The Student Printz October 12, 2015

Monday, October 12, 2015

Volume 100 Issue 15

www.studentprintz.com PAGE THREE

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NEWS

F E AT U R E

OPINION

S P O RT S

Deadline for research program fast approaches.

Pearl River student who frequents campus shares his story.

Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will boost U.S., global economy.

Southern Miss has mixed success in weekend doubleheader.

SPUR

Joshua Barnes

Treaty

Volleyball

Crowds protest Miss. flag in Jackson

Nan Buti

Printz Reporter Supporters of the Flag for All Mississippians Act—Initiative 55— participated in a march and rally on Sunday at the state capitol in Jackson for protesting the Mississippi state flag.

The march began at 3 p.m. at the intersection of John R. Lynch Street and Rose Street, and it ended on the Mississippi State Capitol steps, where the rally began later that afternoon.

Initiative 55 is a state ballot initiative to amend the Constitution of the State of Mississippi and remove the Confederate battle emblem from the Mississippi state flag.

“Today, we are still fighting the battle for civil rights for all Mississippi citizens,” said Myrlie Evers-Williams, a civil rights activist, journalist and the widow of murdered civil rights

Hunt Mercier/Printz People walk down the streets of Jackson to the state capitol building, protesting for a new state flag Sunday afternoon.

activist Medgar Evers. “We currently stand under a divided symbol.”

South Carolina state Representative Jenny Horne, who gave the impassioned speech that eventually led to the removal of the Confederate flag from her state’s capitol, also joined the rally in support of Mississippi’s Initiative 55.

Rapper, record producer, actor and Mississippi native David “Mr. Mississippi” Banner was also in attendance at the rally, and gave a speech about the importance of the removal of the Confederate army’s battle flag.

“Medgar Evers died over 50 years ago, and we are still talking about (the) same things,” Banner said. “The people who are rallying here today had their ancestors’ lives taken away from them, so when that is turned around and put in their faces, (that’s) blatantly spitting

in the face of anybody of culture.

The Confederate flag is against tolerance—period—of any color, race, nationality and gender. I think that’s selfish and that’s privilege.”

Also in attendance were Rev. Clyde Tate, pastor of Greater Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Todd Martin, organizer with GetEQUAL Mississippi, Valerie Brown, civil rights advocate, Sharon Brown, sponsor of “Flag for All Mississippians” Initiative 55 and other officials.

“It’s necessary for our generation to stand up for equality and justice and to not back down in the face of opposition,” Horne said. “We must remain vigilant and (peaceful) and respectful because that is how we’re going to change this state.”

Advocates believe the Confederate flag is costing the state economic opportunity.

“The flag is a symbolic issue, and with the Confederate emblem, we are losing a lot of money for the state economically,” attendee and flag protester Jason Clark said.

Speakers and those rallying pointed out the change of The University of Mississippi’s mascot. If Ole Miss as a university can change their mascot, they reasoned, why could the state not change its flag?

“A lot about Confederate heritage has a lot of slants and distortions, and a lot of racial mess has been thrown into it to make the South look like a boogie man, when we’re not,” said Craig Hayden, a Confederate flag supporter. “The reason I’m here is because people do not know the basic terminology of the state flag or even the Confederate battle flag itself. If they’re going to complain about something, they should at least know their basic terminology.”

The ballot summary for Initiative 55 proposes to add the following language to the Mississippi Constitution: “The flag of the State of Mississippi shall not contain or include any reference to the Confederate army’s battle flag or to the Confederacy.”

As an enforcement mechanism, a Mississippi citizen may petition the Mississippi Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus requiring the state, its political subdivisions, their agents, officers or employees to comply with the amendment.

“If it does pass, there will be issues, because there’s always going to be a reaction from both sides—those who are for it, and those who are against it,” Clark said.

“Long-term, it will be a symbol of hope that Mississippi will become the new South instead of being the Old South.”

ON CAMPUS

Dance company gives site-specific performances Julius Kizzee News Editor

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Repertory Dance Company hosted “Exchanging Innocence: Site-Specific Dance Performances” to the Hattiesburg community on Sunday. More than 15 dancers performed, and the events were divided up into three locations around the Hub City.

