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For 100 years, the student voice of the University of Oklahoma
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Hunter Birkhead, Nicole Van Every, Richard Zielinski, Kayley Williamson and David Howard after a cathedral performance in Szczecin, Poland, on June 20. Zielinski and his choir won a firstplace award in this year’s annual International Choral Festival.
Choir hits victory note OU director of choral activities Richard Zielinski conducts group of singers to first place in international competition
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he evening of June 22 was cool and crisp in Międzyzdroje, Poland. A hush fell over the crowded auditorium at the International Choral Music Festival as the singers onstage awaited the announcement determining who would win the coveted first place award. The master of ceremonies took to the stage and peered out over the audience. The he announced the winners — in Polish. As the crowd began clapping, the members of the Richard Zielinski Singers choir looked at one another in confusion for a few seconds. Since the ceremony was conducted entirely in Polish, the Zielinski Singers were some of the last people in the room to realize they had just won the 2018 Grand Prix Award for the overall best choir. The Z ielinski Singers is a 40-person semi-professional choir comprised mostly of OU students and alumni. Richard
DEVIN HIETT • @DEVINHIETT Zielinski, the choir’s conductor, founded the group in 2005. When an opportunity to perform arises, Zielinski invites some of his former students to join the group and sing at different venues. This was the group’s first time competing in a choral competition. Approximately 18 choirs from across the globe competed in this year’s annual International Choral Festival. While many of the groups had years of experience singing together, the Zielinski Singers met for the first time only days before the competition. Luckily, it didn’t take long for the group to connect and work as an ensemble, Zielinski said. “We hit the competition at kind of our peak. We were ready, we were rolling,” Zielinski said. “A choir is like any team — you can have a basketball team of five great players, but if they’re not willing to work together, take care of each other and give
up some of what they do to help somebody else, then you’re not going to win the championships. This was a championship choir.” Zielinski is the director of choral activities at OU, as well as the director of music ministries at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman and director of the Norman Philharmonic. He spends his summers as the artistic director and conductor of the Classical Music Festival in Austria. His namesake choir has only performed together during itstime abroad but will host a free domestic concert at 3 p.m. Sept. 16 at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church. While the thrill of winning its first competition was an amazing moment, the choir’s true mission is to get people — especially young people — excited about music and the prospect of expressing themselves through singing, said Nicole Van Every, an OU professor of voice and a soprano soloist in the Zielinski
Singers. “Even if just a few people in the audience have a seed planted in them and they get passionate about going out and exploring music on their own, as musicians that’s always our end goal,” Van Every said. Zielinski, better known by students and comrades simply as Dr. Z, has spent his career traveling the world and sharing his love of music with people from different cultures. “Every place I go, I don’t speak their language most of the time, but once I start making music with them, that becomes our language,” he said. Out of all the places he’s traveled, Poland has always held a special place in Zielinski’s heart. Zielinski is of Polish descent and decided to connect with his Polish roots after his mentor and close friend, Jan Szyrocki, introduced Zielinski to Polish music and art. After Szyrocki passed away from cancer in 2003, Zielinski
was inspired to continue his legacy by traveling back to Poland and introducing his students to the world of Polish music, he said. “That country’s gone through a lot, but they still have a spirit about them. They love life and they love each other,” Zielinski said. “ Now I’m s o proud of Poland. What they’ve done in 30 years is amazing to me.” Like Szyrocki, Zielinski also has a talent for helping others find their passions and turn them into viable career opportunities, said John Morrow, a friend and former student of Zielinski. Originally, Morrow was an international studies major at OU because he didn’t believe he could make a living with music. After spending time with Zielinski in Austria at music festivals, Morrow finished a master’s in choral conducting in spring of 2017 and is now an associate see CHOIR page 2
Riley begins making his mark on new season Dedication to recruits shows in blowout of Florida Atlantic GEORGE STOIA @GeorgeStoia
Standing at the 40-yard line, Brendan Radley-Hiles and Justin Broiles waited. They stood like a brick wall, waiting for Florida Atlantic to take the field for pregame warmups. As FAU jogged by, RadleyHiles and Broiles — a true and redshirt freshman — pointed at and exchanged words with their opponents, setting the tone for what would be a 63-14 blowout and a season that could end in another College Football Playoff appearance. Simultaneously, they set the tone for a season that features new leaders — leaders Lincoln Riley handpicked. “After the first game, everybody
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OU coach Lincoln Riley before the game against FAU Sept. 1. Riley commended the Sooners after their performance against FAU.
wants to come to these conclusions about what you are and what you aren’t,” said Riley, who’s in his second season as head coach. “Did we learn something today?
