THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 VOLUME 125 | ISSUE 6 GAMEDAY: Alabama vs. SORORITY 5 GOLF 8 Ole Miss Sigma Kappa's Alabama A coveted freshman recruit chapter makes its debut made top marks in last week's during fall recruitment season opener

PASSIONATE PERFORMANCE Actors go off script in a Theatre Roulette production SEE PAGE 6

CW / Jake Arthur

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In response to a young woman’s suicide, two UA alumni create scholarship to help LGBTQ+ students attend college.

for an LGBTQ+ student to attend the BY MALEAH WATT University of North Alabama. CONTRIBUTING WRITER Mitchell said the two never approached The University of Alabama about this scholarship. They had or several years, Elliot Mitchell, already been looking at UNA before, so F69, and Clark West, 64, have been they never considered the University. looking to help the LGBTQ+ community, Mitchell and West decided to look and in turn, sought out the creation of at the University of North Alabama the Patti Sue Mathis Point Scholarship. because they have been working with Mitchell and West, a married couple, UNA for several years. Mitchell and met as students at The University of West are funding a project there called Alabama and have been together for the Center for Social Inclusion, a center 46 years. The two met during West’s within the campus that advocates for freshman orientation in 1972. inclusion and diversity. Devoted to the LGBTQ+ community, Mitchell and West surrounded themselves with others who were LGBTQ+ or supported the LGBTQ+ community throughout their college years. The two said because they had We do realize each other, they were blessed with support, unlike many others in the that the politics in LGBTQ+ community. this state need to LOCAL TRAGEDY change... We want

The scholarship the two men set up is to change that. named after Patti Sue Mathis, who died by suicide at age 22 in 1995 in Wicksburg, Alabama. Her father Nathan Mathis CLARK WEST SPONSORS – Elliot Mitchell and Clark West created a $100,000 scholarship for blamed her death on the lack of support an LGBTQ+ student at UNA. Photo courtesy of the Point Foundation and acceptance she didn’t receive being a lesbian, according to AL.com. West said this diversity center idea was rejected in the past at The a leader in the community where the University of Alabama. student has shown some effort in being “[The University of Alabama] will a part of LGBTQ+ undertakings. always have a special place in our Mitchell said the application process hearts, and we have many, many good for the scholarship includes an The goal of all friends there – professors, students – interview where the Point Foundation and we love Alabama, and we actually brings the student to Los Angeles. these factors in the are welcomed with open arms there so The student must have a minimum we don’t have a beef with this school,” GPA of 3.3, and the student has to be scholarship is to West said. “What we do have is when we an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the create new leaders – years ago, when this all started – when community or in school. Additionally, we wanted to do a diversity center, some the student has to agree to be mentored in the LGBTQ+ of the powers that are there said ‘no.’” during each year in school and has to community. West said the men reached out to the attend leadership conferences and University in 2015 when Judy Bonner other meetings throughout the four- was president. When asked to comment, year career with the Point Foundation. Chris Bryant, assistant director for “The goal of all of these factors in the ELLIOT MITCHELL office of media relations, said in an scholarship is to create new leaders in email, “We will not be providing a the LGBTQ+ community,” Mitchell said. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES – Kendell statement on this.” The reward for the student will not Wilson, a member of Spectrum, Mitchell and West were upset only provide financial support but also supports the expansion of scholarships when the news of Mathis’ suicide SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS invaluable mentoring throughout his or for LGBTQ+ students. CW / Jake Arthur reached them. her college career. “I was very, very heartbroken,” West The men have worked through the “We do realize that the politics Kendell Wilson, a senior majoring in said. “I grew up in Dothan, and Elliot Point Foundation in Los Angeles to in this state need to change … We political science, said the scholarship was in Troy most his life. I don’t know, create the scholarship. want to change that,” West said. “We is great. Wilson is the president of it just brought back a lot of memories. “The Point Foundation in Los Angeles want a lot of these future leaders in Spectrum, an organization aiming to It brought back a lot of abuse I suffered, is, I believe, the country’s largest our community to come from places provide LGBTQ+ students a supportive even at the hands of teachers.” provider of LGBTQ+ scholarships.” like Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, environment on campus. Mitchell said. “In fact, all of their Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, “A lot of the times you will find an CALLED TO ACTION scholarships are LGBTQ+, so we have North Carolina, Florida.” LGBTQ+ student that is not receiving an arrangement with Point that, when any funding from their parents, and Mathis’ death and Michell and West’s we do a scholarship, they are the STUDENT REACTIONS they don’t know if they are going to many years of devotion to the LGBTQ+ shepherd of that scholarship.” be able to continue their education, so community ignited the decision to In order to receive the Patti Sue West said he would have loved to have having a scholarship available opens create the Patti Sue Mathis Point Mathis Point Scholarship, Mitchell a support system there for him during doors for these students so they can get Scholarship. The scholarship is $100,000 said the student must be LGBTQ+ and his college experience. that education,” Wilson said. opinions 4 September 13, 2018

