The
S TUDENT P RINTZ www.studentprintz.com
SERVING SOUTHERN MISS SINCE 1927
October 7, 2013
Volume 98 Issue 13
FOOTBALL
USM fails to end the streak Alan Rawls
Printz Reporter With a minute left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Allan Bridgford and the Golden Eagles took over at the USM 28-yard-line. The Golden Panthers led the Eagles 24-23. Southern Miss had a oneminute chance to snap the longest active losing streak in the FBS after Florida International missed a 45-yard field goal attempt. After three incompletions USM converted on fourth down with a 13-yard pass to Markese Triplett. Bridgford completed another pass to Triplett again for 12 yards. After an FIU offsides penalty and an incomplete pass, Bridgford threw the ball deep in hopes that wide receiver James Cox would score the winning touchdown. Instead, FIU’s Sam Miller was penalized for pass interference, setting up a Southern Miss 44-yard field goal attempt by kicker Corey Acosta. Susan Broadbridge/Printz A Golden Panther timeout left six Junior place kicker Corey Acosta takes a knee after his game-winning field goal was blocked Saturday. seconds on the clock. “I honestly thought this was it,” said of that moment. “This was go- over the top. We put in the work and effort and really work hard.” defensive lineman Khyri Thornton ing to be the win to put ourselves practice all the time. We put in the Southern Miss fans were filled
with hope. Some were tempted to storm the field in celebration of USM’s first victory since Christmas Eve of 2011. But another Southern Miss weakness was manipulated in those final seconds of the game. FIU defensive lineman Isame Faciane blocked the potential game-winning field goal, handing Southern Miss its 17th consecutive loss. It was USM’s third blocked field goal in two games. “Obviously, someone got their hand up,” first-year head coach Todd Monken said. “Was it frustrating to go all the way down there? Sure it is. Of course it is.” Southern Miss entered the game a 17-point favorite over the previously winless Golden Panthers. Statistically, FIU was supposed to be worse than USM. Even ESPN analysts Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit expected Southern Miss to win. The Golden Eagles’ loss defied expectation as they allowed an offense that averaged 150 yards per game to rack up 341 yards of total offense. In addition, the Panthers scored three touchdowns and a field goal, which
See FOOTBALL, 3
ON CAMPUS
ROTC closure to be appealed Administrators at The University of Southern Mississippi received notice that Southern Miss’ Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) program would be one of 13 programs nationwide to close, effective after the 2013-2014 school year. The notice, which came from officials at the Department of the Army, indicated the decision was reached “after careful consideration of how to best accomplish its mission with a reduction of resources.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, the program closures are due to low production of officers. Each ROTC program is expected to produce an average of 15 officers annually. The Army will now focus on emerging programs in larger cities. University administrators and ROTC officials have already taken steps to appeal the decision. “We intend to participate in any appeals process that may be available to us,” University President Rodney Bennett said in a statement. “We are disappointed with this decision because we know our Army ROTC students to be bright,
WRITERS SERIES
EAGLEPALOOZA
Monicia Warner News Editor
engaged and patriotic citizens.” “The university’s ROTC program has a long history of demonstrating excellence while producing military leaders for our country, including 16 general officers from our 1,555 graduates,” he added. Southern Miss’ ROTC program is one of six statewide. There are currently 87 cadets in the program with five scheduled to be commissioned as lieutenants in December. Twelve cadets are projected for commission in May 2014. For more information on the Jamie Gominger/Printz Archives ROTC program, visit www.usm. Squad leader Williams overviews the squad mission during the FTX edu/army-rotc. lane on Saturday, March 2 at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg.
HALL OF FAME
WEATHER Monday
77/50 Tuesday
78/54 Wednesday
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INDEX Calendar ....................... 2 News ............................. 3 Feature.......................... 4 Opinion.......................... 6 Sports............................ 7