bon re helped her nd her home outside of her membership in the Corps of Cadets.
“I didn’t want to do any Corps Bon re groups because they’re mostly guys … but then I found Legett [Ladies], which is the only all-female crew out of Bon re,” Penney said. “I tried it out last semester. I loved all of the girls, so I’m still here for cut this year.”
Aside from the friendships formed, there is one common interest among incoming members: “killing” trees.
The prospect of cutting trees is what drew engineering freshman Alexander Bendele and his roommate to attend Cut Class.
“Before I got here, [my roommate] was talking about FHK [Fowler, Hughes, Keathley Crew], and I was like, ‘Alright, that sounds fun,’” Bendele said. “And like, who doesn’t want to chop down a tree?”
With the new members certi ed, Bon re set out to Ledbetter on Sunday, Sept. 7, for the rst o cial Cut of the season. Despite classes concluding, Senior Redpots explained that it is not too late to join Bon re. By visiting Bon re’s main Instagram or crew Instagram pages, students can message leadership and gure out the next steps to membership.
“If you haven’t joined a crew and are still interested in it, reach out … it’s not too late,” Nielson said. “You can get a cut card throughout the season, you can get taught throughout the season. People still interested in joining, reach out to the crews.”
Celebración de la Cultura Mexicana
Fiestas Patrias Mexicanas hosts Hispanic Cultural Day celebration, student scholarships to be awarded
By Taryn Stilson News Reporter
Fiestas Patrias Mexicanas will host its annual Hispanic Cultural Day this Friday, Sept. 14 in anticipation of Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on Sept. 15.
The event will take place at the Palace Theater in Downtown Bryan from 6 to 9 p.m.
The event is a celebration of Hispanic culture open to the Bryan-College Station community and will include traditional artistic performances and the awarding of scholarships to community members pur-
suing a higher education. Performers at this year’s Cultural Day will include Ballet Folklóricos from Houston along with singer Javier Aguilar and his mariachi band, Pura Sangre.
The intricate footwork and vibrant costumes of the folklórístas will highlight the importance of storytelling in Mexican culture, while the bright sounds of brass instruments and lyrical tune of the acoustic guitar from Pura Sangre will capture the heights of love and the depths of loss woven intricately into Mexican national identity.
Event organizer Alma Villarreal noted that the Fiestas Patrias Mexicanas organization supports not only the preservation of Hispanic culture, but also the pursuit of higher education.
“The main focus of this organization is to raise funds for scholarships,” Villarreal said. “These scholarships will be presented to applicants of the annual Fiestas Patrias Mexicanas essay contest who demonstrated
academic excellence and community involvement in their entries. A court of nalists is put together for this award ceremony, and this year’s potential winners include Alfredo Rojas, Jessica Vega, Jessica Mendoza, Nasadia Davis, Cameron Liotta, Gabrielle Jackson and Valentin Cisneros.”
Villarreal explained that the aim of the Fiestas Patrias Mexicanas scholarship program is to support a variety of di erent students.
“[We have the court] King and Queen which have to be [graduating] high school students going to college next year … then we have high school students that are still two years [from] graduating … college students that are going to A&M or Blinn and then the teachers’ contest,” Villarreal said.
“So we have four contests and give out three scholarships per category.”
Another important expression of Mexican culture that will be showcased at Fiestas Patrias’ Cultural Day is the traditional
performance of the “Grito de Independencia” by Hispanic representative María Elena Orantes.
“Grito de Independencia,” or “Grito de Dolores,” means “Cry for Independence.”
The custom commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo, whose cry for Mexican independence from Spanish rule is still shouted each year on Sept. 16, when Mexican Independence Day is celebrated. Phrases including “¡Viva México!” “¡Viva la independencia!” and “¡Vivan los héroes” will be sung out during “Grito de Independencia” this Friday in Downtown Bryan. Without the funding and support of the local governments of Bryan and College Station, none of this would be possible,Villarreal noted.