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Which quarterback do you think will have more passing yards this weekend, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa or Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta’amu?

Reed Brennan Media Associates Matthew Speakman COLUMN | WORK @DD_MSpeakman Service employees deserve respect The real passing yards

from little to no freedom on the job may not have access to exercise are the friends we’ve BY SABRINA SNOWBERGER and a lack of stress-relieving facilities, healthy food, funds to STAFF COLUMNIST resources. A cook at Wendy’s has engage in more leisurely activities made along the way. almost no freedom in the work they or even therapy and medication do. They must finish orders quickly, to help them cope. A higher-paid ave you browsed a clothing and, unless they work enough hours employee likely would have access Hstore with your friend to be legally obligated to take a break, to such resources. Also worth and watched them pick up a shirt, they cannot sit down and rest their noting, most lower-paying jobs take Bill King only to crumple it and throw it back achy feet. A business administrator, a physical toll on the body, forcing on the pile? Maybe you’ve eaten on the other hand, can probably employees to stand or sit in one @RTRBAMA2011 at a fast-food joint and watched decide which task they want to work position for a long time and complete someone leave trash on their table, on first and take a short break when repetitive motions. No doubt! It is Tua! Roll saying “Cleaning that up is someone they feel they need to. Another misconception is that else’s job.” Why is it OK to defer people working in lower-paying jobs Tua Roll! personal responsibilities to others are lazy and have no aspirations in if the people we are burdening life. This is unfair. Perhaps people are employees? Why do some working in these jobs grew up in a people have these attitudes toward low-income household and didn’t employees of lower-paying jobs? And People need money have the resources to go to college. why is there a stigma surrounding Or, maybe someone who works part- Lucas Nunn being a cook at McDonald’s or a to live, and no time at a low-paying job was raised cashier at a clothing store? by college-educated parents but does @nunn_lucas In our society, an alarming one way of earning not feel college is the right fit for number of people don’t have respect money should be their personal goals. It’s going to be Tua for for individuals who work low- viewed as better Next time, before you don’t leave paying jobs in restaurants, grocery a tip or are rude to an employee, sure. Ole Miss allowed stores and retail businesses. Often, than another. remember those employees are these employees are blamed for people too, and their jobs are their almost 400 yards circumstances that aren’t in their livelihoods, no matter what job it is. control, such as long wait times. There is no need to make anyone’s People need money to live, and no job any harder than it has to be. through the air last one way of earning money should be Everyone deserves respect, whether viewed as better than another. This lack of choice can result in they work at McDonald’s or are the week. A study published in the academic high stress levels that can cause CEO of Goldman Sachs. journal American Behavioral health issues such as hypertension, Scientist shows employees in which can eventually lead to cardiac custodial or fast-food jobs experience arrest. When an employee who Sabrina Snowberger is a junior higher stress levels than CEOs at works full-time at a minimum-wage majoring in political science. Her large companies. This stress results job experiences high stress, they column runs biweekly.

EDITORIAL BOARD WE WELCOME YOUR OPINIONS Jake Stevens editor-in-chief Rebecca Griesbach production editor Send submissions to [email protected]. Submissions The Crimson White reserves the right to edit all Arielle Lipan managing editor Shana Oshinskie visuals editor must include the author’s name, year, major and guest columns and letters to the editor. The opinions OPINIONS Jared Earl digital editor Chandler Gory chief copy editor daytime phone number. Phone numbers are for contained on this page do not represent the editorial Cassie Kuhn opinions editor verification and will not be published. position of The Crimson White Media Group. news September 13, 2018 5 Sigma Kappa sorority joins UA Panhellenic