“Each piece is uniquely choreographed around the sites, providing viewers the opportunity to experience each location in new and

exciting ways,” said dance instructor Meredith Early.

The first performance, “Infinite Youth,” was held at Lake Byron on USM’s campus. The dance included a feature piece, “Adante,” by Jacque Ibert’s Flute Concert, which was played by Caroline Kirsch, a freshman music performance major.

The piece was performed by three dancers, portraying a playful and friendly mood. All of the dancers were in unison with every motion, giving the audience a basis to process the conjoined movements.

The performers wore light colors

to establish the aura of youth and blissfulness even further.

The second event, held just on the corner of Bushman and Main Street in downtown Hattiesburg, was a unique one in setting and in essence.

The performers went from dressing in light colors in the first movement to switching to darker colors in the second sequence. The dancers, including junior dance major Jamel Franks, used the elements of their environment to their advantage.

“We are all made from dirt, and we are made from sin, but God looks DANCE, SEE PG. 3

Jilli Rodriguez/Printz Repertory Dance Company dancers Kaylin Wilson and Noelle Billings perform “Contemplated Salted Earth,” choreographed by Sierra Howard, in downtown Hattiesburg.

Page 2 | Monday, October 12, 2015

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NEWS

Monday, October 12, 2015 | Page 3

ON CAMPUS University aims to stimulate undergraduate research via SPUR Andrew Dutton Printz Reporter

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Eagle Scholars Program for Undergraduate Research (Eagle SPUR) application ends on Thursday, Oct. 15, and all students are invited to participate.

According to a press release by the university, students are invited to apply for the Eagle SPUR, a competitive funding competition in which undergraduates can collaborate with a faculty mentor on a research project or activity.

Sponsored by the Center for

Undergraduate Research, students with selected projects may receive up to $1,000 to support travel, equipment or supplies related to the proposed project.

Marie Danforth, professor of anthropology and director of Eagle SPUR, discussed the benefits all students would have in applying for this program.

“So much research has shown that the benefits of independently scholarly activity extend far beyond becoming more proficient in the discipline,” Danforth said. “Students who have undertaken projects such as those done through Eagle SPUR have been shown to gain

confidence, learn how to network better and even at times get to test drive some potential career options.”

Ronnie Blooesao, freshman criminal justice major, said he would not mind participating in the program. Blooesao said if they found something worthwhile in their research, then both would get credit for it and help them both out.

“If I’m getting credit for it, then he’s getting credit for it too,” Blooesao said, referring to the faculty member.

Blooesao said he would participate in the program, but sometime down the line. “I’m so busy this semester,” he said.

Blooesao’s project of choice, if he

ON CAMPUS

Southern Miss plays host to merchandising event last Friday Nan Buti

Printz Reporter The Merchandising Program hosted its first Cotton Coterie and Up-Cycling Design Competition on Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Hattiesburg campus.

University of Southern Mississippi students who participated in Cotton Coterie had the opportunity to mingle with merchandising students from three other Mississippi educational institutions: Delta State University, Mississippi State University and Hinds Community College.

The event is made possible by a grant from the Importer Support Program of the Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated, and it is a joint partnership between the three Mississippi universities, which offer fashion merchandising programs.

Over 120 merchandising students participated in the Cotton Coterie, which is intended to increase awareness about cotton in Mississippi and teach about its sustainability.

Merchandising students were given the opportunity to network and interact with industry practitioners and other students in merchandising programs in Mississippi.

Throughout the day, seminar discussion and an upcycling design competition took place. Seminar discussion topics include topics relevant to apparel and textile-related careers, including apparelrelated entrepreneurship, career preparation and textiles and economic development.

The event allowed students

to explore many careers and opportunities made available

by Mississippi cotton and the textile and apparel industries.

Attendees were able to learn about the significance of the cotton, textile and apparel industries in the Mississippi and world economies. Many merchandising students aspire to careers as buyers, designers, entrepreneurs, product developers and visual merchandisers.

