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September 6, 2016 Vol. 54 No. 5

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resurgence

Page 10 Senior linebacker Nigel Harris begins his

comeback in USF’s 56-20 rout of Towson

The Oracle celebrates 50 years Page 3

Making a mountain out of trigger warnings Page 4

Transportation tips Page 6

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the Oracle the University of South Florida’s student newspaper since 1966

Editor in Chief Jacob Hoag oracleeditor@gmail.com

The Oracle is published Monday and Thursday during the fall and spring semesters, and once weekly, Wednesday, during the summer.

BY PHONE

Managing Editor Miki Shine oraclemeditor@gmail.com

Main ..................

Editor .................

News .................

Sports ................

Advertising ............

Classified ..............

News Editor Abby Rinaldi oraclenewsteam@gmail.com

Website: Facebook: Twitter:

Sports Editor Vinnie Portell oraclesportseditor@gmail.com

The Oracle will correct or clarify factual errors. Contact Editor in Chief Jacob Hoag at 974-5190.

Opinion Editor Breanne Williams oracleopinion@gmail.com Lifestyle Editor Nicole Cate oraclelifestyleeditor@gmail.com Multimedia Editor Jackie Benitez Copy Editor Grace Hoyte Graphic Artists Destiny Moore Jessica Thomas Advertising Sales Alyssa Alexander Lauren Alford Destiny Moore Dylan Ritchey

The Index

The Oracle allocates one free issue to each student.

Additional copies are $.50 each and available at the Oracle office (SVC 0002).

974-6242 974-5190 974-1888 974-2842 974-2620 974-6242

usforacle.com facebook.com/usforacle @USFOracle

CORRECTIONS

News........................................................3 Opinion.................................................4 Lifestyle................................................6 classifieds...........................................8 Crossword..........................................8 sports...................................................10

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News Briefs

Samsung recalls Galaxy Note 7

SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

Samsung has decided to issue a recall on its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone following cases of the phone catching fire while charging due to problems with the phone’s battery, according to CNN Money. Samsung is offering free replacement after the recall, as well as gift cards or bill credits, which will cost the company a large sum..

The announcement comes as Apple prepares to release its newest smartphone.

Earthquake hits Oklahoma An earthquake struck the state of Oklahoma on Saturday, prompting the state to go into a state of emergency and shut down 37 disposal wells, according to CNN. The move has caused some to question the link between the disposal wells, which pump wastewater from oil and gas drilling back into the ground, and earthquakes, as reported by CNN. The link is still unclear, but CNN reports that some residents in Oklahoma fear another quake.

news

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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YEARS OF PUBLICATION

BY BREANNE WILLIAMS

Over the past 50 years, The Oracle has borne witness to countless events impacting USF and the country as a whole. Students have covered presidential elections, the move for divestment and even the passing of classmates.

It was the first color newspaper in the country since its inception, as well as the first online publication in Florida beginning in 1995.

Candace Braun Davison, the editor in chief in 2008, recalls how exciting it was to write for a student paper during a major election year. Working until 3:30 a.m., staffers had a map hung on a wall that they marked off as each state’s candidate selection was announced.

They had two mock-ups of the front page completed and were studiously watching the polls to determine if they would have the honor of reporting on a ground breaking election.

“It was incredible to be a part of history,” Davison said. “Seeing students stampede down the street and parade and go crazy over the news … That was one of those moments where you go ‘I can’t believe I’m a journalist. I can’t believe I get to be a part of this experience.’”

However, Davison faced many trying experiences, as well.

During her junior year, USF faced not only the Meningall scandal, in which

OPINION EDITOR

the vice president of student affairs was accused of mishandling money among other things, but also the tragedy of two former USF and two NFL football players getting lost at sea.

“Students were missing their friends,” said Davison. “These were players they knew and had classes with, and we were trying to help them find answers and deal with the grieving process when one of the students and two of the NFL players died at sea.

“That was a lot of crazy, on-the-ground reporting (and) a lot of learning as you go and trying to be sensitive to all the sources you are talking to.”