Wesoloski said. “Expanding is great for the community BY RYLIE CURRY and the Panhellenic.” STAFF REPORTER Efforts to bring Sigma Kappa to the University began two years ago after Panhellenic opened for extension in 2016. igma Kappa is undergoing an extended Sigma Kappa officials gave a presentation and Srecruitment process to create a new chapter at participated in meetings on campus in spring 2017. The University of Alabama. After that, Sigma Kappa was invited to join Panhellenic. Sigma Kappa participated in the first Meghan Miller Thul, national vice president round of open house during formal recruitment but for extension of Sigma Kappa, said a variety of dropped out afterward to begin a re-establishment factors led to the decision to bring Sigma Kappa to process, which includes intersessions, personal visits the University. and additional events throughout September until “Through our research, Sigma Kappa felt it was their official bid day on Sept. 23. a good time to join the community and was excited Currently, members of the Sigma Kappa extension about the opportunity to come to campus,” Miller Thul team are doing personal visits with each potential said. “The women we met were a driving factor in new member, and events are being hosted each week. our decision making. … We knew that Sigma Kappa TEMPORARY HOME – Sigma Kappa is currently using the had something valuable to offer these women, and former Alpha Delta Pi house, which is used by sororities that we would also benefit from having women while new houses are being built. CW / Austin Bigoney like this as members.” Sororities took smaller pledge classes this year, construction under way for Sigma Kappa on campus, but Kathleen Duffy, assistant director of the office of it does have its own house on sorority row since it’s Expanding is great for the sorority and fraternity life, said this was not to allow using the former Alpha Delta Pi house for their events. for Sigma Kappa to have a pledge class. Duffy said the sorority hopes to build a house within community and the Panhellenic. “We didn’t intentionally set a lower number; we just the next three to five years. had fewer women go through the recruitment process Miller Thul said Sigma Kappa promotes the values this year,” Duffy said. “Many women dropped out of of personal growth, loyalty, service and friendship. AMBER WESOLOSKI the recruitment process, as they were interested in “Our members will live these values on campus rushing Sigma Kappa.” and in their lives,” Miller Thul said. “Sigma Kappa Any woman who did not receive a bid through will be similar to the groups currently on campus in Amber Wesoloski, a junior majoring in biology formal recruitment is eligible to join any UA chapter terms of participating in campus traditions, having and member of Delta Gamma, said she thinks a new that remains open for continuous bidding throughout very high academic standards, being social with sorority on campus will be good for Panhellenic. the year, including Sigma Kappa. others on campus and providing a home away from “I’m excited for a new sorority to come to campus,” While a house has not yet been built nor is home for our members.” culture 6 September 13, 2018 Series of improv plays captivates audience Theatre Roulette featured a colorful spinning wheel and a series of unpredictable twists that led the cast and audience through 13 two-minute plays.

CDA’s writing committee. “Rather, it’s BY MEGAN FRIEND what happens when you mix scripted CONTRIBUTING WRITER and unscripted shows together.”

