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FORGOT ABOUT DRE: STEVENSON RETURNS WITH 3 TOUCHDOWNS
Running back makes emphatic comeback from suspension CALEB MCCOURRY @CalebMac21
Ben Arave, a long-time mentor of Rhamondre Stevenson, wanted the senior running back to know his time for a comeback was close. On the Friday night before No. 24 Oklahoma’s 62-28 rout of Texas Tech, Arave, who was a part of Stevenson’s formative high school and JUCO years, sent him a text letting him know that Saturday night was going to be a big night for him. “Hey, just play within yourself,” Arave said. “Just let the game come to you. You don’t need to go out and force anything. “You just need to go out and do you.” With his first touch of the ball in the first quarter, Stevenson ran 6 yards for a touchdown. It was his second touchdown in as many carries, counting his score in the 2019 Big 12 Championship. In the 10 months between that game and Saturday night, Stevenson waited patiently while sitting out due to an NCAA suspension handed out before the 2019 Peach Bowl. Stevenson is back. If his three firsthalf touchdowns didn’t make that clear to the world, his T-shirt under his jersey that read “I’m back” certainly did. To OU, who started off the season with less success at running the ball than it’s used to, it’s a breath of fresh air. Head coach Lincoln Riley announced to the team Friday night during a meeting that Stevenson and defensive end Ronnie Perkins (who was also sitting out due to a suspension) were going to play, and it meant a lot. “We were extremely excited,” redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler said. “When Coach Riley said that, we all got chills.” The return of Stevenson brings a big boost to OU’s run game. Before
TEXAS TECH ATHLETICS/POOL PHOTO
Senior running back Rhamondre Stevenson celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game against Texas Tech on Oct. 31.
sitting out the rest of the game after the 10-minute mark of the third quarter, Stevenson averaged 6.7 yards-per-carry (the highest since Seth McGowan’s 5.8 against Missouri State) on 13 attempts, and finished with 87 rushing yards plus 13 receiving yards. The Sooners finished with 213 rushing yards, the most of the season. His running abilities looked effortless against Texas Tech’s defensive line. All three of his touchdowns came from the red-zone, with his last two showcasing his strength in barreling his body past the goal line. With his third score, Stevenson is the first Sooner to run for three touchdowns in a game since Jalen Hurts in
2019, and the first running back to do so since Kennedy Brooks in 2018. But before Stevenson’s big game came the waiting, a task Arave said was frustrating for his former pupil. Through the months of the COVID19 pandemic, the uncertainty of there even being a season and Stevenson even having to quarantine during the first week of the season, his status of being able to play has been week-to-week. Through it all, Stevenson has been focused. He trained all through the time of the team being away from campus from March to June, and he helped out the Sooners as a scout-team member — a humbling position for a running back
who ran for 515 yards and six touchdowns through six games in 2019. Stevenson has also been diligent in school as well. In the spring semester, Stevenson made OU’s Dean’s List. “It’s just stepping stones, and it’s all part of the learning process in life and in football and everything else,” said Arave, who was watching Saturday’s game from his home in Las Vegas. “I do think that he’s maturing. He understands what’s ahead of him, and that vision’s becoming clearer. And so he’s more focused on the things that matter now.” Now that he’s back, Stevenson can help an OU team that Riley has said is still finding its way to being more complete. After facing two early-season
setbacks in back-to-back losses to Kansas State and Iowa State, bringing back two key pieces in Stevenson and Perkins on both sides of the ball is a critical jump in OU’s quest for a sixth-consecutive Big 12 title. “It was certainly great to have them back,” Riley said Saturday night. “Two quality players, but then just the emotional lift. “The key for us is we have to have the same hunger and fight we did after a couple of those early setbacks, that got us playing the way we are as of late. We have to keep that and just stay on our climb.” Caleb McCourry
caleb.a.mccourry-1@ou.edu
Pandemic stalls class of 2020 job searches Recent graduates adapt to changing workplace, rethink career plans JONATHAN KYNCL @jdkyn
OU’s Class of 2020 graduates face the stark reality of entering the workforce during an unforeseen crisis that has spiked unemployment rates. The COVID-19 pandemic raised the unemployment rate for recent college graduates from 3.9 percent to 13.2 percent, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This has made the first post-graduate hurdle for many OU alumni — finding a job — seemingly impossible. “I think this year in general is just vastly different from other years in terms of the job market, and that there weren’t many jobs available,” Sam Brown, an OU 2020 graduate with a degree in broadcast journalism, said. “I always joke that (class of 2020) students chose the worst time to graduate from college, just because there’s so few jobs out there and so many people looking for one.” Brown said many in his class didn’t know the extent of the changes that the pandemic would force. “I think a lot of us didn’t know how much our lives were going to change whenever this pandemic really first started,” Brown said. “It was a little worrying at times. I just kind of tried keeping my head up because I can only control what I can control.” Even with the job market becoming more competitive, the number of OU students receiving a job hasn’t seen much change in currently
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MEGAN FOISY/THE DAILY
available data, according to Director of Career Services Robin Huston. “We have not completed gathering all of our data from last year, but right now 2019-20 data is close to what we saw in 2018-19,” Huston said. “A large number of students had secured post-graduation employment before the pandemic began, and we have seen that the majority of those offers were honored. Some had delayed start dates, but we didn’t hear of many rescinded job offers.” Huston said many students will need to settle for jobs that might not be what they had hoped or dreamed for. “It’s important to keep an open mind about the type of job they are looking for. Now might not be the best time to find that ‘dream job’ that
