SPORTS: Bob Stoops received the Big 12 Coach of the Year Award PAGE 4 The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916
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Boren restates support for tax OU president says he is ‘disappointed’ in efforts to block his proposal ANDREW CLARK
assistant news managing editor @Clarky_Tweets
OU President David Boren said in a statement Wednesday that he is disappointed in those who oppose his penny tax plan to fund Oklahoma education. Read the statement below: “I am very disappointed that any group is trying to block the right of the people of Oklahoma to vote on improved funding for education in the state. Court action stops the circulation of petitions to put the issue on the ballot by collecting
voter signatures until the courts have ruled. “Others say they are for helping education, but they present no alternative plan for raising $600 million to do so. There is no free lunch. Our students deserve better. “I understand that cities and towns need more revenue sources. I support efforts to help them but for the good of their communities there is no greater attraction for jobs and economic development than great schools and colleges. “We must act to solve the teacher shortage in Oklahoma and the increased burdened on Oklahoma college students and their families. Even if some oppose the initiative they should be willing to let the people vote to solve the problem. “Those in favor of the education
proposal have a strong legal case before the courts.” The statement comes after the Oklahoma Municipal League and Dewey F. Bartlett Jr., the mayor of Tulsa, filed a joint amicus brief joining OCPA Impact in its opposition to Boren’s proposal. The brief contains written grievances relating to the constitutionality of Boren’s proposal. The penny tax would add one cent on the dollar to the Oklahoma sales tax, giving the state the highest sales tax in the country. The Oklahoma Supreme Court w ill hear arguments against Boren’s proposal Dec. 16 at the capitol building.
NOOR EEMAAN/THE DAILY
OU President David Boren speaks on his penny tax initiative in the Oklahoma Capitol building on Oct. 21. Boren released a statement Wednesday saying he was disappointed in those opposing his proposal.
Andrew Clark andrew.clarkou@gmail.com
A Miracle Child Greek organizations pair up with children for Soonerthon MARY SMITH • NEWS REPORTER • @MARYSMITT Y21
South Oval to receive updates Renovations have no concrete timeline yet
Greek houses have been Wathen. paired with Miracle Children He loves the Soonerthon for 2016’s Soonerthon, and dance, and she likes raissome of the children are vet- ing funds for the hospitals erans of the dance marathon and raising awareness of the event. services at OU Children’s Each year, fraternities Hospital and educating othand sororities are paired ers about Down syndrome, with one or two kids who Lori Wathen said. are a part of the Children’s Because L ori Wathen M i r a c l e works at the Network and “When Reis was O U H e a l t h are known Sciences born, I didn’t as Miracle Center and Children. Reis sees seveven realize These children doctors at that there were eral receive care, OU Children pediatricians benefit from Hospital, she the Children’s who specialized was asked if M i r a c l e she’d like Reis in kids with Network and to be a Miracle the Children’s developmental C h i l d , s h e Hospital and behavioral said. Foundation “When Reis issues.” and speak was born, I about their didn’t even LORI WATHEN, illnesses or re a l i z e t h a t OU HEALTH SCIENCES disabilities to there were CENTER spread awarepediatricians ness and who specialeducation. ized in kids with developThe fraternity Sigma Chi mental and behavioral isis paired with Reis Wathen, sues,” Wathen said. “(There a 13-year-old with Down are) only a handful of them syndrome who will be par- in the state, and we have ticipating in Soonerthon for four or five of them at OU’s his third or fourth year, ac- child studies center.” cording to his mother, Lori
JESSE POUND news editor @jesserpound
Renovations for two buildings on the South Oval are still in the planning phase, and there is no current, concrete timeline for the completion of the project. The OU Board of Regents voted to approve renovations to Gittinger and Kaufman Halls in March 2014, with OU President David Boren saying renovations to the buildings were “long overdue.” In an email last week, OU press secretary Corbin Wallace said the renovations were still in the planning phase. Brian Holderread, director of OU Architectural and Engineering Ser vices, said he hopes to begin work on Kaufman during the spring semester. “A lot of Kaufman is going to be some exterior upgrades,” Holderread said. There is no current timeline for renovations to Gittinger Hall, Holderread said. MARY SMITH/THE DAILY
Reis Wathen plays with Christmas ornaments in his front yard. He is a Miracle Child with Down syndrome and has been paired with the fraternity Sigma Chi for Soonerthon this year.