hirteen plays. Two lab coats. TA pineapple. There’s only one event on campus that includes all three: Theatre Roulette. The College Theatre Roulette of Engineering does Amateur Radical Theatre (CDA) presented its original was absolutely show last Sunday. The concept behind Theatre Roulette electrifying. I was includes 13 two-minute, student-written laughing the entire plays on a spinning wheel, and the STRIKE A POSE – The Theatre Roulette cast works together to create a never-before-seen actors won’t stop until they’ve time, and it made show, going off -script for the improv portion of the performance. CW / Jake Arthur performed each play. me want to However, the plays don’t always go member and sophomore majoring in the entire theatre erupted in cheers. according to plan. If a play is landed on immediately join Aerospace Engineering said. “It’s like “This is a really great experience I more than once, it must be performed an improv group. a second family, and I would encourage think for everyone involved,” said Chase over again, but with a twist. Modifiers anybody – you don’t even need to be in Richardson, head director of Theatre are added to the original play, giving the engineering to join CDA – if you just Roulette and CDA treasurer. “It’s full of performance a life of its own. MADELEINE want to have a good time.” surprises, and everyone is on the edge “The real experiment in Theatre A crowd favorite of the night was of their seat by the end of it.” Roulette isn’t how many shows will get SPIVEY when the wheel finally landed on the last In addition to Theatre Roulette, CDA picked,” said Phil DeOliveira, assistant play. The audience and actors looked puts on a variety of scripted and improv director of Theatre Roulette and head of Part of what makes Theatre Roulette at each other in joyful disbelief, and shows throughout the year. an original concept is that it isn’t strictly a comedy show. Not only did the 13 plays span across genres, there was SPOTLIGHT – Theatre Roulette also an aspect of science and statistics The Politics of Region, Irreconciliation, and allows participants blended into the show. The announcers a chance to wore lab coats and ran charts on Civil War Memory in the American Heartland act using their screens to tell the audience how many instincts and plays had been performed, how many perform a show were left and how long the actors without a script. may be stuck on stage. CW / Jake Arthur Whether it was every cast All Students, Faculty, and Staff member piling on stage, each actor having to are invited to a Lecture by act as if they were secretly a bear or an DR. CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS actor being replaced by a pineapple, the University of Cincinnati escalating challenges and improvisation of the cast was what got the biggest laughs from the audience. “Theatre Roulette September 13, 2018 was absolutely electrifying,” 5:00 p.m. Reception said Madeleine 5:30 p.m. Lecture Spivey, a sophomore majoring in American Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library studies and political science. “I was laughing the Room 205 entire time, and it made me want to immediately join an improv group.” The cast performing Theatre Roulette shared Phillips’ latest book, The Rivers Ran Backward: The Civil the crowd’s excitement, War and the Remaking of the American Middle Border, even if they didn’t know was named outstanding academic book by Choice. exactly what they’d be doing throughout the show or how long it would be before they left. “It’s been amazing,” Ryan Moreno, a cast thursday September 13, 2018 7

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Contact us to apply! @thecrimsonwhite Julie Salter - [email protected] Creative Services - [email protected] sports 8 September 13, 2018 Frankie Capan shows maturity in fi rst year tournament’s halfway cut by one stroke Tour Player of the Year whom Capan GOLF – In his fi rst collegiate BY JAMES OGLETREE and beat several PGA Tour winners. calls “Mr.r. Thomas,” even though tournament, Frankie Capan fi nished in STAFF REPORTER “[Howell said] we need to continue to Thomas iss only 25.25. the top 10 at the Carpet Capital recruit him,” Seawell said. “He’s really He alsoo spentspent the night with some Collegiate. Photo courtesy ofof good. He just has a way about playing of his futureure teammates and played a AlAlabamaabama AthleticsAthletics n the first hole of Frankie Capan’s golf that we like. … [We were impressed round at Ol’Ol’ ColonyColony Golf Complex with OUA career last Friday, Alabama by] how he handled the pressure of them the nextnext day. men’s golf coach Jay Seawell asked playing in a PGA Tour event.” “A lot off the time, junior golf- Capan if he preferred a lot of conversa- Capan had won the coaches over, and ers make a lot of impulseimpulse tion during the round or a more quiet within eight months they had won him decisions and don’t think approach. Capan, never much of a think- over, too. He committed to Alabama stuff throughough very well,” er on the course, said he wasn’t sure. over Twitter in November 2016. junior Joshosh Sedeno said. Then he stepped up and drilled a 3-iron “He lookedd like he had a very right down the middle. mature gameame above his yyears.”ears.” “I kind of do my thing,” Capan said. “I A freshmanhman stepping onto enjoy hanging out and talking with my a team withwith experience at playing partners, but I feel like I’m pret- the highestst llevelevel of cocollegiatellegiate ty chill on the course, never too high or golf mightt not be expectedexpected to too low. I’ve found that you save a lot of I’ve always had a make an impact rightright away. energy when you stay flat-lined.” quiet confidence However, Capan earneearnedd a spot That equanimity was exactly what in the startingarting five for llastast attracted Seawell and assistant coach about me. I would weekend’ss season opener andand Jon Howell to Capan in the first place. like to be the SEC tied for eightheighth out of 81 play-play- Nearly three years ago, Ben Fuller, ers, includingding a six-undersix-under parpar 66 in thethe current Alabama sophomore, played Freshman of the Year. second round.und. with Capan in a junior event. Impressed He willl alsoalso startstart atat thisthis week-week- with his abilities and demeanor, he text- end’s OlympiaOlympia FieldsFields FigFightinghting ed Seawell to recommend Capan as a Illini Invitational,nvitational, a half-hourhalf-hour potential recruit. FRANKIE CAPAN outside Chicago.hicago. Howell traveled to Puerto Rico in “I’ve alwaysways hhadad a quietquiet confidenceconfidence March 2016 to get a first look at the then about me,”,” Capan said.said. “I“I wouwouldld llikeike 16 year old, who was playing in his first A year later, he made his official visit to be the SECSEC FreshmanFreshman ofof thethe Year.Year. PGA Tour event by virtue of winning a to Tuscaloosa, basked in the electric And this is a pretty lofty goal, but junior tournament. The coach returned atmosphere of a nighttime Alabama- I believe thatthat if I playplay wewell,ll, I coucouldld to the United States with a glowing LSU game, and putted with Alabama have the potentialpotential to be a First-Team evaluation of Capan, who missed the alumnus Justin Thomas, the 2017 PGA All-American.”can.” Why sit in a waiting room when you’re not feeling well?