“It’s important that they’re doing something for the community,” Villarreal said. “Not only [the] Hispanic [community], all of the communities, all of the cultures, they all come.”
Saturday showcase spotlights creatives
First Saturday kicks off month with welcome-all art market at Bryan exhibition, Degallery
By Sophia Munoz Life & Arts Writer
On a quiet Saturday morning, the Bryan-College Station area buzzed with excitement for the activities ahead. Some tucked white towels in their boots while others ocked to local businesses on Wellborn Road.
However, on the other side of town, local artists set up booths to share their passions with all who come to enjoy.
On Sept. 6, Bryan-based art exhibition, Degallery, celebrated the start of the month with First Saturday: an event with art, live jazz, food and community.
Artists of all mediums and walks of life came together to not only share their creations, but also the sentiment that anyone can partake in the subject, so long as they start.
“I’m a COVID painter,” local artist Gene Smith said. “I used to wake up early in the morning and have nothing to do. I couldn’t go back to sleep. I went to my doctor, and I said, ‘Doc, what do I do?’ He said, ‘Well, get up. Let’s do something.’ I started ipping through the TV and found Bob Ross there one day and thought, ‘Hmm, this is interesting.’... Bob says, ‘Now, anybody can do this.You don’t have to be blessed by Michelangelo to do it.’ I said, ‘Yeah, right.’ But it started calling me, and I wanted to try it
— so I started.”
Smith and his wife shared a booth displaying both of their acrylic painting creations depicting nature and wildlife. As a beginner, Smith was hesitant to call himself an artist, but like many art vendors at the event, he was encouraged by the gallery’s owner, Dary Dega.
For some vendors, this meant being reunited with a long-lost hobby.
“For many years, I was a high school teacher, so that kind of took me away from painting, and since I retired, I really picked it up again,” local artist Vicki Halsell said. “I take classes here at the gallery, and so Miss Dary o ered that I should try First Saturday.”
Dega started the First Saturday tradition in 2020 to provide a space for artists to sell and promote their work after initially being turned down by the coordinators of First Friday.
Since then, First Saturday has started at 11 a.m. each month, just like its Friday counterpart.
The timing of the event is no coincidence, as Dega hosts the market in hopes visitors can stay the weekend for Friday’s festivities, the local farmers market the next morning and wrap up their trip with a gallery pit-stop.
Her year-round gallery exhibitions have allowed her to contribute to the growing art scene in Bryan while also supporting fellow artists around the globe.
“We try to make all artists from di erent countries,” Dega said. “They’re di erent artists and also talented kids around the world. So most of my artwork is all my friends and
all artists from Russia, Ukraine and Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and other di erent countries like Argentina, Canada and Cuba.”
Artists who work closely with Dega at Degallery, like Wendy Wright ‘21, also came to share their perspectives and talents. For Wright, this meant blending her academic background in ecology and biology with her watercolor and acrylic pieces.
“I’ve always enjoyed art,” Wright said. “I have three kids, and I found that one of the things that we can all agree on and sit down to do together is painting or creating something. Otherwise, everybody has sort of di erent interests. So this is a really nice way to sort of decompress, distress, but also
have some valuable family time.” Wright serves as a secretary for Dega’s nonpro t organization, DEGA International Art Association, which provides scholarships to young artists passionate about their craft.
Dega continues to uplift the local art community and hopes to inspire others who often overlook the importance.
“For all communities, not just the art community, we need people to support art, not just sports, and not just everything ‘money,’” Dega said. “I understand art is not pro table in an artist-speci c area, but art is our mental health. Art is our future, and art is always and forever, our history.”
Customers chat with each other during the Degallery square art fair on Saturday, Sept.
