Friday, November 9, 2018   
 
Mississippi State president praises Columbia High
Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum visited Columbia Tuesday and spoke with juniors and seniors at Columbia High School about their futures. It's something he's done all over the state, but the students, staff and architecture of Columbia High caught the eye of the 19th leader of the Starkville institution. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Columbia and touring Columbia High School with two outstanding, bright, talented students (Gabrielle Melville and Harrison Foxworth)," he said. "What I've been so amazed at with the school is the historic preservation of the building itself and the renovations that have happened. This is a beautiful school, and I've been so impressed." Keenum said he travels to many high schools across the state and beyond and enjoys talking to young people about their lives. Columbia School District Superintendent Jason Harris said he had been in contact with Keenum months ago and asked him to visit. "He's a great public speaker," Harris said. "We're glad to have him speak and bring his message to our juniors and seniors. It's nice to have the president of a large university come to Columbia and speak."
 
Local siblings to host HGTV show set in Starkville
Siblings Austin Shafer and Amanda Shafer Kelley, of Starkville, will host a nationally-televised pilot show on HGTV this coming Sunday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. local time The show, "Hammer to the Manor," is set in Starkville and the pilot will feature the renovation of a 1850s home in central Starkville. Both graduates of Starkville High School, Austin Shafer went on to graduate from Mississippi State University with a degree in communication while his sister studied interior design at Arizona State University. There will be a watch party for the pilot episode this coming Sunday, Nov. 11 at Fire Station Park from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. sponsored by Starkville Main Street and Southern Tradition Tailgating.
 
Pilot of HGTV Hammer to the Manor in Starkville premieres
HGTV lovers, unite! The popular home and garden channel that turned home renovation into a cultural phenomenon has its sights set on Starkville. Brother and sister team Austin Shafer and Amanda Shafer Kelley will headline "Hammer to the Manor," a pilot episode about renovating older homes in Starkville. The episode airs at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov 11. The future of the show depends on how many people watch the premiere. If "Hammer to the Manor" receives enough fanfare, it could be picked up for an entire season. "We are excited, we're nervous, we hope that we don't look too silly," Kelley said. "It's been a fun experience. I never expected to be doing this, especially with my brother."
 
Chancery district 14-1 runoff picture still murky
The runoff picture for the Chancery district 14, Place 1 judgeship remained unclear Thursday evening after Oktibbeha County released updated vote totals. Overall, Rodney Faver held a clear first-place position over the 14-1 voting area, which includes part of Oktibbeha County and all of Webster and Chickasaw counties, with 5,004 votes, or about 27.7 percent. However, the margin between second an third place was a razor-thin four votes after Thursday's update. Lee Ann Turner is currently second, with 4,782 votes, or 26.49 percent. Elizabeth Ausbern is third, with 4,778 votes, or 26.47 percent of the vote. The top two candidates from the five-candidate field will advance to a Nov. 27 runoff election. Faver appears comfortably positioned to advance to the runoff.
 
No agreement yet on Senate runoff debate
Cindy Hyde-Smith has finally agreed to debate, but she and opponent Mike Espy have not yet agreed when and where that might happen. Hyde-Smith's campaign announced Thursday that she will accept a debate invite by the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, an organization linked to Hyde-Smith through her past political work. Senior Farm Bureau leaders have also donated money to Hyde-Smith's campaign. The Farm Bureau proposes the debate take place Nov. 20 between special election candidates Hyde-Smith, a Republican, and Mike Espy, a Democrat. However, Espy has not yet accepted. A spokesperson said there are not enough details on offer yet. "We'll need to know the terms and conditions and other details before we can confirm," said Danny Blanton, Espy's communications director. The Daily Journal asked the Farm Bureau for more information on the proposed debate, including potential moderators and the debate format. Farm Bureau declined to answer these questions.
 
Cindy Hyde-Smith Accepts Debate Invite With Chris McDaniel Out; Mike Espy Considering
Incumbent U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., has accepted an invitation Mississippi Farm Bureau to debate her runoff opponent, Democrat Mike Espy, on Nov. 20. "Cindy looks forward to a robust debate about the major issues facing our state and country, and to outline the clear choice voters have in this important runoff election," Hyde-Smith Communications Director Melissa Scallan said in a press release Thursday. The Espy campaign had not yet made a decision about the debate as of mid-morning Thursday. "She must have seen more than we have, because we haven't seen any terms, conditions, or details of it other than the date," Espy Communications Director Danny Blanton told the Jackson Free Press. "We've been talking to several other organizations that are also interested in sponsoring debates as well. We feel like we have plenty of opportunities to debate." The Espy campaign would like to participate in three debates between now and the Nov. 27 runoff, Blanton said.
 
