by Hunter Patterson | May 16, 2011 | News Slider
Last night, the 22nd season of the CBS reality show Survivor came to an end. Unfortunately, Lipscomb student Matt Elrod did not take home the one million dollar prize; however, Matt has good reason to hold his head high. Matt made it 37 days on the island only to lose the in the last duel on Redemption Island. In the last challenge to see who would make it back onto the island, the four remaining contestants had to balance a vase on the other end of a beam while standing on one foot. Matt lasted for over an hour, and after losing his vase, the other two contestants followed shortly thereafter. Matt spent most of his time on the show on Redemption Island, a new facet of the game thrown in this season. Matt lived on Redemption Island for 29 days this past season, more than any other contestant. Compared to the seven that he actually spent on the island with his fellow cast members, it was a lot. While on Redemption Island, Matt won 10 out of 11 duels, once again, more than anyone. He accredited God with guiding him all the way to the end during the reunion show Sunday night. “God was with me every step of the way,” Elrod said. “I praise His name for just letting me be a vessel for Him. That’s been my reward for all of the struggle and all the strife I’ve been through.” Throughout the game, Matt also became a vessel through which many of his teammates expressed their views to. One of those people on the show was...
by Hunter Patterson | Mar 24, 2011 | News Slider
Last night on Survivor, things got deep. Our friend and classmate, Matt Elrod, is still on Redemption Island. At the end of last week’s episode we learned who was going to be joining him there. Krista Klumpp, a pharmaceutical rep from South Carolina, was to be Matt’s next competition. Usually when two people compete on a reality show it is very bitter and lots of hatred is involved. However, last night was different. After talking to one another, Matt and Krista soon found out that they were both believers in Christ. While the two prepared for their challenge, they prayed together. “He seems to have more substance than most of the people I’ve been on a team with for the past 13 days,” Klumpp said on the show. Matt had similar views of Krista, like how much of a relief it was to talk to someone with similar interests. “Krista’s different from the other competitors I’ve faced for one key reason,” Elrod said. “It’s just that both of us have really been struggling with not having a faith community and other believers to kind of lean on and talk with about our beliefs and how we feel.” Ultimately, Matt won the challenge on the island. The pair had to throw grappling hooks at three separate bags with balls in them to retrieve them. Once they got the bags, navigating the ball through a maze by tilting a board was the objective. Matt failed on his first attempt, and so did Krista. However, on the second try, Matt was able to guide the ball in the final hole. It was...
by Rachel Carden | Mar 9, 2011 | News Slider
So how will Lipscomb’s Matt Elrod fare against the most conniving villain in Survivor history? Fans and classmates will know soon. Last week on Survivor: Redemption Island, we watched Lipscomb “celeb” Matt Elrod fight to survive in a battle with Francesca in the Redemption Island arena. The setup: Host Jeff Probst introduces the game to the two contestants. Matt and Francesca will have to use sticks and rope to make a long pole that will retrieve three keys. These keys will open three locks. The first person to open all three locks and get through their door stays alive in this game. The loser is sent home. Francesca retrives her first two keys before Matt even has a sturdy pole built. But while Francesca begins to retrieve the last key, her pole crumbles, and Matt begins to make his comeback, quickly capturing two keys. They both reach for the last key at the same time, but Matt comes out victorious unlocking his locks first. “The challenge was intense,” said pharmacy student Rhett Hogan from Columbia, Tenn. “I thought Matt was a goner, but he pulled it out in the end. I think he has a shot at making a great comeback from Redemption Island, and I’m excited for this week’s show because we are all rooting for him.” Back at camp, team Zapatera makes plans to send veteran Russell to Redemption Island to face Matt. His only hope is to find the immunity idol. Although he never finds the idol, he convinces the alliance other that he has one, so they must make a back-up plan just in case. The...
by Aaron Schmelzer | Mar 2, 2011 | News Slider
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by Aaron Schmelzer | Feb 9, 2011 | News Slider
Survivor: Redemption Island is set to premiere Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. CST, and if you’re watching and you think you see that kid who sat behind you in biology class last year, you’re probably right. Matt Elrod, a senior biology major from Nashville, will be competing on this season of Survivor, which airs Wednesday nights on CBS. Please upgrade your browser The show preview describes him as a “hunky heartthrob,” but Elrod, 22, describes himself mysterious, impulsive and deep. Click here to see Matt’s player profile and interview. This season is named for the twist that producers have thrown into the competition. Traditionally, when players are voted off the island, they go home. This season, competitors who are voted off will live on the island alone until someone else is voted off. Then the two outcasts will duel and the winner will remain on the island, waiting for another castoff to battle. At a certain point, whoever is on Redemption Island will have a chance to return to the game and compete for the final prize. Other twists thrown into this season are the two mystery Survivor castaways from seasons past who arrive during the first episode, surprising the competitors of this season and changing things...