SEE MIRACLE PAGE 2
SEE RENOVATIONS PAGE 2
New associate dean has range of experience Gaylord College will welcome Walker to faculty ranks Dec. 21 DAYTEN ISRAEL news reporter @daytenisrael
The OU Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication’s new associate dean will begin her position Dec. 21 and is looking forward to working with students. Yvette Walker is currently the night news director and director
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Gaylord’s interim dean, Ed Kelley, in 2006 when he was editor of the newspaper, according to a press release. She believes their work together allowed Kelley to see her capabilities, she said. “He knows me personally and has seen my day-to-day work ethic,” Walker said. Walker also teaches two classes at the University of Central Oklahoma and has held the Edith YVETTE WALKER Kinney Gaylord Endowed Chair of Journalism Ethics there for five of presentation and custom pub- years, according to the release. lishing at The Oklahoman and Walker said she hopes that the was recruited to the newspaper by combination of her experience in
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the journalism world and in educational institutions will help her to be a valuable resource for Gaylord students. “I bring experience from both worlds, and together they will help to make me a good sounding board for what students need at Gaylord,” Walker said. Dayten Israel daytenisrael@gmail.com
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NEW ASSOCIATE DEAN Who: Yvette Walker Where: OU Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications When: Dec. 21 Currently: Night news director and director of presentation and custom publishing at The Oklahoman
OU YAK OF THE DAY “Today’s high was 74, and today’s low was when I ate an entire package of Oreos.”
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• THursday, December 10, 2015
NEWS
Page Jones, news managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com • Twitter: @OUDaily
Holtzclaw jury still deliberating Former officer is accused of attacks on 13 women ASSOCIATED PRESS
OKLAHOMA CITY — A jury considering the fate of a former Oklahoma City police officer charged with raping or sexually victimizing 13 women has inquired about their instructions, but offered few clues into their deliberations, which were in their third day Wednesday. Oklahoma County District Judge Timothy Henderson declined to elaborate on the nature of the jurors’ questions while deliberations continue, but said such questions are not unusual. “We’ve got a lot of instructions in this case,” Henderson said. Henderson spent more than an hour on Monday giving jurors instructions on the 36 counts against former police officer Daniel Holtzclaw that include rape, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy and indecent exposure. The charges involve
13 women who accuse the officer of sexually victimizing them in the low-income neighborhoods he patrolled on the city’s northeast side. Holtzclaw, who turns 29 on Thursday, could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted on any of six first-degree rape charges. The jury, which is being sequestered, met for nine hours Monday and for nearly 12 on Tuesday, before disbanding for the night around 10:15 p.m. They resumed deliberations Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Henderson and lead prosecutor Gayland Gieger say it’s the longest jury deliberations in any case they’ve been involved in. The victims say they encountered Holtzclaw while he was on duty, and prosecutors say the ex-officer intimidated them into not reporting his crimes. Holtzclaw’s lawyer, Scott Adams, portrayed him as a model officer and questioned the credibility of the SUE OGROCKI/ASSOCIATED PRESS women who testified against An all-white jury was selected in the trial of former Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw, who is accused of sexually assaulting black him. women.
RENOVATIONS:
›››› Sooner Sampler:
Continued from Page One
What is your ultimate study tip?
Holderread said there were no plans to begin work on renovations before this time. The Board of Regents approved $10 million for the renovations, $5 million for each building. The budget has not been changed in any significant way, Holderread said. The renovations to the OU Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium, which were approved in the summer of 2014, were diminished by $200 million this past April amid falling oil prices.