This was not the first time Davison had reported on the loss of a student’s life. The semester prior, Alex Solis, a young father and a recently crowned Homecoming Lord, USF Polytechnic’s equivalent of Homecoming King, had died following an injury sustained in a “car-related accident.”

Davison spoke with family and friends and learned first-hand how to balance the need to get the information necessary for the story and “maintain the ethical standard of doing no harm.”

“That was tough because you are trying to interview someone but you’re also surrounded by these really young kids

n See 50 YEARS on PAGE 5

Clinton coming to USF

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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will host an event this afternoon at the Campus Recreation Center.

SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

By Miki Shine M A N A G I N G

E D I T O R

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will be hosting an event today in the Campus Recreation Center, her third appearance in Tampa.

The last-minute event is “expected to draw a large audience,” according to an email sent out to the student body and will result in the closure of Campus Rec for most of the day.

Additionally, parking lots 22A and 22D near the Sun Dome will be closed along with portions of Lot 6 while additional temporary parking for students will be available near Leroy Collins Blvd.

According to USF Media and Public Affairs Manager Adam Freeman, approximately 1,000 parking spots will be blocked off for the event.

“There are about 20,000 parking spaces on campus, not including the temporary lots in place on Tuesday,” he said. “Students, faculty and

n See CLINTON on PAGE 7

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Opinion

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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The non-existent fight for trigger warnings

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What you said Opinion Editor Breanne Williams asked students how they feel about Hillary Clinton coming to speak at USF this afternoon.

“I’m not a fan of Hillary, but I think it’s good they are having the political candidates here. It’s important students stay involved.”

- Mark Foglia, a freshman majoring in finance The fight for trigger warnings in colleges is not as large as many may believe. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE

By Breanne Williams C O L U M N I S T

Trigger warnings in universities are a perfect example of the opinion of a few overshadowing the ideals of the majority.

Despite the attention attributed to trigger warnings by the media, most establishments of higher learning do not need to make bold statements against the policy such as those made by the University of Chicago in its welcome letter to incoming freshman.

Trigger warnings were created to caution students about sensitive material that may cause personal trauma to resurface. While once helpful, they have become a twisted means of restricting education and an unfortunate and undesired inevitability for the majority of students at universities.

A survey of the College Art Association and the Modern Language Association members found that less than 1 percent of the approximately 800 respondents, many of whom are professors, said their university used a trigger warning policy.

In fact, 85 percent of respondents said students had never even asked for a trigger warning and 93 percent said they were not aware of any student-fueled efforts to have their school make them mandatory in classes.

Yet the issue of whether colleges should begin mandating these warnings has led to a nationwide discussion over the past few years.

If such large quantities don’t

believe they are necessary, why is it a topic of conversation at all?

The concept of trigger warnings, while over a century old in origin, has only really flourished in the past decade. The popularity of social media has frequently brought attention to issues that otherwise would have gone unnoticed, as is the case here.

Most professors use a warning when they are to cover topics such as war crimes, rape or anything with graphic content.

Unfortunately, there have been occasions upon which warnings were not used and students were caught off guard and unprepared for the material they were bombarded with.

It is those rare instances that led to posts online, which quickly began trending, drawing national attention to the otherwise not monumental issue.

Few studies have been done to gauge the benefits or harm of the policy due to its relative newness, but everyone can agree there are obvious instances where a quick heads up is probably the best option for both students and professors.

Whether it is a rape victim reading an assignment for philosophy and coming across graphic depictions of sexual assault, or a victim of abuse watching a video in psychology depicting domestic violence, trigger warnings could help prepare those students mentally for what they are about to be shown in order to create an optimum learning environment.

Unfortunately, some students who are fervent supporters of making trigger warnings campus policy are doing so in order to quell opinions that contradict their own in the hopes that professors will be too scared to address controversial topics, thereby protecting their own beliefs from any challenge.

The proportion of those advocates in comparison to the rest of the student body is minuscule. Yet the University of Chicago still dedicated a majority of its welcome letter to the issue.

“Our commitment to academic freedom means that we do not support so-called trigger warnings, we do not cancel invited speakers because their topics might prove controversial, and we do not condone the creation of intellectual ‘safe spaces’ where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own,” John Ellison, dean of students, wrote to incoming freshman.