Left to right: A member of the Texan Mexican Consulate chants the Mexican national anthem during First Friday in Bryan on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. Local residents partake in dances at Festivas Patrias Mexicanas during First Friday in Bryan on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
Photos by Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION
Fresh goods in Midtown Park
Shoppers, growers and artisans gather each Saturday morning at Midtown Park in Bryan to celebrate local flavor, community spirit
By Lasan Ukwatta Liyanage Life & Arts Writer
More than 30 vendors unfurled their tents and tables at Bryan’s Midtown Park on Saturday, Sept. 6, marking the start of the rst Saturday market since its move from historic Downtown Bryan. Under the summer skies lled with the scent of fresh herbs and the hum of neighbors weaving through rows of color and craft, the market was open from 8 a.m. until noon.
But what lled the air was more than commerce — each vendor brought not only goods, but the passions that shaped them: breads baked with patience, produce nurtured with care and art born of latenight inspiration.
‘The
The customers, too, o ered more than their wallets; they came with loyalty forged over seasons past, a warm familiarity that made every exchange feel like greeting an old friend.
Pauline Melgoza ‘93 has been coming to Bryan Farmers’ Market for eight years to sell her pottery at Wisconsin Valley Goods & The Shape of Clay Hut.
“My daughters started pottery when they were in elementary school and middle school, and my house was lled with pottery, we couldn’t give it away anymore,” Melgoza said. “And they said, ‘You know if we join the Farmers’ Market we can sell them.’ That was our anchor. When they grew up, I took over and started making pottery.”
Melgoza also said her oldest daughter designs the pottery when it comes to colors and shapes. The colors come from di erent countries including China, Australia, Canada and Japan. She buys her glaze from Austin and works on making pottery on weekends as she works full-time at Texas A&M.
For 59 years, Chuck and Linda Albretsht have shared not only a last name, but a life together. For the past 22 years, they’ve also shared a business: Cinnamon Roasted Nuts.
“We roast them all ourselves,” Chuck said. “We have a lot of customers we see on a regular basis. They come for our best-selling product: cinnamon roasted pecans, almonds and cashews.”
Chuck said their family and friends have motivated them to come to the Farmers’ Market every Saturday for the last ve years.
Linda also mentioned that she has a knack for making new friends in the market.
Shawn Lakey with Cap Culture mushrooms said he is the sole proprietor of his business, and he enjoys weekends conducting business on di erent farmers’ markets in Texas.
“I grow my mushrooms at my house in Magnolia,” Lakey said. “My rst Farmers’ Market was last week, I plan on coming back every week ‘till they kick me out.”
Lakey recalls rst tending mushrooms as a hobby back in Montana. When he moved to Texas, the pastime sprouted into something more: a business. For the past ve years, o and on, he has been cultivating mushrooms with both curiosity and care.
Natalie Verboom and her mom were happy to share their experience as patrons of the market.
“My mom and I have been coming here for 13 years,”Verboom said. “I kinda like the one in downtown because I like to get coffee after and there’s just a lot of local shops I enjoy going to.”
Verboom said she usually buys owers, raw milk and kombucha every week from the market. She also mentioned how coming to the Saturday farmers’ market has become a family tradition, one shared with her mother and daughter.
Nicole Green and her daughters, Sierra Green and Savana Green, have their own tent for their business Treasures from the Earth, where they sell crystals and crochet work. They said that they’ve been in business for 15 years as a cottage industry out t.
“My quartz crystals that we hand-dig in Arkansas, that’s one of our bestsellers,” Nicole said. “And my daughter’s crochets are also bestsellers — that’s what we are, we are crystal diggers, we dig our crystals out of the ground in Arkansas.”
Nicole enjoys the visitors of the market.
“I am excited to meet new people here at Midtown Park every Saturday,” Nicole said. “I love sharing stories more than anything with my customers.”
standard has been raised’
Texas A&M Rec Sports prepares to unveil upscale locker rooms, long-anticipated rock climbing space with both debuting this November
By Ethan Rhame News Reporter
Renovations have been ongoing inside the Student Recreation Center since the spring semester, but new insights reveal the construction is nally coming to a close.
The renovations consist of two major projects inside the Rec: a new climbing tower and bouldering space and updated men’s and women’s locker rooms, all set for public use in November.