“Get enough sleep..” HANS BUTZER, DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURE
NOOR EEMAAN/THE DAILY
Jesse Pound jesserpound@gmail.com
MIRACLE: Continued from Page One As a Miracle Child, Reis goes to events, such as a golf tournament two years ago, where he and his mom speak on Down syndrome, Wathen said. The experience was both educational and fun, and she’s grateful that they have those opportunities, she said. Her favorite part about Soonerthon is when OU students make an archway or a path for the kids to run through, she said. “It’s just a really great experience, and I think it makes our kids feel good that people care about them,” she said. One year, they attended the rave the night before the Soonerthon dance, and it overwhelmed Reis, Wathen
The Board of Regents meets at the University of Oklahoma on Dec. 1. The regents voted to approve renovations for Kaufman and Gittinger halls.
said. However, sorority girls from the sorority they were paired with hung out with Reis in the lobby the whole night and played games with him, she said. Members of Sigma Chi have met Reis at an Andy’s Alligators event earlier in the semester and plan on bowling w ith the family this Friday, said biology and pre-dental freshman Caelin Luster, the fraternity’s Soonerthon team captain. “It’s been nice to get to know him, and I feel like we are trying to make a difference in his life. We share such little time with him, and I feel like we just have to make the most of it,” Luster said. The sorority Alpha Phi has been paired with two sisters, Jazmin and Alexia Hammons, who both have Chiar i I malfor mation, a m o ng o t h e r i l l n e ss e s.
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Jazmin is 17-year-old senior at Moore High School and Alexia is 13 years old. Jazmin has several brain disorders along with Chirari I in addition to a connective tissue disorder, scoliosis and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, she said. The symptoms that she experiences due to her illnesses include constant migraines, joint pain, chest pain and memory problems, she said. She had brain surgery in 2012, which helped alleviate symptoms she experienced due to Chirari I but worsened the other symptoms she experiences daily, she said. Her condition has affected her schoolwork and everyday life, but since it’s her senior year of high school, s h e ’s d e c i d e d t o p u s h through the pain, she said. This will be the third
time she has been a part of Soonerthon, and she looks forward to the dance, she said. “(The dances) are a long day but it was a lot of fun,” Hammons said. Jazmin had so much fun last year that she didn’t even notice the pain she felt in her joints, her mother, Ann Humphries, said. Humphr ies said she discovered the Miracle Children program after a visit to the Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, although it wasn’t very well advertised. “It’s kind of frustrating as a parent, because they don’t advertise that they have this fabulous thing (…) I wish they would just let people know more (about the opportunity),” Humphries said. Mary Smith mcsooner19@gmail.com
Dillon Hollingsworth Sports Editor Jessie Barber Arts & Entertainment Editor
160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-2052
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TIM DAVIDSON, HUMAN RELATIONS COUNSELING TEACHER
“Rewrite notes by hand to increase muscle memory, it’s a better way to inscribe things to your brain. ” ROXANNE MOUNTFORD, DIRECTOR OF COMPOSITION
“Write things down and work somewhere with people, that way you won’t be tempted to fall asleep.” LUIS MIGUEL MACIAS, SPANISH TEACHER
email:
dailynews@ou.edu
The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum, the University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice and an entirely student-run publication.
Guest columns are accepted and printed at the editor’s discretion.
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 dailyopinion@ou.edu.
Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are their own and not necessarily the views or opinions of The Oklahoma Daily Editorial Board.
Our View is the voice of the Editorial Board, which consists of five 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.
“Study consistently throughout the semester and go back and review your work periodically. Read a lot and write a summary of your ideas.”
To advertise in The Oklahoma Daily, contact advertising by calling 405-3258964 or emailing dailyads@ou.edu. 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 405-325-2522.
“(Do a) last minute, really close read of materials beforehand.” WILLIAM FRICK, EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY STUDIES TEACHER
Thursday, December 10, 2015 •
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
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Jessica Barber, a&e editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/a_and_e • Twitter: @OUDailyArts
Printmakers unite Friday CLASSIFIEDS Annual festival will feature art, music from local bands
space would be used to feature art and maybe even house a screen printing shop, Piper said. Print Print BOOM! will host both printmakers and their work in several spaces with limited edition prints for sale. Visitors will have the opportunity to look at and purchase prints. They will also be able to participate in a mural creation workshop with Texas-based artist Maurice Abelman. This is where the final mural will be publicly installed, Piper said. The event will also feature live music from local bands l i ke Sha m e l e ss F r i e n d , Sardashhh and Mikey Keys. The free event will host over 35 printmakers and is open to the public.