“Hands-on learning experiences such as Cotton Coterie provide students with valuable opportunities to build their professional networks, increase their field knowledge and skills, gain confidence through experience and foster their creativity through exposure to diverse perspectives and ideas,” said Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong, merchandising professor.

The upcycling design competition catered to merchandising students from various Mississippi universities, colleges and high schools. Entrants were given a choice between upcycle t-shirt based or denim based apparel, accessories or home furnishing products.

“Participating for my product development class, I was taught to be really creative and thoughtful as to what a product can become by, say, looking at three pairs of jeans, and the ways to make it marketable to a customer,” said Zach Campbell, senior merchandising major.

Judging was based on criteria of creativity, aesthetic value, functionality and quality. Winners from various

categories were recognized and awarded with $1,800 in cash awards.

Cotton Coterie is one event in “Mississippi Cotton: Weaving Futures” (2015), a joint project partnering the three participating Mississippi universities, which all offer merchandising programs.

Each university has hosted or will host an event and an associated competition this semester focusing on cotton and sustainability.

After Delta State’s natural dyeing workshop and contest, and the USM upcycling design contest, Mississippi State will host a retail competition focusing on student-designed merchandising plans involving cotton, upcycling and sustainability.

Upcycled products are assembled out of used materials rather than newly manufactured materials.

Upcycling design is a way to create a new product out of old products that would otherwise be discarded.

“Using upcycling as a defining concept in design can promote awareness of sustainability in fashion among students and members of the Mississippi’s communities,” Yaoyuneyong said. “In addition, upcycling design can be used as a tool for teaching and learning creativity, which can lead to success in business.

Cotton has a greater potential to drive a truly sustainable and environmentally friendly fashion industry than most other fibers. Unlike synthetic fibers, cotton can be entirely natural and completely biodegradable.”

were going to take part in it, would be the legalization of marijuana.

Doentaeious Leavy, freshman engineering computer and technology major, said he would participate, too.

His reasons were much like Blooesao’s in that he would get credit for the assignment and also help the professor get credit for helping him.

“If we both find something good, then it would be cool if we both got credit for it especially if the person helping me is a teacher I might have in the future,” Leavy said.

Leavy would not join the program this semester, however, citing a

DANCE CONTINUED over us,” Franks said. “I pretty much guided others through the dances and life struggles in my motions.”

The sequence was held in a dirt-and-gravel parking lot, with the dancers kicking around the dust and sand as they performed.

The story behind the musical was simple.

Franks was a man with many interests in a few women. Through the movement, he chased the women performers, trying to help them with their issues and their problems, but had a certain one in mind.

In the end, it was Franks and just one woman dancer to be happily together.

It made inferences about relationships and trying to help the different people in one’s life who need guidance. The kicking and rumbling in the dust and gravel gave the piece a different perspective in terms of having more to see and interpret in a dancer’s motions, rather than just

busy schedule.

If Leavy would join, his project of choice would be advancement of technology toward a job which would suit Leavy’s degree.

According to USM’s website, a student’s portion of the proposals must contain a 1,350-word description, a budget, a bibliography and an answered series of questions about the work to be undertaken. It also requires faculty members also must submit a short application.

Applications should be submitted online at the Eagle SPUR web page. Both student and faculty applications are due on Oct. 15 by 5 p.m.

seeing the movement of a body.

The dirt actually got on some sparse sections of the crowd, helping tell the story.

The third dance was between a male and female performer and was about the trials and tribulations that young couples may experience.

In the beginning, all was well through the piece. The couple danced in happy motions, and the movements flowed free through their bodies.

As they moved around the park and through the ups and downs of the relationships, they went through the motions of a companionship and what happens when lives intertwine.

Toward the end of the piece, the dances were mimicked from a 1930s classic couple, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The lightfooted waltz showed the couple being in-sync, even if they could not match their emotional ties.

The movement left just a dash of contemporary for the audience to bear, and the use of the space was necessary throughout the park.

Page 4 | Monday, October 12, 2015

FEATURE

ON CAMPUS

‘Get the ring before spring’ Camille Myrick Printz Reporter

Seniors at The University of Southern Mississippi are soaking up the last moments of their undergraduate experience. Some have already landed dream jobs and are making arrangements to move out of state. Some are preparing to enter graduate school.