Chris McDaniel talks Trump, Hyde-Smith and the governor's seat after Senate defeat
State Sen. Chris McDaniel says he doesn't have any regrets over his U.S. Senate race loss Tuesday -- he left it all on the field. Republican McDaniel said he wants to help unite the state GOP, supports his former opponent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in her Nov. 27 runoff against Democrat Mike Espy and is open to helping her in her continuing campaign. McDaniel attributes his failing to make the runoff to one factor: President Donald Trump -- whom McDaniel says he still "adores" -- endorsing Hyde-Smith. McDaniel said he heard Thursday that Trump's rally in Southaven in support of Hyde-Smith "caused a 30-point swing" in an area that had been one of McDaniel's strongholds of support. So what's next for McDaniel? There have been rumors of a gubernatorial run next year. "I hear those same rumors," McDaniel said. "... Yes, sir, it's possible. But before those decisions, I want to do my part to unite the party. Once we win this seat and defeat Mr. Espy, then I'm going to clear my thoughts, sit back and think about it, pray about it and discuss it with my friends and family and determine what's in the best interest of this state and our country."
 
Regional One Hospital fires employee who wore racist T-shirt while voting
A Mississippi voter who came under fire for wearing an offensive T-shirt at a polling site has been terminated from his job at Regional One Hospital, the hospital announced Thursday. The statement did not identify the employee by name, but he was identified by BuzzFeed and on social media as Clayton John Hickey, an Olive Branch resident and former Memphis police officer. Regional One said in a tweet earlier Thursday that it was looking into the matter and would have an update before the end of the day. A statement shortly before 5 p.m. said the employee in question had been terminated. The incident occurred during the midterm elections Tuesday when voters at the Summershill precinct in Olive Branch photographed and posted on social media a picture of an unidentified white man at a voting machine. He was wearing a white T-shirt with the words "Mississippi Justice" along with a picture of a Confederate flag and a noose. Before working at Regional One, Hickey was a Memphis police officer. He resigned in 2010 after he was stopped with an underage girl and alcohol in his car.
 
With Roe v. Wade in the balance, Mississippi activists gear up for abortion fight
With the recent confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, activists on all sides of the abortion issue across the country are gearing up for battle over the fate of the 1973 landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade. Mississippi, which has passed a series of laws over the years limiting abortion access and now has just one clinic where abortions are performed, has long been considered the easiest target for pro-life advocates working to create an abortion-free state. While parts of the country see the newly aligned court as a fresh federal threat to abortion access, Mississippi advocates who have fought against reproductive restrictions for decades are preparing for a two-pronged fight -- protecting existing abortion providers and fighting new legislative efforts to further erode abortion rights.
 
2019 Congress will have more Southern Democrats, but they won't have much clout
The next Congress will feature more Southern Democrats, but there's a catch: The region's clout on Capitol Hill will actually be diminished. With Democrats capturing control of the House in Tuesday's midterm elections, the Republicans who overwhelmingly represent southern districts -- and currently hold several key committee chairmanships -- will shrink in both size and influence. Democrats will have two challenges: Boosting the party's lagging image in the South, and helping the region thrive as its lawmakers navigate the legislative process. In the current Congress, 104 House Republicans, and 40 House Democrats, are from the South, a region stretching from Virginia to Texas. Southern Republicans currently preside over 12 of the 21 House committees, including some of the most powerful panels like Ways and Means, which sets tax policy, and Judiciary, which writes immigration laws. There is some talk of Democrats reviving "earmarks," the practice of allowing lawmakers to direct spending to specific projects in their home states and districts.
 
