The O'Colly, Friday, November 24, 2023. by The O'Colly

Friday, November 24, 2023

‘Someone who looks like me’

Indigenous student sets example for others Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor Kalen Strunk’s classmate asked him a question that changed his life: “What are you?” He was in 8th grade, and it was his final class of the day. Science. But his mind wandered from the class lesson. “It was the first time I ever was aware that I could be perceived as not white,” Strunk said. Growing up in Del City, family members praised the white qualities in Strunk’s features. His friends watched his blond-haired, blue-eyed grandmother drop him off at school each morning. At that period in his life, Strunk Kennedy Thomason

said he identified more with his white heritage than his Indigenous heritage. But he is not white. He is biracial. He is five-eighths Indigenous. And a leader. An example. A scientist. Seek first to understand When Reese Fuller met Strunk, he did not like him. “Whenever we first met, we clearly had come from different backgrounds and had some different thoughts on things,” Fuller said. “And so the first time we ever encountered each other, we did not get along, to say the least.” Strunk was outspoken, assertive and open. Fuller was professional and reserved. The two met through President’s Leadership Council, a leadership and mentorship program for freshmen. They didn’t click. See Example on 4A

Abigail Stewart, who uses a walker, utilizes handicapable doors to access buildings on campus.

Accessibility issues

Students call on OSU to ‘do more’ Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor

university complies with disability and accessibility laws, Stewart, along with other students, is pushing for OSU to improve its environment for students. “There’s a lot that After weeks of failed attempts to open the doors they (handicapable doors) don’t have maintenance, to the Classroom Buildlike over and over again,” ing, Abigail Stewart had Stewart said. “I would enough. email them, whoever’s Stewart, a junior, uses a walker to get around in charge of that. I’d be like, ‘Hey,’ and say which campus. building specifically, which As a high school door, and all of that. A senior, Stewart was diagweek would go by, not nosed with a cancerous brain tumor, located in her cerebellum. A successful surgery removed the tumor, and after undergoing five weeks of radiation, rehabilitation and chemotherapy, she was cancer-free. But it was just the beginning of her recovery. The cerebellum controls motor function, and a result of Stewart’s surgery was a loss of some of her abilities. “I’m still intellectually basically where I was before, but like movement and stuff, like I couldn’t move my facial muscles,” done. I’d be there the next Stewart said. She attends physical week for a class, not done. And then the next week, therapy twice each week and has gained back some not done. And I was like, of the function she lost ini- ‘This is ridiculous.’” Fed up, Stewart tially after the surgery. But three years later, said she decided to take a Stewart is still adjusting to proactive approach with the help of Student Governher disability. ment Association Senator And being a student Mackenzie Steele. at OSU has not made her Connected through experience easier. Accessibility on cam- one of Stewart’s friends, pus is an ongoing endeavor the pair started discussing ways they could prompt for OSU. Although the OSU to address accessibil-

ity last November. They met frequently to discuss what to include in the bill. Stewart presented Steele with a list of items she felt the university needed to address, and over winter break, Steele wrote the legislation. The items included requiring regular maintenance on handicapable doors, entrances and buttons, as well as providing more of them. It also addressed parking and maps, requesting OSU create a map of all handicapable entrances on campus and move handicapable spots closer to those doors. One of the most important, and personal, items was requiring that the University Testing Center provide an option on its registration form for students to indicate if they cannot use stairs, resulting in a testing space on the ground floor. For Steele, the goal was to put accessibility back on the priority list for OSU. Although the recommendation listed several goals for the university, Steele said she remained realistic in her expectations. “We kind of took it from the angle of like, we know maybe not all of these things will be addressed because a lot of them are complicated issues, but we just kind of wanted to show the university that this is a student concern and that SGA sees this as a concern and we wanted to help students,” Steele said.

“We kind of live in that microwave society, we always want things

instantaneously.But

that’s not always the way things work in

higher education, and we have to be

understanding of that.”

Melisa Echols SGA adviser

What’s Inside

Ask the Pokes: Favorite Thankiving Dishes

See ‘Do more’ on 3A

Courtesy of Kalen Strunk Kalen Strunk, a microbiology and molecular genetics major, plans to pursue a research career.

Pickleball’s popularity proves constant across age groups Charley Van Newkirk O’Colly Contributor

fastest-growing sport in the nation. As pickleball picks up in popularity for all ages, cities are trying to accommodate the craze. Supporters say the sport’s success ranges As a long-legged Division 1 between age accessibility, the social aspect and athletic versatility. athlete, Linda Bakich is used to Because pickleball is simple winning. for anyone to pick up, many say But when it comes to pickleit’s just as much a social activity ball, the OSU long-distance runner than a sport, and it still allows it to tends to wipe the sweat off her forehead at a more consistent rate be competitive. Stillwater implemented when she faces one opponent. courts throughout the town for its It’s her maternal grandfans. Some local governments are mother. Bakich said her grandmother putting money toward these activities for members of their cities, beat her in a game of pickleball renovating tennis courts to picklelast month. “For some reason, she is just ball courts. “We are currently looking better and faster than me,” Bakich at turning the old tennis courts at said. “The sport is something we West Boomer near the sun deck to can do together; we are always turn into pickleball courts,” said laughing when we are playing.” Bakich and her grandmother Barbra Bliss, parks and community resources director. aren’t alone in their enjoyment See Pickleball on 4A of the sport, as pickleball is the

Tribune Content Agency Pickleball is an emerging sport for college students and older adults alike.

Students’ dedication, expert direction brings Shakespeare tragedy to life

The true face of Coriolanus Snow: ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ hits theatres

Page 2A Friday, November 24, 2023

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Ben Holieway

Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes

Kilientn Shrum Cornbread Stuffing

Teigan Denny Pumpkin pie

Isabel Robledo Mashed potatoes

Editorial board Editor-in-Chief Luisa Clausen editorinchief@ocolly.com Sports editor Braden Bush sports.ed@ocolly.com Assistant Sports editor Ashton Slaughter sports.ed@ocolly.com Design editor Ben Holieway design.ed@ocolly.com

The O’Colly Staff News & Lifestyle reporters:

News & Life editor Kennedy Thomason news.ed@ocolly.com Assistant News & Life editor Bella Casey news.ed@ocolly.com Photo editor Ethan Scott photo.ed@ocolly.com Adviser John Helsley john.helsley@okstate.edu

Addie Wagner Ashton Miller Cloe Campfield Emi Norton Hayden Alexander Isaac Terry Jaycee Hampton Jessica Pearce Lauren King Michael Clark Raynee Howell

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O’Colly

Friday, November 24, 2023 Page 3A

news sure we put in there that ‘Do more’ . . . made there needs to be a place, like