Others are planning their weddings.

That’s right—lace, bells and all. In fact, more and more college couples are putting their name on a marriage license as well as a diploma.

LaDonna Reese, senior marine biology major, will be tying the knot 10 years before she predicted she would be.

“I did not know I was going to get engaged,” Reese said. “Knowing that my fiancé loved me that much and was secure in his decision in choosing me as his wife are the reasons why I didn’t wait.”

Age was not a factor in her decision to go forward with the engagement.

“Life is not something to play with,” Reese said. “This generation does not take relationships seriously as young adults and (they) put themselves at risk by experimenting with people that they never needed

to be affiliated with. I feel like your maturity level determines what time—not age—you are prepared to get married.”

Going forward, Reese is willing to compromise with her mate in order to make a life together. Her career goals are the same as they have always been, but transitioning into marriage is her first priority.

“I wouldn’t say my career plans have changed because I’m engaged,” Reese said. “They are being placed on ‘semi-reserve.’ I have applied for internships in the Chicago area because that is where my fiancé and I are from. After some time of being married, he and I will discuss things like (traveling) and going abroad.”

Kirstie Lowery, senior media production major, never thought she would be wearing an engagement ring before graduation, but after her fiancé got down on one knee, she changed her tune. In fact, he renewed her faith in marital success.

“I didn’t plan on getting married before graduation, but when I met my fiancé he changed the way I thought about marriage,” Lowery said. “I never saw marriages work out well with those close to me. I thought a successful marriage was impossible, but now that I’m with

Beth Cunningham/Printz Senior Landon Drennan will become Mrs. William Landrum in fall 2016, not long after graduation.

(Landry)—someone I love and want to be with forever—it has made me realize that marriage can work.”

More and more, college-aged couples are starting to get married.

So many that there is now a phrase for it: “get the ring before spring.” The idea of that phrase is that seniors are rushing to the altar before they graduate. Some even suggest getting engaged is somewhat a trend.

“I think a lot of couples are more in love with the idea of marriage than their partners, and that in my opinion is one of the biggest reasons people divorce,” Lowery said.

The seniors do not seem to be getting engaged like it is a fashion statement. Each couple has personal, special reasons to get hitched.

Couples who get married at a young age are at an advantage, researchers say. Reese and Lowery may be among the percentage of couples who live happily ever after because of the timing.

Nicolas Wolfinger, a sociologist from the University of Utah, studied statistical data from the National Survey of Family Growth. He found that the rate of divorce among couples significantly decreases when vows are said by young adults

in their early to mid-20s. However, that rate of divorce begins to steadily increase after the age of 32.

“Those who tie the knot after their early 30s are now more likely to divorce than those who marry in their 20s,” Wolfinger said.

His research showed that the reason why some people do not get married until a later age is because those are probably individuals that are not cut out for marriage in the first place.

“They delay marriage often because they can’t find anyone willing to marry them,” Wolfinger said. “(While) they do tie the knot, their marriages are automatically at high risk for divorce. More generally, perhaps people who marry later face a pool of potential spouses that has been (whittled) down to exclude the individuals most predisposed to succeed at matrimony.”

In other words: slim pickings.

Statistics show all kinds of trends in marriage, but one thing every married person will tell someone is that the success of the marriage depends solely on the individual.

No matter how many times, or at what age a person decides to get married, the union can be successful through communication, honesty and a stubborn willingness to try.

R I A F .

M R .

P 4 E N E O O R N , A C TO B E R 1 4 R E T N E C N A C R O D CO C H THA

VISIT USM.EDU/CAREER-SERVICES TO SEE ATTENDING EMPLOYERS AND BEST PRACTICES.

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FEATURE

Monday, October 12, 2015 | Page 5

ON CAMPUS

Joshua Barnes Poet expresses self in more ways than one Nan Buti

Printz Reporter Numerous students, faculty, staff and Hattiesburg community members have noticed the man with the long, black coat and pale face.