Trump Administration Seeks To Limit Asylum-Seekers With New Rule
The Trump administration is taking steps to stem the flow of Central American migrants crossing the U.S. border from Mexico. The administration issued a new rule Thursday designed to prohibit migrants who cross the border outside of designated entry points from seeking asylum in the United States. The measure is almost certain to face legal challenges. Advocates say federal law allows anyone on U.S. soil to petition for asylum, even if that person crossed the border illegally. The administration wants to get around that provision by using the president's broad authority to exclude any immigrant -- or class of immigrants -- deemed "detrimental to the interests of the United States." That's the same authority the president used when he issued his travel ban on a variety of mostly Muslim countries. That ban was initially blocked by the courts but after several revisions was ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
Jeff Sessions' job is hard to fill. Enter Chris Christie.
The shadow of special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation is complicating President Donald Trump's search for a new attorney general. Labor Secretary Alex Acosta has told associates he is unlikely to accept the job if it is offered before Mueller issues his report, according to two sources familiar with the ongoing conversations. And two other candidates approached by the White House about the position signaled they were not interested in the job. As a result, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie has emerged as a strong contender, according to two former White House officials briefed on the ongoing discussions, one of whom predicted that "this is going to end up with Christie." The president has said in recent days that he believes Christie, the first prominent Republican to back his presidential bid, has patiently waited his turn after being passed over for the job during the post-2016 election transition.
 
Recount coming in Florida governor's race
Florida's governor's race on Thursday joined contests for U.S. Senate and state agricultural commissioner headed toward recounts as continued vote-counting in Democratic strongholds threatened apparent Republican winners. Democrat Andrew Gillum pulled to less than half of one percent behind Republican Ron DeSantis in the governor's race, while Republican Rick Scott's lead over Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson shrunk to less than one-quarter of one percent, the point where a manual recount would be ordered. Meanwhile, Democrat Nikki Fried actually edged ahead of Matt Caldwell in the certain-to-be-recounted race for Agriculture Commissioner, erasing the lead held by the Republican since election night. "There are a lot of unknowns right now," said Daniel Smith, a University of Florida political scientist and voting expert.
 
Rick Scott files lawsuit over Florida Senate vote as recount odds grow
Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) is suing Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes, alleging that her office has withheld crucial voter information as Scott's closely watched Senate race against Sen. Bill Nelson (D) appears set for a recount. The lawsuit, filed Thursday evening, accuses Snipes's office of withholding records regarding how many people voted, how many ballots have been counted and how many more votes remain untallied in Broward. "The lack of transparency raises substantial concerns about the validity of the election process," his lawsuit reads. It demands an emergency hearing ahead of a critical noon Saturday deadline for county canvassing board to submit election results to the state Division of Elections. In a hastily called news conference in Tallahassee on Thursday night, Scott accused Snipes of having a "history of acting in bad faith" and called into the question where new vote tallies in Broward and Palm Beach counties were coming from.
 
Kyrsten Sinema takes slim lead in too-close-to-call Arizona Senate race
Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema took a narrow 9,610-vote lead over GOP Rep. Martha McSally Thursday evening as Arizona's election authorities counted more ballots in the state's uncalled Senate race. The lead amounts to less than half a percentage point with more than 1.8 million votes counted. McSally was up by 17,703 votes earlier in the day, before the counties processed another 160,000 votes -- but about a half-million more votes remain to be counted across Arizona, according to both campaigns. Most of the outstanding ballots are coming from Arizona's largest county, Maricopa County, which is home to Phoenix and includes Sinema's congressional district. Arizona is one of three remaining Senate races without a declared winner. In Florida, Republican Gov. Rick Scott is ahead of Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson by two-tenths of a percentage point, but the race is headed for a recount. And in Mississippi, Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy will face off in a late November special-election runoff.
 
Tucker Carlson's home targeted by protesters: 'They were threatening me and my family'
Fox News host Tucker Carlson was at his desk Wednesday evening, less than two hours before his 8 p.m. live show, when he suddenly started receiving multiple text messages. There was some sort of commotion happening outside his home in Northwest D.C. "I called my wife," Carlson told The Washington Post in a phone interview. "She had been in the kitchen alone getting ready to go to dinner and she heard pounding on the front door and screaming. ... Someone started throwing himself against the front door and actually cracked the front door." His wife, thinking it was a home invasion, locked herself in the pantry and called 911, Carlson said. The couple have four children, but none were home at the time. But it wasn't a home invasion. It was a protest. "It wasn't a protest. It was a threat," said Carlson, who is often denounced by critics, particularly liberal ones, for his rhetoric about immigrants and minorities on his Fox News show.
 