Associate Director for Capital Projects for Recreational Sports Jerod Wilson shared that the locker rooms should open to the public Nov. 1, while the climbing tower and bouldering walls will aim to open Nov. 24.
The new climbing tower will have a modern at panel design, allowing for a more engaging route setting and varied degrees of inclination. Moreover, it is being constructed by EP Climbing — the same company that built climbing and bouldering walls for the most recent Olympics.
The tower will stand at 44 feet and 8 inches, making it just slightly taller than the previous tower. It will cover 3,662 square feet, topping the previous size of approximately 2,696 square feet. The new tower will have a maximum capacity of approximately 25 ropes available at once for use, while the previous tower maxed out at 15 to 18.
“This is what the climbers are clamoring for,” Wilson said. “This is what the industry is moving towards.”
Unlike the old climbing tower, the new design has been shifted toward the ramp walkway beside the study area, reducing the pinch point by the women’s locker room which often caused customer tra c as students entered and exited the Rec.
Along with the new climbing tower, the Rec will see 1,612 square feet of new unroped at panel bouldering space in exchange for two racquetball courts.
Wilson credited local climbers and the Rec’s Outdoor Adventure team for pushing for the renovation, recognizing the need to
stick with modern climbing standards as the popularity of the sport continues to rise.
Both men’s and women’s locker rooms have also undergone substantial renovations. Large group showers have been transformed into individual stalls, dressing areas have been expanded and general aesthetics have been completely overhauled.
“It’s de nitely going to give more of an upscale feel,” Wilson said. “The standard has been raised.”
The number of lockers in the locker rooms will ultimately decrease, allowing for the expansion of the dressing areas and more full-height lockers than before, as they were the most-used lockers, according to Wilson’s available data.
Renovation updates on the Rec’s website showcase computer renderings of the to-be locker rooms, revealing “Aggies” and “Gig ‘Em” graphics on the walls along with nuanced lighting.
“They’re going to feel [like an] upscale resort,” Wilson said. “It’s going to be a drastic change from what it was before.”
The two renovation projects are entirely self-funded by Rec Sports, which pulls most of its capital from the dedicated Rec Sports fee.
“For a project like this, we did not have to go back and ask for more funding or get external funding to do [it],” Wilson explained. “It has to do with the way we manage our money over time to be able to update things periodically when we absolutely need to.” While the original goal was to complete the renovations by the start of the fall semester, various factors ultimately led to a lull in the timeline. Wilson’s biggest objective quickly became opening a direct pathway through the Rec, despite the ongoing construction.
“It was not great when you couldn’t go through the building to get to the back from the front, it made it super ine cient … it’s the things that happen when you do construction inside of an operational building … we try our best to do the best we can to keep things open,” Wilson said. Wilson guaranteed that the closure would be xed by the fall semester, and his goal was a success. Students can now travel from the main entrance all the way across the Rec without renovations obstructing their path.
For more updates on the renovation projects at the Rec, visit the facility’s dedicated webpage at recsports.tamu.edu.
Photos by Samuel Falade — THE BATALLION
Customers shop during the Brazos County Farmer’s Market on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Tilly Hillje — THE BATTALION
Satire: Possible Taylor Swift wedding locations
From historic cities and the Super Bowl to [redacted]
By Joshua Abraham Opinion Columnist
Swifties, the time has come.
If you’ve been a fan of Taylor Swift as long as I have, you’ve been waiting for something as long as your own wedding day: Taylor nding her true love and getting married.
There have been many ups and downs, and plenty of songs to account for each. “Holy Ground” is about her breakup with Joe Jonas, and “All Too Well” is on Jake Gyllenhaal and that dang “scarf left at his sister’s house.” “Getaway Car” has to be the most poetic retelling about how to manipulate a man into being your rebound, and my personal favorite is a song that never goes out of style — while she went out of style with Harry Styles.
But her relationship failures have led to this moment. She has gotten herself o the bleachers and done much more than date the boy on the football team. She and Travis Kelce are endgame, leaving a blank space in her notebook just for him. As Taylor plans to walk down the aisle and declare her love guilty as sin, we’re crazier for it.
