W E E K D AY E D I T I O N | N O V E M B E R 19 - 2 5 , 2 0 18 | T W I C E W E E K LY I N P R I N T | O U D A I LY. C O M
OU DAILY
AUSTIN CARRIERE/THE DAILY
Jocelyn Pedersen, OU professor and state gold medalist in weight lifting, poses for a picture with her first place medal and trophy Nov. 16. Pedersen started lifting weights to improve her swimming, but then transformed into a state competitor in weightlifting. She now hopes to qualify for the World Masters Games.
SURPRISE SUCCESS OU professor wins weightlifting state championship after training for only eight weeks
J
ocelyn Pedersen, an OU business communications professor, an author and a recreational swimmer, became a weightlifting state champion with a chance of competing internationally after training for only eight weeks. “I got into weightlifting by accident,” the 59-year-old said. Pe d e r s e n j o i n e d t h e U. S. Masters Sw imming team in September after deciding earlier in the year to pick up swimming as a hobby. On one of her pool days, she asked a friend to time her, “just for giggles.” After a Google search, Pedersen discovered she was only 4.5 seconds shy of a national qualifying time. She recounted her discovery to her neighbor Bob White, an 85-year-old weightlifting coach, international competitor and former weightlifting national champion. A few days later, White handed Pedersen a singlet, welcomed her to his weightlifting team and said, “I’m going to buy you those four-and-a-half seconds and more, because if you’re stronger, you’ll swim faster.” FROM SWIMMER TO WINNER Pedersen started lifting weights to help her swimming, but she quickly transformed into a state competitor in weightlifting. Pedersen said she began lifting with Team Metro, White’s local certified USA club, in late August. She said White coached her on basic skills for a couple weeks before tackling the two lifts featured in competition: the “clean and jerk” and the “snatch.” The clean and jerk is a twostep lift that involves hoisting the bar from the ground to the shoulders and then over the head. Pedersen learned this lift first and eventually moved on to the snatch, which features lifting the bar off the ground and over the head in one motion — a lift White called the hardest in sports. “She’s putting weight over her head that’s more than her body weight,” White said. Pedersen said she’d been practicing the clean and jerk
DREW HUTCHINSON • @DRETHEGIRL for six weeks and the snatch for three weeks when White decided she was ready to compete. On Oct. 27, White took Pedersen and three others to the Sooner State Open, a qualifying meet hosted by Athlete Inc. in Oklahoma City. Pedersen said she was on edge before the competition — she could barely put on her wrist wraps to compete — but White’s faith in her did not waver. “(White) told me, ‘ You’ve done this a hundred times, now
“It was really cool to see her compete. She, of course, was nervous ... but she did really well. I was really impressed with her.” TOM WARD, STAFF MEMBER AT FIELD HOUSE
go out there and do it,’” Pedersen said. Pedersen, nervous and inexperienced as she was, won the gold in her weight and age categories, scoring 70 points. She also took home the outstanding female lifter award, an honor Pedersen said surprised h e r m o re t ha n w i n n i ng t h e championship. Tom Ward, a staff member at nonprofit wellness program The Field House, organized and directed the Sooner State Open. He witnessed Pedersen’s win and said her talent was apparent at the meet. “It was really cool to see her compete,” Ward said. “She, of course, was nervous ... but she did really well. I was really impressed with her.” Pedersen said she was a distance runner in high school and a walk-on for OU before damaging her knee. White said he thought this athletic background, as well as her experience taking the “stage” as a professor, served her well as a weightlifter. He also spoke to her dedication, saying Pedersen
frequently studies her lifts in the gym’s “video room.” “She’s very bright as far as learning, having been an athlete in high school and college, so she knows what it takes,” White said. When asked if he thought Pedersen could qualify for an i nt e r nat i o na l c o m p e t i t i o n , White responded, “Is the Pope Catholic?” TAKING WEIGHTS WORLDWIDE White said he has competed in international weightlifting competitions several times, but next time, he intends to take Pedersen with him. “He believes, and looking at these numbers I now believe, that I can make it,” Pedersen said. The World Masters Games is an international multi-sport competition for athletes over the age of 30. White said Pedersen would qualify for the 2021 world competition weightlifting division if she were to score 72 points at a qualifying meet. “She’s on the verge of hitting it right now, so probably her next meet or so she’ll hit it,” White said. “There’s no real pressure for her. She’s very, very strong.” Pedersen said points in weightlifting are calculated by adding the weight competitors lift for the clean and jerk to the weight they lift for the snatch, so Pedersen must lift two more kilograms. White said the next qualifying competition is in February. “I am within two kilos of international w inning score,” Pedersen said. “I couldn’t believe it. I had no idea.” P e d e r s e n s a i d s h e ’s c u rrently in the 58-kilogram body weight category. But she said she’s burning so many calories in training that moving down a weight class is possible. If this happens, she said, she’ll only have to score 58 points to qualify for the world competition, a score she’s already surpassed. White, who recently won second place at a national weightlifting competition, once placed fourth at the World Masters Games and said he plans to compete again in 2021. According to
the World Masters Games website, 50,000 people are expected to participate in the 2021 competition, which will take place in Japan. “It’s a really bigger event than the Summer Olympics in terms of competition,” White said. Pedersen said she still hits the pool almost every morning and has cut time on her mile swim since starting weight training. In fact, she said, her next objective is finding a swim coach to help her qualify for the World Masters Games in swimming, too. “I haven’t verified that that would be a first for a masters woman, but (White) says it is,” Pedersen said. “I come from a long line of stubborn Vikings, a n d w h e n I s e t my m i n d t o something, it usually happens.” Pedersen must balance her training with work — she teaches three sections of business communications in the Price College of Business, according to OU’s ClassNav website. She
said she swims in the mornings before work and lifts in the afternoons when she returns home. “It’s just a great way to end the day,” Pedersen said of her weightlifting. Accomplishments aside, Pedersen said weightlifting has given her more confidence and brought her new friends. White agreed and said he calls Pedersen a “bell sheep.” “And, of course, that’s from the Bible where they put a bell on the sheep and all the sheep follow the sheep with the bell,” White said. “So a lot of people congregate around her.” More than anything, weightlifting has been a source of joy, Pedersen said. “I’m just doing it for fun,” Pedersen said. “I don’t know for sure that I’ll make it to the games in Japan, but I’m sure going to have fun trying.” Drew Hutchinson
drew.hutchinson@ou.edu
PHOTO PROVIDED BY JOCELYN PEDERSEN
Pedersen poses for a photo with her trophy after she won the state championship for weightlifting at the Sooner State Open Oct. 27.