The Courage and Folly of a War That Left Indelible Scars
Seconds before an armistice formally ended World War I on Nov. 11, 1918, Pvt. Henry Nicholas Gunther, an American soldier from Baltimore, mounted a final, one-man charge against a German machine-gun nest in northeastern France. The German gunners, The Baltimore Sun reported many years later, had tried to wave him away, but he ran on, only to perish in a burst of heavy automatic fire -- the last soldier of any nationality to die in the conflict -- at 10.59 a.m. local time. One minute later, under the terms of an armistice signed about six hours earlier, the so-called Great War, the "war to end all wars," was over, and the world was an altered place. The casualties since the conflict's first engagements in 1914 ran into many millions, both military and civilian. The very nature of warfare had changed irrevocably. Empires crumbled, new nations arose and the world's maps were redrawn in ways that reverberate mightily a century later. With men away at the front lines, women assumed roles in the work force back home that hastened their emancipation and changed social ways forever.
 
Ole Miss student charged with DUI in crash that killed pedestrian
A man was killed after being hit by a drunk driver in Oxford, police said -- and the driver is a student at Ole Miss. Oxford police said the pedestrian accident happened Wednesday around 6:30 p.m. on Ricky D Britt Boulevard near Highway 6. Police said the crash happened in between a Nissan dealership and a Shell gas station. Nicholas Welch, 21, was the driver of the vehicle and was on scene as officers arrived, according to police. Welch is a student at the University of Mississippi, university officials confirmed to FOX13. It is unclear what actions, if any, will be taken from the university against the student at this time.
 
Cannabis-based oil, used to treat seizures, focus first university trial at UMMC
Over four years after Gov. Phil Bryant signed Harper Grace's Law, allowing clinical trials of a specific marijuana-derived drug, the University of Mississippi Medical Center announced Thursday that those trials had begun. The trial, which will study the effect of cannabidiol---or CBD, as it's known---on children with severe epilepsy, is the very first university-based clinical trial of a cannabis extract to meet federal standards. The agencies that had to sign off on the trial before it could start include the Food and Drug Administration, the Internal Review Board and the Drug Enforcement Administration. "So you can imagine we've had many regulatory hurdles to get here today ... in order to provide such unique opportunities for our patients," said Richard Summers, UMMC's vice chancellor of research.
 
On-campus protest at U. of Mississippi defends Robert Mueller investigation
A couple dozen students and community members gathered at 5 p.m. Thursday night at the Circle on the University of Mississippi campus as part of a nationwide day of protests to protect Robert Mueller, special counsel of the Trump-Russia investigation. The event was called "Nobody is above the law -- Mueller protection rapid response" and was organized by MoveOn, an activist group that promotes "social justice and political progress." The protest kicked off with chants of "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist U.S.A." and "Protect Mueller's investigation." Jordan Butler, a second year law student and host of Oxford's protest, said a large reason for the gathering was former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' firing and the promotion of Matthew Whitaker to acting attorney general. Thursday evening's protest began mere minutes after sundown, but Butler said he was told at first that the protesters would "have to leave as soon as it's dark enough (they) become a safety concern." A few University Police Department officers stood nearby, without intervening, as the protest went on well past sundown.
 
Four construction projects underway at Pearl River Community College in Forrest County
Several construction projects are underway at Pearl River Community College's Forrest County Center, with officials hoping the improvement efforts will lead to an increase in enrollment and give students a more memorable college experience. PRCC President Adam Breerwood and Jana Causey, vice president for Forrest County Operations, appeared before Forrest County Supervisors Monday to thank them for their support of the college and its renovation efforts. The improvements are funded through the board's ongoing millage support for the college. "These projects will help us grow our campus in Hattiesburg and better serve the students from the Pearl River district," Breerwood said. "They will help us expand our offerings, expand our programs and provide better service to our students."
 
Pearl River Community College continues to see increase in enrollment
While other colleges and universities are dealing with enrollment issues, Pearl River Community College is enjoying a continued increase in their enrollment numbers. In fact, two years ago, enrollment went up three percent; last year it went up four percent, and this year, enrollment is up six percent. Leadership at the Poplarville college say those rising numbers are thanks to the staff at the school. "It's a testament to our faculty and staff for the hard work that they've put in," said PRCC president Dr. Adam Breerwood. "Obviously, our marketing and recruiting program has done an exceptional job." Part of recruiting new students is identifying what they need to succeed. "What we've found is that we need to offer our students more services," Breerwood continued. "It's one thing that they enroll in colleges, it's another thing that they stay. So we've really taken big steps in trying to get them all the resources they need to succeed while they're here."
 