It has been rumored that they’re going to have the wedding in Rhode Island, but I call their blu . Swifties love to try to guess every move that she makes, from what surprise song she’s going to sing at her concerts to when Rep TV is going to drop, so let’s try and predict where she’s going to have her wedding — because no, we don’t have anything better to do with our lives.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is home to many things — the God-awful Tennessee Titans, every white girl who is too afraid of going to Las Vegas’ bachelorette destination, but most importantly, where Taylor was discovered musically. It would be beautiful to see her re-explore her roots in the Music City and take Travis along for the journey, too.
The Eras Tour (The Wedding Version)
Now, Nashville sounds cool, but if you’ve been a fan like me, you know that Taylor has gotten bigger and better in her artistry and showmanship after each album. While there’s nothing wrong with a small wedding, let’s think grander.
Instead of having just one wedding, why not have multiple? I think hosting a whole other Eras Tour where her wedding happens over and over again would be so much fun! From Las Vegas to Singapore, it
would not only be a great joy to watch but could really strengthen their relationship. She would be leaving her footprint on how future weddings are done, and we know how much she loves to leave her footprint around.
The Super Bowl 60 Halftime Show
Imagine the scene.
The Kansas City Chiefs somehow claw their way back to the Super Bowl after
some questionable o ciating in the playo s and a dash of Mahomes’ magic. Taylor is preparing for her halftime performance, but who comes storming into her dressing room?
Travis starts going on about how he can’t wait anymore, and he needs to marry her now. It’s amongst his wildest dreams, and he’s down bad to do it then and there.Taylor calls o the performance and turns the entire stage into their altar, reciting vows in front of millions.
He runs back into the locker room, a newlywed man. He turns back to her, enchanted, and says, “Look what you made me do.” The Chiefs win the Super Bowl after a very obvious holding call is ignored by the refs, which leads to a Travis touchdown, making Taylor run over to kiss him. Game over, absolute cinema.
Planet [Redacted]
You might be wondering what this is. I have no clue either. This is a conspiracy, and you’re now a part of it.
Even if Taylor and Travis are going to have their wedding in Rhode Island, I don’t believe that one bit. Everyone they’re going to invite wouldn’t be able to t inside Rhode Island. It just seems a bit illogical, given the status of the couple, that this state would be where they would want their wedding. They might record everything and make it seem like it is happening there, but in reality, it’s all fake.They’re going to take her private jet that she loves so much and put it to good use to break through the stratosphere.
Entering outer space, they’ve already created a planet where they’re going to live the rest of their lives — destroying our planet’s carbon emissions in the process — and where she’s going to release her next album, “The Life of an Alien.” As we Swifties will be dead and buried from the death of the planet, I wish Taylor and Travis the best in their future endeavors. Marriage is such an exciting time, and I’m thrilled to see what it holds for them. I hope their love story works the way they want it to — as long as it doesn’t turn into a cruel summer.
Joshua Abraham is a kinesiology senior and opinion columnist for The Battalion.
Illustration by D’Marcus Benavidez — THE BATTALION
No. 16 Texas A&M will march into South Bend, Indiana, eager for revenge over No. 8 Notre Dame in a game far, far away
By Noah Ruiz Senior Sports Writer
Riding a two-game winning streak, No. 16 Texas A&M football encounters its rst true test of the 2025 season when it travels to South Bend, Indiana, to take on No. 8 Notre Dame in primetime. It will be a rematch of two College Football Playo hopefuls that met a season ago, both with a rich history of excellence and player success. In the glory days of Notre Dame football, star players such as wide receiver Tim Brown and quarterback Joe Montana used their development with the Fighting Irish to enjoy success at the highest level in the NFL and rack up All-Pro accolades.
As for A&M, the gridiron legends appeared later, as indomitable defenders like defensive end Myles Garrett and outside linebacker Von Miller are the modern answer to Notre Dame’s Hall of Famers of the past, collecting over 200 sacks in the NFL between the two.