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• November 19-25, 2018
NEWS
Anna Bauman, news managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily
Business is blooming for florist
Norman business owner has clients both new, loyal BAILEY LEWIS @BaileyLewis75
Victoria McBride never imagined her love of flowers could create such an i mp a c t o n t h e No r ma n community. In May, McBride opened Victoria McBride Creations F l o ra l B o u t i q u e i n t h e University North Park entertainment district. “Victoria is a unique person with a unique talent that happens to be a minority,” said Ann Winston, who has been McBride’s customer for three years. “I am delighted to see her business in that area and more ecstatic about it because she is a woman who has worked hard to get where she is.” The floral boutique is one of the first AfricanAmerican-owned businesses in University North Park, the Norman Transcript reported in October. McBride said she was shocked and inspired at the response she received following the Transcipt’s story. “I had a neighbor who was one of the first women to play in the WNBA, and she came by and brought me the spread from the Norman Transcript and said, ‘I want your autograph,’ and I was like, ‘I want your auto graph,’” McBride said. “So, that keeps me going and keeps me encouraged because you don’t ever feel like people are watching you
BAILEY LEWIS/THE DAILY
Victoria McBride arranges leaves to add into a bouquet of yellow roses at Victoria McBride Creations Floral Boutique in Norman, a business she started in May. McBride is one of the first African-American business owners in University North Park.
or taking notice of you, but every now and then there is someone watching you, and it makes you want to do better and be a better person.” McBride is originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and moved to Norman with her family about nine years ago. Moving to Norman was a complete culture shock for McBride’s family, she said, because demographically, Hattiesburg was predominately black. “When my husband and I were just visiting (Norman) before we moved here, the movie ‘The Help’ was out, and the theater was packed, and then when the lights came up, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, we are the only black
people here,” McBride said. Although McBride said she is honored to be one of the first African-Americanowned businesses in the University North Park entertainment district, she wants to be a positive influence for the Norman community as a whole and not just focus on the AfricanAmerican community. “There are not that many African-Americans in Norman, but I try not to look at it like that because it can make you feel discouraged,” McBride said. “I want to be a business to all people and be an example to everyone because I am just another human. If anybody can look at that and be encouraged, then if I don’t sell a flower, that’s good
Norman delegate voted minority House leader Rep. Virgin to lead Democratic caucus in 56th Legislature NICK HAZELRIGG @nickhazelrigg
N o r m a n R e p. E m i l y Virgin has been chosen to lead the Democratic caucus as House minority leader in the upcoming legislative session. After a vote among the Democratic caucus in the Oklahoma Legislature Nov. 15, Virgin was chosen to lead Democrats in the state House in Oklahoma’s 56th Legislature, according to a press release from
the Oklahoma Democratic Party. “It’s humbling that the caucus has faith in me to lead during this important time in Oklahoma’s statehood,” Virgin said. “I am proud to represent women in this endeavor, but make no mistake, our caucus is focused on including all Oklahomans in the conversation regardless of gender, race or income level.” Vi r g i n , w h o w a s f i r s t elected to the state House in 2010, represents the parts of Norman that include OU. Virgin has r un unop posed in ever y election since her first in 2010,
according to Ballotpedia. “This caucus moved the state in a positive direction last session and helped guarantee the largest teacher pay raise in state history,” Virgin said. “We will fight to build on this success – not only in education but also in access to health care, expansion of mental health services, criminal justice reform, and providing opportunities for quality employment in O klahoma communities.” Nick Hazelrigg
nickhazelrigg@ou.edu
PAXSON HAWS/THE DAILY
Rep. Emily Virgin talks to students during the LGBTQ vigil Sept. 28, 2017. Virgin was selected as the state House minority leader in a Democratic caucus vote.