Meet Joshua Barnes, a 25-year-old Hattiesburg native who carries a passion for who he is and what he aspires to be.

Barnes proves that his personality is just as interesting as his eyecatching appearance.

He takes online courses at Pearl River Community College and is often seen sitting in front of a computer in Cook Library on campus.

Barnes spends his free time pondering ideas for his next ingenious poem. People may have heard of screamo or hardcore punk bands that emerged in the 1990s and represent the emo genre.

Barnes writes emo poetry, which can be defined as

Nan Buti/Printz

The ravenheart! I will slither over the edge, I’ll spread this loathing in a million red roses, I will not become undone and frozen, I will not be buried in burials, I’m the callous to your prayers, I’m the thorn, the ravenheart... I will adore my impaled paleness, I will breathe through the malcontent, I will not lose myself in this V shape of pain, I won’t let go of this firestorm that protects me from you, I’m the callous to your prayers, I’m the thorn, the ravenheart... I will write the writings on the wall, I will smell the poison so totalitarian, I won’t take this venomous persecution, I will not lie these flowers on your faith, I’m the ravenheart to your territorial ghetto, I’m the ravenheart to your great white hope, white smiles, I’m impaled in the race, I’m the callous to your prayers, I’m the thorn, I’m the ravenheart. emotionally provocative poetry.

Barnes’ particular brand of emo poetry discusses topics that are difficult to communicate with most people.

Themes are centered on dark, sometimes painful emotions. Barnes said that he is a “hostage in the light,” meaning that he lives in a world where his true personality goes unrecognized.

He dresses the way he does to make a statement and to be who he

truly wishes to be.

“My look (is) my lyrics and poems,” Barnes said. “I’m a dark atmosphere.”

He expresses his desire for darkness by avoiding social interaction with people, whom he believes are far from understanding of him and his style. Saying that this world is “visionless,” Barnes wants to expose people with his own vision.

“This world is only about sex, racism, fashion, money and

popularity,” Barnes said. “It’s why they only see my outer look but can’t see me. I’m on the other side. I’m so far gone.”

Barnes writes poetry he described as intense—that is to say, it is meant to either offend the reader or relate to the reader.

“My poems are thoughts and feelings, not strips,” Barnes said.

Barnes has been writing poetry since high school, when he started to transform his outer appearance, dressing in all black in order to embrace his melancholic side.

“People reacted in fear and disbelief, but all I felt was emptiness,” Barnes said.

Junior psychology major Ivry Rayborn attended Hattiesburg High School with Barnes and would occasionally see him.

“I think he dresses that way because he’s really into goth music and wants to emulate the goth bands,” Rayborn said.

Barnes created a poetry album in September called “Crawling from Hell” and continues to work on free-verse pieces of gothic metal poetry.

His all-white face, long black coat and cornrowed braids are a reflection of his art.

“I think people spend too much time focusing on what he has on sometimes,” Rayborn said.

“The dark side of life is my replacement for the world, because I’m something naturally hated by the world,” Barnes said.

Barnes rarely shows his poems to people, but an inside scoop of his work is featured above.

Barnes finds beauty in the darkness he surrounds himself with, saying that his entire world is a dark atmosphere.

“I’m a unique individual who does what he thinks and feels,”

Barnes said.

Individuality is a major motive in Barnes’ life, and he expresses it in ways most others would not.

“The purpose of being an individual is about being yourself and finding your own way, not trying to be someone or something that you’re not,” Barnes said. “If I like chocolate cake and the world likes strawberry cake, then I’m not going to stop liking what I like just (to) please them. I am who I am.”

Barnes believes that his attitude is not what the public wants and that it is the reason people have little faith in him.

He will not reform to societal norms and be like everybody else and is determined to continue being the outcast in society that he wants to be.

In his poems, Barnes writes “I will” and “I will not” as a way to express how he plans to endure daily struggles and situations without making the same mistakes again.

“The reason I keep my poems so basic and simple is so that you can easily remember them as you would a song, and so you can feel the emotion,” Barnes said.

Not only does Barnes express his creativity with a pen, but also with his voice.

He incorporates his poetry into songs with a vocal style known as screamo.