they had hoped to secure,” Huston said. “In the meantime, any position that they can find that will give them valuable experience, will be great for their resume and will stand out to employers in the future when that dream job does become available.” Huston also said Career Services is trying to help students navigate through the online application process. “The beauty of what we do is that all of it can be done virtually when necessary,” Huston said. “That means that students can still take advantage of all of our services, i.e. appointments, walk-ins, mock interviews and presentations/events. We have added some resources on our website such as phone/virtual interview tips.” Another class of 2020 graduate
with a history degree, Lauren Rudd, was hired for her job in April but said the online application and interview process was one of the toughest parts of the job hunt. “I applied to a million things through Indeed, LinkedIn, and all that stuff, and I really didn’t get a lot of responses,” Rudd said. “Everyone in my cohort got hired through a Skype interview, even though they usually do them in person, and right now we’re all working from home through March 2021, at least is what they’ve told us. So that kind of sucks, too.” Rudd also said marketing yourself in an online interview can be easier now that every student in their class graduated into a pandemic. “Marketing yourself that you went through class and you were
adaptable during this pandemic, like that was one thing I talked about in my interview,” Rudd said. ”I’ve really had to learn to be flexible with handling a workload or just stuff like that, so just twist how you show your circumstances.” Zack Frye, a psychology major who expected to graduate with the class of 2020, decided to take a gapyear due to COVID-19. “School was kind of draining for me a little bit there and then like the pandemic started to put it over the top,” Frye said. “Unemployment skyrocketed, so it’s just weird to look at that right now. It’s definitely been a struggle but this gap year helped me find the things I really want to do.” Frye said the pandemic has acted like a full restart on his job hunt. “I want to still do stuff I’m passionate about, using the degree of psychology and stuff to really apply that to my own career,” Frye said. “But when I finally do it, it just all depends. How the world’s working right now has to be such a big restart because so many things have changed.” Both Rudd and Brown agreed that going through this experience has given them a new perspective and reinforced their resilience. “I learned a lot about myself, I learned that I’m going to have to work and fight to get what I want in this industry,” Brown said. “The whole period of unemployment really made me tougher, in a sense, just because I got used to it and so just having the same mentality and not giving up is something that really, really helps me out during this time, and I think will serve everyone well.” Jonathan Kyncl jkyncl@ou.edu
2
NEWS
• Nov. 3-9, 2020
City surpasses 4,500 total cases NEW OU, NORMAN AND COUNTY CASES
Source: OU Data: OU Dashboard, Housing, Athletics and press releases. NORMAN AND COUNTY DATA: Oklahoma State Department of Health.
TOTAL CASES/POSITIVES IN OU, NORMAN AND CLEVELAND COUNTY Numbers are grand totals since OSDH and OU started reporting. Updated 11/02. AREA
Source: OU Data: OU Dashboard, Housing, Athletics and press releases. NORMAN AND COUNTY DATA: Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Educators’ demands for town hall unanswered
OU Sophomore Victor Zamudio-Nunez from Boise City, OK TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY
Norman High School on Nov. 1.
Superintendent ignores multiple meeting requests MARIEN LOPEZMEDINA @Ailime_Neiram
Norman Public Schools has not yet responded to Professional Educators of Norman’s request to host a town hall meeting for all staff members. According to a press release, The Professional Educators of Norman reached out to the leadership of Norman Public Schools periodically from Sept. 9 to Oct. 26. “For weeks, PEN has asked for clarity, transparency and direct communication in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the release read. “PEN leadership announced the results of a vote of no confidence Oct. 19, and district leaders have yet
to respond to the simple request for a town hall meeting.” PEN president Cari Elledge requested an appointment with NPS Superintendent Nick Migliorino and NPS Associate Superintendent Holly Nevels on Sept. 9 — and again the next day — to talk about “issues” they were “hearing across the district and potentially assistance PEN can provide to the district in these matters,” according to the release. However, Migliorino and Nevels declined the town hall meeting request. After the PEN representative assembly organized the vote of no confidence in Migliorino on Sept. 27, they collected the concerns of every member at NPS. According to the release, some of the issues rely on “district leadership, integrity, teacher inclusion, consistency and transparency, sanitation
safety and PPE and use of questionable data sources.” From Oct. 16–19, PEN members voted “through a secure online process after s cho ol on Fr iday through 7 a.m. Monday,” the release said. The results were presented by Elledge to the Norman Board of Education, and he made another request for a town hall meeting, which has not been responded to by Oct. 26. Elledge said in the release Norman teachers want to hear from NPS leaders to secure direct and clear communication. “While we appreciate the efforts that have been made to get a representative voice of our educators through current modes, our largest concern to ensure all voices are heard cannot continue to go unrealized,” Elledge said. Marien Lopez-Medina AilimeLMarien@ou.edu
“We at TFCU are so proud to award Victor this $3,000 scholarship,” said Nancy Ward, TFCU VP/Marketing Director. Victor is a full-time student putting himself through college and serving in the Army National Guard. He also joined the Multicultural Community Council at OU to help with service projects in the community.