Yes. I think we have some quality depth. I think we’ve taken steps in special teams that will continue to be a weapon for us throughout the season. We had some young guys
step up and play really well. The team’s competitive nature is really good right now.” A win over Florida Atlantic isn’t program- or season-altering, but
it’s a building block and a look into what seems to be a bright future. It’s a small sample size of a team that could, and should, be one of the best in the country. “I’d be shocked if there was a better team in the country after what I saw today,” said Florida Atlantic head coach Lane Kiffin after the game. The offense rolled with someone other than Baker Mayfield behind center, special teams did something they haven’t done since 2002, and the defense — yes, the defense — showed actual improvement , with a host of young players stepping up. But the 2018 season will be a marathon, not a sprint. “This is a great start,” Riley said. “Nothing more than that and nothing less than that.” Riley is starting to put his own stamp on things. His confidence see RILEY page 4
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ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Siandhara Bonnet, a&e editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/life&arts • Twitter: @OUDailyArts
Author reflects on book about OKC Anderson discusses history of Oklahoma, past development KRISTEN KLINGENSMITH @kl_dahlin
The New York Times staff writer Sam Anderson first experienced Oklahoma City during his coverage of the OKC Thunder basketball team in 2012, and he felt a magnetic pull that kept him coming back to delve further into the history of the city. Hi s f i v e - y e a r w r i t i n g project ended w ith the release of “Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, Its Chaotic Founding, Its Apocalyptic We at h e r, It s Pu r l o i n e d Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-Class Metropolis” on Aug. 21. “I’ve waited my whole mag career for a subject to grab me like this. Outlaws, sit-ins, tornadoes, Durant & Westbrook,” Anderson said to his Twitter followers prior to the release of his book. All these subjects and more are in narrative about the birth of Oklahoma City. “Oklahomans say to me all the time, ‘I’m learning so much about the place I l i v e f ro m t h i s b o o k ,’” Anderson said. “When I was in Oklahoma City, my job was to notice everything I could possibly notice and learn everything I could possibly learn ... so that’s a strange relationship to have to a place in a way,” Anderson said. “So I think it’s normal that I know a lot of stuff that people who live there wouldn’t know.” The narrative of “Boom Town” shifts back and forth from early historical periods in Oklahoma City’s history to the current decade. In his book, Anderson characterizes the city as trying to appear larger than it really is. He also attributes the Oklahoma City Thunder as a vehicle of hope for the city becoming a major metropolis. However, not everyone in
CHOIR: Continued from page 1
director of music ministries and principle organist at McFarlin. “Before I met Dr. Z , I didn’t plan to have a career in music. He could see that passion in me even before I could and relate that it might be something I wanted to do with my life,” Morrow said. “He does this with every person. He just wants them to be the best that they can be. He did it with me, and it just so happens that music really is my calling.” Zielinski said he worries that people will forget the music he grew up listening to in the 1960s, such as Peter, Paul and Mary; The Beatles and Woody Guthrie — the music he said tells stories of “the political atmosphere and what was happening in America.” For Zielinski and Van Every, the solo sopranist in the group, this worry has been a driving force for how the choir picks its songs and performs. “Music is how people c o m mu n i c at e a n d t hat for m has change d over time,” Van Every said. “We don’t have to sit around a campfire and sing our songs anymore, we can just sit in the comfort of our (home) and push play on our iPod.” To help reawaken people’s passion for music and excite younger generations, the Zielinski Singers
Oklahoma agrees. “ T h e re w a s a n o p - e d piece in The Oklahoman (Aug. 29) that seemed like an official rebuttal of my book from a kind of insider, Oklahoma City perspective,” Anderson said. “Like, ‘He missed the larger story of great businessmen doing wonderful things.’ I think that was the gist of the article. I didn’t actually read it.” New York Magazine published an introduction to the official excerpt of the book on Twitter, prompting some backlash from Native American representatives, who pointed out the land was not empty as the quoted line used suggested. Anderson was quick to thank Twitter users and provide further context to the line. On Twitter, and in short introductions to excerpts, complex history tends to get collapsed, Anderson said. “People are reacting with anger to this foundational genocide of our country, which they should. And people should be out there scrutinizing, very carefully, the way that it is spoken about,” Anderson said. “It was mainly a reaction to the tweet that New York Magazine put out.” In researching the history of Oklahoma City for his book, Anderson discovered both historical figures and a mythological one he urges people to consider. “There’s a kind of deep, American mythology of the heroic, rugged individual who stands alone, outside of history,” Anderson said. “Basically, we are all the authors of our own fate, and everything we get in life depends on us, and how hard we try and how we work. There’s this religious flavor of this prosperity gospel, they call it, where maybe you’re blessed by God to be successful.” “Boom Town” tackles complex historical issues of tribes’ treatment by the federal government as well as the segregation of early Oklahoma against a backdrop of city expansion and sports success. Anderson identifies a rhetoric about black people in Oklahoma perform a repertoire including classical music as well as gospel, pop and folk arrangements. This is different than most choirs, which often focus on pieces from the same g e n re o r t i m e p e r i o d . Zielinski said he hopes performing a wide range of music will help attract a wide range of audiences. The beginnings of success are fueling the Zielinski Singers, who are excited to spread their mission across America. They have also been invited to return to Poland next summer as the highlighted choir at Legnica Cantat, a Polish choral competition which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. Zielinski said he plans to continue working with t h e R i c h a rd Z i e l i n s k i Singers for as long as he can. “Sometimes when I get up I feel that I’m in my 60s, but when I get on the podium to conduct I feel like I’m 20 again,” Zielinski said. “There’s a youthfulness and a spirit, especially when you work with young people — my goodness. It’s wonderful, it’s beautiful.” Devin Hiett
hiettdevin@gmail.com
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The cover of “Boom Town” by New York Times writer Sam Anderson. “Boom Town” shifts between the history of Oklahoma City and events in the current decade.