The Aggies have set the tone against UTSA and Utah State, as redshirt sophomore QB Marcel Reed’s eight total touchdowns cruised the Maroon and White to a pair of 40-plus-point victories. Notre Dame, on the other hand, is coming o an early bye week after a 27-24 loss to thenNo. 10 Miami in its only action of the season.
The Fighting Irish will pit the Aggies’ defense against redshirt freshman QB CJ Carr, a Michigan native who performed admirably in their loss to the Hurricanes. His three total touchdowns kept Notre Dame in the game, though Miami was able to generate enough pressure to ward o any nal blows.
Both squads have towering expectations for their rushing attacks, although neither unit has quite come into form yet. Junior running back Jeremiyah Love was a Preseason All-American, but was only able to muster 33 yards on the ground against Miami. On the other hand, senior RB Le’Ve-
on Moss has 87 yards through two games after entering the season with Preseason First Team All-SEC honors.
Perhaps one of the most pivotal matchups to follow will be the Notre Dame defensive line and the A&M o ensive line, where the trenches could determine the winner of the contest.
Highlighted by graduate guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams, the “Maroon Goons” will have to stand tall against powerful defenders like junior defensive lineman Boubacar Traore to keep Reed safe and churn out some rushing yards.
Notre Dame’s secondary will pose a challenge for Reed, who has thrown at least three touchdown passes in his last three games — the second-longest streak A&M has seen since 2004. The Fighting Irish blanketed Miami defenders for the most part, though they still surrendered two touchdowns to the Hurricanes.
Luckily for the Fightin’ Farmers, they have their own not-so-secret weapon on defense: graduate DL Cashius Howell. Transferring from Bowling Green a season ago, Howell has found his place with the Aggies on defense. Against Utah State, Howell recorded back-to-back-to-back sacks — becoming the rst player to do so since 2015.
Moreover, the dynamic duo of tackling-terror junior and senior linebackers Taurean York and Scooby Williams has imposed their will on opposing o enses. With a combined 24 total tackles and a sack, the two have commanded the eld as generals on defense while putting themselves and other defenders in position to make plays. The young Notre Dame o ensive line will have to work hard to keep these two away after giving up three sacks to Miami.
A win over the Fighting Irish would grant the Aggies a signature victory while doubling as a huge step forward in the path to the 2026 College Football Playo . A&M coach Mike Elko and Reed have upset a superior opponent before in last year’s win over then-No. 8 LSU, though now they will have to replicate it 1,125 miles from home.
Can the Maroon and White bring balance to college football and defeat the Blue and Gold, or is it the will of the Force that the Aggies fall at the hands of the Fathers? Only time will tell who emerges victorious in this battle for the ages.
Aggie side clashes with No. 15 Georgia Bulldogs with hopes to avenge last season’s defeat
By Diego Saenz Sports Writer
It’s been 10 months since now-No. 15 Georgia ended Texas A&M soccer’s 2024 season with a 1-0 win in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Now, the Aggies open the 2025 SEC schedule against none other than the Bulldogs.
Coach G Guerrieri’s squad looks much di erent from the one that nished 8-92 last season. The 2025 roster features 10 transfer players and ve new freshmen who are vital to a program looking to turn the page after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
The Bulldogs also had their postseason run cut short in 2024. After eliminating A&M, Georgia fell to Arkansas, 1-0 in the second round of the SEC Tournament. Georgia then su ered a rst-round exit in
the NCAA Tournament to Colorado, 3-2.
In 2025, the Bulldogs leaned heavily on the recruiting ranks, adding 12 freshmen expected to make an immediate impact.
In the NIL era, where most programs lean on the transfer portal for quick success, coach Keidane McAlpine’s unorthodox approach has paid o through the rst eight matches.
After dropping the season opener against No. 8 UCLA, McAlpine’s side rattled o four straight wins, outscoring opponents 17-0 — including a 2-0 win over No. 12 North Carolina.