we get it. TinkerFCU.org TM
NEWS
Nov. 3-9, 2020 •
3
When COVID lives next door
Students upset over OU’s lack of communication TAYLOR JONES @wrongtailor
At the start of the fall semester, OU’s Chief COVID Officer and administrators from different campus departments made the decision to use apartments at Traditions Square to isolate campus residents who tested positive for, or were exposed to, COVID-19. Although Traditions provided a quick and effective place to move those who tested positive and potential contacts, the full-time residents of the apartments said they have several issues with using the complexes for isolation and OU’s decision to place COVID-19 patients in student housing in general. According to an email from OU Director of Media Re lat i o n s Ke s ha Ke i t h, “Traditions Square provided the best option for isolation housing since it has individual units to properly separate isolated populations from other on-campus residents.” Keith wrote once the university was notified of a positive case, housing residents received a call to help them start the process of moving into isolation housing. “Ideally, if a student is moving into self-isolation on campus, the goal is to get them into their isolation location within two hours of notification,” Keith said. In an Aug. 27 email, Keith said if the students do not have personal transportation, the university provides it. Traditions residents expressed concerns over the university’s decision to create a quarantine location for sick housing residents so near other students. “(The university) doesn’t seem to really care about the virus,” said Kade Mendiola, a mechanical engineering senior living in Traditions West. “It feels like ... they (created a) quarantine section just to keep up with appearances.” An anonymous resident living in Traditions East said he felt OU was not being responsible by allowing students to return to campus at all for the fall semester. “(OU) made the decision to send tens of thousands of
OU Traditions Square West on Sept. 11. Traditions residents expressed concern for their quarantining neighbors.
18- to 22-year-olds to school,” the resident said. “I think (this) kind of points to OU trying to shift COVID-19 to a personal responsibility issue.” Keith said in the email the location of where COVID19 patients would stay was “named from the onset of use.” However, residents of Traditions said the university has not given them notice of when COVID-19 patients are assigned as their next-door neighbors. Audrey Williams, a professional writing sophomore and resident of Traditions East, said she wasn’t made aware beforehand when students who were quarantining due to COVID-19 moved in next to her apartment. “It didn’t really bother me,” Williams said. “But I can understand how they assumed people would freak out (if we were told).” Williams was not the only resident taken by surprise when students who contracted or were exposed to the virus began moving into Traditions. “I didn’t know that Traditions was supposed to be OU’s designated quarantine zone,” Mendiola said. “I actually had a maintenance
man come, he opened the door and said ‘Is this the quarantine room?’ And I’d asked him what he meant — I guess I would have liked a little bit of a heads up about that.” Brayden Barton, a meteorology sophomore and Traditions resident, said he was even unaware of where the quarantine patients were living. “I know most people in my building,” Barton said. “I’m assuming they wouldn’t put COVID patients in the same building with non-COVID patients, but I just don’t know.” Still, healthy residents of Traditions said they could easily practice social distancing from the quarantine patients. “It hasn’t really been too bad,” Williams said. “We don’t really see them at all … and I think we’re pretty safe.” Mendolia also said the social distancing at the apartment complex was acceptable. “We have been instructed to wear masks as soon as we leave the building.” Mendolia said. “Otherwise, I don’t get out nearly as much. I only have (one) class in person and don’t really have anywhere else to go, so it’s not a huge
issue.” According to Traditions residents, the decision to quarantine students in Traditions is overall not ideal for both h e a l t hy a n d u n h e a l t hy residents. “Housing delivers food there, and when the people are done they put the food bags outside,” the anonymous resident said in a direct message to The Daily over Twitter. “Animals tend to get into them, spreading around a bunch of gross COVIDinfected food waste, and housing hasn’t responded to my email about it.” Some residents said the trash left by quarantining students has caused a large bug problem on the first floors of Traditions. “I’ve heard they’ve had roaches and stuff like that,” Barton said. “I can understand the first floor having a lot of problems because (my roommates and I) have a lot of ants.” Williams said she feels somewhat guilty going about her day with unhealthy residents having to quarantine nearby. “(My roommates and I) just feel a little bad for them,” Williams said. “I mean, there
are sick people living next to us hearing us living our lives and I feel bad for them.” Williams said she found out her next-door neighbors and the apartment above were inhabited by quarantine patients. Mendolia also said all three of the other apartments on his floor, and the four units below his apartment, are quarantined. “I don’t particularly like being surrounded by the quarantined people,” Mendolia said. “Especially after reading about how they’ve been instructed to leave their apartments to go get food.” Mendolia also said he is not satisfied with the way COVID-19 is being handled on campus. “From the people in quarantine’s (perspective), it seems like (the university) doesn’t actually care about them,” Mendolia said. “And (those in quarantine) certainly don’t care about keeping anyone else around them from getting sick. … I mean, I already had a low perception of housing already. But I think that, (the way they’ve handled things), it’s careless.” Other Traditions residents said they appreciate OU’s efforts to separate those in
EDWARD REALI/THE DAILY
quarantine. “I think it’s good that the university is at least trying to provide some type of quarantine housing,” Williams said. “They seem to be doing a good job of protecting the people here.” According to Keith, Traditions Square will remain open as isolation housing over the winter break with the same process and movein procedures in place. OU Housing also reported on the OU COVID-19 dashboard how many COVID-19 cases have been found on and off campus. The anonymous resident said their biggest complaint with students being quarantined in their complex is not knowing who may have been exposed, leading to more uncertainty. “I feel OU has kind of put their student body in this state of suspense,” the anonymous resident said. “And we don’t know which people among us have COVID because they’re not releasing that information. (It’s) disappointing.” Jana Hayes contributed to this report. Taylor Jones
taylor.p.jones-1@ou.edu
Get to know your ballot’s local candidates General election ballot to include Oklahoma seats
career pushed her to enter politics. Sangirardi said her primary concerns aside from “making life easier for Oklahoma families” are improving Oklahoma’s foster care system and reducing Norman’s crime rates.
BLAKE DOUGLAS @Blake_Doug918
With the final day to vote in the 2020 general elections kicking off, The Daily compiled a short rundown of the races that may be on your ballot in Cleveland County.