that existed well into the mid-20th century colored by this so-called American mythology. “If these people were really worthy of being successful, they wouldn’t stay over here in their horrible neighborhood with their terrible sidewalks and bad sewer systems. They would make successes of themselves,” Anderson said. “Well of course it was illegal for them to do any of that, to leave their neighborhood, and they weren’t getting any of the tax benefits ... They weren’t getting any
of the public infrastructure money that the white parts of Oklahoma City were.” “Boom Town” is a historical narrative of Oklahoma City, but Anderson sees a valuable takeaway for the younger generations. “There’s an aggressive anti-government stance that people breathe in as young children in America, but especially in a place like Oklahoma, and I think it’s actually pretty contrary to history,” Anderson said. “For young people, just look critically at this ideology maybe that you grew up
with and measure it against the actual history of the world, the actual history of this place,” Anderson said. “ B o o m Tow n ” i s n ow available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Find out more about the book and author Sam Anderson from the official page on Penguin Random House. Kristen Klingensmith Kristen.l.klingensmith@ ou.edu
OU professor to read new book at poetry event Faculty member will read sixth published book
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An OU adjunct assistant professor will read her published book of poetry “Road Work Ahead” at The Depot as part of the Second Sunday Poetry series on Sept. 9. Jennifer Kidney is the author of six books of poetry and an adjunct assistant professor for the College of Professional and Continuing Studies at OU. After earning her doctoral degree in English from Yale, Kidney worked as a professional poet, technical writer, arts administrator and teacher. The Second Sunday Poetry series is a monthly program created by The Depot, a local not-for-profit arts organization, that gives published poets a venue to present their work. Kidney has performed at The Depot on several occasions. Nancy McClellan, former director of The Depot and of the Firehouse Arts Center, said she considers Kidney to be one of Norman’s most esteemed and talented poets. “She’s an outstanding
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The cover of “Road Work Ahead,” a book of poems by Jennifer Kidney adjunct assistant professor for the College of Professional and Continuing Studies at OU. Kidney will read her collection of poems as a part of the Second Sunday Poetry series on Sept. 9 at The Depot.
reader. Many people don’t read their poetry well, but she does,” McClellan said. “She has a lot of humor in her poetry. It’s very listenable and very readable.” Kidney has been nominated twice for Oklahoma poet laureate and has published poetry in numerous journals and magazines including “Sugar Mule,” “Crosstimbers,” “Picking Up
the Tempo” and “The Seattle Review.” The Second Sunday Poetry series is free and open to the public. Kidney’s reading will take place at 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at The Depot on 200 S. Jones Ave. More information is available on The Depot’s website. Devin Hiett
hiettdevin@gmail.com
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VOL.103, NO. 46
© 2018 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25¢
September 4-5, 2018 •
NEWS
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Anna Bauman, news managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily
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President James Gallogly addresses the Undergraduate Student Congress at its meeting Aug. 28. Gallogly needs to fill multiple administrative positions with searches in the coming months.