Continued from 1A During a February Senate meeting where the bill was presented, Stewart shared her experience, explaining why passing the recommendation was of the utmost importance. “They asked me a couple of questions,” Stewart said. “I was very emotional about it all and just kind of nervous. I mean, even when they voted to pass it. And like, I knew it at the time, except when they did, I turned to my friend. I was like, ‘What did they just do?’ I was making sure I had it all right in my head.” The bill passed unanimously, which Steele said was unique. “This is not something that directly impacts me,” Steele said. “So, I think having Abigail talk about how not having access to these things has affected her, what she wants changed, really sealed the deal for this to be unanimous.” Melisa Echols, the SGA adviser, said there has not been any legislation presented to the Senate dealing with accessibility during her seven years as an adviser. “Just the fact that it was positive and well received speaks volumes in this space at OSU,” Echols said. Prompted by the bill’s passage, the University Testing Center adopted the SGA recommendation in February. Now, the center offers a checkbox option for students to indicate if they are unable to use stairs. Stewart said this was a personal victory. When she arrived for a scheduled testing appointment last year, Stewart was unable to take her test on time. The only testing rooms open when she arrived were downstairs, where she could not access. “They were like, ‘You can go downstairs or you can wait until a spot opens up up here,’” Stewart said. “Like, ‘I guess I’m leaving then because I’m not going downstairs.’ So I

when you register for a test, to mark if you can go down the stairs or not.” James Knecht, the associate director of university assessment and testing, said the center does its best to accommodate students, even though the dated building is not friendly to students with physical disabilities. “It’s not as easy to get around that front, but we do our best,” Knecht said. “We really try to keep all of our testing on the first floor. We’re only going to go downstairs when we have several hundred kids a day, which tends to just be during finals.” Knecht said the center sees 60-90 kids on a normal day, 120 on a full day and more than double that each day during finals. The testing center offers 37 seats upstairs and 31 downstairs that it rotates students through. Although the recommendation prompted action from the university, Charles Watt, the ADA coordinator for Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services in the State Office, said OSU still has areas to improve. “I remember looking at some of OSU’s policies and found that they were kind of difficult to find, and the only handbook I got was several years old,” Watt said. “So, that would be something that I would think that OSU should be doing, is making that more easily found on the internet for individuals with disabilities who wish to attend OSU and keep that up to date, so they know exactly what’s going on.” However, there are different groups at the university level that work to make OSU accessible for students with disabilities. Joshua Hawkins, the assistant director of accessibility programs, said student accessibility services only handles academic accommodations. For physical accessibility, it falls to other departments. “SAS does not oversee the maintenance of accessible doors/facilities, etc,” Hawkins

Kennedy Thomason Students are required to leave all unauthorized materials in lockers while they test.

wrote in an email. “Should an issue such as this come to the attention of SAS, it is communicated to facilities management and/or the appropriate department.” Hawkins said student accessibility services supports almost 1,200 students who qualify for academic accommodations, excluding students who only receive accommodations for dining or housing. Once students receive accommodations, they are internally classified into four types: academic, housing, dining and temporary. “Accommodations are provided on an individual basis according to the needs of the student,” Hawkins wrote in an email. “The primary function of the SAS department is to facilitate the provision of academic accommodations.” Watt said physical accessibility is not the only aspect universities will have to contin-

ue to adapt to. He said statistics from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission indicate that anxiety disorders and PTSD are two categories that have seen an increase in charges of discrimination and employment in the last five years. “That is something that I think colleges are going to need to address with the incoming younger college-age students,” Watt said. “It’s not all going to be diseases or physical limitations. We’re getting a lot of people with more emotional and psychological disabilities.” Although the testing center adopted the recommendation, the rest of the bill has not been actively addressed. Echols said it can be difficult for students to not see immediate results. “We kind of live in that microwave society, we always want things instantaneously,” Echols said. “But that’s not

always the way things work in higher education, and we have to be understanding of that.” Steele said she does not have plans to write other legislation dealing with accessibility. But for Stewart, accessibility will continue to be a battle. Her latest project is compiling data on the distance between handicapable parking spots and doors. Stewart visited each handicapable door on campus and measured the distance herself. She said the efforts of a one-woman show can feel discouraging at times. Regardless, Stewart said she will continue to push for OSU to make its accessibility measures practical. “(I) feel like we need to be doing more,” Stewart said. “Make it a place people like me feel comfortable going to, you know.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 4A Friday, November 24, 2023

O’Colly

news Example . . . Continued from 1A After completing their freshman year in PLC, members can apply to be facilitators. Facilitators act as mentors for the freshman groups they are assigned to lead. Strunk and Fuller applied and were hired. The two barely interacted since their false first impression freshman year. When Fuller invited the other facilitators to watch a football game from his apartment sophomore year, he felt he could not leave Strunk out. He begrudgingly sent him an invite. “I was not overly thrilled that he had said he would come by,” Fuller said. Fuller recognized Strunk had grown as a person since he first met him. People change. He gave Strunk a second chance. They hit it off. It was 3 a.m., the football game was over, and they were still talking. “Even though we were both raised incredibly differently, the more we got to know each other, the more similarities started popping up,” Fuller said. They grew up near each other. They had friends in common. They were committed to leadership. This year, they are cofacilitators for a group of PLC freshmen. Fuller said Strunk taught him to “seek first to understand, then to be understood.” When they first met, they failed to embody this motto. They judged each other. They made assumptions. They never sought to understand the other person’s perspective. When they gave each other a second chance, they understood. They understood they were similar in more ways than they realized. They understood where the other person drew their perspective from. They understood why second chances were necessary. Why differences should be

Courtesy of Kalen Strunk Kalen Strunk uses his personal experiences and leadership skills to mentor a group of kids through President’s Leadership Council.

valued. “(Strunk taught me) just to keep an open mind on everybody,” Fuller said. Becoming the example Growing up, Strunk had only white doctors. He lived in one of the most diverse areas in Oklahoma, yet he never had a doctor who looked like him. He pictured doctors and researchers as white people. “I didn’t know I could do (those jobs),” Strunk said. Although Strunk did not think it was possible, there were signs he dreamt of being a doctor. His grandmother noticed them. “She would say it was weird that in Bible study I would pick up an anatomy book,” Strunk said. He was always drawn to science. He took all kinds of AP classes in high school, but always revisited topics such as biology, physiology and anatomy. But his textbooks never described Indigenous researchers, doctors or scholars. Only white ones.