U. of Alabama expert sees Tuscaloosa's potential for growth in logistics
A University of Alabama researcher sees growth opportunities in logistics in the local economy. "Why not make Tuscaloosa the logistics center for Alabama and the U.S.?" said K.C. Conway, the director of research and corporate engagement with the Alabama Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama. Conway said logistics -- the coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities or supplies -- and infrastructure in the manufacturing base are among the things that can power the growth of the local economy. His comments were part of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama's Chamber in Session: State of the Economy at the Embassy Suites in Tuscaloosa on Thursday. Conway encouraged local governments to rethink regulations, such as zoning, when it comes to opportunities to adapt and re-use old buildings. He also advised leaders to take advantage of incentives made available as part of the federal tax reform bill passed last year.
 
Woman believes she was drugged at Auburn fraternity party
Auburn University is investigating after a woman said on Tuesday that she believes she was drugged at a fraternity party on Halloween. The woman reported drinking a beer at the party, waking up the next morning with limited memory of the night, and feeling dizzy and disoriented the next day, Auburn University Campus Safety and Security said. No details have been released about what fraternity the party was being held. The investigation is ongoing. Giving someone a drug without their permission is felony aggravated assault. To avoid being drugged, campus security said that people should not leave drinks unattended, should not accept drinks from others, or drink from common containers.
 
LSU sorority's events suspended during investigation of hazing allegations
The parent organization of Pi Beta Phi confirmed Thursday that it has halted activities at their chapter house at LSU after receiving information alleging events at the sorority that "may have constituted hazing." Christian Wargo, communications director for Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, which is based in Missouri, said in a statement that they "believe no one was physically harmed and no alcohol was involved." "Pi Beta Phi immediately informed university officials and began an investigation," he said. Pi Beta Phi reported the allegations to local law enforcement and the chapter is cooperating with both local and national headquarters to address the reports, Wargo said. Ernie Ballard, a spokesman for LSU, said the university "is also entering their investigative process."
 
Coursicle app helps UGA students with organizing class registration
In 2012, as an incoming freshman to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Joe Puccio spent around seven hours planning his schedule to only get into one out of the five classes he needed. It was then that he programmed his phone to text him when a class he wanted had an open seat. This was the beginning of Puccio's program Coursicle, which would develop into an app and later on, a website. Coursicle is available on both Apple and Google Play stores and allows students to track individual classes for registration. When a class has an available spot, the app notifies its users. Students are allowed to track one class at a time for free during a semester. Puccio said some of the most popular places for Coursicle include Southeastern universities near UNC, such as the University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Clemson University and College of William & Mary. The app was launched at UGA in spring 2017 and for the fall 2018 registration, the program had 3,100 users at UGA alone.
 
Texas Tribune symposium at Texas A&M to address rural issues
The Texas Tribune will host a free, open-to-the-public, two-day symposium on rural policy and affairs early next week at two locations on the Texas A&M University campus. The symposium will bring together Texas lawmakers, stakeholders and industry leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities for the state's sprawling rural communities. At 6 p.m. Monday, The Future of Rural Texas will kick off with a keynote conversation on The 86th Legislative Agenda with five State Representatives and with Tribune co-founder and CEO Evan Smith moderating. The event will be held at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at the Bush Presidential Library. Speakers are coming to the area from throughout Texas. Brazos Valley-based speakers include newly re-elected State Rep. Kyle Kacal; Becky Garlick, executive dean of Blinn College; Roel Lopez, director of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute; and Joe Outlaw, Texas A&M professor and extension economist in the department of agricultural economics.
 