Searches begin for new roles Committees form to help fill OU executive positions DREW HUTCHINSON @drethegirl
As representative search committees form to fill multiple open OU administration positions, student leaders expect the process to move quickly despite the high volume of searches needed. Eleven executive positions must be filled after Gallogly’s restructuring initiative, in which six officials were terminated on Gallogly’s first official day in
office and other former executive positions were eradicated or condensed into one position. The search committees may feature OU administratiors, faculty, staff, students and “outside experts,” Interim Vice President for Hu m a n R e s u rc e s Ma r y Fleming said in a statement through OU Public Affairs. Each committee will recommend applicants to Gallogly, and the top candidate for each position will be presented to the Board of Regents for approval, Fleming said. St u d e n t G ov e r n m e n t Association President Yaseen Shurbaji said these committees have yet to be
formed. He also said student input will be paramount in the process, but the specifics of accomplishing this have not been worked out yet. “We’re not exactly sure how we’re going to facilitate this student input or who is going to sit on the committee,” Shurbaji said. “So now it’s SGA’s job ... to try to figure out how to best do that, so we’re working with the advisers to have a productive conversation and come up with things that are going to be useful for that search committee.” Gallogly will speak at an SGA-sponsored town hall assembly at 3:30 p.m. on S ept. 4 in Meacham Auditorium. Shurbaji said
SGA and Gallogly may use the opportunity to gather student opinions on the search process and the job descriptions of the positions themselves — though he said nothing is solidified yet. Shurbaji said he does not believe the search process will be yearlong. Though the timetables are still unclear, Shurbaji said he believes Gallogly works quickly and will move the searches along in such a way. Executive positions advertised on the OU human resources website include chief financial officer and senior vice president (formerly Chris Kuwitsky); chief audit executive (formerly
Clive Manders); chief information officer and senior associate vice president (interim Eddie Huebsch); Vice President for marketing and communication (a new position under Gallogly) and executive director for government affairs (formerly Jonathan Nichols). Positions not advertised on the website but still warranting a national search, according to a July press release, include vice president for human resources (a new position under Gallogly); vice president for student affairs (formerly Clarke Stroud); vice president for university development (formerly Tripp Hall) and vice president for university
community (formerly Jabar Shumate). Interims in these positions are Erin Yarbrough, interim vice president for public affairs; Kristin Partridge, i n t e r i m v i c e p re s i d e n t for student affairs; Marcy Fleming, interim vice president for human resources; Jane Irungu, interim vice president for university community; and Jill Hughes, vice president for university development. Drew Hutchinson
drew.hutchinson@ou.edu
OU Bookstore set to relocate off campus Store to move farther from dorms; reason still unclear HUNTER ROBERTSON @Hunter__retnuH
OU’s bookstore is turning a page with a move out of its current location in the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to Campus Corner. The bookstore will fill the space vacated by CVS at 745 Asp Ave. when it closed in March 2017. It is scheduled to open in late fall, according to the flyers posted at the bookstore’s future
location. Te xtb o o k s a n d c l a s sroom supplies will now be farther from students living on campus. From Walker Tower, residents have a four-minute walk to the current bookstore, while the walk to Campus Corner would be about 17 minutes. After learning of the changes beibg made, business managment freshman Huntr Stinson said he was previously unaware of the changes and thinks it’s inconvenient to have to go to Campus Corner for class supplies. R a t c l i f f e’s Te x t b o o k s is located directly behind Adams Tower and offers supplies similar
College of Business ranks first in Big 12 OU sees high pass rates for first-time Uniform CPA exam ABIGAIL DENNIS @Abigail15090454
T h e Mi c ha e l F. P r i c e College of Business at the University of Oklahoma ranked first in the Big 12 for the highest percentage of first-time Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination pass rates, according to an OU press
to its competitor, the OU bookstore. Randy Ratcliffe, son of founder Lee Ratcliffe, said he is a little surprised by the off-campus move. “I suppose having (the OU Bookstore) and (Ratcliffe’s) off campus will be different,” Ratcliffe said. “But the Campus Corner location is a good spot, too.” The Daily attempted to reach the OU bookstore by phone multiple times and received no response. The reason for the location change is unclear. Hunter Robertson
hunter.robertson@ou.edu
for passing CPA exam rates. The Price College’s Steed School of Accounting “continues its climb among the nation’s great programs in terms of research, teaching and student readiness for the professional workrelease. With a pass rate of 82 per- force,” said Price College cent, OU surpassed Baylor of Business Dean Daniel University, Texas Christian Pullin. University and the University Abigail Dennis of Texas. The national average abigailden25@ou.edu passing rate for the CPA exam is 55 percent. Price College’s Steed School of Accounting scored 7 percent higher than On Twitter? Baylor University, which placed second with a pass Stay connected. rate of 75 percent. @OUDaily OU’s College of Business @OUDailyArts was named after Michael F. Price in 1997, according to the @OUDailySports school’s website. Since then, it has climbed into first place
JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
The OU Bookstore on Aug. 30. The bookstore will move to Campus Corner to replace a vancancy left by CVS.
OU Parking Services frees up more spots Problems during first week incite spot changes JORDAN MILLER @jordanrmillerr
OU Parking and Transportation Services has made changes to one campus garage in response to major parking issues during the first week of classes. According to Director of
Parking and Transportation Kris Glenn, the change includes opening level three in the Jenkins parking garage to commuters. This floor was previously only available to students with a housing parking pass. Glenn said that the change in designation of the Jenkins floor was balanced by the new Timberdell garage, where levels three through five are designated for housing. The change, which is
permanent, occurred due to parking being a “major challenge the first week of classes,” according to Glenn. Glenn also said there are no definitive plans for any new parking options at this time. Jordan Miller
Jordan.R.Miller-1@ou.edu
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• September 4-5, 2018
SPORTS RILEY: Continued from page 1
in his players is reflecting on all three sides of the ball. His offense that was supposed to drop off after losing the Heisman Trophy-winner put up 63 points and 650 total yards. His special teams that features Shane Beamer, one of his first hires, scored a touchdown on a blocked punt for the first time in 12 years, and his defense featured young leaders, like Radley-Hiles and Broiles, shutting down an offense that ranked in the top 10 last year. “I’m very excited with the way we played, but we’ve got to take it with a grain of salt,� Riley said. “We’ll be defined by how we continue to improve and how much we can respond to good and bad things that happen to us.� Last season, Baker Mayfield was the unquestioned leader of the team.
