New Year, New Moments (Not Sports Related)

Patty V • December 31, 2022

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Forgive me in advance, there are no sports discussed in this article.


What is it that brings you happiness?


As we head into a New Year, we all (hopefully) have hopes and dreams, goals that we would love to accomplish. Most people take the change in a calendar year to plan for their future. They look towards how they can better themselves.


For me, I take the change in the year as an opportunity to reflect. The last few years have been extremely challenging for many folks. Politics, health, crime, heck, even sports misery can factor in to why folks look to plan for a better tomorrow. If you're anything like me though, you live in the moment. You feel in the moment. After the moment has passed, you quickly move on to the next thing. I am constantly trying to better myself, so resolutions for me are non existent.


As I reflect, it allows me the opportunity to look at how I've grown through the year, and how I can better focus heading into the next chapter of life. Im aging. We all are. How do I continue to grow whilst managing day to day life?


There's a book that I'm very fond of. It's called "Power of Moments" by Chip and Dan Heath. Essentially this book discusses how small moments in life carry an immense amount of power. It's why when we take vacations we remember the highs and forget the lows. One defining moment is both memorable and meaningful.


In 2022 I faced many things. For me, 2022 represented more change than I have seen in recent history. I experienced every spectrum of emotion, and somehow have had to manage those emotions, channeling them into a better life for my loved ones. I got married, we moved into a new house, created many great new memories as a family, grew closer with friends, changed jobs, learned crafts, built things, and joined on as a writer/podcaster with The Kneaux. I also lost though. I lost one of my dearest loved ones. He was special, and left one of the largest impacts on my life that anyone has.


In dealing with this loss, it has made me wonder how I can overcome the hurt. How do you overcome the pain of loss? For me, I am an eternal optimist. With this, I go back to that book I discussed, "Power of Moments". This book states that there are five things you can do to find great good in great suffering. They are: Look for small peaks, celebrate and honor relationships, acknowledge your strength, identify new possibilities, and look for spiritual insight.


Now you may be wondering, "Patty, why are you sharing this junk, what does this have to do with resolutions or 2023?" My answer to you, is that I suggest as you look towards 2023, and you look for resolutions or changes, incorporate those 5 recommendations into your daily life. Everyone wants to lose weight, or stop drinking, and those things certainly matter. However, I implore everyone to make their 2023 memorable, make it matter, that way when you look back at the end of next year you're not wondering why you couldn't stick to your resolution, but you look back fondly of all of the memories made.


Expanding on this more, a little more sideways, go create moments. Go live, respectfully, full of love. Create happiness in the dark. Be the beacon of light for others who need it. I am so thankful for the memories I've made this past year.


May your 2023 be blessed with happiness, wealth, and health.