OKLAHOMA SENATE DISTRICT 15
U.S. SENATOR One of the state’s two senate seats will be up for grabs on Nov. 3, as long-time Republican incumbent Jim Inhofe faces four challengers. Inhofe has held the seat since 1994, after David Boren resigned to become OU’s president. According to his campaign website, Inhofe is a prolife advocate, a proponent for constructing a southern border wall and an opponent of federal healthcare. Inhofe’s Democratic opponent, Abby Broyles, is expected to be the strongest competition. Broyles’ top campaign priorities include addressing the gender pay gap, decriminalizing marijuana, combating climate change and reforming Oklahoma’s criminal justice system, according to her campaign website. Also in the running are Independent candidates Joan Farr and April Nesbit, as well as Libertarian party candidate Robert Murphy.
A voting sign at University Lutheran Church on Aug. 28, 2018.
OKLAHOMA HOUSE DISTRICT 45 Two candidates remain in the race for HD 45 — incumbent Democrat Rep. Merleyn Bell and Republican challenger Phillip Hillian. According to her official state legislature biography, Bell’s primary concerns during her first term have been criminal justice reform and improving state infrastructure.
In an interview with The Daily, Bell also said she is passionate about improving voter access and veterans’ resources. Hillian is a retired U.S. army soldier and Gulf War veteran who said he also hopes to expand care for the nation’s veterans. In an interview with The Daily, Hillian said he was disappointed in the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and believes more education on why people are
JACKSON STEWART/THE DAILY
asked to wear masks would resources amid the COVIDincrease masking compliance. 19 pandemic. During his time in office, Rosecrants authored bills which would allow OKLAHOMA HOUSE schools to teach curriculum on DISTRICT 46 consent and healthy relationIncumbent Democrat Jacob ships as well as allow school Rosecrants and Republican buses to be advertised on with challenger Nancy Sangirardi content restrictions. The forare the final two candidates in mer public school teacher said his time in education inspired the HD 46 race. Rosecrants is a supporter him to enter politics. Sangirardi also told The of a statewide mask mandate and improved unemployment Daily her public education
Incumbent Republican Rob Standridge and Democratic challenger Alex Scott are the general election candidates for SD 15. Standridge is a traditional conservative and longterm pharmacist with “strong Christian values” according to his campaign website, and an advocate for limited government. In an interview with The Daily, Standridge said government mandates — like a masking mandate — often “backfire more than they don’t.” Standridge said he remains a strong supporter of law enforcement officers. Scott said her highest priorities are environmental protection, reforming Oklahoma’s tax laws and improving healthcare access statewide. In an interview with The Daily, Scott said Oklahoma should lean into renewable energy and transition away from its economic reliance on oil and natural gas. She also said she would strive to increase taxes on the state’s wealthiest citizens. Blake Douglas bdoug99@ou.edu
4
CULTURE
• Nov. 3-9, 2020
Locals showcase Native talent Native American women drop beats, normalize diversity JACINDA HEMEON @jacindarae4
When Tracey Mikkanen — a Kiowa and Caddo woman — first stepped onto the Oklahoma punk scene, she was infatuated with the art and musical expression. After watching other DJs perform, Mikkanen decided to take a shot at spinning turntables. When a club owner asked her name, she blurted out “DJ Sapphire� — the rest is history. The DJ industry is dominated by men — as of 2017, only 17.7% of electronic dance music festival headliners identified as women, according to Vice. But, three local DJs are breaking down those barriers for Native women in particular. Mikkanen, now nearing 60, said her love for the arts stems back to her childhood. Much of her musical inspiration came from ‘60s Motown music and the ‘70s music scene. On top of music, she attended OU as a classical ballet major. Ju mp i ng f ro m cla ssi cal ballet to the club scene might sound far-fetched, b u t Mi k k a n e n s a i d t h e switch felt natural. After she had been performing as a DJ on and off for a few years, Mikkanen’s husband, Arvo Mikkanen, surprised her with a full set of equipment. “He said, ‘I think that we could do this. I see what you do. Let’s do it professionally,� Mikkanen said. With the support of her husband, Mikkanen said she was able to start booking gigs as DJ Sapphire at different venues for weddings, parties and original shows at clubs, and eventually open the Main Street Event Center in downtown Norman. Mikkanen co-owns and operates the venue with her husband, and they offer Native painters and performers a place to showcase their talents. She said the pandemic has put a strain on the arts community, and she hopes the event center can help keep the art scene alive and thriving in
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PHOTO BY DAVID LACKEY
Tracey Mikkanen, co-owner of Main Site Event Center, performs as DJ Sapphire.
Norman. “Giving back and being able to promote these women is very important to me,� Mikkanen said. “I’ve been very blessed to be able to help other women and other people with their talents and in their careers.� Mikkanen said Native talent is often overlooked and underrepresented, so she’s made it her life goal to help uplift other Native artists and women. Mikkanen also serves as a chairperson at the Jacobson House Native Art Center, where she helps young Native artists find their creative voices. Through the event center, Mikkanen said she has been able to connect with other Native female DJs. In celebration of Native American Heritage Month in November, she said she plans to feature those artists at the event center to promote their work. Mikkanen invited Kellie Lewis, OU criminal justice graduate and Talk Jive Radio DJ, to come play at the venue for a November show. Lewis said when Mikkanen reached out, she jumped at
going to have to take it on the chin,� Lewis said. “Sometimes people aren’t going to want to work with you because they may not like women, they may not like Indians, they may not like you.� Although Lewis has been focusing on her radio DJ work, she used to be a club DJ and said she’s excited to perform a set for a crowd again. “Your crowd is going to tell you what they want to hear and what’s going to get them up,� Lewis said. “Any DJ needs to understand this is, especially if you’re (performing) live in front of people, you want to make sure the crowd in front of you is having the best time.� Also on the event cente r ’s i nv i te l i st i s Kyl i e Wells, a Cherokee woman and Tulsa-based electronic dance music DJ. Wells, whose stage name is “DJ Kylie,� works as a club DJ and producer and draws inspiration from tribal music. “I feel connected to some stuff that ancestors do, like certain (types of ) beats and music,� Wells
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Previous Solution
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ARVO MIKKANEN
DJ Kylie performs at the Electric Circus club in Tulsa.