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CW / Hannah Saad OLE MISS 3 Thursday, September 13, 2018

CW File

PLAYERS TO WATCH 4 EDITORIAL STAFF editor-in-chief Jake Stevens [email protected] managing editor Arielle Lipan digital editor Jared Earl production editor Rebecca Griesbach visuals editor Shana Oshinskie chief copy editor Chandler Gory opinions editor Cassie Kuhn [email protected] news editor Camille Studebaker [email protected] culture editor Irene Richardson [email protected] sports editor Cody Estremera [email protected] CW / Hannah Saad photo editor Emma Junck multimedia editor David Jones SOPHOMORES 5 lead page designer Savannah Bullard social media editor Michaela Hancock ADVERTISING STAFF ad representatives Emma Pyne Rayven Lane Abigail Wolfe Gabbie Waller Tricia Ownby creative services Alexis Craft Grace Bryant Nataleigh Dang

CW / Hannah Saad GAMEDAY 2018 PAGE 3 Ole Miss’ 2018 off ense mirrors past threat

BY JAMES OGLETREE every running play,” Saban said. “So the ever-hostile Vaught-Hemingway STAFF REPORTER [defensive backs] have to guard the Stadium for a primetime matchup receivers all the time. … I think you with a prolific, well-rounded offense labama hasn’t played an offense have to play good team defense all has the Crimson Tide on notice. Alike Ole Miss’ since facing off the way around if you’re going to play “I feel like they do everything against Rebels two years ago. well against this quality quarterback, well,” linebacker Dylan Moses said. The Rebels have changed this quality group of receivers and “They have a lot of greatness. quarterbacks twice since that their ability to create balance by They could potentially beat sweltering day in Oxford when running the ball.” us. They could really beat Alabama faced its largest deficit in a Ole Miss’ top trio of receivers us if we don’t handle decade, Chad Kelly has since moved compares favorably to almost any our business. We really on to the NFL and his apparent-heir other in college football. A.J. Brown, have to come to this Shea Patterson transferred to the DaMarkus Lodge and D.K. Metcalf game prepared.” University of Michigan this spring. totaled 25 receiving touchdowns last However, this iteration of the offense season. Each had a touchdown of more might be as prolific as the Kelly-led than 70 yards, and each averaged version that hung 43 points on the more than 16 yards per reception. Crimson Tide in 2015 and 2016. Brown, who is widely considered When Patterson suffered a season- the best of the three, was voted onto ending injury early last October, the All-SEC first team by the media then-junior Jordan Ta’amu, who had in July and has been projected as no starting experience at the Division a top-five pick in next April’s I level, stepped in and threw for more NFL draft. than 360 yards in each of his first NFL Network draft analyst three games. Daniel Jeremiah wrote two He has started his senior season months ago that Brown’s right where he left off. Ole Miss greatest attributes are his currently ranks second out of 130 toughness, size and physicality. FBS teams in passing yards per game More than two-thirds of and third in points per game. In the Ta’amu’s completions have gone eyes of Alabama Head Coach Nick to a member of the transcendent Saban, the Rebels’ offense presents trio, and all are averaging around even more challenges now than it has 16 yards per catch again in 2018. in the past. “These are three NFL caliber “I think early in the year last year, guys,” defensive back Deionte they weren’t running the ball very Thompson said. “They stretch effectively,” Saban said. “I think they the field at any time, and they got back to balance, running the ball, have a good quarterback to go throwing a lot of [run-pass options], along with that trio, so that’s throwing good play-action passes. … something we’re going to have to [Ta’amu] makes plays with his feet, be prepared for.” so he’s an extra dimension as well as As Saban alluded to, the being a very, very efficient passer.” Rebels don’t strike only through the air, either. Junior college transfer Scottie Phillips seized the starting job in the spring and has torn through opposing defenses so far. His 10 They could really yards per carry rank third in the Power Five beat us if we don’t conferences. It would be a stretch handle our business. to say Alabama’s defense, which has