In the polarized climate in which we live today, attempting to squash the confirmation bias held by some students is not an outlandish goal. But taking a stand against trigger warnings is not the way to open minds.

Students aren’t vying for the policy to be implemented.

Colleges are wasting time combating an issue the majority of its scholars aren’t paying any mind.

Breanne Williams is a senior majoring in mass communications.

“I feel like it’s going to make campus really crazy — especially after the campus closure over the past few days.”

- Courtney Wildes, a junior majoring in public health

“I’m extremely excited Hillary is coming tomorrow.

Even though I have class, I hope I can make it. I’m definitely going to be voting for her in November.”

- Sean Warwick, a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences “I think it will make parking crazy. I’m not excited she’s coming, but I think it’s important for people who support her to be able to go listen to her views.”

- Sarah Rupp, a graduate student studying medical sciences

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Fifty years ago today, The Oracle released its first publication and became the primary news source for campus focused headlines.

ORACLE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ

50 YEARS

Continued from PAGE 3

who don’t really understand what’s happening and they keep coming up to you and asking things like, “Where’s my dad?

When is he coming home?” and trying to have sensitivity surrounding that,” said Davison.

But sensitive issue weren’t the only ones putting strain on Oracle reporters.

In 1986, when John Hill helmed the paper, the issue taking the country by storm was the push for divestment by universities.

There was a national movement for colleges to divest in businesses that had ties to South Africa, largely due to the apartheid for which the country had become infamous. The protests also put pressure on the South African government to integrate. Hill worked for the better part of a year on a series of articles covering the issue on campus.

“There was enormous pressure everywhere, and that pressure came to USF, as well,” Hill said. “We pushed that heartily both in the news side and editorially. Over time, the university did change its investment strategies to reflect what many thought were to be much more responsible investments.

“It ended up being a very sharp political debate on campus for the better part of at least a year, as I recall, but they did the right thing ultimately and it was an exciting time to cover.”

In 1986, The Oracle was still officially under Student

Affairs. Because the paper was not independent, staffers were constantly fighting to balance freedom of press and funding from the university.

“We had a bunch of fights with Student Government,” Hill said. “They tried to control our budget and tried to yank funding from us, and we had to hire an attorney to do a pre-emptive challenge. They backed down and we ended up getting full funding.”

The Oracle officially became independent in 2003 and staff members were given carte blanche to tackle controversial issues, opening the door to more investigative and hard-hitting pieces.

According to Davison, The Oracle prepared her for the real world in a way internships could not.

“I graduated when the recession hit, and I remember doing an interview where they said 1,000 people applied, and I remember thinking ‘How do I have any chance of standing out?’” said Davison.

“What I learned early on was that so many people had zero real-world experience, and in many ways this is a trade. You sharpen your skills by doing it. At The Oracle, day in and day out, you’re writing, you’re editing, you trip up you make a mistake, you learn from it.”

The Oracle has had 79 editors in chief in its 50-year history.

A special event will be held in November commemorating their service to the paper and celebrating the countless achievements of The Oracle and its staff.

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LIFESTYLE

Public transportation tips for Tampa

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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By Nicole Cate L I F E S T Y L E

E D I T O R

Whether students commute or live on campus, their main question about transportation is usually which way to get to class is the most efficient for them? The answer isn’t always a personal vehicle.

In a city like Tampa and at a large college like USF, people are surprised by how handy and simple public transportation is. Here is a list of the some public transportation options to use to get around USF and Tampa and the best way to utilize each option.

Bull Runner The most popular form of public transportation to get students on and around campus is USF’s Bull Runner.

There are six routes, labeled A to F, and there are one to three buses on the each route, depending on how busy the route and the time of day is.

Routes C, D and F make stops off campus, including students apartments on 42nd and 46th street, University Mall and Busch Gardens, respectively.

Students can download the MyUSF Mobile app on Android and iPhone smartphones and open the Bulltracker section for live updates about buses that are currently running. The app shows nearby stops and there is a section for students to choose any specific route.