Missouri made sweeping changes at top after protests, but falls short hiring minority faculty
How do you measure change? Three years ago, University of Missouri students rallied for an institutional and cultural shift in the way their campus talked about race. Minority students felt unseen, unheard and underserved. Concerned Student 1950, the group behind the protests, created a list of eight demands for change: the ousting of UM System President Tim Wolfe and an apology from him; hiring more faculty and staff of color; retaining more marginalized students; increasing mental health counseling services and resources; and increasing resources and personnel for social justice centers. They also wanted the university to meet a list of demands by the Legion of Black Collegians from 1969. Do you measure change by the magnitude of an administrative shake up? What about measuring change in how many more people of color are teaching at MU? Maybe the measurement doesn't take numbers into account at all but instead considers how people feel.
 
College-age students turned out big-time for 2018 midterm elections
Leading into the pivotal midterm elections this week, political activists were confident that turnout among college students would far outpace previous years. Their predictions were apparently correct; exit poll data revealed a surge among college-age voters that also seemed to contribute to Democrats taking back control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Preliminary projections put the number of young voters up by 10 percentage points since the previous midterm election in 2014. Experts predict the groundswell of energy among students, expressed at polling places across the country on Tuesday, will influence elections for decades to come. More politicians will take notice of this year's results and more aggressively try to court young voters, the experts said. Even as some GOP lawmakers were accused of trying to squash student participation and floated unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, the youth turnout far exceeded that of the previous midterm election.
 
Students from several colleges were at Southern California bar where gunman opened fire
Southern California colleges feared for the worst when news spread that a gunman had opened fire at Borderline Bar & Grill, in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Wednesday night. The bar's weekly "college night" opens its doors to students as young as 18. The event attracts hundreds of young people, many of them students. Among the 12 people shot and killed were Alania Housley, a freshman at Pepperdine University. The Los Angeles Times reported that she was studying English, hoped to go to law school and had a passion for music. Pepperdine reported that it has identified 16 of its students who were present when the terror started at Borderline. The university is focused on helping those mourning Housley and also those experiencing trauma because of the mass shooting. Wednesday night's mass shooting was hardly the first to have an impact on higher education. On Friday, a gunman shot and killed a student and a professor at Florida State University when he stormed into a yoga studio in Tallahassee. And that shooting came less than a week after an avowed anti-Semite killed 11 at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Those murdered included a professor and a retired researcher at the University of Pittsburgh.
 
One Student's Secret Racist Posts Unsettle a Small Liberal-Arts College
A Davidson College student appears to have posted anti-Semitic and other racist messages, leaving the liberal-arts college campus reeling at the revelation. The suggestion was made on Wednesday night from the Twitter account of the Carolina Workers Collective, which posted a series of tweets that it said linked the racist and anti-Semitic content posted from a Twitter account to Martha Gerdes, a student and teaching assistant in the German department at the college. The news comes at a time when high-profile incidents of anti-Semitic and racist activity have been seared in the national consciousness. In October, a shooter killed 11 at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. And the Anti-Defamation League, which fights anti-Semitism, has said that reports of white-supremacist propaganda on U.S. college campuses have increased by 77 percent in the 2017-18 academic year over the previous year.


SPORTS
 
Mississippi State trying to stay relaxed before NCAA tournament debut
Don't be alarmed Friday if you hear Courtney Robicheaux talking to herself. The senior defender on the Mississippi State women's soccer likely won't be alone in repeating the mantra "it is just another game." Robicheaux and the rest of the Bulldogs have taken to using those words to calm them down and to slow them down as they finalize preparations to take on Lipscomb at 4 p.m. Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament at the MSU Soccer Field. "No matter what we're going to be ready to play (Friday)," Robicheaux said. "We're excited, anxious, and all of the emotions. We're looking forward to it." Robicheaux said the seniors and upperclassmen started to use the phrase earlier in the week once MSU (9-6-2) learned Monday it had secured the program's first NCAA tournament appearance. The usual anxiety and excitement has accompanied the historic event and has added to the hype surrounding what will be the biggest match in the history of a program that started in 1995.
 
Why Mississippi State left last year's thriller against Alabama in the past
They won't say last year's narrow defeat has anything to do with it, but the No. 15 Bulldogs bring a sense of confidence into Saturday's game against No. 1 Alabama. Mississippi State took Alabama to the wire a year ago. The Bulldogs led in the fourth quarter before ultimately losing 31-24 at Davis Wade Stadium. The Crimson Tide scored a touchdown with 25 seconds left to sneak out of Starkville with a win. State players claim last year's result has no effect on their mentality entering this season's tilt, but something still has the Dogs feeling optimistic. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said that optimism surely doesn't stem from a season ago for him personally. Yes, Mississippi State played Alabama better than anybody on the Tide's schedule outside of Auburn and Georgia in 2017. But the Dogs' defense still allowed two touchdowns in the final 10 minutes of the game. Simmons doesn't see it as a narrow loss against a superior opponent. He sees it as a lost opportunity.
 