enough for me.” McBride has had a love for flowers for years and used to sell her creations from her home, but as they became more popular, she found it necessary to open a shop. “S elling flowers from my home and having people come to my house was a little unsafe and a little messy,” McBride said. “So, once this store became available, I just jumped on it because I was getting a lot of traction just from being home and doing flowers from the house.” McBride creates floral designs for birthdays, weddings, banquets, anniversaries, sympathy, holidays, get well, new baby or just because, and her shop is
open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the Victoria McBride Creations Floral Boutique website. While McBride works for herself and does not have any employees, her husband Anthony McBride helps her with the business side of her floral boutique. “I am responsible for the monthly financial reports, submitting taxes to the State of Oklahoma monthly, establishing and staying within our budget, social media and dumping trash on weekends,” Anthony McBride said. “I am also here to support my wife and ensure she is successful.” Many customers have followed her to her new store because of her creativity
and the unique elements she adds to her creations, McBride said. “I’ve been a customer since day one,” said Pamela Mays, a long-time customer of McBride’s. “Even before the floral boutique, I admired Victoria’s work and would purchase wreaths. Her creativity and quality of work is simply amazing and is seen in all of her unique creations.” McBride has also gained a lot of new customers since opening her shop and said she has been welcomed w i t h o p e n a r m s by t h e Norman community. “I purchased two wreaths from Victoria,” said Chiquita Allison, a new customer of McBride’s. “I’m impressed with the customization, and I trust my wreaths to be one-of-a-kind.” McBride said she loves what she does and works extremely hard to make sure everything she creates looks perfect, even if it goes above budget. While getting her business started was a lot of work, McBride said she wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world. “I have to make it look full and pretty, and if it goes above budget, then oh well. It may not be good for business, but that’s just me,” McBride said. “Everything that I do is going into people’s homes, and I take that as an honor because a part of me is in someone’s home.” Bailey Lewis
bailey.n.lewis-1@ou.edu
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
November 19-25, 2018 •
The Diner is a local favorite
Restaurant with rich history brings people together SAM TONKINS
@samanthatonkins
“Groovin’” by the Young Rascals played on the radio as the cook bustled behind the counter, cooking eggs, bacon and pancakes. The waitresses moved alongside the booths with wide smiles on their faces, chatting with customers and filling coffee mugs. The Diner was busy for a Tuesday morning, with grinning customers filling every booth, and owner Bonnie Amspacher enjoyed the crowd. The Diner is a breakfast and lunch restaurant located on Main Street serving Tex-Mex and homestyle food. The restaurant has been in Amspacher’s family for the past 25 years but was originally built to be a chili parlor in the 1890s. “It was connected to the barbershop next door, and it was owned by the same guy,” Amspacher said. “He would cut hair, then come over here and serve chili, and go back and forth.” Over the years, The Diner has had many different names and several owners. However, it has been a shotgun-style diner — a restaurant that is long and narrow, with a counter where customers can sit — for the past 70 years. A m s p a c h e r ’s f a t h e r, Mark Amspacher, was an employee at the restaurant until the former owner had to shut it down. With the help of a friend, he was able to buy the restaurant and reopen it as The Diner. “He scratched along and kept it up, and we got a reputation,” Amspacher said. “Now, we are a pretty good
FIELD PARSONS/THE DAILY
The outside of The Diner Nov. 6. The restaurant has been a shotgun-style diner for the past 70 years, but was originally built to be a chili parlor in the 1890s.
place.” In 2009, The Diner was featured on Guy Fier i’s show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and Amspacher said the restaurant received a lot of business from the television program. “We get a ton of people that are like, ‘We saw you on TV!’” Amspacher said. The Diner was also featured on the show “American Diner Revival” in 2015. The show remodeled The Diner — painting the walls, changing the floors and putting in new tables and booths. Amspacher ’s favor ite part of The Diner is the open kitchen, which enables her to connect with the customers. “I like being able to
talk to the customers and h e a r w h a t ’s g o i n g o n ,” Amspacher said. Amspacher said she also likes the sense of community The Diner has built. She said many of her customers meet in the restaurant and get to know each other. “I know two or three couples that met here and got married over the years,” Amspacher said. While The Diner is a favorite spot among locals, Amspacher said out-oftown visitors also enjoy the tight-knit atmosphere of the restaurant. “I hear a lot of people who come in from out of town on football games and stuff, and they’re like, ‘I wish we had a place
l i k e t h i s i n o u r t o w n ,’” Amspacher said. Tia Robertson-Ross has only worked at The Diner for the past three months, but she has already fallen in love with the restaurant and her coworkers, she said. “I really like that it’s a family-owned restaurant and that the girls I work with have families of their own,” Robertson-Ross said. Robertson-Ross said T h e D i n e r ha s b e c o m e a safe, welcoming space for people of all ages and backgrounds. “Our food is Hispanicintertwined,” RobertsonRoss said. “This is a place that celebrates heritage no matter what that is.” Robertson-Ross has
worked in a variety of restaurants, from an Olive Garden to a Saltgrass Steak House, and she said The Diner is very different because of the relationships it creates. “It’s definitely community-based, so a lot of the people we have coming in here ... come in almost every day,” Robertson-Ross said. “It’s really nice to get that camaraderie with people in the city.” David Brooks has been coming to The Diner every morning for coffee and breakfast for the past 10 years. He said he still remembers the first time he walked through The Diner’s door and tasted the food. It reminded him of a diner he used to eat at as a kid. “I felt at home,” Brooks said. Brooks likes that The Diner is a local business where everyone knows one another. “I’m all about supporting independent businesses,” Brooks said. “I think it’s the backbone of American democracy. Places like The Diner keep that spirit alive.” Brooks’ favorite part of The Diner is the food. He said the workers always want to make customers happy. “You come in here, and if they don’t have it on the menu, you can ask them, and they’ll fix it. Try that at Denny’s,” Brooks said. The Diner is located at 213 E. Main St. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Sam Tonkins
samantha.tonkins@ou.edu
November honors indigenous cultures Ways to observe Native American Heritage Month
Anna Bauman News Managing Editor Julia Weinhoffer Engagement Editor George Stoia Sports Editor Siandhara Bonnet A&E Editor Will Conover Enterprise Editor Caitlyn Epes Visual Editor Emily McPherson Copy Manager Sarah Barney Print Editor
contact us 160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-2052
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160 Copeland Hall, 860 The Oklahoma Vleet Oval Daily isVan a public forum, the University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice and an entirely student-run publication.
Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and must be fewer than 250 words, typed and signed by the author(s). Letters will be edited for accuracy, space and style. Students must list their major and classification. To submit letters, email dailyeditor@ou.edu. Our View is the voice of the Editorial Board, which consists of eight student editors. The board meets at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday in Copeland Hall, Room 160. Board meetings are open to the public. Guest columns are accepted and printed at the editor’s discretion. Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are their own and not necessarily the views or opinions of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board. To advertise in The Oklahoma Daily, contact the advertising manager by calling 405-325-8964 or emailing dailyads@ ou.edu.
MARY TODD ANTHONY @always_mt_
November is national Native American Heritage Month — a time to recognize the history of indigenous cultures. In 1990, then-President George H. W. Bush d e c l a re d Nov e m b e r a s “Native American Heritage Month” to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of Native Americans in the nation’s history. “Native American Heritage Month is about realizing that Native Americans are still here and that they’re not a thing of the past, because we’re here in the present,” said Carson D. Ball, public relations chair of OU’s American Indian Student Association (AISA). “It ’s great to educate yourself on problems or concerns faced by the Native community. A lot of people have this idea of what a Native American is, but people should not make assumptions unless they know it’s true,” Ball said. “Also being aware of why some things are offensive is important, so it’s good to always try to learn.” Here are some ways to observe Native American Heritage Month, and remain educated about indigenous culture:
Kayla Branch Editor in Chief
One free copy of The Daily is available to members of the OU community. Additional copies may be purchased for 25 cents by contacting The Daily business office at 405325-2522.
JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
The Indigenous Peoples Day opening procession marches down the South Oval Oct. 8. November is national Native American Heritage Month, intended to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of Native Americans in the nation’s history.
display of 39 tribal flags on the football field during the Kansas game Nov. 17 and a Fall Benefit Powwow fundraiser Nov. 18. Students can look forward to the group’s Indian Taco Sale from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Nov. 28, on the ninth floor of Dale Tower. A taco and drink cost $7. Delivery will be available for a minimum of 2 orders, and pickup will also be available, including a free dessert. 2. BOOKS ABOUT N AT I V E A M E R I C A N CULTURE: Websites such as Goodreads have published a variety of lists of popular Native American literature. There are also resources to support Native American writers, such as a list on the News OK website featuring Native American writers in Oklahoma.
1. OU AMERICAN INDIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION’S TACO SALE: AISA provides a place for indigenous students to congregate and plan cultural events, Ball said. The organization has a l re a d y h o s t e d s e v e ra l 3. MOVIES ABOUT events to celebrate indige- N A T I V E A M E R I C A N nous heritage, including a CULTURE:
Movies with high ratings about Native Americans can be streamed or bought, such as “Smoke Signals” (1998), “Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee” (2007) and “Thunderheart” (1992). These films feature aspects of Native American culture but according to reviews, “Smoke Signals” (1998) was written, directed and co-produced by Native Americans. 4. LACROSSE GAMES: The game of lacross e originated in Native A m e r i c a n c u l t u re. T h e game was first observed in a 1689 do cument titled “An Account of the Indians in Virginia” that describes how the players used a crooked stick and a ball while running down a mile-long field. Lacrosse has grown 47 percent from the years 2010 to 2015. O U h a s a m e n ’s l a crosse sports club as well as a women’s club, but the schedule for upcoming games has not yet been
announced. 5. MUSEUMS FEATURING NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE: There are a variety of museums w ith Native American art located in Oklahoma, including Norman’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and the Chickasaw Cultural center located in Sulphur. FJJMA has a collection of more than 4,000 artworks that represents indigenous cultures across North America. The art collection was donated by James T. Bialac from Arizona in the spring of 2010. Entry to the museum is free to the public. Hours for the FJJMA are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tu e s d a y , We d n e s d a y , Friday and Saturday. Thursday hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday hours are from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. The Chickasaw Cultural Center is available to the
public for people to engage with Native American culture through the use of theatrical performance and artifacts in the museum. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 6. NATIVE AMERICAN MEALS: There are a variety of recipes that originate from Native American culture. A common meal that can be recreated is acorn bread. The bread consists of cornmeal, potato, flour and other ingredients which take about 45 minutes to bake. Other popular foods are buffalo stew, baked pumpkin, succotash, and fried green tomatoes. Recipes can be found at littlethings.com/ native-american-recipes. Mary Todd Anthony
marilyn.t.anthony-1@ou.edu
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VOL.103, NO. 68
© 2018 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25¢
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• November 19-25, 2018
SPORTS
George Stoia, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/sports • Twitter: @OUDailySports
Jayhawks walk over OU defense Sooners continue to struggle ahead of crucial game GEORGE STOIA @GeorgeStoia