allowed only 21 total points to Louisville DYLAN MOSES and Arkansas State offenses, Run-pass options complicate a is scared of defense’s plan of attack because they Ole Miss, but are designed to respond to what the traveling to defense does. If a quarterback sees a linebacker anticipating a run and approaching the backfield, he’ll keep the ball and likely throw to the open area the linebacker vacated. If the linebacker stays back in coverage, wary of the pass, the quarterback will hand off to the running back. Defensive backs can usually abandon their coverage responsibilities as soon as the play appears to be a run, but running pass options take away that luxury. REDEMPTIONREDEMPTION – Ole Miss’ Opposing wide receivers may feign DaMarkus Lodge fi nished run blocking in hopes the DBs will let with two catches for 72 their guard down, then break into a yards last year against passing route. AlAlabama.abama. CW / Hannah Saad “There are almost-passing plays on GAMEDAY 2018 PAGE 4 PLAYERS TO WATCH BY JAMES BENEDETTO STAFF REPORTER ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE Running back Najee Harris Najee Harris looks like he’s picking up right where he left off during last season’s national championship game against Georgia. The sophomore from Antioch, NEW HIGHS – Najee Harris fi nished with over 100 yards rushing California has made an immediate impact this season: in two games he has against Arkansas State. CW / Hannah Saad recorded 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns in two games. In his last outing against Arkansas State, Harris rushed for 135 yards on 13 attempts and scored one touchdown. Watch for Harris to have a big game against an Ole Miss team that OLE MISS REBELS ranks 107th in rush defense. Running back Scottie Phillips Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy One of Ole Miss’ biggest threats is running back Scottie Phillips. The Ellisville, Since coming to Alabama, Jerry Jeudy has been called a clone of now-Atlanta Mississippi native has carried the load for the rushing offense this season. In two Falcons and former-Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Jeudy has been gamesm, Phillips has racked up 311 rushing yards and four touchdowns, with his larg- nothing but consistent for the Crimson Tide, ranking second in receiving yards est rush of 65 yards coming last week against Texas Tech. with 151 and leading the team in touchdown receptions with four. Jeudy needs to continue his dominant play in the red zone if Alabama looks to get points against Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu the Rebels. The current No. 2 passing offense in the nation is led by senior quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. Ta’amu had an impressive season last year, as he threw for 1,682 yards and 11 Safety Deionte Thompson touchdowns in eight games. This season, Ta’amu has thrown for 784 yards and seven Deemed one of the top safeties in the nation, Crimson Tide fans are now starting touchdowns in two games. Look for Ole Miss to pass early and often in this week’s to see the bright future ahead for Deionte Thompson. The redshirt junior from game against Alabama. Orange, Texas worked his way into a starting role with Alabama at the end of the 2017 season. This season Thompson has continued to impress, as he leads the Linebacker Mohamed Sanogo team in total tackles with 11 and has one interception. Thompson and the rest of The former four-star recruit is defi nitely a man to keep an eye on for Alabama. Mo- the Alabama secondary will need to be sharp against Ole Miss, as the Rebels are hamed Sango has had two monster games for Ole Miss this season. So far the sopho- second in the nation in passing yards per game with 407. more from Plano, Texas has recorded 16 tackles, 11 of which came against Southern Illinois. Look for Ole Miss to put a lot of responsibility on Sanogo to try and right the Safety Xavier McKinneyy Ole Miss rushing defense. Another impressivempressive new face to this Alabama defense is sophomore XavierXavie McKinney. Thehe Roswell, Georgia native has made an immediate impact this seasonseason. McKinney is second on the team in total tackles with 10. Sevenen of those tackles came against Arkansas State.ate. McKinney needs to continue to be a solid force for the Crimson Tide in the secondary if Alabama looks to leave Oxford with a win.