His family did not go to college, either. The odds were stacked against him. But Strunk went to college, and as a microbiology and molecular genetics major, hopes to pursue a career in research. “I think that the reason why we see less and less people that are Native Americans in this role is it’s a symptom of colonization,” Strunk said. Kept from education, Indigenous people did not have the opportunities to make the same breakthrough discoveries as the white scholars in Strunk’s textbooks, much less receive an education. “So, just getting to know and bridge those gaps has been pretty instrumental, but also showing my brother and sister, who are both 5/8ths Native, that it’s conceivable, and that there are people that look like us who make it to higher levels of education,” Strunk said. Strunk aims to provide an example for his younger siblings that they can do anything. But they are not the only ones influenced by his leadership

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Only 17% of Native American students continue their education after high school compared to 60% of the U.S. population, the lowest graduation rate among any minority group, according to EIE blog. efforts. Mena Awad, one of the freshman Strunk mentors, views Strunk as an example, too. When Awad met Strunk, she viewed him as funny and carefree, and she wished she could let go of what people thought the way Strunk did. She said he taught her to care less about what others think of her. “He’s been very supportive to everyone in the family and encourages them to know who they are,” Awad said. Awad is Palestinian and said Strunk is supportive of her and her racial identity. He checks in on her and is always

way! a e d i H inal g i r eO h t out k ec Ch

willing to listen when she needs someone to talk to. Strunk lacked role models who looked like him growing up. They were missing from his textbooks, his doctor’s office and higher education. He cannot change the way he grew up, but he can be the change for someone else. An example that Indigenous people can pursue higher education. They can be researchers. That their voices deserve to be heard. “I hope to be someone that looks like me, someone that can carry on traditions and understand that it’s absolutely our history,” Strunk said. news.ed@ocolly.com

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Friday, November 24, 2023 Page 5A

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Pickleball . . .

Kamryn Major, a sophomore, said she met one of her best friends at a pickleball game. She said the two hit it off when their friends decided to go to Continued from 1A the courts to play a match. Not knowing each other at first, then laughing at their whiffs at the ball. Publisher of the online site pickMajor plans to play pickleball in leballenthusiast.com, Jason Galloway, Edmond with her friends over Thankssaid he understands why the sport has giving break. become so successful. He said the age Gene Click, former president of variation throughout the sport has althe OKC Pickleball Club stationed in lowed it to be successful. Edmond and now current president of The required skill level to be com- Oasis Pickleball Club, understands the petitive is much lower than its similar importance of the sport. Click, a father sport, tennis. In pickleball, Galloway of three, has seen the sport benefit his said you don’t have to have a hard serve whole family. or volley to be competitive. You can be Click heard about the sport in strategic instead. 2014 when his family was looking for “You can have preteens on the churches in Oklahoma City after besame court as octogenarians, and they ing new to the area. As fellow members can both have a quality game if they’re invited him to play, Click thought he similar skill level,” Galloway said. wasn’t old enough for the sport. As a titled pickleball enthusiast, Click soon realized that he was Galloway said that the social aspect of wrong. He found the wide range of playpickleball has a significant advantage ers had different opinions of if he was over other sports. He said a lot of times too young or too old for the sport. when you’re waiting for your turn to What once started as a simple play, you strike up conversations with addiction with his family turned into a fellow players and get to know them passion. better, whereas in other sports, you’re “I don’t even know what I did with either competing or leaving. my time before I started playing pickle-

ball,” Click said. Click said two of his children started playing pickleball around 13. He said by the time they were in high school, they were able to walk on to the tennis team due to the similarities between the two sports. The sport serves as a gateway to possible athletic opportuities. The physical accessibility of pickleball allowed it to be known and loved by people of all ages and backgrounds. Along with its fans, Galloway is grateful for the growth in cities but understands the obstacles that come with the change. “Certain pickleball and paddle combos create a loud, repetitive noise which some locals find offensive,” Galloway said. “The USA pickleball association started an initiative this year to develop a low sound category to address these issues.” He said the support from the cities to help implement pickleball is appreciated, for the sport has brought community to the courts. Bliss said tax revenue and fees finance the Stillwater court. These fees range from services such as electric, water, waste management, building permits, etc. Any recreational courts would be

included in the capital budget. These budgets have to be approved by a specific committee depending on money factors. Cites are competing for capital dollars to develop major projects. Governments placing money toward building more recreational activities for citizens has sprouted community. Stillwater is just one of many cities seen to adapt to the new wave. “If your city doesn’t have a pickleball court, your city is behind,” Click said. Carolyn Walstad said that she knows there is a lot of discussion for more pickleball courts in Stillwater. Governments investing in pickleball have allowed them to create inclusive spaces where residents of all ages and abilities can come together to enjoy the same sport. Bakich and her grandmother still can’t help but laugh when they recount last month’s game. Bakich said her grandmother would not let her live it down. “You can put an 80-year-old and an 8-year-old on the same court and just tell them to go; you can’t do that in any other sport,” Click said. news.ed@ocolly.com

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a whole new life of reality with Christ. The Holy Spirit, who is given to every true believer, is called the counselor, the comforter. He knows perfectly how to make the things of God real to us. I have found it so in my own life, over and over again. This calling is for all followers of Christ. What a wondrous thing! He can “prepare a table before us even in the presence of our enemies.”(Ps.23:5) The truth of the scriptures become more than just written words. They speak real life, comfort and challenge. The reality of Christ is more than just a teaching from the Bible, but a personal way of life. We get to experience his presence! All of this is ours freely as followers of the living Lord Jesus. We get to experience a down payment of the life we shall have with Christ through all eternity. (2Co.5:5)

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Page 6A Friday, November 24, 2023

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news Students’ dedication, expert direction brings Shakespeare’s tragedy to life Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

The OSU Department of Theatre showcased William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” this weekend. Opening Nov. 17 at the Vivia Nail Locke Theatre in the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts, the cast and crew told the story of the Scottish general Macbeth. When three witches tell Macbeth that he will be King of Scotland, Macbeth kills the king in pursuit of his crown. Encouraged by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he kills the king and more people out of paranoia. To overthrow Macbeth, civil war arises, resulting in more deaths as Shakespeare’s tragedy unfolds. Senior Ian Salmon portrayed Macduff, who was loyal to Duncan and seeks vengeance. Students worked together to perform thought-out fight scenes. Matthew Smith, visiting assistant professor of performance, was the fight director. “(His teaching style is) rigorous and fun,” Salmon said. “Matt is very, very good at his job. He made sure everyone gets everything done safely. When we were taught the fight choreography, we learned, according to him, slow is smooth and smooth is fast because again, if you go just so blaringly fast, you can’t tell the story. And the point of theatre is to tell a story, even in the fights.” Students were able to take what they learned in classes and use those skills to enhance their performances. Salmon said his understanding of Shakespeare’s language grew

in his acting three class, which Joan Korte, director of performance, taught. Salmon said Korte is their main supervisor when it comes to Shakespeare, as well as the head performance teacher. “We tackle Shakespeare specifically like the language of it, so that it kind of helped out with acting three,” Salmon said. “And it made it much easier to convey my lines here, taking what I learned in acting three and applying it to the show right now.” The rehearsal process, which started in September, has been rigorous for Jordan Walters, who had her heart set on Lady Macbeth from the beginning. Walters is a senior and has been involved with the theatre department throughout her time at OSU. She spent a lot of time rehearsing and working with David Weber, the director and visiting assistant professor of performance. “He’s incredible,” Walters said. “He’s just the best human ever. And he just carries such an incredible energy into the room. It really creates a productive workspace for all of us, and I think it shows through in this space.” Walters said theatre is what she was born to do and it’s the truest thing in her life. Shakespeare taught generations of people lessons through his tragedies. “Fight for what you want,” Walters said. “Always fight for what you want and what you hope for. Maybe just don’t take it to the extremes. They did. But it’s a genuine message. They wanted the crown when they pursued it.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Tribune Content Agency Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.”