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.
the opportunity. “As Native business owne r s, w e’ re a v e r y s ma l l group,� Lewis said. “We always want to make sure that we’re supporting each other.� Lewis, who is Pawnee, Kiowa and Wichita, also focuses on promoting Native artists and issues at Talk Jive Radio. The station focuses on promoting independent music artists of all genres to give them a platform, according to its website. “We (at Talk Jive Radio) provide a valuable public service,� Lewis said. “We interview community leaders; we talk to tribal leaders. And, we bring a light to a lot of things, and are able to say a lot of things that people may be feeling, but they can’t express themselves.� Lewis said that Native people face historical trauma and racism in everyday life. The music industry is a tough industry for anyone to exist in, but Lewis said she has faced discrimination based on her race and sex. “You have to steel yourself and just put your chin up and know you’re just
HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last
Copyright 2020, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last Look at the possibilities and use your strengths to get ahead. Dismiss negativity and people who drag you down. Clear a path to a better future. Balance and integrity will be crucial to your success. Be respectful and honorable, and don’t hesitate to take the lead. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Walk away from situations that appear risky and avoid people who are trying to take advantage of you. Think twice before you donate money or get involved in a costly venture. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Keep an open dialogue to offset accusations of evasive behavior. Don’t let a money matter get out of hand. Joint ventures are discouraged. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- If you say something in haste, you will regret it. You are better off biding your time and listening to others. You may want change, but sound judgment and proper motives are essential. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Make positive changes at home that will add to your comfort and bring you closer to your loved ones. Put muscle behind your plans. Romance is favored. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- If you are too quick to react, you will upset someone you love. Make a change that can help you get back on track or encourage a better way to earn a living. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Take a closer look at places you want to visit or courses you wish to take. Expanding your options and
adding to your resume will help you find a more rewarding path. Romance is in the stars. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You’ll be offered invalid information from someone you thought trustworthy. Verify what you hear before you pass along anything that will make you look bad. You are only as good as your word. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Your charm and flirtatious ways will work wonders for you. Keep your promises and avoid giving someone the wrong impression. Make personal improvements, fitness and health priorities. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Don’t get upset over things you cannot change. Taking a unique approach to your responsibilities will set you apart from any competition you face. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Align yourself reliable people. Be direct, and refuse to make a decision or move without verification. Selfimprovement is favored. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Offer suggestions, but don’t force your opinions on others. It’s crucial to maintain peace and integrity going forward. If uncertainty sets in, back away. Don’t mix business with pleasure. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Learn all you can and look for ways to improve your health, appearance, knowledge and relationships with others. Distance yourself from individuals who are demanding, excessive or disruptive.
said. “I definitely catch myself playing more rhythmic (sounds).� OU Lecturer of Music Christina Giacona specializes in Indigenous and modern music. Giacona said that traditional tribal music often uses similar techniques to modern music, so it is fitting that Wells draws inspiration from it. “Most Native American music is meant to be danced to. It has a very strong beat and specific dance motions that go along with it,� Giacona said. “That’s exactly what electronic dance music is. (It’s) music that you feel, that makes you happy and makes you move and groove.� Wells said she has always had an affinity for making beats. When she was younger, her family had to hide anything she could use as drumsticks, even chopsticks. In school, she played the drums and said her percussion background has helped her understand rhythm and music theory. Although Wells is younger and newer to the DJ industry than Mikkanen and Lewis,
she said she’s faced plenty of sexism and racism while working. Often, the racist remarks are insults based on stereotypes. “Being a woman in general is really hard in this industry, but throwing that on top of being even more different, sometimes ... you get discriminated against,� Wells said. “People are like, ‘Oh, you drink a lot,’ or ‘You’re an alcoholic.’� Wells said music has always been an expressive outlet for her, but she felt she needed to take a step back the past year after a series of anxiety and panic attacks. “I was constantly being touched and grabbed or yelled at, to the point where I just wasn’t really looking forward to going to the gig anymore,� Wells said. Wells said she’s in a better headspace now and happy to be working again. Moving forward, she plans to focus more on the music production side of her career. “It’s a lot more fun to me to take something that someone’s already made and make this whole other version of it,� Wells said. Despite the challenges she has faced, Wells is still looking forward to performing live again. “ The most rewarding thing is when you show up and everyone is just kind of ‘blah,’ and then you start the music and see people getting into it,� Wells said. “And then by the end of the night, they’re dancing, so it’s kind of powerful.� DJ Kylie will perform Nov. 14, and DJ Kellie Lewis will perform Nov. 21 at the Main Street Event Center at 300 East Main St. Mikkanen said she’s excited to have Wells and Lewis perform at the event center because both women are exceptionally talented in their respective genres. She said she hopes the shows will shine a light on the diversity of Native talent. “These women are in a field that if you can’t saddle your own horse, then you don’t need to ride.� Mikkanen said. “That’s how tough this industry is.� Jacinda Hemeon