Since then, momentum has cooled with two draws and a loss in its last three matches. Even so, the Bulldogs remain dangerous. They’ve scored 18 goals while allowing just four, boasting one of the SEC’s most balanced attacks. Three players in particular stand out that Guerrieri’s squad will have to game plan for.
The engine for Georgia’s high-powered o ense, redshirt junior mid elder Summer Denigan, has already scored six goals, one more than her 2024 total despite playing 13 fewer matches.
A former SEC Freshman of the Year, she
Holy Wars Ep. II: Elko Strikes Back
A&M soccer begins conference play
comes into College Station fresh o a goal against Clemson. Her playmaking ability and creativity makes her a constant threat in the nal third.
Junior M Kiera Staude is a player that can do it all. Defensively, Staude is a key reason Georgia has allowed only four goals this season. She’s already scored four times, including a hat trick in a 6-0 win over North Florida.
Another member of the 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team alongside Denigan, Staude’s two-way presence makes her a matchup nightmare to prepare for.
A freshman goalkeeper out of Illinois, Hannah Foliard’s 16 saves on the season and four goals allowed would lead most fans to believe she is a seasoned vet.
At 6-foot-1, Foliard already stands out physically, and her recent call-up to the U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team’s training camp underscores her status as one of the top players in her age group.
Her six-save collegiate debut against UCLA and four-save performance against Clemson leave little doubt that Foliard is on track to become one of the SEC’s best in goal.
In the other net, sophomore GK Sydney Fuller has arguably been the Aggies’ most impactful player this season. The sophomore goalkeeper’s 15 saves have kept A&M a oat in nearly every match. In Sept. 7’s match against No. 4 TCU, Fuller’s ve saves frustrated one of the nation’s top attacks and nearly earned the Aggies a draw on the road.
Fuller is one of the few returning starters from last season’s SEC tournament loss to Georgia, giving her extra motivation to seek revenge in this matchup.
With Fuller protecting the goal, it will be junior F Leah Diaz who will have to generate o ense against a stout Bulldog defense. She has already done plenty of that throughout the young season, racking up three goals and four assists. She is coming o of a goalscoring performance against TCU and will need more of that production if A&M hopes to break through against Foliard’s long reach.
Ellis Field is set for the Aggies and Bulldogs to clash at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12. For coach G Guerrieri’s squad, opening SEC play with a statement win would signal real progress.
Photos by Sarthak Dalal — THE BATTALION
Left to right: Texas A&M junior forward Leah Diaz (20) dribbles while chased by UConn fifth year defender Kaitlyn Richins during Texas A&M’s game against UConn at Ellis Field on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. Texas A&M junior forward Taylor Jernigan and Texas A&M redshirt freshman defender Bella James react during Texas A&M’s game against UConn at Ellis Field on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
Top to Bottom: Texas A&M redshirt junior defensive back Bryce Anderson (1) hypes up the crowd during Texas A&M’s game against Notre Dame at Kyle Field on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. Texas A&M junior running back Le’Veon Moss (8) runs during Texas A&M’s game against Notre Dame at Kyle Field on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
File photos by Kyle Heise
Players to watch against Notre Dame
In a rematch of last season’s opener, these key players look to lead their teams to victory
By Olivia Sims Senior Sports Writer
Starting the season o 2-0 for the rst time since 2021, No. 16 Texas A&M football faces its rst true test against No. 8 Notre Dame on the road in South Bend, Indiana on Saturday, Sept. 13.
With the Fighting Irish starting their season o with a loss to then-No. 10 Miami after being the runner-up in the College Football Playo last year, pressure hangs in the air for Notre Dame in a potential mustwin game.
Rueben Owens II, redshirt sophomore running back, Texas A&M
Last season, A&M’s o ense was known for its run game, as the Aggies ranked second in the Southeastern Conference in total rushing yards with 2,541. The Maroon and White were missing a key piece in redshirt sophomore running back Rueben Owens II, who was sidelined most of the 2024 season due to a foot injury sustained in preseason fall practice.