The true face of Coriolanus Snow

‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ hits theatres Cloe Campfield Staff Reporter

Snow is from a prominent family who died during the war. Seeking money and power, he will do everything he can to ensure he wins the Plinth Scholarship, which is awarded to the student mentor whose tribute is victorious. The premise of the story focuses on building the games, mentors, sponsors and how to get Spoiler alert the public to watch, something The ‘Hunger Games’ fanwe learn Snow devises himself. dom has returned. The most important thing ‘The Ballad of Songbirds about this story is its psychologiand Snakes’ was released on cal mind game between Snow Friday and offered viewers and fans from the previous franchise and the audience. Viewers might find themselves rooting for him, answers to questions they have been asking since the last movie, even when his true colors continue to leak through the screen. ‘The Hunger Games: MockingAs the games begin to unjay- Part 2.’ fold, Snow allows the viewers to The 2-and-a-half-hour believe he is helping Lucy Gray movie opens with 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow starving in his Baird, Snow’s mentee, purely out of love and admiration, and he once lavish penthouse. After the war, both his par- wants Baird to live because he wants to be with her. ents perished, leaving him with That may be the case at his cousin Tigres and his grandfirst. mother barely scraping by. However, his true colors As the story continues, the begin to leak through the surface poor treatment of the tributes the games is revealed: starving, as the games end. He is disqualified from the scholarship for taunting and even murdering cheating and sent to be a Peacethem.

Review

keeper in District 8, but bribes his way into District 12 to be with Baird. While training in District 12, he becomes closer to Baird, and they begin to form a romantic relationship. Snow is then promoted to leave District 12 and head to District 2, where he can climb the ranks and return to the capital. But he has one wish: to run away with Baird. Baird wants to run North and wants Snow to run with her because she believes the mayor is chasing her. After deciding to run with Baird, the story reaches its peak. Baird discovers Snow lied to her, and their love story takes a turn. This is where the psychological mind games truly begin. The viewers can see a true slip into Snow’s madness. His bloodthirsty desperation for power and money. The movie holds more gut wrenching moments in the end, and the viewer is left with Snow’s true nature. He ends on top, at least for now. news.ed@ocolly.com

When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Where: Boone Pickens Stadium TV: ABC Radio: 93.7 FM Series: 2-0 OSU Last Meeting: 49-21 OSU (1976)

VS.

On Senior Day, veteran O-line proud of resurgence Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

helped turn things around and made OSU one of the top rushing attacks in the country. On Saturday, Birmingham will be one of 28 Cowboys honored in the Cowboys’ Senior Day Cole Birmingham knows matchup with BYU. It’s a surreal the feeling of recurrent adversity. reality for Birmingham, despite In 2020, he missed nine his option to return to OSU for games due to a Grade 3 high-an- the 2024 season thanks to his kle sprain suffered in Oklahoma COVID-induced additional year State’s season opener against of eligibility. Tulsa. In 2022, he was out for The Cowboys remain in the the season because of a torn hunt for the Big 12 Championship ACL suffered in the spring. And game, and most of the offensive of course, all of the bruises and success has come in the trenches, bumps that come with the sport. something Birmingham and “I’ve learned that I can deal OSU’s four other starting senior with a lot more than I thought I offensive linemen have played a could,” Birmingham said. major role in. But to him, none of that Nine weeks ago, OSU’s adversity compared to a blemBig 12 title hopes felt like a pipe ish that lingered over the OSU dream. offense for the early portion of OSU lost 33-7 to South Alathe season. The Cowboy offensive bama, and the Cowboys mustered line and rushing game struggled just 208 yards of offense and 94 early in the season, but Birrushing yards on the Jaguars. mingham and the rest of the line That sluggish outing hadn’t been

a one-time occurrence. Against FCS-foe Central Arkansas and Arizona State, OSU averaged just 4.13 yards per carry before even facing a Big 12 opponent. OSU had been left for dead by a multitude of college football pundits. Fans the line and the coaching staff. Then, things flipped. “Let’s just say we – the offensive line − had a little awakening,” said offensive lineman Preston Wilson. That “awakening” came shortly after the loss to South Alabama. In position meetings the next day, Wilson said offensive line coach Charlie Dickey entered the film room with a smug look on his face – opposite from his typically uplifting expression. “As a leader, my job is obviously to lead by example and echo what the coaches are saying,” Wilson said. “But I could tell it was gonna be a long film session.” See O-line on 4B

Ethan Scott Cole Birmingham is one of five senior offensive linemen who have the option to return to OSU.

BYU serving Big 12 schools on, off football field in inaugural season Braden Bush Sports Editor

Ethan Scott Nathan Latu attended Snow College in Utah in 2019 prior to OSU.

Latu’s juvenile mistakes led him to OSU Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Nathan, though, didn’t become a Cougar because of his junior and senior year of high school. Both Nathan and his mother, Jill Argust, said NaNathan Latu worked a than didn’t hang out with the 9-5, almost giving up playing right crowd in high school, football. which reflected on his grades But his family didn’t and led to skipping school. let Latu walk away from the Nathan worked to get game and got him a second his grades high enough to chance at not only football, receive a high school diploma but to work for a college late in his senior year, but diploma. it was too late, he had to Latu, a senior defensive instead get his GED. end at OSU, received a lastWith that, it meant no second blessing to play foot- more going to play for BYU, ball at a community college or any Division I or II colafter life decisions rescinded leges. his opportunity to play at “He’s a phenomBYU – the team OSU plays enal football player, but just on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. for started making some bad Latu’s Senior Day in Boone choices,” Argust said. “Like Pickens Stadium. friends-wise, skipping out on Latu committed to BYU school and then his grades football in 10th grade, along- started to be affected. By the side his twin brother Camtime he started figuring it out, eron Latu, a tight end for the it was too late. He couldn’t San Francisco 49ers, after a get credits in time. BYU mini camp. The Latu’s “It hit him hard, really have many ties to BYU, espe- hard, because he knew he cially being from Salt Lake messed up and tried to turn City, Utah, which is about 40 it around, but didn’t have minutes from Provo. enough time. He was pretty