George Stoia, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/sports • Twitter: @OUDailySports
He put Oklahoma on his shoulders and seemingly said, “I’m taking us as far as I can go.� Mayfield’s leadership was admirable, taking the Sooners all the way to the College Football Playoff where he and his team came up short in an overtime thriller in the Rose Bowl against Georgia. But that was last year. This season, from the small glimpses shown Saturday, will be much different. Redshirt junior quarterback and future MLB player Kyler Murray isn’t going to be Mayfield. Internally, he’s similar to Mayfield, possessing the same drive and confidence in his abilities. Externally, he’s polar opposite to Mayfield, going about his business in a quiet, subtle way. “I’m not too worried about coming out here trying to fill the whole Baker deal,� said Murray, who decided to play football this season despite signing a contract with a $4.6 million bonus to play for the Oakland A’s whenever he’s
JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
Head coach Lincoln Riley talks to a reporter after the game against FAU Sept. 1. Riley commended the Sooners after their performance against FAU.
done at OU. “For me, I’m just trying to come out and execute and lead the guys.� In his postgame interview on FOX, Murray made it clear why he came back. “ We hav e u n f i n i s h e d business,� Murray told the
reporter. “We want to win a national championship.� Murray won’t be the only leader for the Sooners in 2018. This is more evident than ever on the defense. O k l a h o m a’s d e f e n s e saw four true freshmen
earn valuable playing time Saturday — defensive back Brendan Radley-Hiles, defensive lineman Ronnie Perkins, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto and middle linebacker DaShaun White. Recruiting matters, and that was clear Saturday. “What does it take to bring elite recruits to Oklahoma? It takes everybody,� said Riley, who landed the No. 8 recruiting class in 2018 and is on pace to land a top-five class in 2019, according to Rivals. “To see the hard work of so many people start to show up, and to see young guys play well, the depth start to build ... It gets you excited, and it shows you how important that is.� Oklahoma’s talent across the board is at an elite level. Freshmen were all over the field Saturday, giving a small glimpse into what the future could be. “It was fun to see those guys. Creed (Humphrey) came in and played well — we had several. There were a lot. Kennedy Brooks had
a big run, TJ Pledger ran hard, Drake (Stoops) did a nice job. Obviously, Bookie (Radley-Hiles) — there were a lot, and it was fun to see them. We’re going to need them. We’re young, but we are talented, and it was good for them to get this first one under their belts, and we’ve got to continue to grow.� Oklahoma had five captains Saturday — redshirt junior running back Rodney Anderson, redshirt junior defensive lineman Kenneth Mann, sophomore linebacker Kenneth Murray, senior offensive lineman Ben Powers and senior kicker Austin Seibert. It’s an interesting group, but it’s Riley’s group. “I believe in this team,� Riley said. “I believe in the guys we have.� George Stoia
georgestoia@ou.edu
Football report card: Murray, O-line top list Offense dominates; defense, special teams rank high PARKER PRIMROSE @parker_primrose
The Sooners started off their season with a bang, dominating FAU to the tune of 63-14. Here’s how the Sooners stack up in week one: OFFENSE: A+ The offense was firing on all cylinders right out of the gate, scoring touchdowns on its first five drives while also putting up over 200 total yards in the first quarter alone. First year starting quarterback Kyler Murray wasted no time introducing himself as the new face of Oklahoma football, showing off his mobility both in and out of the pocket while also displaying an adept ability to deliver passes all over the field with both touch and accurac y. By the time Murray exited the game late in the second quarter, he had compiled 232 total yards and two touchdowns. Complementing Murray’s flashy performance was a strong rushing attack, with the offensive line dominating the line of scrimmage and clearing the way for 316 yards
on the ground. Three different Sooners rushed for over 50 yards and four different Sooners rushed for a touchdown, representative of the plethora of talent that resides in the backfield and the multitude of ways Oklahoma was able to attack the Owls. The involvement of a variety of players and the diverse play-calling kept FAU’s defense on their toes throughout the game and was a positive sign at this season’s onset. The entrance of the second and third string later in the game did little to disrupt the scoring frenzy, as the backups were able to put up three touchdowns in the second half. DEFENSE: AO k l a h o m a’s d e f e n s e made a strong statement in its opening performance, holding last year’s ninth ranked offense to just 14 points, with none of those scores coming against the Sooners’ starters. It wasn’t a flashy performance, with just two sacks and one interception late in the game, but the unit did a solid job in critical situations. The Owls converted just four of 15 third down attempts and one of three fourth down attempts, illustrating a bend-but-don’t-break mentality that gave up 324 yards but only two scores.
The Sooners’ much-maligned run defense showed flashes of improvement, with the interior of the defensive line absolutely dominating the Owl front and preventing any sort of gain up the middle. However, the Sooners
HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last
Copyright 2015, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Bring about change. Don’t let someone else take control if you want things done your way. Take the initiative and make choices that will benefit you instead of appeasing someone else. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Take better care of yourself emotionally and physically. Steer clear of anyone putting too much pressure on you. Look inward and focus on spiritual growth, educational pursuits and personal gains.