JESSICA BARBER
arts and entertainment editor @JessicaDylan16
Print Print BOOM!, a yearly printmaking festival, will be hosted by Dope Chapel this Friday. The original Dope Chapel closed in September but will be hosting the event on downtown Main Street for the night, according to the event’s Facebook page. When the old space closed, the co-founders of Dope Chapel hoped to still be involved in the Norman/ OKC-area art scene, said Eric Piper, the venue’s co-owner. After receiving a grant to attend lectures and share ideas with Minnesota entrepreneurs, the co-owners hope to look for a new space in or around Norman. This
J
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Maurice Abelman is one of the artists that will be at Print Print BOOM! The event will be hosted by Dope Chapel Friday.
Phone: 405-325-2521 E-mail: classifieds@ou.edu
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NEED TO KNOW
•Felix Blesch •Steve Blesch •Derrick Adams •Jenna Bryan •Eric Piper •Maurice Abelman •Lars Roeder •Ross Turner •Javier Flores •Barbara Tharas •OU Print Club •Stephanie Alaniz •Ott Piibeman •Laramie Fain •Iris Liu
Where: 428 E. Main St, Norman, OK When: Friday Featured Artists: •Cheap Rent •Roz Adams •AnnaVittoria Conner •Pat Seals •Curtis Jones •Logan Sweetwood •Manda Shae
•JT Felix •Cullen Miller •Cameron Gray •Danny Gonzalez •Lucas Barraza •Jason Brown •Brian Dunn •Alicia Smith •Melody Vaughan •Gloria Shows •Steven Lee Goodwin Jr. •Eric Wilson •Grady McConnell •Nathan Eclavea •Maria Razo
•Andrew Johnston Featured Musicians: •Shameless Friend •Sardashhh •Mikey Keys •Askanse •Limp Wizurds •Monsters in the Radio •PVLMS •Celadon City •Dboyd •Schotty
Christmas comes to corner ‘Frozen’ characters, Santa Claus to pose for photos at event CHLOE MOORES
arts and entertainment reporter @chloemoores13
Christmas is coming to Campus Corner on Saturday with Santa Claus, “Frozen� characters, a bingo dash and a chance to win a variety of gift cards with it.
Christmas on the Corner is an annual event, but unlike previous years, there will be an opportunity to take pictures with Santa Claus as well as Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff from Disney’s “Frozen,� Erin Patton, the director of Christmas on the Corner, said. Christmas on the Corner is from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Seven47 restaurant on Asp Avenue. Participants can take pictures with Santa Claus and the “Frozen� characters at picture booths
set up inside the restaurant, Patton said. While at Seven47, participants can purchase one bingo card for ever y $5 they donate. Individuals with bingo cards will go on a bingo dash around the restaurants and shops on Campus Corner to fill up their bingo cards. All proceeds will be donated to the food pantry at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, Patton said. At 3:30 p.m., participants can return to Seven47 for
the opportunity to win one of 20 $50 gift cards to various Campus Corner businesses. One participant will win the grand prize, a $250 Visa gift card, Patton said. Chloe Moores margaret.c.moores-1@ou.edu
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Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker December 10, 2015
SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY
Campus Corner the night of Dec. 9. Campus Corner will have Santa Claus, “Frozen� characters, bingo and a chance to win gift cards.
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.