CONSISTENTT – Jerry Jeudy leads all Alabama receiversceivers with four touchdowns. CW / Hannah Saad PAGE 5 GAMEDAY 2018

UNSTOPPABLE – Jerry Jeudy has caught two touchdowns in both of Alabama’s games this year. CW / Hannah Saad

SOPHOMORES PLAY BIG ROLE IN SECOND YEAR

two touchdowns in Alabama’s wins over Louisville JERRY JEUDY, DEVONTA SMITH, BY BEN STANSELL and Arkansas State. HENRY RUGGS III: ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR “Well, you know, Najee has done a phenomenal The trio of Jeudy, Smith and Ruggs saw the field job for us,” tight end Hale Hentges said. “He really in all 14 of Alabama’s games last season, estab- he foundation for success in college football makes plays like that all the time in practice. He’s lishing themselves as the Crimson Tide’s future at Tis recruiting, and nobody has been more suc- done a really great job, and it’s really nice to see wide receiver. Each made an impact as a freshman: cessful on the recruiting trail in the past decade him have a breakout day just because of all the hard Jeudy caught 14 passes for 264 yards; Smith caught than Head Coach Nick Saban. During his tenure at work he’s put in in practice.” three touchdowns, including the national champion- Alabama, Saban has only finished without a top-five ship winning pass from Tua Tagovailoa; and Ruggs recruiting class in one season – his first. For seven XAVIER MCKINNEY: broughbrought in six touchdown catches. straight years (2011-17), the Crimson Tide landed the Alabama needed new faces to stestepp No. 1 class. up in the secondary, and McKinneyKinney Even among Alabama’s many talented recruiting has answered the call. The formermer classes over the years, the class of 2017 stands out. four-star made the jump from spe-pee- An especially large class consisting of 28 players, cial teams contributor to start-rt- the 2017 class is arguably one of Saban’s best. Since ing safety this season. Not only X is a guy that is very most players from that class are now two games has McKinney shown an abil- into their sophomore seasons, they are carving out ity to come up and make plays important to our secondary. important roles on both offense and defense. near the line of scrimmage, butt He’s a leader. He gets the Here’s a look at how several sophomores are step- he’s also proven reliable in coverage.rage. ping up for the Crimson Tide. McKinney has 10 tackles, one pass calls across the board to breakup and has assisted on a sacksack this season. everybody. Me and him do a “He has matured a lot,” safetyfety CW / Grant good job communicating, and Deionte Thompson said. “X is a gguyuy Nicholls that is very important to our sec-ec- I’m proud of the progress that ondary. He’s a leader. He gets ththee he’s making. calls across the board to everybody.dy. Me anandd hhimim ddoo a good job communicating, and I’m proudd off theh prog- CW / Grant Nicholls ress that he’s making.” DEIONTE THOMPSON DYLAN MOSES: NAJEE HARRIS: Forced into action after injuries ravaged As sophomores, Jeudy, Smith and Ruggs have Alabama’s highest-rated commit in the 2017 class, Alabama’s linebacker corps last season, Moses had picked up right where they left off and have become Harris was greeted with much anticipation when he to learn on the fly as a freshman. The experience he one of the most potent receiving corps in the coun- arrived in Tuscaloosa. After only carrying the ball gained in those 11 games, two of which were starts, try. The group has combined for 20 receptions for 56 times in the regular season, Harris set the stage has paid dividends. At starting inside linebacker 398 yards and six touchdowns so far this year. for a breakout sophomore season when he ran wild opposite Mack Wilson, Moses has transformed into “It’s real unique because now teams can’t just in the national championship game. So far Harris one of the defense’s key leaders. Moses has made focus on one person,” Smith said. “They have to has delivered, rushing 21 times for 165 yards and seven tackles and two sacks this season. focus on the entire offense.” PAGE 6 GAMEDAY 2018 High-powered offenses dominate defenses Alabama Ole Mississ AVG AVGG TotalYear plays Team 70.5 Result63.5 of game Total yards 559 596 Yards per play 7.90 9.4 First downs 23.5 24 Pass yards 309 407.55 Completion percentage 67 percent 69 percent Yards per pass 11.2 12.1 Rushing yards 250 188.55 Rushes 43 30 Yards per run 5.8 6.3 CW / Hannah Saad GAMEDAY 2018 PAGE 7 BEHINDBEHIND ENEMYENEMY LINESLINES The Daily Mississippian’s Justin Dial previews matchup