jacinda.r.hemeon@ou.edu
Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg November 3, 2020 ACROSS 1 What to stop before you go on vacation 5 University of New Mexico wolf 9 Oscar follower, in the NATO alphabet 13 Voice above tenor 14 Wyatt at the O.K. Corral 15 Exam after a midterm 16 Travel far and wide 18 NBA star Iguodala 19 Waited at a light, say 20 “That was over the line!� 22 Massachusetts cape 23 Source of rocks? 27 Nonspecific quantity 28 Texter’s “I appreciate it� 29 Smidgen 30 Pastrami bread 31 Slant 33 Alternative to acrylic or pastel 35 “Skip me,� in bridge 37 Google subsidiary’s streaming service 41 DVD player button 44 Empty space 45 Slender and fit
11/3
49 Light, in Latin 50 Conference with many talks 53 Actress Michele or Thompson 55 Santa ___ winds 56 Very upset 59 Oversaw 60 Baked fruit dessert 61 “Laughing� carnivore 63 Tuscan city 64 Certain roulette wager ... or what 16-, 23-, 37- or 56-Across has? 67 Macho guys 68 Four-___ fastball 69 Aswan High Dam’s river 70 Mine outputs 71 URL opener 72 Eye woe DOWN 1 Like a hex 2 “There, that’s that!� 3 “Shoulda listened to me� 4 Hoop or stud site 5 Permit 6 Propeller in a lock 7 Bucking horse 8 Decline to participate 9 ___ gris 10 Pyrenean country 11 Leverages, as a skill
12 Brew that may be pumpkinflavored 15 Accepted reality 17 Change, as copy 21 Still undetermined, on a sched. 24 Chinese name whose first letter can also be “Z� 25 Word with “ramp� or “sign� 26 Cry of success 32 Central Park’s home, informally 34 Tote (around) 36 Lowestranking G.I. 38 ___ Empire (Turkey’s former realm) 39 Indonesian resort island
40 Heaviest fencing sword 41 Santa helper 42 More scandalous 43 Well beyond the norm 46 Welsh dish with melted cheese 47 In a silly way 48 Large marine mammal 51 Subside 52 “Mmm, that’s good!� 54 Ritalin target, for short 57 Things to hum 58 Core belief 62 Hankerings 63 HBO competitor, briefly 65 Warmed the bench 66 Mini-menace
PREVIOUS ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
11/2 Š 2020 Andrews McMeel Universal 10/27 Š 2020www.upuzzles.com Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com
Place a Wager by Bill Conner
CULTURE
Nov. 3-9, 2020 •
5
Students weather ice days
Students play video games, sled, more during winter storm
for phones that is also available for purchase on desktop computers. Others have turned to Grand Theft Auto V, Portal and Jackbox Games. All of these games give a person the chance to play with friends without having to brave the roads.
JAZZ WOLFE Title or Twitter
With chilly weather and freezing rain across the state, the OU Norman campus closed for two and a half days. Students and faculty were given a brief respite from their rigorous schedules to catch up on work and grading. Some students, on the other hand, used the ice days to spend time relaxing in whatever way they could.
EATING, DRINKING
SLEDDING Angel Fox, computer engineering sophomore, was not excited about the day off at first. “I don’t like being cooped up in my house all day,” Fox said. After spending the morning catching up on work, Fox and her roommate found themselves with some free time. They had an itch to go outside, so they grabbed a laundry basket and headed for a nearby hill.
PHOTOS BY TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY
Acorns glazed in ice Oct. 27. OU closed its Norman campus for two and a half days due to ice accumulation and power outages.
Soon, they were taking turns sledding down the hill, slowly packing the ice down and picking up speed. They were cold and wet by the end, but Fox said it was a great way to break up the monotony of staying inside.
VIDEO GAMES For those who still had power, online forms of media became a great way to stay warm and entertained. Kylah Barrett, nonprofit and public administration sophomore,
was happy to jump on the video game train. “After I got some work done, I decided to take it easy,” Barrett said. She was drawn to the popular game Minecraft, saying it was something easy to play
Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium covered in snow and ice Oct. 27.
The Seed Sower covered in snow and ice Oct. 27.
while not thinking too hard. Barrett also jumped around on some other online games, playing with strangers and friends. Another game people have spent the days playing is Among Us, a free app
In the OU cat-themed group chat, students discussed some of their favorite beverages to make on cold days. Many drinks were based around hot chocolate mixed with various flavored liqueurs like Baileys Irish Cream and peppermint schnapps. Others took to mixing snacks and warm beverages into unique and delicious desserts, like dipping gingersnaps in coffee. Fox baked an apple pie on the first night of the ice days for her and her roommate to enjoy during the cold weather. After their sledding activity, they warmed up with a slice of pie and a cup of tea. “I think we made the best of it,” Fox said. Jazz Wolfe
jazzwolfe@ou.edu
The George Lynn Cross statue covered in snow and ice Oct. 27.
An OU flag covered in ice Oct. 27.
An OU flag that was struck by a branch covered in snow and ice Oct. 27.
Broken trees droop from the weight of accumulated ice on their leaves due to an unseasonable fall ice storm Oct. 27.
An accessible entrance sign covered in ice Oct. 27.