It’s bad. Really bad. Just when it looked like it couldn’t get any worse, 524 total yards and 40 points from Kansas later, it got a hell of a lot worse. No. 6 Oklahoma’s defense looked horrific Sat u rd ay n i g ht a ga i n s t Kansas (3-8, 1-7 Big 12), letting the Jayhawks have their best offensive performance of the season in Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It was the exact opposite of what Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) needed heading into the biggest game of the season against No. 12 West Virginia Friday, Nov. 23. “We didn’t take the step this week that we expected to take,� coach Lincoln Riley said. “I can’t sit here and say something that’s not true. We didn’t take a step that I thought we would take.� Riley, who said all week he thought the defense was “close� to being at the caliber it needs to be, was brutally honest in his postgame press conference. He said the defense didn’t tackle all night and new holes were exposed in the team’s defense. H e ’s n o t w r o n g . T h e Sooner defense that has b e en statistically g o o d at stopping the run gave up 348 yards rushing and missed countless tackles. “We have guys in position,� interim defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said. “We told them, ‘Don’t w o r r y a b o u t m i s t a k e s, all mistakes are mine, so don’t hesitate, go make it.’ We work on tackling every day, so we’ll just continue to do that, continue to work hard. We’ll watch the film and see what angles we can help. We work all different angles. Ready to get back to work and watch the film and fix what we’ve got to fix to get ready for next week.� While this Saturday it was struggling to tackle, and the past two weeks it
JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
Sophomore cornerback Tre Brown and redshirt senior linebacker Curtis Bolton tackle a Kansas player during the game against Kansas Nov. 17. The Sooner defense gave up 524 total yards and 40 points in the 55-40 defeat of KU.
was defending the pass, it’s the same old story with the Oklahoma defense: It’s just not good and it’s no one person’s fault — it’s everyone’s. “It’s extremely frustrating,� s ophomore safety Robert Barnes said. “On the outside, we’re winning these games, but in the locker room, it feels like we’re losing them.� Barnes is on point. Despite Oklahoma continuing to win games and setting itself up to four-peat as Big 12 champion, every game feels like a step in the wrong direction. And West Virginia might just put the Sooners out of their misery on Friday. “Not just me, but
everybody on that defense — this isn’t how we want to play,� Barnes said. “It’s unacceptable to every single one of us. But it starts with us and the only way we’re going to be able to change it is with us. “If we want to get to where we want to get to, we’re going to have to start playing on a championship level.� Oklahoma’s defense this season was summed up in one play Saturday night. Early in the fourth quarter, with just more than 12 minutes to play in the game, Kansas running back Pooka Williams caught a pass in the backfield and redshirt senior linebacker Curtis Bolton had him
stopped behind the line. But, as Bolton was holding onto Williams, he somehow lost his grip, and with no other Sooners swarming to the ball, Williams broke free to the opposite side of the field for an 8-yard gain. That’s OU’s defensive season in a nutshell: It looked good to open the season (Florida Atlantic, UCLA), came crashing down in the middle (Texas), and has looked awful in the final stretch of the season (Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas). A n d n o w t h e re’s o n e game left, and it’s win or go home. “The answer is going to be just win,� Riley said aggressively in his postgame
HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last
Copyright 2015, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2018 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last Don’t fear change. Trying new things and experimenting with lifestyle changes will afford you a different perspective on how you want to move forward emotionally, domestically and financially. Listen and assess what others suggest, but, in the end, make choices based on facts, not fiction.
my friend’s got mental illness
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- A creative project should be considered carefully. Weigh the cost involved and whether it’s feasible. Someone will mislead you in order to get his or her way.
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.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -Expect to face opposition if you try to make an unpopular change. You are best off taking care of every detail before you present your intentions to others.
Previous Solution
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.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Ease into your day. Don’t let an emotional incident throw you off course. Avoid acting in haste or taking on responsibilities that don’t belong to you. Stick to your agenda. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- A vocational move or financial gain looks promising. Personal improvements can be made, as long as you stick to your budget. Don’t let anyone talk you into something you don’t need. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- If you let someone take advantage of you or talk you into something, you will regret it. Stick close to the people you know you can trust and adhere to your set schedule.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You’ll be torn between what you want to do and what you should do. Take care of business before you head out with friends. Your reputation will depend on your actions. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -Reconnect with people you have worked with in the past to gain some information that could help you advance. Prospects will vary depending on how you respond. Use your imagination. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Don’t reveal information that someone asked you to keep secret. It’s important to show that you can be trusted if you want the same respect in return. Meddling will backfire. CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Keep busy. Fitness and a healthy lifestyle will be important when it comes to maintaining endurance and stamina. Don’t let an emotional situation affect your work or relationships with others. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- A change will do you good, but before you leap into something new, do your due diligence and find out what it costs and what’s expected of you. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Problems with partnerships will mount if you are too trusting or let someone take care of matters that you should handle yourself. Practicality and hard work will be essential. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Discuss problems openly. If you let situations fester, you will end up making matters worse. Use your charm and kind gestures to avert a dispute. Patience will be required.