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Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard
Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.
however, as several FAU receivers were open downfield throughout the game. These mistakes didn’t end up hurting the Sooners, as FAU was unable to capitalize, but could prove fatal against stronger opponents. SPECIAL TEAMS: B+ The Sooner special teams made an impact early, with redshirt junior Lee Morris blocking a punt in the first quarter that redshirt senior Curtis Bolton was able to scoop up in the end zone for a touchdown. Senior kicker Austin Seibert made all eight of his extra point attempts, but he did miss a 53-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter. On punt returns, Morris and sophomore CeeDee Lamb cleanly fielded the ball and provided decent return yardage. Sophomore Tre Brown fielded the only catchable kickoff on the day and returned it for a moderate gain. Parker Primrose
parker.m.primrose-1@ ou.edu
OU coach Lincoln Riley celebrates with his players during the game against FAU Sept. 1. The Sooners beat the Owls 63-14.
Now is the time to explore new avenues, to broaden your outlook, skills and knowledge and to set high standards. Make it your mission to find the most efficient way to excel and achieve peace, happiness and the success you desire.
To a friend with mental illness, your caring and understanding greatly increases their chance of recovery. Visit whatadifference.samhsa.gov for more information. Mental Illness – What a difference a friend makes.
being any worse, but there’s room for improvement for the edge of the Oklahoma front seven. Th e s e c o n d a r y ha d a solid day, giving up just 192 passing yards at six yards per attempt. Deep coverage was a bit of a struggle,
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2018 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last
my friend’s got mental illness
struggled to contain the edge, with several runs breaking free for solid yardage outside the hash marks. Sound pursuit from defensive backs such as freshman Bookie Radley-Hiles and junior Parnell Motley prevented these runs from
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Keep things moving forward. Take one step at a time and be innovative when dealing with situations that require special attention. Let others pay for their own mistakes. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Don’t give in to emotional blackmail. If someone wants something from you, consider whether it’s worth your while before you oblige. Strive for equality in partnerships. Romance is highlighted.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Socialize and discuss your intentions. Personal or physical changes will make you feel good about your life, appearance and the endeavors you are about to embark on. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Emotional deception will interfere with an important relationship. Stick to the truth and bring about positive change that will enrich your life. A partnership will end up being quite prosperous. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Talk about your feelings and what you want to see happen. Working alongside a loved one will enhance your life and encourage you to try harder to make things better. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You can settle any unfinished business and put your plans into motion. Set goals and make the changes necessary to clear the way for what you want to see happen. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Put your heart and soul into personal improvements. Take better care of your physical needs and use your intelligence when dealing with matters that could affect your home environment.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Look for an opportunity to get ahead by using the skills and knowledge you enjoy using most. If you flaunt your attributes, someone will notice CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Go and offer help. over personal papers, investments LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Take the and contracts. Refuse to let a initiative and bring about physical change made by someone else changes that will make you happy. lead to an argument or disrupt your plans. A steadfast approach to It’s up to you to let others know finishing what you start should be your wants and expectations. maintained.
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy Parker September 3, 2018
ACROSS 1 Tropical fruit 5 24-___ gold 10 Battled in competition 14 “Exit to ___� (Aykroyd film) 15 Drab color 16 Pennsylvania port 17 Bills in flight 18 Governs 19 Separated, as paper 20 Named earlier, in contracts 23 With fat removed 24 Concert take 25 Coming behind 28 Electrify 30 Cover, as a sofa 34 Earthy shade 36 “48 ___� (film) 38 Fleur-de-___ 39 They’re for the tallest of five 43 Meal crumb 44 Be inaccurate 45 Time for a commercial? 46 Boxer Mike 49 Long, white linen robe 51 Attach at the end 9/3
52 Castle’s circler 54 Maneuverable on water 56 Able to be got? 62 Work away 63 Old war story 64 Get exhausted 66 British royal 67 Beef casing 68 Send off 69 Throng 70 English county 71 Mrs. in Avila DOWN 1 He’s doll-faced 2 Concept 3 Jack the TV cop 4 Rude plus 5 North or South land 6 Wellesley grad, e.g. 7 Stir up, no spoon 8 Steed and Peel 9 Seed coat 10 Bill turnerdowner 11 Like Gehrig’s horse? 12 Ireland’s nickname 13 Scouting task? 21 Fogg’s creator
22 “___ be nice if ...� 25 Way-fancy tie 26 Like a burning temper? 27 Campsite structures 29 Tiny ring on a finger? 31 Good way to talk 32 Bean or old car 33 City near Dusseldorf 35 “When ___ you coming?� 37 Computer game “___City� 40 Yaps foolishly 41 Coronet for a princess 42 Obliged
47 Egg dish 48 “... ___ gloom of night ...� 50 Way to identify someone 53 Actor’s whispered comment 55 Spiralhorned deer 56 Where Jazz players play? 57 Taboo 58 Thunderous noises 59 Puts on a webcast 60 Long car, for short 61 Start of a 12-Down saying 65 When your ride is due
PREVIOUSPUZZLE PUZZLEANSWER ANSWER PREVIOUS
9/2 8/30
Š 2018 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com Š 2018 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com
WHERE ABOUTS By Timothy E. Parker
SPORTS
September 4-5, 2018 •
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SOONERS START STRONG
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CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
The Sooners run onto the field before the game against FAU Sept. 1. CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Freshman defensive back Bookie Radley-Hiles pumps up the crowd before the game. CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Sophomore running back Trey Sermon runs with the ball in the game. JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
Redshirt junior running back Rodney Anderson scores a touchdown during the first half of the game.