Mississippi State defense gears up for test from Tide
Mississippi State's first-year coach Joe Moorhead has developed a routine during his weekly news conference: He introduces the next opponent and then talks in length about the matchup. This week's subject was No. 1 Alabama. "Obviously, a lot of this goes without saying," Moorhead said with a hint of a grin. "But we will go through the process anyways." Spoiler alert: Moorhead has a high opinion of the Crimson Tide. No. 18 Mississippi State (6-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) is the latest team that will try to slow down Alabama (9-0, 6-0), which has won all nine of its games by at least 22 points. If the Bulldogs have any hope at pulling off an upset, it will likely have to start with a defense that's been among the best in the country all season.
 
Nick Saban respects Mississippi State's ability
Nick Saban will be matching wits with a new-look Mississippi State coaching staff on Saturday, but saw firsthand last year the type of talent the Bulldogs' bring back. MSU went down to the wire with Saban's Alabama squad last season in Starkville but the Crimson Tide were able to escape with a 31-24 victory after throwing a touchdown pass with 25 seconds remaining. "We have lots of respect for Mississippi State and have had some really tough games with them in the past," Saban said. Alabama's offense has been nearly unstoppable this season and currently leads the country averaging 565.6 points and 51.3 points per game. Saban expects his offense to face its biggest challenge to date with the Bulldogs leading the SEC in 11 defensive categories and surrendering an FBS-low nine touchdowns. "They have one of the top defensive teams in the country with a really good front," Saban said. "They're a really good pass efficiency defense and hard to run against.
 
Tua Tagovailoa, No. 1 Alabama hosts No. 18 Mississippi State
No. 1 Alabama just dispatched its biggest division challenger, and now faces its closest rival. Geographically, at least. The Crimson Tide (9-0, 6-0 Southeastern Conference, No. 1 CFP) hosts No. 18 Mississippi State (6-3, 2-3) Saturday trying to extend a 10-game winning streak over the West Division rival from about 90 minutes down the road. This game will feature some of the SEC's top defensive linemen, from Alabama's Quinnen Williams, Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs to Mississippi State's Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons. Sweat is second in the league with 9.5 sacks and Buggs is right behind at 9.0. Williams has emerged as one of the Tide's biggest stars in his first season as a starter.
 
Tua Time: How Mississippi State's defense plans to disrupt Alabama's QB
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is the most accurate quarterback in NFL history. He's thrown for more yards than any other QB in pro football history as well. He's simply one of the best arm talents of all time. Seattle Seahawks signal caller Russell Wilson has arguably the most uncanny ability to extend a play with his legs then beat a defense down the field. There's a reason he won a Super Bowl in his second season in the league and came a yard away from winning another in his third. Michael Vick electrified the NFL with his dual-threat ability. Before that, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop coached against the Virginia Tech product in college and said he was one of the best quarterback talents he'd ever seen. What do you get when you mix the best attributes from all three? Alabama sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Shoop said those are the three quarterbacks that Mississippi State coaches came up with when analyzing Tagovailoa's film.
 
Mississippi State's Bob Shoop heralded as one of the nation's top assistants
Mississippi State defensive coordinator and safeties coach Bob Shoop was nominated for the Broyles Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top assistant coach. Shoop has guided the Bulldogs' defense to the top of the Southeastern Conference in 11 different categories and rank in the top 22 nationally in 16 categories. MSU leads the nation having allowed only nine touchdowns all year. The Bulldogs top the SEC in total defense and are sixth in the country in that category giving up only 278.7 yards per game. Shoop's defense has also forced a turnover in every game this season, including eight with an interception.
 
Both Bulldog basketball teams in action
The 2018-19 season is finally supposed to be the year No. 18 Mississippi State makes its awaited return to the NCAA Tournament after a decade-long hiatus. Ben Howland's team returns all five starters and six of its leading scorers from a season ago and begins its quest for the Big Dance tonight hosting Austin Peay at 6:30. "It's going to be a tough challenge right out of the gate," Howland said. Austin Peay already has a game under its belt having pummeled Oakland City 114-53 in its opener on Tuesday. The Governor's shot 59.2 percent for the game including 12 of 25 from the 3-point range. Austin Peay had seven players score in double figures led by sophomore wing Terry Taylor with 21 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes of play in the season opener.
 