All the love in the world,



Patty


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South Alabama Jaguars vs Tulane Green Wave football matchup graphic with helmet logos on dark blue
By Patrick Harkness September 9, 2026
What to expect from USA Offense and Defense Roll Dat Wave Pod drops tmr w/ @greenwavecolin ! Full Preview breakdown and more! What South Alabama’s offense is: Head coach Major Applewhite is calling the plays himself after taking over mid-2025. It is a multiple-spread system that wants to run first, stay on schedule, and live in the short-to-intermediate passing game. They do not take many deep shots. Last year they ranked 121st nationally in pass attempts per game. Week 1 this year they rushed 59 times for 241 yards. That is the identity. QB Bishop Davenport started all 12 games in 2025: 200-of-294 (68%), 2,073 yards, 12 TD, 6 INT, plus 325 rushing yards and 9 rushing TDs. He is efficient when he is completing 70%+. When he dips below that, USA went 0-7 last year. He is a throw-on-the-run, keep-it-alive quarterback, not a 60-yard bomber. Vs Tulane last September he was good: 17-of-24, 231 yards, 2 passing TDs, 63 rush yards, 1 rushing TD. Week 1 vs SELA: 18-of-27, 154 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, plus a rushing score. Backup is Jared Hollins. Running backs by committee, by design. Kentrel Bullock (1,085 yards last year) is gone. In his place: • PJ Martin 18-69-1 vs SELA; 5.4 ypc last year • Keenan Phillips 13-66 vs SELA; 605 yards in 2025 • Trae’von Dunbar 13-60-1 vs SELA All three finished between 60 and 69 yards in Week 1. Nobody is the featured back. They will lean on volume and Davenport keepers. Wide Receivers: The problem is they lost Devin Voisin, who had 8 catches for 152 yards and 2 TDs against Tulane last year (including a 65-yard score). Returning pieces: Anthony Eager (top returning target, 40 catches in 2025, more of a possession guy), Brendan Jenkins (5-78-1 vs SELA), Micah Woods, Jeremiah Jones-Thomas. Tight end Rod Gibbs is in the mix. This group can move chains. It has not shown a true vertical threat yet this season. Offensive line is the question mark. Last year’s unit ran well; this year’s line lost most of its starters. Ethan Hubbard (RT) and Kenton Jerido (C) are the veterans. Week 1 vs an FCS team they still ran for 241, so the committee can function. How it matches Tulane this week Tulane just allowed 227 rushing yards and 2 TDs to Nate Sheppard on 35 carries. Edge setting and run fits were a problem in Durham. That is exactly what Applewhite will try to exploit: inside zone, duo, QB keepers, and a three-back rotation that does not let the Wave pin its ears back. Last year USA had 190 rush yards and 421 total on Tulane and still lost because they went scoreless in the second and third quarters. The script they want Saturday: 1. Establish Martin/Phillips/Dunbar early so Davenport can keep and throw play-action. 2. Get Jenkins and Eager involved on timing throws, Davenport’s comfort zone. 3. Avoid the mid-game stall that killed them in Mobile. What South Alabama’s defense was last year The 2025 Jaguars allowed 30.4 points (110th nationally) and 176.6 rushing yards per game at 4.8 yards per carry. They could not get to the quarterback. Vs Tulane they gave up 241 rushing yards and three rushing TDs on 45 carries. Jake Retzlaff and Zuberi Mobley ran through them. Pass defense was more respectable (205 ypg), but the front never consistently collapsed the pocket. They also lost pieces that now wear green: Ed Smith IV and Dalton Hughes transferred to Tulane. Starters Blayne Myrick, Darius McKenzie, and Wesley Miller are gone too. What it is this year: New DC Todd Orlando (USF the last three years; coached with Applewhite at Houston). He is not running last year’s “keep it in front of you” 4-2-5 as a religion. He said the package will be multiple four-man/three-man, nickel, dime fitted to personnel, and more attacking. Co-DC Jason Washington still runs the corners. Front and edge: This was the weakest group on paper after the portal purge. Returning: Stephen Johnson (NT), Emmanuel Waller, Tyler Carter, E’Mauri Smiley. Portal help: Mase Lewis (McNeese), Christian Ross (Holy Cross), Dylan Chiedo (Furman). Tirrell Johnson is the hybrid/edge they lean on (54 tackles, 5 TFL last year). Week 1 they had only one sack vs SE Louisiana. Linebackers: Tirrell Johnson, Tre’Mon Henry, Parker Shattuck, Seidrion Langston (ULM transfer), Kaydon Degraffenreid, Caleb Dozier. This room is supposed to be the stabilizer while the line develops. Secondary: More continuity here. Jayvon Henderson (CB), Cole Blaylock (S), Dallas Young (FS), Damyrion Darby. Portal: Jaylen Moson (Utah) and DJ Moore (Georgia Tech). Week 1 both Darby and Moson got interceptions on SELA’s first couple of series. Week 1 tape (vs SE Louisiana) Held SELA to 231 yards, 45 rushing yards, and 0-for-7 