press conference when asked about needing other teams to lose to make the College Football Playoff. “I know this wasn’t a pretty win, I get that. But wins are wins and I don’t care who did what in front of us. I don’t care who did what behind us. If we continue, then we’ll be in a good position and that’s going to be our focus because that’s all that we can control.� If Oklahoma wins Friday night in Morgantown, it will likely get another shot at Texas — something this team definitely wants to redeem itself. And the trash talk has already begun, with Texas linebacker Breckyn Hager saying “OU has no defense�
following the Longhorns’ win over then-No. 16 Iowa State. Will the Sooners prove Hager wrong? “We’re not angry in the locker room — a win is a win. There’s a lot of teams that wish they had 10 wins, but as a defense ... I’m tired of finishing the game and looking up at the stats and seeing 400 yards, 600 yards, knowing the type of players that we have in that locker room,� Barnes said. “I promise you guys, we have a championship-level defense.� George Stoia
georgestoia@ou.edu
Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy Parker November 19, 2018
ACROSS 1 “___ Wars� 5 BBs and such 9 Moisten meat a bit 14 Adjutant 15 Every fourth “year� 16 “Ladies and gentlemen ...� e.g. 17 Veggie on hillsides with water 20 Magazine release 21 Type of devil? 22 Morsels 23 Eight bits 25 Proficiently 27 Frost work 30 Archaic before 32 Muhammad’s religion 36 On ___ basis (for testing) 38 Batting average raisers 40 Prohibition, e.g. 41 Some pale sweets 44 Common Market (Abbr.) 45 Not long from now 46 Rules a realm 47 Potter’s Malfoy 49 Snares for fish 51 Memorization by repetition 52 Newspaper think piece
11/19
54 Certain weeder 56 Sound of pain 59 Uncultured person 61 Ryan Tannehill’s city 65 Colorful breakfast item 68 Prefix with “structure� 69 Atmosphere about someone 70 Not have but need 71 With more guards? 72 Type of ladder 73 “___ Tu� (’74 hit song) DOWN 1 Hindu dress 2 Neither wins nor loses 3 Throws into the mix 4 Turn in again, as a test 5 He beat Ernie Terrell in 1967 6 Patch applier 7 “Give that ___ cigar!� 8 Like basso singing 9 “Who’s Who� piece 10 Pesters 11 Swirl a spoon 12 Home run gait 13 Periods of two or more of 40-Across 18 Lock go-with
19 Society page newbie 24 Verizon, for one 26 Hosiery material 27 U-turn from caressed 28 With “the,� not this or that 29 Mary Mary singer Campbell 31 Emulated the sun 33 “Unhand me, you cad!� 34 “Looks ___ everything� 35 Spinning pool shot 37 Writer of tales with morals 39 Half statue 42 Catacamas is there 43 5-Across firer
48 Stick but good 50 “And ___ off!� 53 Before, way-old 55 Dingo’s prey 56 Kyoto waist sashes 57 Bone from the elbow 58 Sleeve finale 60 Extremely dry, in champagnes 62 A great distance 63 Timid rodents 64 Squid squirtings 66 Tender start? 67 Navigational aid
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11/18 Š 2018 Andrews McMeel Universal 11/15 Š 2018 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com www.upuzzles.com
STAND-UP EDIBLES By Timothy E. Parker
SPORTS
November 19-25, 2018 •
5
Sooner defense fails to perform
Special teams, offense carry OU to Saturday victory
it couldn’t seem to make a play or bring down the ball carrier. The defense struggled especially on critical downs, as they sur rendered 50 percent of third-down attempts and 50 percent of fourth-down attempts to the Jayhawks. If Oklahoma wants to stay competitive against West Virginia, it’s going to need the defense to take some major strides in a very short period of time.
PARKER PRIMROSE @parker_primrose
In its final home game of the season, No. 6 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) defeated Kansas (3-8, 1-7 Big 12) 55-40. Here’s how the Sooners stacked up in week 12: OFFENSE: ARedshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray continued his dominant season with another mesmerizing per for mance, accounting for 371 total yards and five total touchdowns. The Heisman hopeful was electric, with his agility and speed especially prevalent on his 75-yard touchdown r u n e a r l y i n t h e f ou r t h quarter. Murray was accurate with the ball on a day when the weather was not on his side, completing more than 65 percent of his passes while dealing with strong winds and cold temperatures. Complementing Murray was a strong performance from redshirt freshman r u n n i ng b a ck Ke n n e d y Brooks, who racke d up 178 total yards and scored two rushing touchdowns. Brooks overcame an early fumble to serve as the workhorse for the ground attack, taking 25 of the 30 carries given to r unning backs while sophomore running
CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray high-fives sophomore tight end Grant Calcaterra after a touchdown during the game against Kansas Nov. 17. Murray accounted for 371 total yards and five total touchdowns.