What’s Inside

Bowman needs to be perfect for Cowboys to win Big 12 title

devastated with it.” That’s when Nathan worked at Macy’s and took a gap-year while his brother played at Alabama. Jill knew that Nathan was too talented to be doing that, so she called Nathan’s uncle, Sam Vaitai. To attain his D-I goals, Nathan needed an associates degree in order to play at that level. He almost attended Salt Lake Community College, which didn’t have football, but Vaitai has a good friend that has his hand all over football in Utah – former Utah coach Ron McBride. “I called up Ron and I told him about Nathan’s situation and he asked me the last name and I told him Latu and he couldn’t believe it, he said ‘you mean the twins where the other one is at Alabama?’ He was shocked to hear Nathan wasn’t in school,” Vaitai said. “I asked him what he recommended Nathan do and he told me to take him to Snow. He called up their coach and set up a meeting for us.” See Latu on 2B

Long before Saturday’s game, BYU was in Stillwater. As the Cowboys and Cougars were preparing to play, 40,000 pounds of food was being donated to Our Daily Bread in Stillwater. Donations were made at food banks and pantries from Guthrie to Enid and Alva. A donation was made to purchase 600 pairs of shoes for Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency. In total, 43 projects were completed in Oklahoma in 40 days by 690 participants across 462 hours of service. And before Stillwater, those types of events have been happening everywhere the BYU football team travels. It’s all part of BYU’s and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints’ mission to help make a difference in the communities of opposing teams. This Saturday, the BYU Alumni chapter in Tulsa is hosting a ball-drive tailgate to donate athletic equipment to children served by the Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma and the Payne County Youth Services as part of BYU’s “Cougs Care” alumni service program. The Cougars are wrapping up their

first football season in the Big 12, and they’ve shown the Big 12 a different kind of hospitality on and off the field. “We strive to follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ, to love our neighbor and to reach out in those to those in need,” said Mary Ford of the BYU Alumni Tulsa chapter. “Even if it’s an opposing football team, we still want to be a good neighbor.” The Cougs Care program began in 2019 when BYU traveled to Tennessee, and the program partnered with the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry on a coat and food drive. Now, the program has evolved. This year, Cougs Care partnered with the Lawrence Public Schools Native American Student Services for the Kansas game and donated 1,800 books. For the Texas game, the service project was with Travis County Sheriffs’ Brown Santa, and they received 1,200 toys. At TCU, the program partnered with World Relief and Action Alliance International for mattresses and bedding for refugees. “We want to show appreciation for the host city, and we want to do some good and make sure BYU leaves the place a little better,” Ford said. At games, the hospitality has been no different, and BYU is making a big first impression. See BYU on 4B

BYU Football via Twitter (X) BYU has served in the communities of its football opponents ahead of road games since 2019.

Big 12 title race taking shape ahead of final week of conference play

Cowboys claim fifth NCAA Cross Country Championship in dominant fashion

Page 2B Friday, November 24, 2023

O’Colly

sports OSU football seniors 1 Xavier Benson LB

92 Nathan Latu DL

67 Cole Birmingham

66 Joe Michalski OL

68 Taylor Miterko OL

2 Korie Black CB

80 Brennan Presley

7 Alan Bowman QB

90 Braden Cassity FB

56 Xavier Ross DL

93 Collin Clay DL

9 Trey Rucker S

24 Elijah Collins RB

38 Jake Schultz FB

71 Dalton Cooper OL

61 Jake Springfield

86 Ian Edenfield TE

94 Anthony Goodlow

14 Peyton Thompson

19 Alex Hale K

96 Kody Waltersheid

23 Kenneth Harris CB

27 Isreal Isuman-

74 Preston Wilson OL

Hundley DL

44 Justin Wright LB

16 Josiah Johnson TE

63 Zeke Zaragoza LS

17 Leon Johnson III WR

O-line . . . Continued from 1B Some of the mistakes were simple fixes. Missed assignments. Not finishing blocks. Untimely penalties. “Mostly little things,” Birmingham said. “We had a little issues early on but we worked to get everything worked out.” And there were others that weren’t self-induced. So, the coaching staff called for more creativity in the run game. More counter run plays were introduced, and zone reads were heavily emphasized. That meant, more pull plays for offensive tackles Dalton Cooper and Jake Springfield. “I love leading (the running back) to make a block,” Cooper said. “It was an adjustment, but we’re there.” Progress was shown in the 34-27 loss to Iowa State the following week. The Cowboys logged averaged 5.5 yards per carry against a traditionally stout Iowa State run defense. Then came a fivegame win streak and an eruption into the limelight from running back Ollie Gordon II, who leads the FBS in rushing yards and was named a Doak Walker Award semifinalist Tuesday, and a Bedlam win in which Birmingham, Wilson and Co. didn’t surrender a sack. “If anybody in here (said) that we would have gone on this run, the way we have, you need to go to Vegas,” Gundy said after OSU’s win against Oklahoma. Two weeks later, another game without al-

lowing a sack in a road win over Houston. Dickey called out the starters, and they responded. “I think leadership stepped up,” Birmingham said. “Everyone in that (offensive line) room, the olders guys stepped up. We said what we needed to be doing. We said what we needed to have done and we got it done.” Experience in college football is pivotal. But cohesive experience is highly coveted. And the Cowboys have it. “It’s something you can’t overlook,” Wilson said. “That’s for sure.” Birmingham has played alongside his fellow offensive lineman for three full seasons. He’s been in the locker room with them for five. In his time, he’s watched the likes of Chuba Hubbard and Gordon break out with help from offensive line. He’s helped Spencer Sanders blossom and aided in the revitalization of Alan Bowman’s college career. Birmingham witnessed lows, too. Last season, they were unable to overcome those lows. But this year has been a different story. He and the four other senior offensive lineman hope the past nine weeks continues. “Early in the season, it just wasn’t the outcome that we wanted that early,” Birmingham said. “Obviously we didn’t let it affect us. We stepped up and worked through it. “I think this year is a testament to our group and how special it is. We didn’t back down from adversity and I think the results and our grit is showing now.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Ethan Scott When Alan Bowman has played well, the Cowboys have played well. Bowman must keep playing at a high level for OSU to have a chance at a Big 12 title.