On the route page, students can then look at a live map of all the buses currently running on that route or pick a specific bus stop to see its estimated bus arrival times.

On the view of the live map, people can even click on the moving symbol for the bus to see how full the bus is at that point in time.

Fall hours for the Bull Runner are 7 a.m. to midnight from Mondays to Thursdays and 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday for all routes. On Saturday and

The Marshall Student Center is the hub for the Bull Runners, with all routes running through there. ORACLE FILE PHOTO Sunday, only routes C, D and F run, and only from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

They don’t usually run on national holidays, but interested parties can check the Bull Runner section on USF’s Parking and Transportation Services’ website to find out whether they are active on specific days.

Hart Bus If students need to go further off campus than the Bull Runner can take them, they should consider taking Tampa’s HART Bus. With a valid USF ID, students can ride the HART Bus for free, and faculty and staff only have to pay 50 cents.

With 11 routes in the University area, students have far more options and can go into areas such as Carrollwood, West Tampa, Westshore, Downtown Tampa and Ybor City.

Students can pick up maps and schedules in the Marshall Student Center or get them online at GoHart.org. Android and iPhone users can download OneBusAway to see a live feed of the buses and check arrival times. Students can also follow @GoHart on Twitter for up-to-date news about the bus line.

TECO Line Streetcar System People who want to explore

Downtown Tampa should definitely take the TECO Line Streetcar System as a way to get around Downtown. According to its Twitter page, the trolley “is a 2.7-mile line serving the dining and entertainment destinations in Ybor, the Channel District and Downtown.”

The streetcar has 11 stops, starting at Centennial Park Station on 8th Ave., and ending at Whiting Station on the corner of Franklin Street and Whiting Street. You can download a map of the full route at TecoLineStreetcar.org.

Its hours are noon to 10 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. It even has extended hours on Monday to

Thursday whenever the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team plays.

According to its website, “one last trip will operate immediately following the end of the game.”

An all-day ticket is $5 and a single-ride ticket is $2.50 for adults. Minors between 5 and 17 years of age, seniors over 65, disabled persons and Medicare cardholders pay $2.50 and $1.25 for and the all-day and single-ride tickets, respectively.

A family discount pass, for up to five passengers, and an annual pass are also available.

People that live or work along the streetcar’s route are eligible for a discount on a 20-ride pass.

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CLINTON

Continued from PAGE 3

staff are encouraged to park elsewhere on campus and use the free Bull Runner service, particularly if they usually park in the general area around the Campus Recreation Center or Sun Dome.”

All closures will reopen after the event ends.

“The blocked off areas are used for additional purposes, not just attendee parking,” Freeman said. “For example, these areas are used for law enforcement and media parking and to provide a perimeter for security.”

The USF Police Department (UP) will be assisting with security at the event, according Public Information Officer Renna Reddick.

While the event begins at 1:45 p.m., doors open at 11:45 a.m. Third-party merchandise sellers will be confined to the area immediately surrounding Campus Rec “in an effort to minimize disruption across the campus,” the email said.

This is the second time this year that a presidential

Approximately 1,000 parking spots will be closed off today for the Hillary Clinton rally being held in the Campus Recreation Center.

Temporary parking for students is available by Leroy Collins Blvd.

ORACLE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ

candidate has held a rally on USF’s campus. In February republican nominee Donald Trump visited campus, drawing a record crowd at the Sun Dome.

Clinton is known for smaller, more intimate settings for her rallies, making Campus Rec a better fit. The Clinton campaign could not be reached for comment.

Unlike Trump’s visit, UP “doesn’t anticipate any problems and are not aware of any protest events.” There will also not be any designated protest areas.

Green Party nominee Jill Stein will be visiting campus on Sept. 28 at the Marshall Student Center Ballroom.