“The greatest part about being me is that I’m way on the other side,” Barnes said.

“People are knocking, but my soul’s in darkness. Nothing’s on this earth. It’s about me not being able to relate to the world’s ways and me asking them to keep saying negative things to me to keep my inner darkness alive.”

OPINION

Page 6 | Monday, October 12, 2015

NATIONAL

Trade deal a home run for US J.D. Rimann Printz Reporter

Last Monday, the final form of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact was announced after five days of intense negotiations in Atlanta. The TPP is a free trade agreement which will cut trade tariffs and set common standards in trade for 12 Pacific Rim countries (the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam).

Now that the agreement has been finalized, it will be sent to Congress for ratification as a treaty and consequently is about to become a big talking point in the ongoing presidential campaigns.

Indeed, the lobbying campaign on behalf of the TPP has been well underway for quite some time. A letter written, signed and delivered to the Congress in March by a group of rockstar economists, including Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan and Austan Goolsbee, urged them to ratify the new trade agreement.

They claim that “increased global economic engagement will enhance U.S. global leadership in line with our values, (and) we believe that agreements to foster greater international trade are

in our national economic and security interests.”

While many Democrats (especially those allied with the president) and Republicans are in favor of free trade and economic growth, the more populist wing of the Democratic Party, including Nancy Pelosi, Elizabeth Warren, non-Democrat Bernie Sanders and the constantly-rebranding-herself Hillary Rodham Clinton have come out against it. While it is ironic that the so-called progressives are so staunchly opposed to the progress that the TPP represents and will certainly do their best to impede the ratification of the pact, the most likely outcome is the formation of an unholy alliance between President Obama and the Hill Republicans to ratify the treaty by the end of the year.

There are a couple of major advantages to the TPP from the U.S. point of view. The first one is the most obvious: this pact should be a boon for the economy of the United States as a whole. The countries involved have a combined population of about 800 million and are responsible for over 40 percent of the world’s trade. Those are some staggering numbers for 12 countries.

According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the

TPP will eventually end over 18,000 tariffs that the members of the pact currently have on American exports. All in all the TPP—if ratified by each of the individual countries involved, an event which there is no guarantee will happen— should create the largest free trade zone on earth.

Econometric estimates have projected the TPP boosting the real incomes of participating nations by a combined $285 billion over baseline projections in the first 10 years after implementation, an economic growth rate of 1 percent that continues indefinitely.

Furthermore, combined exports of member countries are projected to increase by $440 billion or 7 percent after the implementation of the agreement.

The United States and Japan alone would account for 64 percent of the total GDP gains, a staggering and significant number.

The other major gain the United States makes from this is diplomatic.

The TPP, if ratified, would form the centerpiece of President Obama’s vaunted pivot toward Asia. Military and political actions in the last couple of years have amply demonstrated

the United States commitment to Asia, but the TPP marks the start of a new era of economic commitment and integration unlike anything that America has yet done in the Pacific region. The agreement establishes a clear economic focus on Southeast Asia especially that should reassure American allies in the region and help buttress America’s economic flank in relation to China.

All in all, the TPP should be a net benefit for the American people, the American economy and the nations of the Pacific Rim.

CANADA

JAPAN

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

VIETNAM MEXICO

BRUNEI

SINGAPORE

PERU

MALAYSIA AUSTRALIA

CHILE NEW ZEALAND

Courtesy Photo

SPORTS

Monday, October 12, 2015 | Page 7

FOOTBALL

USM drops tough road game to Marshall Joshua Campbell Sports Editor

Southern Miss (3-3, 1-1) had a chance to assert itself as a contender in Conference USA, but failed to make a definitive statement, losing to Marshall (5-1, 3-0) 31-10.

USM’s offense got off to a good start, scoring the first points of the game on their second drive. Nick Mullens capped off an eight-play, 89-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown to Michael Thomas.

Thomas ran a nice whip route, beating his defender easily to the outside and was able to walk into the end zone.

The Golden Eagles were playing well throughout the first half, but the momentum shifted after a huge mental error with under a minute left before halftime. After the USM defense stuffed Remi Watson for a loss of two, Marshall faced a 4thand-3 and lined up to attempt a 40-yard field goal.