Bowman needs to be perfect for Cowboys to win Big 12 title Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

The Bowman that played against Houston is the one more like him. He turned it over early but came back (with the help of Gordon and Presley) to lead After Oklahoma State’s Houston, where the Cowboys OSU back to beat the Cougars. first three games of the season, trailed Bowman again became If OSU is to beat BYU and coach Mike Gundy could’ve turnover prone. get to the Big 12 title game, no picked anyone to be the starting This OSU team can’t win matter who the Cowboys would quarterback. with mistakes. It’s not good face, but especially if it were After rotating Alan Bowenough, and Gundy has said that Texas, Bowman will likely again man, Garret Rangel and Gunnar too. Handing it off to Ollie Gor- need to be perfect. He was able Gundy in nonconference, Mike don II will only take you so far, to sneak past Houston, but he chose Bowman to start against and if the defense allows scores can’t against a top-10 team. Iowa State, citing his experience like it did to UCF, the passing OSU will likely need vs his competition. game has to be a factor. to compete with Texas in a Before that Saturday, Spencer Sanders isn’t here shootout to win. The Cowboys’ though, he didn’t have an ananymore to bail OSU’s offense secondary has been exposed in swer. Gundy said all three out with his legs, even though the past two games. Gordon is played equally and it was still sometimes he was the reason for managing an ankle injury, and too far to choose. But when it their deficits. at his healthiest, teams will try came down to it, Gundy wanted When OSU is winning, everything to stop him. someone who wouldn’t take un- Bowman’s life is easy, and when Bowman can’t play heronecessary risks. it’s not, it’s harder. ball like Sanders would, but he When OSU lost at Ames, Against OU, he faced also can’t play as recklessly as you could have pointed to Bow- the adversity (and the Sooners’ him. It’ll be up to him to find a man’s two interceptions. But loaded box to stop Gordon) to balance to get the Cowboys their when it won five-straight after throw for 334 yards on 42 pass first Big 12 championship game that, his lack of turnovers was attempts without a turnover. win in their most improbable easy to notice. Vs UCF, he couldn’t get passed season. And in OSU’s loss at UCF the team’s early struggles and and in the first half against turned it over three times. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Column

Ethan Scott Nathan Latu (right) has a twin brother named Cameron, who attended Alabama and is now a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers.

Latu . . .

Snow, where he performed well enough to receive interest from small schools in the area. Nathan had already Continued from 1B planned to commit to UNLV, but two days prior to his announcement, OSU player development Vaitai drove Nathan down specialist Beni Tonga called to visit Snow and the coach gave Nathan and told him he had to him a chance to play immedicommit immediately to OSU if ately. he wanted a spot. Nathan obvi“I had to go show my ously said yes and that’s how he size and show how I present got to Stillwater. myself,” Nathan said. “He gave With his bad decisions me an opportunity and he put leading him to playing at OSU, me on scholarship with no film, Nathan said it’s hard to sum up no grades. That’s where it all what his journey has been like. started. On Saturday on Senior “Being given a chance Day, Latu will have his mother like that I knew I couldn’t let and brother walking with him that down, so that’s where it all along with his uncle and several began.” other family members in the Nathan played one year at stands watching him play.

Nathan said his college experience is unlike most people, but without the people who support him the most, he might have never strolled into Stillwater and changed as a person. “It’s very emotional. It’s been a roller coaster, but a good one. I was a whole different person when this all started,” Nathan said. “I wouldn’t be here without my family. I give credit to this team for sure, but my family, they are like my rock and stone, my foundation. “Obviously people go through trial and error, but I’m blessed and grateful to be where I’m at today. It’s been a fun ride.” (read full story at ocolly. com) sports.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Friday, November 24, 2023 Page 3B

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Cowboy Calendar Friday, November 24, 2023 November is Native American Heritage Month! Unusual Geometries, OSU MUSEUM OF ART University Store Closed, STUDENT UNION 10:30 a.m., OSU-CS Research Colloquium MATH SCIENCES 11 a.m. Leon Polk Smith: Affinities in Art & Design OSU MUSEUM OF ART 3:30 p.m., CS1113 Collaborative Lab MATH SCIENCES 7 p.m. Oklahoma State University Cowboy Basketball vs Houston Christian GALLAGHER-IBA ARENA Saturday, November 25, 2023 Oklahoma State University Cowboy Football vs BYU SALUTE TO SERVICE, BOONE PICKENS STADIUM Unusual Geometries OSU MUSEUM OF ART 9 a.m. Wreath Making Workshop G R E E N H O U S E LEARNING CENTER 11 a.m. Leon Polk Smith: Affinities in Art & Design OSU MUSEUM OF ART Sunday, November 26, 2023 3 p.m. Oklahoma State University Cowgirl Basketball vs Missouri State - Remember the 4 GALLAGHER-IBA ARENA Monday, November 27, 2023 2:30 p.m., SGA Senate-Internal Affairs Committee Meeting STUDENT UNION 3 p.m., Mental Health Series: Cognitive Appraisal STUDENT UNION 3:30 p.m., CS1113 Collaborative Lab MATH SCIENCES 5:30 p.m., OSU Research on Tap Iron Monk Tap Room 519 S HUSBAND ST, STILLWATER, OK 74074 5:45 p.m., Business Boot Camp - Finals Prep BUSINESS BUILDING Tuesday, November 28, 2023 Unusual Geometries, OSU MUSEUM OF ART 8 a.m. University Store Extended Hours STUDENT UNION 9 a.m., Spears BADM 3111 Mock Interview BUSINESS BUILDING 10:30 a.m., Get Started in Research and Creative Activity 11 a.m. Leon Polk Smith: Affinities in Art & Design OSU MUSEUM OF ART 4:30 p.m., Study and Snacks AGRICULTURE 4:30 p.m., Study @ Spears BUSINESS BUILDING 5 p.m. Physics & Astronomy Journal Club 6 p.m. Pete’s Pet Posse - Yappy Hour EDMON LOW LIBRARY 6:30 p.m., Fanfare of Lights, STUDENT UNION

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Chuckleheads 6 Marcus Aurelius, for one 11 Distraction in a dr.’s waiting room 14 Meet part 15 Confection typically flavored with saffron and rosewater 16 Make public 17 *Obstacle encountered at dawn? 19 Letters before a take 20 Ruse 21 Flamenco shout 22 Sleep study subject 24 *Plot where blue bars of soap grow? 27 Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy 31 __ roll 32 Certain crosscountry traveler 33 Two or three, say 35 Setup punches 38 Chest muscles, briefly 39 Conclude with, and a phonetic hint for the answers to the starred clues 40 Four-award acronym 41 Big Apple store 42 Fibber 43 “Pride Is the Devil” rapper 44 Soaks up the sun 46 Short revitalizer 47 *Time when tall, thick grass covers a golf course? 51 “It’s open!” 52 Soup container 53 Western gas chain 57 Avocado discard 58 *Shoutout to a ride-hailing app? 62 System starter? 63 “They were no match for me!” 64 Center of Renaissance art 65 Actor Cariou 66 Pert 67 Anti-anxiety drug

Daily Horoscope

11/24/23

By Zachary David Levy

DOWN 1 Appliance alert 2 Not quite round 3 Round number? 4 Merely 5 Porcine pen 6 NFL coach with the most career wins 7 Scale allowances 8 Not fresh 9 Secret suffix 10 Ancient land on the Dead Sea 11 *Everyone’s favorite firebreathing monster? 12 Mann of pop 13 [But I don’t wanna do my homework!] 18 Windfall 23 Cast 24 Jaguar, for one 25 His and hers 26 Gala garb 27 Egyptian cobras 28 Maker of BILLY bookcases 29 *Controller part that gets worn out playing “Mortal Kombat”? 30 Text, e.g.