BY BEN STANSELL ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR A: Jordan has been nothing short of spectacular, and he’s had a great o. 1 Alabama travels to Oxford, impact on the program. Ole Miss went NMississippi on Saturday for a 3-1 in its last three games of the season, high-powered offensive matchup against which Ta’amu started, including a big Ole Miss. The Rebels’ offense torched win over Mississippi State in Starkville. the opposing defenses in its first two That momentum gave Ole Miss fans a matchups, averaging almost 600 yards a lot of hope for this season, and up to game. We at the Crimson White caught this point, they haven’t been let down up with Justin Dial, the sports editor at by Ta’amu or the offense. the The Daily Mississippian, for an Ole Miss view of the game. Q: Although Ole Miss has had some trouble on defense in its first two games, Q: Alabama and Ole Miss both have you seen improvement on that side boast trios of talented wide receivers. of the ball this season? What do you expect from each receiving corps on Saturday? A: In week one against Texas Tech, I saw major improvements on A: Well, obviously I think both the defensive side of the ball; however, receiving cores are extremely talented. week two against Southern Illinois was DeVonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy have a dumpster fire. Giving up 41 to an FCS shown the ability to make big plays team is just unacceptable. I think it’s on a consistent basis, and I think they fair to say the defense may have been both have 100-plus-yard games against looking ahead to the Alabama game, but the Ole Miss secondary, especially if its no excuse by any means. The jury is Tua plays the entire game. The loss still out on this year’s defense, but from of starting cornerback Jaylon Jones what I’ve seen, there isn’t much to be is going to be glaring in this game. optimistic about. However, I think the Rebels’ trio of A.J. Photo courtesy of Justin Dial Brown, D.K. Metcalf and DaMarkus What is your score prediction almost unmatched due to the possibility Luke, and I think that knowing he’s Q: Lodge is the best in the country. The and can you explain how you of beating the No. 1 team in the nation. the guy for the long haul makes a inexperience of the Alabama secondary formulated it? Vaught-Hemingway will be sold out huge difference for him and his team. is going to be a problem for the Tide. Saban is going to give Brown a lot of on Saturday, and after grooving all The team isn’t playing with a cloud attention, so keep an eye on Lodge and afternoon prior to the game, I think it’s of uncertainty over its head. After a A: It’s going to be a shootout on Metcalf to pick up the slack. safe to say the Vaught will be rocking full season and offseason of gaining Saturday night. I honestly don’t think like it’s 2014 all over again. It’s going to head coaching experience in the SEC, either defense is going to be able to be a huge advantage. I think Luke and the team are much stop either offense, so it’s going to come more comfortable with everything, down to turnovers. Hopefully there’s a which allows them to solely focus on Jalen Hurts sighting on a drive or two, Ole Miss running back Scottie Q: the week’s opponent. but I believe Nick Saban has learned Phillips has rushed for 311 yards his lesson on that front – see Cooper I honestly don’t combined in his first two games. Do you Bateman, 2015. If Ole Miss can play think Phillips and the Rebels’ ground Jordan Ta’amu has been think either defense Q: a clean game on the offensive side of attack will be able to find success spectacular so far this season. How big the ball and the defense can force a is going to be against Alabama’s front seven? of an impact has he had on Ole Miss’ turnover or two, Ole Miss will win. I’m program after taking over for Shea able to stop either going with the upset on Saturday with a Patterson last season? offense, so it’s going A: Scottie Phillips has been score of 48-45. unbelievable up to this point, but keep to come down to in mind the Rebels’ first two opponents. turnovers. Neither Texas Tech nor Southern Illinois has a defense in the same stratosphere as Alabama. The Rebs will likely have JUSTIN DIAL to rely on its passing attack to have any chance at victory on Saturday. Ole Miss is going to have to run the ball effectively to win this game, but I don’t think Phillips keeps up his production from weeks one and two. Q: How much of an advantage is playing at home in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on a Saturday night? Q: What kind of adjustments have you seen in Matt Luke’s second season at the helm? A: Playing at home is always a plus, but its importance is magnified when Alabama comes to town. This is A: I think the biggest difference in our biggest game of the year other than year one and two of the Matt Luke era Mississippi State. The buzz in Oxford is comfortability. A year ago, nobody and around campus leading up to a knew if Luke would be retained as home game with the Crimson Tide is the head football coach, including PAGE 8 GAMEDAY 2018

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