on third down. Two interceptions, one sack. Possession was 40:09–19:51 because the offense sat on the ball, but the defense also never let SELA convert. The caveat: SELA’s two scores were both four-play explosives. When they could not hit a chunk play, they went nowhere. That is the binary Orlando’s group imposed, score fast or punt. It will not be that easy against an FBS offense that can motion TEs and superbacks. The game within the game for USA’s D: 1. Run fits vs a broken ground game. Last year they could not stop Tulane’s run. If Orlando’s front stays gap-sound, Semonza is forced into obvious passing downs, which is when a blitz-happy DC wants to live. 2. Blitz vs Semonza’s timing. Semonza gets the ball out faster than Chriss. Hall will use motion, TEs (Dawson Johnson, Vance Bolyard), and the superback (Jaylin Lucas) to muddy hot reads. If USA sends extra and does not get there, Hill and the intermediate game can eat. 3. Explosives. SELA beat them twice with quick-strike TDs. Hill and CJ Lewis already showed they can take one. USA cannot give up that same shot and survive if Tulane’s offense finally finishes a drive. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
Tulane football poster: “The Return,” showing a football player in a white helmet and green jersey.
By Patrick Harkness September 9, 2026
Kam Hamilton is an immediate veteran upgrade for a Tulane D-line that lost its entire 2025 CFP starting front. The 6-4, 292-pound Zachary product just returned as a fifth-year player after going undrafted and is already in the rotation. Eligibility was confirmed about an hour before kickoff. The eligibility path Hamilton never redshirted. He graduated in May 2026 after four seasons and was auto-enrolled in the 2026 NFL Draft. He worked out with the Saints and Cardinals but did not sign. A new NCAA five-year eligibility rule did not grandfather the 2022 class, so he needed the injunction. The American Conference also stated that NFL tryouts would not trigger a penalty. Tulane will not be punished if the ruling is later overturned. Tulane was the only FBS school that offered him out of Zachary High, where he started on the offensive line for the 15-0 2021 LHSAA 5A state champions before switching to defense. Production and traits Career totals through 2025 (54 games, 22-23 starts): • 90 tackles • 12 sacks • 16.5 tackles for loss • 3 forced fumbles • 3 passes defended Year-by-year: • 2022 (FR): 15 tackles, 0.5 sacks • 2023 (SO): 25 tackles, 4 sacks, 6 TFL, 1 FF • 2024 (JR): 21 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 6 TFL, 2 FF, 9 starts, third-team All-AAC • 2025 (SR): 29 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 TFL, 3 PD, 13 starts He is listed as a DE but he can play inside or outside. Strength and awareness are his calling cards; he occupies blockers and still produces sacks and TFLs from the interior. What the 2026 D-line needed: The 2025 starting four from the Ole Miss CFP game are gone: Hamilton was expected to be with the Saints, Harvey Dyson transferred to NC State, Santana Hopper to Colorado, and Tre’Von McAlpine to Kansas. Preseason pieces were transfers Derrick Shepard Jr. (NT, experienced after a 2025 UAB-to-Tulane move) and Ed Smith IV (DT from South Alabama) plus a young rotation (Josh Lewis, Reshad Sterling, Geordan Guidry, Armondous Cooley, Jordyn Crites, PaLanding Drammeh). The room was described as talented and deep but inexperienced. They rotate heavily. Duke exposed the run defense (250 rushing yards, Nate Sheppard 227). What he specifically adds • Experience and leadership in a young room under new DL coach Eric McDaniel. Shepard and Smith IV were the main veterans; Hamilton is the guy with the most Tulane snaps and starts. • Interior run-stopping presence. Size and strength to occupy double teams so linebackers (Dickson Agu, Chris Rodgers, Makai Williams) and the bandit (Jah’rie Garner) can flow. This was the biggest Week 1 need. • Pass-rush from inside. Consistent 3-4.5 sack seasons give the front another interior threat instead of relying only on edges. • Scheme versatility in Tulane’s 4-2-5 / multiple looks under DC Tayler Polk and co-DC Nate Fuqua. He can two-gap or one-gap depending on alignment. • Culture and motivation. Local product who overcame a hearing impairment, just missed the NFL, and is playing for a fifth year on an injunction. Will Hall’s comment after the Duke game: “I think he can help us a lot.” He is not a flashy edge rusher who will post 10-sack seasons. He is a high-floor, high-motor 292-pound interior piece who knows the program, already knows the calls, and immediately improves the rotation quality on a front that needed exactly that after the 2025 attrition. Expect him to stay in the two-deep mix at DT for the rest of the season. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
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