back Trey Sermon dealt with an early injury. Quality offensive line play made it all possible, as Oklahoma was able to control the line of scrimmage for the duration of the game. The only blemishes on the offense’s night were the two turnovers the unit committed, as Murray threw an interception in the third q u a r te r a n d to B ro o ks’
fumbled in the first quarter. The Sooners haven’t had many turnovers this season, totaling only 10, but protecting the football will be crucial if Oklahoma hopes to win in Morgantown on Friday.
progress and create positive momentum, but instead it ended up being possibly the worst defensive performance for the Sooners all season. The Jayhawks came into the game ranked 113th in total offense and averaging 141.8 yards per game, DEFENSE: F yet they were able to put Playing Kansas was sup- up 524 total yards and 348 posed to be an opportuni- rushing yards against the ty for the defense to show Sooners.
O k l a h o m a’s r u n d e fense, which had played well earlier in the season, was nowhere to be found against Kansas, as freshman KU running back Pooka Williams ran for 252 yards and two touchdowns against the Sooners. Ta c k l i n g c o n t i n u e d t o be a major issue, as even w h e n O k l a h o m a b ro k e into the Kansas backfield,
SPECIAL TEAMS: AFreshman Brayden Willis provided a major spark for Oklahoma on special teams, blocking a punt in the fourth quarter that redshirt senior Curtis Bolton was able to return for a touchdown. In the return game, the Sooners were able to generate several big gains, as sophomore Tre Brown averaged 27 yards per kick return and CeeDee Lamb returned one punt for 34 yards. Willis also contributed in the return game, fielding a punt for a 21-yard gain. S e n i o r k i c k e r Au s t i n Seibert was nearly perfect, making seven of his eight extra point attempts. His only miss was due to a Kansas block in the fourth quarter. Parker Primrose
parker.m.primrose-1@ ou.edu
Brooks steps up, delivers for OU offense Redshirt freshman makes waves, runs with opportunity PARKER PRIMROSE @parker_primrose
When sophomore running back Trey Sermon was forced to exit the game early in the first quarter after an injury, the Sooners were left with just two first-year running backs suited up on the sideline. However, instead of falling apart, the offense continued to dominate on the ground, as the unit racked up 294 rushing yards with the help of redshirt freshman running back Kennedy Brooks. “It was fun, not going to lie to you,” Brooks said. “Not a lot of pressure, I can tell you that. Just going out there and doing the best I can to help this team win.” Brooks accounted for 178 total yards and two rushing touchdowns, while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. In addition, he received 25 of the 30 carries given to running backs Saturday night. “Really proud of Kennedy B r o o k s ,” h e a d c o a c h Lincoln Riley said. “I
thought he really stepped up tonight after the early fumble, which can get a lot of young guys down. He was really our only back that we had tonight, so we needed him to play good and he really did.” The only blemish on Brooks’ night was his fumble on the offense’s opening drive. The turnover gave Kansas the ball on the KU 7-yard line and led to a Jayhawk touchdown. “It happens sometimes,” Brooks said. “I can’t hit my head over it. In my head, I was like, ‘OK, forget that, now let’s come in with a big gain. ‘That’s the only way to respond. You never want that to happen, but if it does you’ve got to keep moving, keep grinding.” The caliber of play from Brooks showed over the past few weeks has been a boom for the offense, and his teammates have noticed. In the last two weeks combined, Brooks has delivered 336 rushing yards and five touchdowns. “It goes to show that the next man up means a big role,” junior offensive tackle Cody Ford said. “It shows that he was ready for his opportunity; he took it and ran with it, obviously. It just
JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
Redshirt freshman running back Kennedy Brooks runs with the ball during the game against Kansas Nov. 17. Brooks accounted for 178 total yards and two rushing touchdowns.