6
SPORTS
• Nov. 3-9, 2020
Sooners celebrate senior night
Soccer team loses 1-0 to TCU despite efforts PRESS JOHNSON @pressjohnson2
Oklahoma (0-5-1) lost 1-0 Friday in a hard fought match to No. 4 TCU (7-0-1) at John Crain Field in Norman on senior night. OU honored six seniors — Lauren Haivala, Yuuka Kurosaki, Emma Ledbetter, Erika Yost, Nikki Panas, and Reagan Glisson — before the game. Each senior was given a framed jersey and embraced by their teammates, coaches and family members. In addition, a video message played on the stadium video board for each senior from their relatives and friends who couldn’t be in attendance. The ceremony was especially sentimental for Kurosaki, who is from Japan, as her family wasn’t able to attend the game. Her family left several video messages for her and it was a heartfelt moment for Kurosaki and her team. Oklahoma was in pursuit of its first win of the season but came up just short in the
TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY
Senior midfielder Yuuka Kurosaki during the Senior Night game against TCU on Oct. 30.
contest. The Horned Frogs came out firing with three shots in the first 12 minutes of action. OU was unphased, though, and responded with three shots of their own in the next 10 minutes. The Sooners were resilient, fighting throughout the remainder of the first half.
Panas, OU’s goalkeeper, was phenomenal throughout the night, tallying seven saves over 18 TCU shots. “ N i k k i i s b r i l l i a n t ,” Oklahoma head coach Mark Carr said after the game. “She keeps us in games. She makes save after save, her kicking is excellent, she is just really
really good. We rely a lot on her.” Coming out of halftime, TCU was on the attack, firing off three shots in the first 20 minutes. They finally broke through in the 73rd minute, netting a goal off the leg of sophomore Grace Collins. OU continued to battle,
fourth 1-0 defeat Oklahoma has suffered during Carr’s first season at the helm. The program has still not seen a victory since its 1-0 win over Iowa State on Oct. 17 of the previous season. Friday’s match was a tough loss, but a great effort from Oklahoma, especially from the six seniors on the roster. All six played throughout the match, highlighted by the seven saves from Panas, two shots on goal from Kurosaki, and one shot on goal from Yost. “I’m just so proud of our kids again,” Carr said. “They come out, week in and week out, and compete and fight. The performance was excellent. Our seniors’ impact is far more than what you see on the field tonight. I have been here eight months, and I cannot express what they have meant for this program. It’s far bigger than wins and losses.” Oklahoma will look to build on the momentum from Friday’s game as it hits the road next week to face off against Baylor (2-3-3) at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 in Waco, Texas. The game will be televised via Big 12 NOW on ESPN+.
responding with a late shot on goal from junior Megan Reilly. However, TCU managed to hold the Sooners off, capturing their Big 12-leading seventh win of the season. The Horned Frogs outshot the Sooners 18 to eight and put eight shots on goal to OU’s five. Press Johnson The result marked the preston.l.johnson-1@ou.edu
Rattler’s Halloween gameplay scary good QB improves as Sooners revive Big 12 chances MASON YOUNG @Mason_Young_0
Per his usual routine, Spencer Rattler called his longtime quarterback coach Mike Giovando from the Sooners’ hotel the night before OU’s road game at Texas Tech. Following gut-wrenching blown-lead losses to Kansas State and Iowa State, Rattler and Oklahoma seemed out of the conference title picture as hopes of a six-peat grew increasingly slim. Despite OU’s disadvantage, Giovando was still confident in Rattler’s ability to lead his team out of its darkest hours and encouraged his pupil over the phone like always before the Sooners took the field against the Red Raiders. “Hey, you’re gonna be right back in this thing,” Giovando told Rattler. “If you just take care of business, you guys will be right back in it. Believe me, that’s just the way football goes.” After Rattler engineered a huge overtime win over Texas and a blowout decimation of TCU to even OU’s conference record, a glimmer of hope surfaced. Then, No. 6 Oklahoma State fell to the unranked
Longhorns Saturday afternoon and the Sooners found themselves right back in the chase. As pieces continued to fall into place around him, Rattler did exactly what Giovando advised. The redshirt freshman took care of business Saturday night in Lubbock, blasting Texas Tech’s abysmal pass defense for 288 yards and two scores on 21-of-30 passing, as No. 24 OU (4-2, 3-2 Big 12) routed the Red Raiders (2-4, 1-4 Big 12), 62-28. “Our goal is to take a step every week, and I think these past three weeks we’ve taken steps every game,” Rattler said after the win. “What I said last night to the team was, ‘It’s time for us to go out and embarrass somebody.’ We’ve been having these games where we’re getting up and getting comfortable, and tonight we didn’t get comfortable. We kept running it up.” Contrary to all its other games in 2020, OU didn’t strike first, as Texas Tech appeared ready to play when it jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Oklahoma responded quickly with rushing scores by previously suspended senior running back Rhamondre Stevenson and junior rusher T.J. Pledger to take a 14-7 advantage. Ground dominance opened up the passing lanes for Rattler toward the end
TEXAS TECH ATHLETICS/POOL PHOTO
Redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler celebrates after OU scores a touchdown during the game against Texas Tech on Oct. 31.