‘Probably the biggest impact on the game’ Lincoln Riley lauds Lee Morris’ grind in OU’s first game ABBY BITTERMAN @Abby_Bitterman
Lee Morris is perfect. The redshirt junior wide receiver has three career receptions as a Sooner, and they’ve all been for touchdowns. Last season, Morris caught one pass each in O k l a h o m a’s w i n s o v e r UTEP and Ohio State, scoring on both. He continued that trend Saturday in the Sooners’ 63-14 win over Florida Atlantic. Late in the first quarter against Florida Atlantic (01), redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray threw a pass over the middle to Morris, which he caught while almost in the arms of an Owls defender. He slipped out of the grasp of the FAU player and took off down the field, picking up a few blocks before falling into the end zone to put Oklahoma (1-0) up 21-0. “ H e w a s p r o b a b l y ,” Oklahoma coach Lincoln
Riley said, “individually, probably the biggest impact on the game of anybody.” Morris’ touchdown catch came minutes after he was part of another big play. After the Sooners scored on their opening drive, the defense stopped Florida Atlantic and forced it to punt. Morris ran in and blocked the kick after it had barely come off the punter’s shoe. The ball rolled toward the Oklahoma end zone and redshirt senior Curtis Bolton fell on it for a touchdown. “Fun. Tiring,” Morris said of the few minutes of excitement between when he blocked the punt and when he made the touchdown catch. “It just felt great to be back out there. It’s been a while.” A blocked punt for a touchdown — it’s something the Sooners haven’t done since 2002. “Fun to see it happen, fun to see it work,” Riley said. “Coach (Shane) Beamer has done a great job with this group, and Lee Morris made a great individual play.” Riley nodded toward the impact Shane Beamer, hired
in January as the assistant head coach for offense, has already had on Oklahoma’s special teams. “I think it sets the tone,” Bolton said of the special teams touchdown. “A blocked punt — it’s hard to come back from that. I mean you see the statistics, usually if you block a punt it’s hard for you to lose.” Bolton, whose touchdown wouldn’t have been possible without Morris, had a lot to say about how hardworking his teammate has been. “He’s always out here busting his ass in practice,” Bolton said. “He’s balls to the wall.” Morris came to Oklahoma in 2015 as a walk-on and still isn’t on scholarship. That’s likely to change soon, though. “I’m going to have to,” Riley said of the possibility of giving Morris a scholarship. “Not have to, I’m going to get it to him at some point.” Abby Bitterman abbybitt@ou.edu
JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
Redshirt junior wide receiver Lee Morris runs into the end zone during the first half of the game against FAU Sept. 1.
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SPORTS
• September 4-5, 2018
Freshman defensive back Bookie Radley-Hiles celebrates during the game against FAU Sept. 1. Radley-Hiles accounted for five of the 11 tackles made.