goes to show, we have depth no matter who goes down and whoever steps up is ready to take that role.” With a matchup against No. 12 West Virginia just six days away and a potential
Big 12 championship game on the horizon, the Oklahoma offense knows it’ll continue to need Brooks to deliver, including its superstar quarterback. “He did a great job, doing
it by himself,” redshirt jun i o r q u a r te rba ck Kyl e r Murray said. “He’s been doing it since he got his chance earlier in the season. We’re going to need him going forward and I’m
sure he’ll continue to run well.” Parker Primrose
parker.m.primrose-1@ ou.edu
Kyler Murray: ‘best player in college football’ Quarterback keeps impressive stats against Kansas ABBY BITTERMAN @abby_bitterman
Kyler Murray is almost unstoppable. On third-and-goal in the third quarter, Murray was facing pressure when he scrambled to his right and pointed downfield as if he were directing someone. Then he took off, running 11 yards for a touchdown. With almost 14 minutes left in the game, Murray took the snap and took off,
running 75 yards for his third rushing touchdown of the day. As Murray crossed into the end zone with no Kansas defenders close to him, Tim Brando of FOX Sports said, “That’s why Kyler Murray is the best player in college football.” He just might be. Time and time again, Murray has had to put the Sooners on his back and lead them to wins, and that story was the same Saturday n i g ht i n No r ma n w h e n Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) beat Kansas (3-8, 1-7 Big 12), 55-40. Oklahoma hasn’t been getting the job done on
defense, putting even more pressure on Murray and the offense to score every possession, a challenge he’s done all he can to meet. Murray recorded a career high in rushing touchdowns Saturday night, running the ball in three times while rushing for 99 yards. “It’s just a pleasure really to watch him run out there and look up and see him run like what he’s doing,” junior wide receiver Marquise Brown said. “It’s just a pleasure. He’s a great player.” W h i l e B row n d o e s n ’ t h av e a v o t e , h e t h i n k s Mur ray should w in the Heisman Trophy. The Sooners may have launched
his official campaign for the award this week, but he’s been campaigning for it all year with his play. This week, Murray accounted for 371 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, while Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa put up 377 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. The race between the two is close, but Murray’s speed and big play making ability have garnered national attention week after week. “He’s a special player,” Kansas coach David Beaty said. “That Heisman needs to go to him.” While Murray may not always be perfect — he threw
an interception in the opening drive of the second half — he’s continued to reach career highs and improve every week. Statistically, Murray is playing some of the best football in the countr y. Before the Sooners took on Kansas, he ranked No. 3 in the nation in total offense per game and No. 1 in passing efficiency. Oklahoma had a Heisman-winning quarterback leading its high-powered offense last year, and Murray has continued to play up to and exceed that standard. “I just feel like nobody’s playing better football than
him, to be honest,” Brown said. “He’s throwing it, running it. He’s really the most valuable player for this team, so I feel like he should be the Heisman.” Abby Bitterman abbybitt@ou.edu
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6
SPORTS
• November 19-25, 2018
‘Very, very pleased with the win’ Lincoln Riley talks defense, Murray after Kansas game GEORGE STOIA @GeorgeStoia
It was ugly. But as Okahoma coach Lincoln Riley would say, a win is a win. The Sooners’ 55-40 win over Kansas was not the prettiest, Riley said, but it got the job done. Here’s what else he had to say: OPENING STATEMENT “Very, very pleased with the win. It was a goal of this team from the beginning and something we talked about a lot. One of the things we knew we had a
chance to improve on was winning all these games at home. Playing here is important to us. We get to play in front of the best fans in certainly one of the best venues, not only in college football, but in sports, and they will protect that. To run the table this year at home was big. Obviously, still keeps all of our goals intact as far as the rest of the season. And then, very important to us was winning this one for our seniors. These guys have given a ton. We don’t have a lot of numbers, we don’t have a lot of seniors, but the guys that have been here have been absolutely tremendous. They’ve been part of a historic run for the last several years. That we’ll send those guys out with a
win was tremendous.” ON THE DEFENSE “I still feel like we can be what we need to be. Obviously, we didn’t take a step this week that we expected to take, so I can’t sit here and say something that’s not true. We didn’t take a step that I felt we would take. We felt like we had defended the run well all year and we really put a lot of emphasis on our pass coverage, which, again, I thought was better but we kind of sprung some new leaks, really, but no matter whether teams are running it or throwing it, you’ve got to tackle. At the end of the day, you have to tackle. We have guys there that should be shutting things down, or three guys there
to make plays – they’ve got to go make them. And we’re playing a little too hesitant. We’re not playing as aggressive as we need to play as far as triggering and making plays and if you do that against really good athletes, you’re going to pay. I still feel like there’s capability in that room to get it done, but we’re going to have to play much better than we did, we’re going to have to tackle better than we did.”
where your help is, it’s all comes dow n to playing great team defense, and when you do, you put yourself in position to make those plays, and when you do, you’ve got to go make them. The group I watched tonight was too hesitant. I thought we were in position a lot and we’ve got to go. We’ve got to trigger and go play confident and go play explosive and go play to make the play as opposed to just trying to keep them from making a play. I felt like we were more on our heels than we needed to be. We’ve certainly got to be more aggressive and find a way as coaches to get that out of our kids.”
ON THE DEFENSE STRUGGLING TO TACKLE “We’ve had games where we’ve really tackled well, and we have guys that can tackle well. Tackling is just so many things — it’s being ON KYLER MURRAY’S in position, it’s knowing PLAY
“He did some good things. I thought he was patient most of the night. His challenge tonight was to throw the football. The conditions were certainly a factor, both in the throw game and in the kicking game, for both teams. I thought he did a nice job. He read well. The decisions were pretty good. He had one bad decision on the interception but had a little pressure there early on a bad call by me and just didn’t see the corner. (He) continues to play well for us. He’s been a really good player for us all year and was again tonight.” George Stoia
georgestoia@ou.edu
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Photos credits and captions
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JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
Sophomore cornerback Tre Brown runs with the ball during the game against Kansas Nov. 17. CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Sophomore tight end Grant Calcaterra catches the ball in the game against Kansas Nov. 17. CAITLYN EPES/THE DAILY
Redshirt junior quarterback Kyler Murray runs the ball during the game against Kansas Nov. 17. KATHRYN STACY/THE DAILY
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Charleston Rambo is tackled in the game against Kansas on Nov. 17. KATHRYN STACY/THE DAILY
Redshirt freshman running back Kennedy Brooks runs with the ball in the game against Kansas on Nov. 17. JORDAN MILLER/THE DAILY
Redshirt freshman fullback Jeremiah Hall runs with the ball during the game against Kansas Nov. 17.