of the first quarter as a 37yard toss to freshman receiver Marvin Mims set up Stevenson’s second score of the night. Rattler also had a 41-yard dime to sophomore H-back Austin Stogner in the period, once again showcasing his arm talent. Early in the second quarter, Rattler got himself on the board with a 4-yard touchdown swing to redshirt junior H-back Jeremiah Hall. He followed that up on the ensuing possession with a 27yard scoring toss to Stogner that gave the Sooners an even more commanding lead. Rattler gave way to redshirt
sophomore backup Tanner Mordecai in the third quarter, with OU up 55-14, just like he had hoped. For the second straight game, Rattler surrendered zero turnovers and looked incredibly composed behind a steadily improving offensive line that didn’t allow a sack during the game. “I thought he did a good job settling in early even when Tech had some momentum after the early score,” OU head coach Lincoln Riley said after the game. “I thought he was really locked into the plan and he threw the ball well.” On a windy Halloween night in front of 14,431, Rattler
was scary good. Even spookier is the thought that his stat line could have been better. In the second quarter alone, Oklahoma’s receivers cost Rattler two touchdown passes on drops. Mims botched a dot that would’ve sent him to the house on a 73-yard gain, while sophomore Theo Wease couldn’t secure a strike in the end zone. Fortunately, Rattler was compassionate to his teammates and encouraged them after their mistakes. “You can’t put them down, especially Mims, being it’s his first year,” Rattler said. “He kind of got his head down, I
went over to him (and) said, ‘Hey man, don’t even trip. It’s your first dropped ball of the season … just keep going at it.’ So no, it doesn’t get to me. I know they’re going to do their job and I trust all of them.” Rattler’s continued growth in rapport with his pass catchers, running backs and offensive line becomes increasingly crucial moving forward. Next Saturday’s home matchup against a winless Kansas squad should be an easy victory for the Sooners, but following a bye week they’ll welcome Oklahoma State to Norman. Bedlam will likely determine OU’s claim to a conference championship berth. Regardless of what lies ahead, Rattler continues to blossom before Sooner Nation’s eyes, getting better week by week and rising to every occasion. Each game is a lesson learned and an opportunity to “take care of business.” “The game’s getting slower and slower for me over time,” Rattler said. “I feel super comfortable now just with everything. (I’ve) got a lot of work to do, of course, but I feel really comfortable right now and it’s just still trying to get better and improve every week. That’s my goal.” Mason Young
mason.e.young-1@ou.edu
Norwood returns with 2-pick performance Norwood critical to revitalizing defense in Lubbock CHANDLER ENGELBRECHT @ctengelbrecht
Tre Norwood met junior defensive end Ronnie Perkins mid-air for a celebratory chest bump after the redshirt junior defensive back hauled in his second interception during No. 24 Oklahoma’s 62-28 road victory over Texas Tech (2-4, 1-3 Big 12) on Saturday. As Norwood rejoined the rest of his Sooner teammates on the sideline, a different celebration erupted over 500 miles away at his family home in Van Buren, Arkansas. Accompanied by loved ones, Norwood’s father, Michael, proudly watched his son haul in his second and third interception of his career. “We were hoping he would score,” Michael said. “I was
expecting him (to get a pick) … (I) just didn’t know when it was going to happen. I’ve always told him, ‘Eventually, it’s going to come with the more reps, more opportunities, more chances you get.’ “He had a chance to show tonight that he can still play. … I’m proud of his perseverance, how he continued to stay humble and hungry.” Norwood — who missed the entirety of the 2019 season with an ACL injury — last recorded an interception in the closing minute of Oklahoma’s 38-27 victory over Texas in the 2018 Big 12 championship game. His two-pick performance on Saturday came in his first start for the Sooners this season. He’s the first OU player to have multiple interceptions in a game since Jordan Evans in 2016. “Grateful for the opportunity,” Norwood said. “Just trying to do what I can to contribute on the defense for the guys that I’m out there playing with and
the team as whole. I was excited for the opportunity (and) to make the most out of it. “(I was) just at the right place at the right time. We harp on tips and overthrows (to) make sure we come down with those. … (I was) just trying to capitalize on the opportunity.” Oklahoma’s 28 surrendered points to the Red Raiders were the least the team has allowed on the road to Texas Tech since 2012. The Sooners’ three total forced turnovers on the night is also tied for the most they’ve forced in a single game this season. Norwood’s former defensive coordinator at Northside High School, Felix Curry, knows how big his former player’s performance was for Oklahoma (4-2, 3-2 Big 12) on Saturday night. “Most stats show that the team that wins the turnover battle normally wins the game,” Curry said. “It’s huge. … I just felt like once (Norwood) got in and got settled, he would (play well). When he came in
TEXAS TECH ATHLETICS/POOL PHOTO
The Sooners defense celebrates after earning a turnover during the game against Texas Tech on Oct. 31.
this year after his injury, he was bigger, faster, stronger and put a lot of work in. “I knew once he got an opportunity he would make some plays.” Norwood’s current defensive coordinator was just as proud of the play of his veteran defensive player. “(I’m) excited for (Norwood),” Alex Grinch said. “You’re continuing to see a more confident football player.
Coming back off an injury, (he missed) all that time in what would have been a critical offseason for him. … We’re excited to have him back (and) continue to have an impact for us.” While Norwood said he was blessed to be in the position he was in on Saturday, he was also quick to recognize the return of Perkins, who was suspended for the Sooners’ first five games this season. Perkins — who recorded 75 tackles
and 11 sacks in 2018 and 2019 combined — had two tackles for loss and three total tackles against Texas Tech. “ W e w e r e e c s t a t i c ,” Norwood said. “Just having him back, that’s a huge leap for our defense. Everybody knows what he brings to the table. … More importantly, (I’m) happy to see him back on the field. “Happy to see him out there having fun, playing ball and making plays again.” Going forward, Michael sees his son playing a bigger role for Grinch’s revitalized Sooner defense. “There’s more to come,” Michael said. “Of course, this boosted his confidence up a little. He’s always confident in himself, but this just gives him a little more to work with. … It’s hard to tell a kid who’s coming off an ACL injury to be patient. “But, he was patient, and now he got to show what he can do.” Chandler Engelbrecht
chandler.engelbrecht@ou.edu