In 2023 he earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors after leading all SEC true freshmen in all-purpose yards, with 743 combined rushing, receiving and kick return yards. Through the rst two games, Owens has picked up 89 total yards as he searches for his rst touchdown of 2025.
Will Lee III, redshirt senior cornerback, Texas A&M
One of the biggest issues for the Aggies last season was their pass defense, which ranked 13th in the SEC in passing yards allowed per game with 232.2. A solid asset to the Aggies’ defense is senior cornerback Will Lee III, who nished fth in the SEC with 10 pass breakups in 2024.
In his rst year with the Maroon and White last season, Lee totaled 42 tackles, with 39 of those being solo takedowns. So far this season, Lee sits at nine tackles while he continues to look for his rst interception to cement himself as the dominant force in the secondary.
The other part of A&M’s cornerback duo is redshirt senior CB Tyreek Chappell, who was excellent for the Aggies for three straight seasons before su ering a seasonending injury during practice in 2024.
In what is shaping up to be his last year of college football, Chappell can be a huge threat to any o ense. He already has 1.5 tackles for loss through two games — an important stat against a Notre Dame team that features a dynamic rushing attack.
The SEC journeyman who spent time at Alabama and Texas is used to playing highly competitive football and is waiting for an opportunity in his debut season with A&M. His most impactful season was in 2023 at
Alabama, when he recorded 20 receptions for 327 yards and four touchdowns.
Niblack has only had one reception this season, a 23-yarder against UTSA that set up a touchdown. If he can get more targets, Niblack can cause a lot of ruckus for the Maroon and White in a high-stakes matchup against the Fighting Irish.
Ashton Bethel-Roman, redshirt
freshman wide receiver, Texas A&M
With all of the buzz around the wide receiver transfer duo of sophomore Mario Craver and junior KC Concepcion, the name Ashton Bethel-Roman can get tucked away. Bethel-Roman, the redshirt freshman and former four-star recruit, is just heating up.
Through two games, Bethel-Roman has four receptions, matching his total from last season, as he has picked up 68 yards, averaging 17 per reception. Against Notre Dame, Bethel-Roman can be vicious, as the talk has been about Craver and Concepcion the past few weeks, giving him an opportunity to sneak in and pick up some vital yards for A&M.
Jadarian Price, junior running back, Notre Dame
Notre Dame opened its season with a 27-24 loss against Miami as it struggled its way to 93 rushing yards. Junior RB Jadarian Price led the pack in rushing yards with 45, yet he is capable of so much more.
As a sophomore last season, Price ranked third on the team in rushing yards and even had a touchdown when the Fighting Irish came to College Station.
Another big threat to the A&M defense is senior WR Malachi Fields, who has produced throughout his career with 1897 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. However, against Miami, the Charlottesville, Virginia product only had three receptions. Fields also lost a fumble in the rst quarter of the matchup, giving Miami the ball in Notre Dame territory.
Christian Grey, junior cornerback, Notre Dame
For the Fighting Irish defense, junior CB Christian Grey leads the way. A key factor in Notre Dame’s CFP semi nal win over Penn State last season, Grey picked up a late-game interception to secure the win for the Irish.
Against Miami, he was solid, picking up three tackles to pair with two passes defended, keeping Canes from reaching rst downs.
Notre Dame was known for its defense last season, and it could have another surge in redshirt sophomore DL Boubacar Traore, who picked up six tackles and a sack against Miami in the season opener.
Last season, he was a quiet force on the eld, and nished with 12 tackles, three sacks and one pick-6. Traore has taken control of the defense as he tallied the third most tackles, recording six in the season opener.
Week 3 sta picks: Fighting the Irish
Top to bottom: Redshirt senior tight end Amari Niblack (84) after a catch during Texas A&M’s game against UTSA at Kyle Field on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Freshman linebacker Taurean York (21) high fives Junior cornerback Tyreek Chappell (7) at