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Classifieds UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

To place a classified ad go to

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http://www.usforacle.com/classifieds

HELP WANTED

INSTRUCTION, SCHOOLS

Kennel Cleaning Staff

Gymnastics Instructor & Office Staff Wanted

The Lodge at New Tampa,an upscale dog boarding and daycare facility located on Morris Bridge Road, approximately 20 minutes from Campus, needs a person who is interested in working with dogs. Duties include cleaning, exercise and daycare duties. Two shifts, 7am to 2pm and 2pm till 7-8 pm. Great for person interested in a veterinary degree and working with dogs. Apply in person, 15403 Morris Bridge Road Thonotosassa ( 1/2 mile south of the Croos Creek Blvd/Morris Bridge Road intersection. 813-986-2226 Email GritsDVM@aol.com

Crossword

LaFleur’s Gymnastics and Little Flipper Swim School is now hiring Gymnastics Instructors and Front Office Staff. Must love kids and be enthusiastic. No experience necessary.

To apply go to: LaFleursTampa.com/Contact E-mail: Office@ LaFleursTampa.com Or Call: (813) 264 - 5000

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When seeing is believing

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9

Student escapes war, gains second chance at education

By Abby Rinaldi N E W S

E D I T O R

When the schools in Arben Kabashi’s native Kosovo were shut down before he could finish, he thought his chances for education were over.

Now, at 37 years old, he is finishing his bachelor’s in finance at USF’s Muma College of Business, an opportunity he said he feels can’t quite be put into words.

At the Muma College of Business Scholarship luncheon, Kabashi received the SunTrust Bank scholarship and the Arthur Ringness scholarship, which will help him on his way to completing his degree. He expects to graduate in spring of 2017.

During the Yugoslav Wars, schools were shut down and people were displaced as part of ethnic cleansing. Kabashi and his family later fled the area to the U.S. to escape the conflict.

That was 17 years ago.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said.

“You come into a new country, you left everything (back in Kosovo). I mean we didn’t have much.

“We lost all that we had but … (Kosovo) was a place where you learned everything. You learn there to cry, to laugh, to talk, but then after I came here, and it’s different.”

His family was not wealthy in Kosovo. Kabashi said in a speech at the 2016 Muma College of Business Scholarship Luncheon that he and a few of his five siblings would collect wild mushrooms to sell for things like clothing and school supplies.

Then the war began, taking away the family’s income and eventually forcing them into an internment camp. They were moved to the camp twelve days before the war ended.

Later, U.N. forces would come through to liberate Kosovo and the International Organization for Migration

gave refugees assistance in either rebuilding their homes and lives in Kosovo or leaving to start a new life elsewhere.

Kabashi’s family chose to go to the U.S. Lutheran Social Services provided help finding housing, English-learning services and other resources like water and medicine to resist the Florida heat when they first arrived.

They settled in Jacksonville.

Among them was his then74-year-old grandmother, who pass away from cancer not long after. “... Just imagine (a) 70-yearold woman who comes here and sees all the opportunities,” he said. “When you (asked) her ‘Do you like this place?’ her answer was ‘I wish I was young to enjoy all these opportunities.

“She didn’t have a driver’s license or know how to drive a car, but she was sure she could’ve done it.”

Kabashi worked as a plumber and in other manual labor jobs. He got married and now has three children: a daughter and two sons. He became a citizen.

Things were going well, he said, until he got into an accident and injured his back.

He was 32 at the time, and his wife was pregnant with their first child. No longer able to perform manual labor and without a high school diploma, Kabashi had to search for other options.

Arben Kabashi gave a speech at this year’s Muma College of Business scholarship luncheon, where he received two scholarships. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE was helping translate for his teacher there, who introduced degree in finance. He said brother-in-law, who had moved him to the GED. He also toured he chose finance because it to Tampa to get a Ph.D. in USF with his brother-in-law. is a degree with versatility, physics from USF. When he realized that he so he’ll have more options could go back to school, things for employment after he changed. graduates. He hopes to stay in “It all comes down to the Bay area and in Florida. the system,” he said. “The “Here, it just makes me feel people who work hard in this like I’m really home,” he said. country, it’s like they think for Years ago, during the everybody. They always have liberation, Kabashi said he the answer, even for those like asked a U.N. official why me (who) dropped the school people called the U.S. a place and never thought of going of freedom and opportunity.