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Defense shows huge changes Young players step up in tackles, hold Owls to 14 points KEGAN RENEAU @keganreneau
The improvement was obvious. Players were flying to the ball. They talked the talk but also walked the walk. On Sept. 1 the innovative offensive mind Lane Kiffin strolled into town, it was expected for the Oklahoma defense to potentially show baby steps – but a complete and utter change? No. The Sooners can thank their young guns for being
a key part in holding Florida Atlantic to two touchdowns in their 63-14 blowout win. “Obviously Bookie and Ronnie Perkins, there was a lot, and it was fun to see ‘em, and we’re going to need them,” said coach Lincoln Riley. “We’re young, like we said, but we are talented, and it was good for them to get this first one under their belt, and we got to continue to grow.” Oklahoma’s momentum on the recruiting trail seems like it may never end. The OU staff has landed top recruits on the offensive side of the ball since Riley got to Norman in 2015, but that is beginning to translate
to the other side. On the first defensive series in saturday’s game, freshman defensive lineman Ronnie Perkins (former fourstar) and freshmen defensive back Brendan “Bookie” Radley-Hiles (former fivestar) accounted for five of the 11 tackles made. The young talent is already making an impact — 35 of the 74 tackles were made by freshman or sophomores from the last two recruiting classes (top-10 classes) — but many are still left in the stable, ready to go if their time comes. “You’ll see that as we go through,” said defensive coordinator Mike Stoops. “This
class was probably one of our strongest defensive classes. I don’t think you’ve seen what DaShaun White can do yet. Ron Tatum, Nik Bonitto — I mean that whole crew is in our plan now, but they are going to continue to get better. “Our young players have developed. Coach Bennie Wylie has done a good job getting those guys in position to help us, so again, I think a lot of them have bright futures if they stay the course.” The Sooners’ defense held an offense that scored 40.6 points per game last season to 14 points. It held a 1,900-yard-plus rusher in
Devin Singletary to 69 yards and one touchdown, and a team that rushed for 285.3 yards per game a year ago to 132 yards. OU’s defense allowed 27.1 points a game in 2017. It was not in the top 50 of total defense, rushing defense or passing defense. It was only one game, but the Sooners’ improvement was as clear as the sky they played under, and one can directly relate that to the caliber of players they are bringing in. “It’s exciting, it really is,” Riley said. “It’s all the hard work of so many people. We talked about it the other day: ‘What does it
take to bring elite recruits here in Oklahoma?’ It takes everybody. “Takes the fans, takes the administrators, takes the coaches, takes the players, takes the recruiting staff, takes the university staff, it takes the city of Norman, the state of Oklahoma — it takes everybody to do it. And to see the hard work of so many people start to show up, and to see young guys play well, the depth start to build ... It gets you excited and it shows you how important that is.” Kegan Reneau
keganreneau@ou.edu
Murray lives up to hype in Sooners’ debut New starting quarterback shows promise for OU GEORGE STOIA @GeorgeStoia
It took Kyler Murray 17 seconds. Seventeen seconds for the future MLB player to grab the college football world by the neck to say, “I’m here, and I will make the most out of what will probably be my final season of playing football.” This was evident on just his sixth play from scrimmage in the Sooners’ 63-14 win over Florida Atlantic. Those 17 seconds came at the 8:30 mark in the first quarter. He rolled left with immediate pressure from FAU’s Kris Harris. He then circled back right, made a cutback left, ran in a circle to the left hash, had a jump-cut back right, cut it outside and finally skipped out of bounds for a 15-yard gain. “I was just trying to make a play,” said Murray, who is succeeding Heisman Trophy-winner Baker Mayfield. “That’s what I’m supposed to do.” “I have seen that many times — many, many times before,” said redshirt junior wide receiver Lee Morris, w h o wa s a l s o Mu r ray ’s teammate at Allen High School. “He’s just doing his thing like he usually does.” Murray’s magic struck again in the second quarter. He faked the handoff to Rodney Anderson, rolled left toward the hash, cocked the ball back and let it fly 50 yards in the air, hitting Marquise Brown in stride at the 14-yard line for a 65yard touchdown. “ We e x e c u t e d a p l a y Coach Lincoln Riley called,” Murray said. “It’s as simple
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray prepares to throw during the game against FAU Sept. 1. Murray went 9-of-11 for 202 yards and two touchdowns against the Owls.
as that. He was open. It’s my job to put the ball in his hands.” The Texas A&M transfer lived up to the hype Saturday morning and afternoon, going 9-of-11 for 202 yards and two touchdowns. After being drafted No. 9 overall by the Oakland Athletics in June and signing a contract with a $4.6 million bonus, he did exactly what everyone thought he would do and then some. “He handled it well,” Riley said. “He played very much within himself. (He) threw the ball well … He commanded our group and did a nice job.” He dazzled with his feet, showcasing his mobility. He wowed with his arm, proving he’s got a cannon. And
he led with his demeanor, displaying a new type of leadership Sooner Nation hasn’t seen in the last three years. “Thank God they took h i m o u t ,” s a i d F l o r i d a Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin, “or he could’ve broke every school record there is.” “He’s always, I’ve felt, had a pretty good sense of ‘I know I’m athletic and can run, but I know I have to be able to throw the ball, too,’” Riley said. “He’s just got a good overall demeanor about it.” Murray doesn’t get nervous — at least according to Morris. He’s poised, presenting a calmness in everything he does. It’s easy to see in his answers he expects to make big plays
— he expects to be great. “My first spring here, when I early enrolled, I chas e d him around for probably 100 yards,” sophomore linebacker Kenneth Murray said. “(He’s) definitely a special player, glad to have him as our quarterback. Him ballin’ and doing that is what he does on the daily.” “His poise, that’s who Kyler is,” added Morris, who’s played with Murray for seven years. “He’s been that way since I’ve known him. He doesn’t fall under the pressure. He embraces the pressure. He’s willing to do what he has to and exceed expectations.” His postgame outfit said it all. Dressed in silver shoes, black pants and a
button-up shirt with about “It’s hot outside,” Murray 50 different pictures of peo- said with a smile. “Thought ple wearing sunglasses on I’d go with something a little it, Murray stood before the loose.” media relaxed. Being the starting quarterback at the University of Oklahoma is George Stoia nothing he can’t handle. georgestoia@ou.edu
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray practices before the game against FAU Sept. 1.