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (11/24/23). Fortune favors your work, health and actions. Dedicate regular cleaning routines for domestic harmony. Winter redirects your work or health, before a change impacts your team this spring. Fall in love again next summer. Autumn domestic renovations prepare for delightful gatherings. Build strength and happiness. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Plan your next adventure. The open road calls. You have itchy feet over six weeks, with energizing Mars in Sagittarius. Study options and go. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Realize personal dreams with discipline. Profit through collaboration. Make future plans together, with Mars in Sagittarius for six weeks. Work together for lucrative gains. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Envision perfection. Let your partner take the lead, with Mars in Sagittarius. Give and take. Collaborate and coordinate moves. Support each other to grow. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — You’re energized. Over six weeks, with Mars in Sagittarius, physical action gets satisfying results. Prioritize your work, health and fitness. You’re growing stronger. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Give in to creative inspiration. Take action for love. Follow a passion. You’re especially fun and romantic, with Mars in Sagittarius. Relax and enjoy. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Domestic renovations flower with physical effort. Over six weeks, with Mars in Sagittarius, improve your home. Energize delicious domestic projects. Cook up something wonderful. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Share what you’re learning. Communications buzz over six weeks, with Mars in Sagittarius. Write, broadcast and post. Use clever tactics. Establish the rules. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Set long-term objectives. Action gets lucrative, with Mars in Sagittarius. There’s money coming in over the next six weeks, and plenty to spend it on. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Push past old limitations. For six weeks, with Mars in your sign, prioritize personal development. Discover new power and decisiveness. Advance a dream. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Study your roots. Reminisce over old photos, heirlooms and stories, with Mars in Sagittarius for six weeks. The action is backstage. Prepare for adventure. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Anything’s possible, together. Teamwork is the name of the game for the next six weeks, with Mars in Sagittarius. Host parties. Coordinate the action. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Make bold declarations. Imagine professional perfection. Career advancement sparks, with Mars in Sagittarius over six weeks. Take charge to fulfill your inspiring vision.

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

33 Star __: expensive spice 34 Rx overseer 36 Whirled weapon 37 Pedometer unit 39 Large deer 43 “SNL” alum Hooks 45 “I dunno” gestures 46 Post-op wear for some pets 47 Drive away 48 Waiting in the wings

11/24/23

49 Surveyor’s units 50 __ the Owl: Rice University mascot 53 Naan flour 54 “Glass Onion” filmmaker Johnson 55 Bar mixer 56 Black gemstone 59 Campy scarf 60 UFO aviators 61 Squash

Level 1 2 3 4

11/24/23

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

Page 4B Friday, November 24, 2023

O’Colly

sports

Game day Preview Big 12 Standings 1. Texas (7-1) T2. OSU (6-2) T2. OU (6-2)

Big 12 title race taking shape ahead of final week of conference play Braden Bush Sports Editor

T2. Kansas State (6-2) Ethan Scott Ollie Gordon II (left) and Brennan Presley celebrating together in Houston.

Week 13 Big 12 schedule Friday

T5. Iowa State (5-3) T5. West Virginia (5-3) T5. Texas Tech (5-3)

-TCU @ OU, 11 a.m. (FOX) -Texas Tech @ Texas, 5:30 p.m. (ABC)

8. Kansas (4-4)

-Houston @ UCF, 11 a.m. (FS1) -BYU @ OSU, 2:30 p.m. (ABC) -West Virginia @ Baylor, 6 p.m. (FS1) -Kansas @ Cincinnati, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2) -Iowa State @ Kansas State, 7 p.m. (FOX)

T10. UCF (2-6)

Saturday

9. TCU (3-5)

T10. Houston (2-6) T10. BYU (2-6) T10. Baylor (2-6) 14. Cincinnati (1-7)

The path to the Big 12 Championship game became a little clearer Saturday. Just a little. No team has clinched a spot in the conference title game yet, but Texas is the only team that controls its own destiny. Win on Saturday against Texas Tech, and the Longhorns are in. OSU, OU and Kansas State are still alive in the race to Arlington but need things to fall in place. Iowa State and Kansas were eliminated from contention this weekend. The Red River Rivalry, Bedlam, Texas-Kansas State. There are still all sorts of possibilities. It’s a bit of a crazy mess.

“I don’t know the tiebreakers; I don’t know all that,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said on Saturday. “I’ve just told the team, my math is not real good, I don’t understand all of that. I know if we keep winning, it gives us the best chance in the end.” That is true. The best way for the Cowboys to earn a Big 12 title game berth is to beat BYU on Saturday. If OSU wins, the only way it could be left out is if Texas loses to Texas Tech, and Kansas State loses to Iowa State. Weirder things have happened, but a win leaves OSU feeling pretty good about its chances. And Texas plays on Friday, so the Cowboys will know coming in whether a win clinches a spot or if they have to sweat out the Kansas State game. If the Cowboys lose, there is still a path for them to make

the championship game, but it gets wacky. OSU would need OU and KSU to also lose to stay alive. Long story short, if both OSU and Texas win, it will be Cowboys vs. Longhorns in Arlington on Dec. 2. Other scenarios If Texas, Kansas State and OU all win this weekend, and OSU loses, it would be a Red River Rivalry game for the conference crown. If Kansas State and Texas win and OU and OSU lose, it would be Texas vs. Kansas State in the title game. If Texas loses to Texas Tech, Kansas State loses to Iowa State, and both OSU and OU win, it would be a Bedlam rematch in the Big 12 Championship. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Gundy talks Houston win, prepping for BYU and more Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

As OSU coach Mike Gundy strolled off the field at Kansas State last October after his team’s 48-0 loss, he had a lot on his mind. How would such a calamitous loss affect his players? How would they respond? The answer came in the form of a 37-16 blowout loss at Kansas the next week and a 1-4 finish to the season. A multitude of injuries, including one to starting quarterback Spencer Sanders, a nullified run game and defensive inconsistencies led to the group’s collapse. “We went a month and played games and our quarterback never practiced,” Gundy said. “That’s not a good situation for anybody. And so, when we went through that, the team had a hard time staying together.” Two weeks ago, OSU suffered a defeat with parallels to the K-State loss a year ago. Coming off a win against Oklahoma, the Cowboys were riding a five-game win streak. All was well. That was until a 45-3 road loss to UCF. Then came a similar question: how would Gundy’s Cowboys respond? One week later, the Cowboys (8-3, 6-2 Big 12) posted a 43-30 come-from-behind win on the road against Houston. Postgame, Gundy referred to the game as a “culture win” for his program.