Arben Kabashi, scholarship winner, USF student back. They somehow find a “He said that ‘I cannot way to leave the door open for explain,’” he said. “‘You’ll have people and it’s just amazing.” to see for yourself.’

Kabashi returned to school Now he understands.

“That’s the only thing I While his brother-in- and got his GED. Later, he “Nothing compares to what (knew) how to do,” he said. law took a course at a local got his associate’s from a this country has to offer,” he The option to continue his high school to learn English, community college. After that, said. education came along while he Kabashi began talking to the he enrolled at USF to get his

“

You learn there to cry, to laugh, to talk, but then after I came here, and it’s different.

”

10

Sports

Harris, Bulls slam Towson Mack’s UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Rundown

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status for Saturday uncertain

Outside USF

Kaepernick’s jersey sales on the rise

In the time since San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick began sitting during the national anthem on Aug. 27, his jersey sales have spiked to thirdmost on NFL.com and first among his teammates.

According to an Kaepernick ESPN source, more Kaepernick gear was sold during the past week than in all of the past eight months combined.

Before he began protesting, Kaepernick jerseys were the sixth-best selling on the 49ers.

He is currently the backup to starter Blaine Gabbert.

USF weekend scoreboard Women’s Soccer

Alabama 0 USF 1 Men’s Soccer

USF 1 Va. Tech 4 MORE COVERAGE ONLINE

The Oracle’s weekly AAC power rankings after a wild opening weekend of college football.

Read it at USFOracle.com

Notebook

By Chuck Muller S T A F F

Senior linebacker Nigel Harris was one of the bright spots on USF’s defense in Saturday night’s game against Towson in which he intercepted a pass and had 1 1/2 tackles for loss. ORACLE PHOTO/JAKE HOAG

By Vinnie Portell S P O R T S

E D I T O R

USF’s Nigel Harris looked set for a historic collegiate career after his breakout campaign in 2014.

The senior linebacker led not only USF, but also the nation, in forced fumbles per game (0.55) while emerging as a leading tackler and defensive leader as a sophomore.

But Harris struggled to repeat his sophomore campaign in 2015, as his stats dipped and he earned a pair of suspensions from the team.

Over this offseason, he said he’s learned from the mistakes of last season, entering 2016 with renewed motivation.

“It was just my (lack of) focus and decisions that I made in the past,” Harris said in an offseason practice. “Things happen, I prayed about it. I have the whole USF team behind me and now we’re going to have a great season.”

Saturday at Raymond James Stadium, Harris was a defensive force in USF’s 56-20 win over Towson, returning an interception 49 yards, sacking the quarterback and stuffing the Tigers’ running back for a loss of yards.

With the final minutes of the first half ticking off the clock, Harris ripped the ball from a Towson wide receiver’s hands, and took off down the left sideline before finally getting caught at the five-yard line.

Junior quarterback Quinton Flowers added one of his two rushing touchdowns of the night on the next play, giving the Bulls a commanding 28-10 advantage at the half.

“That interception was really nice,” coach Willie Taggart said.

“It’s his senior year and Nigel wants this to be the best year he’s had here and he’s worked that way this entire offseason to make sure he goes out with a bang. I was hoping he could have got in the end

zone … Nigel needed to have a game like that to get him solidified on what he’s been doing this entire offseason, so it was good he came out and played that way.”

As a sophomore in 2014, Harris led USF in tackles for loss (10 1/2), forced fumbles (6) and was second on the team in tackles (77).

Poised to further entrench himself as a defensive leader in 2015, Harris was first suspended in the spring, missing USF’s spring game.

He was then suspended again in the fall, missing the Bulls’ first two games of the season. Both suspensions were for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Even after returning to the field, Harris didn’t have quite the season he did in his breakout campaign the year prior. In 11 games in 2015, Harris had 35 fewer tackles and five fewer forced fumbles than he did as a sophomore.

With his time left as a Bull slip-

n See SLAM on PAGE 11

W R I T E R

After leaving Saturday’s opener with what was reported as an “upper-body injury,” Bulls standout junior running back Marlon Mack is officially “questionable” for this weekend’s home game against Northern Illinois.