But Darian Yancey jumped offsides, giving the Thundering Herd a first down. Ryan Yurachek capped off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown catch from Chase Litton to give Marshall the 17-10 lead going into the half rather than only a field goal lead.

USM put together a solid drive on their first possession of the second half, reaching the Marshall 30-yard line. Head coach Todd Monken gambled on 4th-and-2 and paid the price as Tiquan Lang broke up the Mullens pass to Casey Martin.

With all the momentum on their side, Marshall extended their lead with an explosive play. Litton connected with Deandre Reaves for a 61-yard touchdown on the fourth play of the ensuing possession.

Mullens tried to throw the Golden Eagles back into the game, but the Marshall defense was suffocating all night. The Thundering Herd defense forced five turnovers, had four sacks, 15 pass breakups and hurried Mullens 17 times.

“They’re one of the premier teams in our league,” Monken said. “Athletically, on the back end (defensively) they are as good as anybody we’ve played and we’ve played some pretty good (defenses).”

Following the Reaves touchdown, USM’s next two drives ended with Mullens getting sacked and fumbling.

The second of which was recovered by Jarquez Samuel in the end zone to give Marshall the 31-10 lead.

“I think we just made too many mistakes to win,” Mullens said. “Coming up on the road, especially against a good opponent, you just got to find a way to play the most perfect game you can. I think we led in almost every statistical category, but this game proves that doesn’t matter one bit.”

Each of the Golden Eagles’ second half possessions resulted in either an interception, fumble or turnover on downs. While it was clear the Marshall defense was responsible for most of the

Golden Eagles’ misfortunes, the USM offense shoulders some blame as well.

The offensive line struggled to keep pressure off Mullens, and the receivers struggled to create separation at times.

Mullens did not play perfectly by any means, but for all the pressure he faced and the small windows he was forced to throw into, his performance was definitely admirable. He finished with 314 yards, one touchdown and one interception while completing 29-of-58 pass attempts.

Although the offensive line struggled in pass protection, they were able to open some pretty big holes in the running game as Jalen Richard, Ito Smith and Justice Hayes all had carries where they were untouched until they reached the secondary. Richard led the way with 87 yards on 16 carries.

Thomas and Martin were once again favorite targets of Mullens in the passing game.

Thomas eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the third week in a row with 105 yards and a touchdown while Martin had nine catches for 85 yards.

Though the Golden Eagles failed to pass the big road test, they showed that they could compete with any team in the conference once again. This game was closer than the final score indicated.

USM will look to get back into the win column in their homecoming game when they host UT-San Antonio Saturday at 6 p.m.

SOCCER

Ben Queen/USA Today Courtesy Photo Southern Miss Golden Eagles quarterback Nick Mullens attempts to throw to the end zone during the second quarter against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium Friday night.

Eagles fall in Florida doubleheader Julius Kizzee News Editor

Southern Miss (3-9-3, 1-5) entertained more conference play with a weekend Florida road trip, playing Florida International (87,4-2) and Florida Atlantic (9-7,33). The first game was tight for the

Golden Eagles, but they ultimately fell short to FIU, 1-0.

The game was held scoreless through the first period, but that did not mean the teams were not aggressive. The Panthers took 10 shots in the first period alone. Sophomore Talia McMurtrie had the only goal in the contest, shooting the ball into

Courtesy Photo

the left corner of the net in the 46th minute.

The Golden Eagles again struggled on offense, like they have so many times before in the season. They were only able to get six shots off in the match, splitting three per period. Freshman forward Kierstin Bradley had three shots by herself, but only one was on goal.

At the end of the match, the Golden Eagles were deflated by a lack of offense. This match was the sixth time this season that the Golden Eagles lost by only one goal. With this close loss behind them, Southern Miss headed 30 minutes north from Miami to Boca Raton to face Florida Atlantic.

Southern Miss came out of the gate flat against FAU Sunday. The Golden Eagles were only able to get off one shot in the first 30 minutes, while their counterparts shot the ball eight times.