ACROSS 1 “Demo� anagram 5 Portended 10 Legendary Ripken 13 Having keen interest 14 Electric bill listing 15 “Two Mules for Sister ___� (Clint Eastwood film) 16 One place for musicians 19 Make a goof 20 Suggestion box fillers 21 Capitol Hill workers 22 Cork in a bottle, e.g. 24 Justice Dept. employees 25 Provide with sustenance 26 Home on the plains, once 28 Recipe direction 30 Allen Iverson was one, briefly 31 Diamond or ruby 34 Way to reveal secrets at night 38 “Dee-lish!� 39 Narrative stories 40 Foot division 41 “But of course!� 42 Like a comfortable pillow
12/10
44 Bagel purveyors 46 One of a horse’s limbs 49 “Shroud� city 50 Australian “bear� 52 First family member 53 Saying a lot 56 Iron-pumper’s pride , for short 57 Two-dot mark 58 Summer breeze sources 59 Air France plane, once 60 Carafe relatives 61 Catch ___ (start to get) DOWN 1 Starts of some pranks 2 Blatant 3 Certain storage method 4 Tokyo, formerly 5 Ready to bloom 6 Purple willow, e.g. 7 Comedian Carvey 8 Faberge collectibles 9 ___ Plaines River 10 Ace of clubs? 11 Taurus preceder 12 Myanmar neighbor
15 Hotel upgrade 17 Perfect for picking 18 Fourbaggers 23 Corporate freebie 24 Gorillas, for instance 26 Antler parts 27 Spouses no more 28 Where pigs wallow 29 Crossshaped Greek character 30 Loafer’s bottom 31 Lady’s escort 32 Common Market initials 33 Dashboard reading, for short 35 “Cogito� 36 Thumbsdown votes
37 Type of insurance 41 It may be assumed 42 Wise lawmakers 43 Kind of hygiene 44 Plays for a fool 45 Having good posture 46 Party handout 47 Word with “main� or “blessed� 48 Artist’s paste 49 Vanilla extract amts. 50 Have memorized 51 Eye impolitely 54 Rocks in the freezer 55 Area 51 craft, supposedly
PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER
12/9
12/9
Š 2015 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com Š 2015 Universal Uclick
SAY WHAT? By Rob Lee
HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last
Copyright 2015, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Take note of what transpired this year. There is a lesson you can learn and Help bring about changes that will raise your standard of living and pro- information you can apply that will fessional clout. Strive for perfection, help you take advantage of similar circumstances. A romantic encounter consistency and reliability. If you stick to the truth and live up to your is encouraged. promises, success will follow. Remain focused and live within your means. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- YouĘźll end up being a scapegoat if you arenĘźt careful. DonĘźt claim to be SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- DonĘźt let uncertainty get you down. able to do something you canĘźt. ItĘźs important to be upfront about your Exaggeration will make you look bad. Stick to facts and be open about feelings and abilities. your motives. No one can fault you CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Enjoy for being honest. life, live in the moment and put CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Look friends and family first. Do a little at the big picture and the trends that shopping and engage in talks that lead you down memory lane. are forming. Prepare to head into the upcoming year ready to take on Romance is in the stars. whatever comes your way. PreparaLEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Discipline tion and clear vision will be your and hard work along with compassaving graces. sion and generosity will put you in a prime position. Network with AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -Gravitate to where the action is. Your colleagues and pay close attention to involvement in the hustle and bustle any upcoming job openings. that take place this time of year VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- An will encourage you to take on more interesting talk with someone from a responsibility. different background will spark your PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Limita- imagination and spur curiosity about tions will set in if you have taken on a joint venture. A personal or profestoo much. DonĘźt make promises you sional partnership looks promising. cannot keep. Steer clear of indulgent people or deals that are too good to LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- A last-minute change of plans can be be true. expected. DonĘźt let othersĘź actions ruin your plans. Attend an event or ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- DonĘźt stop short of your goals. Unfinished activity even if you have to go alone. business will leave you feeling SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- ItĘźs a anxious and unable to enjoy the good time to make personal changes festive season. DonĘźt say anything that will update your appearance and if you donĘźt have something nice or give your morale a boost. Romance is positive to share. in the stars. DonĘźt be shy; share your intentions with someone special.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
4•
Thursday, December 10, 2015
SPORTS
Dillon Hollingsworth, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 405-325-3666 oudaily.com/sports • Twitter: @OUDailySports
Mayfield snub is baffling ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Joe Buettner
joebuet@ou.edu @Joe_Buettner
Three finalists for the Heisman Trophy will head to New York Saturday. Oklahoma junior Baker Mayfield will not be one of them. The Sooners’ first-year starter was snubbed, not receiving an invite to college football’s most prestigious individual award presentation. Maybe the gap was too wide between Mayfield and the third-place finisher. Maybe the Heisman Trust is cutting back expenses. Maybe New York is a “no-whipping” zone. Whatever the case, Mayfield should be in New York. He led Oklahoma to an 11-1 record and the school’s ninth Big 12 title. He threw for 3,389 yards, 35 touchdowns, only five interceptions and completed 68.6 percent of his passes. Those numbers are on par with quarterbacks who’ve recently won the Heisman. His team is in contention for a national title. And he has not one, but multiple “Heisman moments.” So what’s the issue? It’s hard to pinpoint. One thing is certain — the three finalists are just as deserving. But the consensus
Bob Stoops takes home fifth Big 12 Coach of the Year award Following a Big 12 championship season for Oklahoma, coach Bob Stoops was named the Chuck Neinas Coach of the Year by the Big 12 Conference. This is the fifth time Stoops has won the award, with his first being awarded in 2000. The award is voted on by the league’s 10 coaches. Coaches cannot vote for themselves, however. Stoops is coming off his ninth conference championship and is competing in the College Football Playoff this postseason. Stoops is also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, which is presented by the Football Writers Association of America. Joe Buettner, assistant sports editor
CHRISTOPHER MICHIE/THE DAILY
Junior quarterback Baker Mayfield hands the ball to sophomore running back Samaje Perine during the Bedlam game at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mayfield won’t take part in Saturday’s Heisman ceremony.