No. 6 Mississippi State has plenty to work on as it prepares for Virginia
Vic Schaefer loves watching replays of games to pick up teaching points. The Mississippi State women's basketball coach enjoys his studies so much he often says "the film doesn't lie" when he sits with players to highlight areas of improvement. After only one exhibition game and one regular-season game, Schaefer already has plenty of "film" to analyze because he believes MSU has a long way to go to get to where he will be pleased. Schaefer and the Bulldogs won't have enough time to review all of the video before their next game against Virginia at 6 p.m. Friday. But rest assured Schaefer will talk to each player to make sure they understand what he expects. The game will stream on ACC Network Extra, which is available to authenticated subscribers of ESPN3 through WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
 
Music City Bowl focused on Mississippi State, Auburn, Missouri, South Carolina
No. 15 Mississippi State, Auburn, Missouri or South Carolina are the SEC teams that could end up in the 21st annual Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. That much is clear. As for which team the SEC representative will face, that still remains very much up in the air. The Music City Bowl is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Dec. 28 (ESPN) at Nissan Stadium. The day the game is being played could affect which teams are selected. "Ideally, we would like to get a team that would have a pretty driveable fan base considering we're on Friday afternoon this year," Music City Bowl President & CEO Scott Ramsey said. "That is a key component. So I would circle teams like Mississippi State (6-3, 2-3), Auburn (6-3, 3-3) and possibly Missouri (5-4, 1-4). South Carolina (5-3, 4-3) could also fit into our mix win-loss record-wise."
 
Auburn's Aussie punter among latest imports for college game
The Deep South's oldest rivalry will be brand new for a player from Down Under. "I don't know too much about it to be honest," Auburn punter Arryn Siposs said. "Obviously, it's a rivalry for a reason and one of those games that everyone gets hyped for and something that certainly both teams want to win." Siposs is still learning the ways of life in the SEC, more than 9,500 miles from his home in Melbourne, Australia. He'll punt to one of college football's most explosive return men Saturday in Georgia's Mecole Hardman, who returned a punt 65 yards last week. That came off the foot of Kentucky's Max Duffy, who also hails from Australia and is friends with Siposs. Siposs is ranked 10th in the nation in punting at 45.7 yards per punt and is fourth in the SEC. Kentucky's Duffy is 12th in the nation and fifth in the SEC at 45.1. Both trained at Prokick Australia in Melbourne, where budding punters have been schooled for the American game since 2007.
 
Will Muschamp collects last UF check, for $792,000, this month
Florida will look to finally conclude the Will Muschamp era Saturday. As part of his buyout deal in 2014, Muschamp will collect his final $792,000 check this month from the University Athletic Association. He's landed on his feet well, to say the least. A defensive coordinator job at Auburn quickly led to the South Carolina coaching gig, and the rest is current history. While some undoubtedly don't have the fondest of memories when it comes to Muschamp's up-and-down tenure at Florida, it's readily apparent his impact still exists in Gainesville. When Florida takes the field Saturday at 12 p.m., the six Gators remaining from the Muschamp era -- Khairi Clark, Kavaris Harkless, C'yontai Lewis, R.J. Raymond, Jorge Powell and Moral Stephens -- will play their penultimate game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
 
Maryland Fires Two Trainers Who Treated Jordan McNair Before His Death
Two University of Maryland athletic trainers who attended to a football player who died after contracting heatstroke at a spring practice are no longer employed there, a university spokeswoman said on Wednesday. The development marks another rebuke of the University System of Maryland's Board of Regents, a majority of whom had wanted to retain the trainers, according to several people with knowledge of the situation who spoke anonymously to describe confidential conversations and proceedings. In a chaotic series of events last week, the university president fired the head football coach in defiance of the board's public wishes, after which the board's chairman resigned. The two trainers had been on paid administrative leave since mid-August. While the university has declined to name them, they are widely known to be Wes Robinson, the head football trainer, and Steve Nordwall, an assistant athletic director and director of athletic training.



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