Although it started rough for the Golden Eagles as they faced

a 2-0 deficit before halftime, they still were aggressive as a team.

Four different Golden Eagles got off a shot, with a total of five shots on goal in the contest.

In the end, Southern Miss was not able to put the ball in the goal for a third consecutive game, 3-0.

USM goalkeeper Brittany Taylor

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had five saves in each contest, putting her just three saves away from setting the school record for career saves.

Southern Miss to date has lost eight out of their last nine games played. The Golden Eagles will look to get back on track against UTSA in a home tilt on Oct. 16.

SPORTS

Page 8 | Monday, October 12, 2015

VOLLEYBALL

Southern Miss splits weekend pair at home Julius Kizzee News Editor

The volleyball team kept steady this past weekend, going 1-1 over two matches against Western Kentucky (19-2, 6-0) and Middle Tennessee State (5-16, 3-4).

Southern Miss (17-6,4-2) took care of business relatively easily against Middle Tennessee State, sweeping the Blue Raiders 3-0 on Friday.

In the first set, the Golden Eagles jumped out to an 8-4 lead to set the tone for the contest. The Blue Raiders fought back, led by three straight points from senior Rachel Shaughnessy. After a timeout from Middle Tennessee when the score was 17-14 in Southern Miss’ favor, the Golden Eagles blitzed out to an 8-4 run, bringing the game to a decisive 25-18 set point for the Golden Eagles.

The second set went differently for Southern Miss, as they held tight with the Blue Raiders as the score was 12-12 shortly into the contest. After a substitution for the Golden Eagles, bringing in sophomore Natalie Druhan in place of senior Rachel Johnson, Middle Tennessee just could not keep up with the Golden Eagle

offense, falling 25-19.

The third set held even tighter than the second, when both teams had 11 ties and six lead changes.

Both teams traded scores well into the 20th point, when MTSU tied up the contest. In the set, there were 16 substitutions in the period, as both coaches were just looking for the right combination of players to pull off the win.

In the end, junior Stephany Purdue delivered in the clutch to seal the deal for the Golden Eagles when she captured her 14th kill in the match, giving the Golden Eagles the close 25-22 victory.

Purdue paced the Golden Eagles with 14 kills, while freshman Kylie Grandy made her mark with nine kills in the match. The Golden Eagles also edged MTSU in kills, errors and in total attacks through all three sets.

After the Friday night matchup against the Blue Raiders, the Golden Eagles had a tough task in going up against the No. 23 team in the nation, Western Kentucky.

The Golden Eagles were routed on their own floor, losing the first set by nine points. Western Kentucky finished an 88 percent team attack for the period, winning 25-16 over USM. The second set went a lot

smoother for the Golden Eagles, as they kept pace with the Hilltoppers into the 22nd point. With the set on the line, Stephany Purdue scored three straight points for Southern Miss and the Golden Eagles captured the set on an attack error by the Hilltoppers. With the match tied at one, Southern Miss was in position to knock off a team that had only lost two games all season.

Southern Miss came out flat in the third set, getting embarrassed 25-9 by Western Kentucky.

Southern Miss had a chance to regroup after a timeout when they were down just 7-2, but they could not get back on track after the break in action. The Hilltoppers used an 18-7 run, winning by 16 points in the set.

The Golden Eagles fell behind early in the last set of the match, 21-8 at one point, but they did not stop fighting. With a 13-point deficit, the Golden Eagles realized they had nothing to lose. They caught the Hilltoppers by surprise when they went on a 9-3 run, bringing the score to just 24-17.

But the Golden Eagles’ miracle was halted when sophomore Sydney Engle iced the game for Western Kentucky.

Southern Miss finished the

game being out-hit and out-dug by the Hilltoppers. They will play their next six out of 10 games at home, where they hold a 7-1 record.

Going into conference play, the Western Kentucky loss can be

a nice litmus test for what the standard is for getting to the top of Conference USA. Southern Miss will play host to FIU and La. Tech this weekend as it looks to get back on track.

Fadi Shahin/Printz Southern Miss senior Elise Ames jumps to spike the ball against Middle Tennessee Oct. 9.