seems to be that Mayfield’s lack of a presence on the last Saturday of the regular season left him out of the equation. But to completely ignore Mayfield’s body of work because OU scheduled its final nine games with no bye weeks in between is laughable. The three finalists — Alabama’s Derrick Henry, Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson — and Mayfield all have the stats, and they all play for teams in contention for the College Football Playoff crown, with the exception of McCaffrey. But the moments Mayfield has produced this season are second-to-none. His team’s gutsy comeback in Knoxville, Tennessee, was orchestrated by Mayfield in only his second start at OU. He weaved his way through Tulsa defenders for an impossible touchdown pass to Mark Andrews.
Similarly, he danced around Baylor defenders until he found Dimitri Flowers to seal OU’s road win over then-No. 6 Baylor. And he led Oklahoma to a blowout win on Thanksgiving weekend over OU’s Bedlam rivals, Oklahoma State, on the road to secure an outright Big 12 championship. An unspoken criteria for the award is a good story and boy, does Mayfield have one. Mayfield got just one FBS offer out of high school, so he walked on at Texas Tech and became the starter by week one. Coach Kliff Kingsbury wouldn’t give him a scholarship, so he left and showed up to OU unannounced after Trevor Knight lit up Alabama in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. He sat out a year due to NCAA transfer rules, won Oklahoma’s starting job, and in his first year as OU’s signal caller he’s got Oklahoma in a position to win a national title.
Defense sparks great season SPORTS REPORTER
turnovers to give the ofwhen it mattered most — fense extra possessions. forcing the majority of its Oklahoma had the sevturnovers against ranked enth-best turnover margin foes. at -5. The team suffered In the five games they from an offense that threw played against teams that plenty of interceptions and were ranked at the time, was inept at hauling them the Sooners forced 15 in on defense. However, this turnovers, three per game. Scott Hiney year the Sooners improved When the Sooners needed scotthiney@ou.edu @scotthiney that number by 15 to a +10 it most, the defense gave the turnover margin. offense extra chances. It’s not hard to tell that an As Oklahoma prepares When a program consid- offense’s best tool is a good to fight for the program’s ers a two-loss season a fail- defense that gets the ball eighth national title, while ure, disappointment reigns into its hands often. With the offense might get all supreme after a five-loss the up-tempo, air-it-out of- the praise as the reason season. fense Oklahoma switched the team is in this position, While fingers can’t be to in the offseason, OU’s don’t be so quick to forget pointed at just one aspect offense found itself to be the strides a once-dismal of the team as the source most efficient when the defense has made this for OU’s 8-5 campaign in Sooners were getting extra season. 2014, Oklahoma’s defense possessions. left plenty to be desired last In the Sooners’ first year. While this season’s games up through the Texas Scott Hiney is an advertising 11-1 record — and a Frank loss, the team averaged just junior Broyles Award — has shown 1.4 turnovers forced per Sooner nation that Lincoln game. In the seven games Riley was a home run hire after, that average grew to for the offense, the defense 2.7 per game. can take equal credit for the The defense stepped up Sooners’ first appearance in the College Football Playoff. Last season, the Sooners found themselves getting torn apart through the air, amassing the Big 12’s second-worst total pass defense as they gave up 276 yards per game. This seaDuring the son, the Sooners knocked that number down to 201.5 Regular Meeting Of yards per game — good for first in the conference. They The University of Oklahoma also improved from the No. 120 pass defense in the naPUBLICATIONS BOARD tion to No. 34. A year ago, the Sooners had their lowest average margin of victory since 2012 9:30 a.m. Friday, December 11 at just 10.5 points per game. Copeland Hall, Room 122 This season, that number was an NCAA-best 25 points per game, Oklahoma’s best margin since the 2003 season. This came in large part Students, staff, faculty and others in the because of a defense that community are invited to express their views allowed 5.1 fewer points per game at 20.8 — which was a concerning The Oklahoma Daily conference best. or Sooner yearbook to the Publications Board. In 2014 when the offense had its struggles, the defense wasn’t creating