Mack left the game early in the second quarter against Towson after a collision with two Tigers defenders caused him to fumble the ball and stay down for several minutes.

Speaking with the media during Monday’s weekly AAC coaches’ teleconference, USF coach Willie Taggart was brief when discussing the 2015 AAC leading rusher’s current state.

“Right now, Marlon is going through concussion protocol,” Taggart said. “He’s questionable for the ball game on Saturday.”

Mack, a candidate for the Doak Walker Award, was a statistical monster for the Bulls in 2015, scoring nine touchdowns and setting the USF single-season rushing record with 1,381 yards. After Saturday, Mack only needs 252 yards to surpass Andre Hall as the program’s all-time leading rusher.

AAC on the rise

Just like the Bulls, the AAC entered the 2016 season with high expectations for becoming a more competitive and respected football power.

Although they’re not part of a “Power 5” conference, the Bulls helped the AAC get

n See MACK on PAGE 11

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SLAM

Continued from PAGE 10

ping through his grasp, he said both he and fellow starting linebacker Auggie Sanchez are fully prepared to make the 2016 season one to remember.

“We have to go out with a bang, especially because this is our last year playing together,” Harris said.

“This is the longest I’ve played with a fellow back in my football career, so we’re going to enjoy this last year together, make sure we make the most of it and have fun with it.”

Harris (6) and Sanchez (7) finished in the top five tacklers Saturday, limiting Towson to only two touchdowns on the evening.

Coming into Week 1, Harris said he knew the Bulls had to stop the Tigers’ rushing attack — the lifeblood of its offense — at all costs.

“They like to run the ball downhill, so we have to play big-man football, just crack some heads,” Harris said in practice.

Towson lead-back Darius Victor, who has averaged over 100 yards per game over the past two seasons combined, was held to 70 yards and two scores on 23 carries Saturday.

But Harris wasn’t the only Bull looking to make his mark.

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After USF starting-running back Marlon Mack exited the game in the second quarter with an upperbody injury following a big hit that caused a fumble, the Bulls’ offense didn’t miss a beat.

With the Tigers trailing 14-10 at the time, USF responded with a 51-yard touchdown from Flowers to N.C. State transfer Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the offense’s very next play.

Flowers finished the day with 178 yards on 8-of-18 passing and two scores. He also added 46 rushing yards on nine carries and another two touchdowns.

As the game slipped out of reach for Towson in the third quarter, Flowers was removed in favor of backup quarterback Brett Kean who promptly threw a 23-yard touchdown to running back D’Ernest Johnson on his first collegiate play to extend USF’s lead to 49-17.

Kean later hit redshirt freshman tight end Mitchell Wilcox for a 21-yard score up the left sideline, to put the nail in the coffin.

USF (1-0) will face its first FBS opponent of the season when it hosts Northern Illinois University (0-1) on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.

MACK

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off to a 10-2 start for the league overall in the opening weekend of college football.

The conference caught even more momentum Saturday when conference-foe No. 15 Houston knocked off No. 3 Oklahoma 33-23 before USF’s home opener.

With schools like USF and Houston on the rise, Taggart said the conference believes it can continue to build on the opportunity of a moment in the national spotlight. “(The AAC) had a pretty good weekend,” Taggart said.

“Our conference is getting better each and every week, we just need to continue to get better.”

While fans were sleeping While Taggart remarked during Saturday’s postgame press conference that it was “getting late” — with his 1-year-old daughter Morgan in hand — Week 2 opponent Northern Illinois had yet to kick off its season opener.

After being delayed two

Despite being taken out of the game early in the second quarter, starting running back Marlon Mack still led the Bulls in rushing with 58 yards on nine carries. ORACLE PHOTO/JACKIE BENITEZ hours due to weather, NIU and host Wyoming finally kicked off at 11:20 p.m., over an hour after USF’s win.

If the extended lightning delay was not enough, the Huskies fell 40-34 in a tri-

ple-overtime thriller that was capped off by Cowboys’ quarterback Josh Allen’s game-winning touchdown in the 3rd overtime at just after 2:30 a.m. local time.

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