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This is not bad for an undersized athlete from Austin, Texas, who used to tailgate and throw around a football as a kid outside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mayfield’s been told “no” before, and the Heisman Trophy’s snub of No. 6 might not be the last. But when colleges wouldn’t offer, Mayfield started with the Red Raiders. When the NCAA told him he had to sit out a year, he showed up the next season and won a Big 12 title. After the Heisman Trophy decided not to even invite him to New York, don’t think Mayfield won’t have an even larger chip on his shoulder when OU faces No. 1 Clemson in the College Football Playoff’s semifinals. Joe Buettner is a journalism junior
Westbrook snags Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year Junior wide receiver Dede Westbrook was named the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year Wednesday. The Cameron, Texas native transferred to Oklahoma before the 2015 season after playing at Blinn Community College. Westbrook racked up 674 yards and four touchdowns on 42 receptions this season, and started all 12 of the Sooners’ regular season games. Westbrook’s was Oklahoma’s third award on Tuesday, following Baker Mayfield’s Offensive Player of the Year trophy and Bob Stoops’ Coach of the Year honors. Dillon Hollingsworth, sports editor
Mayfield wins Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Burlsworth Trophy Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield added another award to his resume Wednesday morning. The Sooner quarterback was selected as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year two days after receiving the Burlsworth Trophy. Mayfield finished the 2015 regular season with 3,389 passing yards, 35 touchdown passes and only five interceptions. He also rushed for 420 yards and seven touchdowns. Mayfield will lead Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff on Dec. 31 against No. 1 Clemson in Miami, Florida. Joe Buettner, assistant sports editor
Finals Week Stress Tips Managing stress is important to your health and well-being. Some guidelines to help reduce stress levels and/or cope with stressors in a healthy manner include: Exercise Participation in some type of physical activity on a daily basis is highly recommended. Don’t have 30 minutes…try 10 minute bouts throughout the day! Sleep Be sure to find time to sleep. Practicing good time management skills can increase the opportunity to get needed rest. Eat Healthy Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. Limit Caffeine Intake An excessive intake of caffeine can cause feelings of anxiety, nervousness, irritability, and/or tremors. Use Humor Don’t dismiss problems, instead humor can be used to face problems in a more beneficial way. Don’t take life too seriously! Practice Good Time Management Re-evaluate life. Eliminate unnecessary and unimportant tasks and make a manageable “to do” list. Prioritize! Relax The use of relaxation techniques can help alleviate anger, tension, etc. Examples include: deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and guided imagery. Change Negative Thoughts Replace negative inner thoughts with more positive, logical ones. Keep final exams in perspective as they are just a test. Be a Problem Solver Look at the problem that often causes the most stress. Make an effort to have a good attitude about the problem; focus on how to manage the problem rather than trying to find a solution. Communicate When stressed, slow down and think before responding. Also, listen to the other person and take his/her feelings into consideration. Avoid Using Alcohol or Other Drugs Drink in moderation or not at all. Seek Help if Necessary Sometimes help from a professional is needed… don’t delay! Making an appointment is the hardest part.
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