“This year’s team hadn’t Kedon Slovis remains sidelined had that issue (that last year’s due to injury for the past three had),” Gundy said. “And to a weeks. However, backup Jake certain extent, it’s to no blame Retzlaff has been serviceable of the guys that were here last under center. year.” BYU runs an offensive Gundy hasn’t shied away attack similar to Kansas’. It is from the differences from the far less explosive but effective 2023 team to last year’s. Last enough to log upsets against season, a blowout loss diminArkansas on the road and Texas ished the Cowboys’ clear path to Tech at home. All through suca Big 12 title. This past weekend cess in the time-of-possession was a different story, perhaps game. highlighting the contrasts be“We’re facing another tween the groups. And this year, option team,” Gundy said. OSU remains in control of its “They’re going to run the triple path to a Big 12 Championship option, and they do it differgame appearance, with a reguent ways. They run the speed lar-season finale against BYU option, they run the read-zone on Saturday. triple option. They like to use If Texas wins on Friday, the tight end. They split him an OSU win guarantees the out to a single and use him as a Cowboys a spot in Arlington. number three receiver. They put “These guys are fun to him at a front of a bunch set. coach,” Gundy said. “I don’t “They like what they do, have to do many off-the-field and they do it well.” things with them this year.” Gundy weighs in on Big Prepping for BYU’s 12 title game race triple-option attack On Sunday, the Big 12 On paper, BYU’s offensive released further clarification scheme might not appear overly regarding tiebreakers for the Big daunting. National rankings of 12 title race. 119th in total offense and 103rd And amid the surplus of in scoring offense (22.1 points hypotheticals that exist, OSU’s per game) would fit that narrapath remains reliant on one tive. thing: a regular-season finale But as Gundy noted at his Saturday against BYU. Monday press conference, it’s Per the updated rules, if sneaky good. And Gundy and OSU wins, it clinches a spot Co. will receive a firsthand look as the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 at it come Saturday afternoon. Championship game against This past weekend, the Texas. Cougars outgained Oklahoma – “The only thing I can cona defense surrendering just 20.18 trol is us getting ready to play points per game – 390 to 368 in in this game (against BYU),” total offense, logging 24 points Gundy said. “Otherwise, I don’t that could have been 38 barring really have anything to do with two red-zone turnovers. it.” sports.ed@ocolly.com Starting quarterback

BYU Football via Twitter (X) BYU signed and carried the Arkansas Razorback flag at its game in Fayetteville earlier this season in honor of two former Razorback football players who died.

BYU . . .

And when the Cougars traveled to Arkansas this season, the team ran onto the field with a Razorback flag Continued from 1B signed by all the members of the team in honor of Ryan Mallett and Alex Collins, two After the first quarter at late Arkansas football players BYU home games, opposing who died earlier in the year. fans are given free ice cream “We think wherever from the BYU Creamery. we go we should be lookLast week, when the OU ing for opportunities to lift marching band didn’t make and to serve,” said Michael the trip to Provo, the Cougar Johanson, executive director Marching Band played OU’s of the BYU Alumni Associafight songs. tion board, in an article by “What’s gonna happen The Kansas City Star. “It’s on the field is gonna happen not just a fancy tagline that on the field,” said Michael makes us look good on TV, Johanson, director of alumni it’s in the DNA of our gradurelations, in an article by ates. It’s in the DNA of our DeseretNews. “But what hap- athletes. We want to give pens in the stands is somemore opportunities for that to thing that will last a little happen. longer.” “In the communities Those gestures extend we go to, they are such great to opposing players, too. In hosts they bend over backthe locker rooms, players are ward to welcome our fans met with travel bags, razors, coming in and our team comshaving cream, lotion and a ing in. We just think it is the toothbrush. right thing to do.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

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Friday, November 24, 2023 Page 5B

sports Cowboys working to fix early free throw struggles Parker Gerl Staff Reporter

Courtesy of NCAA on Twitter (X) The Cowboys won the NCAA Cross-Country National Championship on Saturday, claiming their first title since 2012 and fifth overall.

Cowboys dominate cross country championships to earn fifth title Kenzie Kraich Staff Reporter

OSU’s men’s crosscountry team left last year’s NCAA Championships with a bitter taste in its mouth. A tiebreaker left it second on the podium to Northern Arizona, which claimed its sixth title in seven years. The Cowboys didn’t let it come down to that this time. OSU needed to upend NAU to reach a national title, and it did just that. The Cowboys prevented a third straight title for the Lumberjacks and claimed their fifth cross-country national championship in dominant fashion on Saturday morning in Charlottesville, Virginia. “To beat a team like that, one of the legendary teams in NCAA history in any sport, is just an honor,” said OSU coach Dave Smith. OSU finished with

49 points, beating No. 1 ranked NAU by 22 points to take home the hardware. The 49 points is the lowest by any team in the past 18 years, and it is the 12th-lowest score of all time. OSU remained dominant throughout the competition, with five Cowboys placing inside the top 20. Denis Kipngetich (fourth), Brian Musau (eighth), Fouad Messaoudi (10th), Victor Shitsama (12th) and Alex Maier (15th) were the five placers for the Cowboys. Dave Smith knew it would be a tough battle, but his team has been ready for the moment. “We went to the conference meet saying, ‘Hey let’s get out there and take the bull by the horns, get out of our comfort zone and make everybody uncomfortable,’” Smith said. “We knew this race was going to be that way, so let’s just jump in, go with it, and let’s be part of it.” Smith has been with the Cowboys since 2002 and has been head coach

since 2006, as well as the director since 2009. Saturday’s national championship marks Smith’s fourth title with OSU and first since 2012. Maier, a senior at OSU who has been a staple for the team, has seen the progression of the Cowboys since he arrived on campus in 2019. After taking a team second-place finish and a fifth-place individual finish at last year’s national competition, Maier is all too familiar with coming close to winning it all. On Saturday, he helped lead his team to the other side of that feeling as the Cowboys hoisted the trophy. “To see this team grow and to see all my brothers here work every day and sacrifice blood, sweat and tears to get to this point, it vindicates everything,” Maier said. The OSU women’s cross-country team placed third at NCAAs behind a seventh-place finish from Billah Jepkirui. sports.ed@ocolly.com

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have mostly come from guys who are very well capable of knocking them down, almost as if it’s in their head. Cowboys such as Bryce Thompson, Brandon Garrison and Quion Through everything that’s played Williams, among others, are shooting into Oklahoma State’s disappointing below their standards. And most who start to the 2023-24 season, there’s are missing at the line across the team been a lingering game-to-game strughave room to improve respective to gle. their individual skill sets. Sitting at a 2-3 record — albeit “You get out there and you miss other things happen in the game — the one and now you start thinking about Cowboys could feasibly be 5-0 if they it or the crowd,” said OSU coach Mike make their free throws. Boynton. In a five-point home loss to “We shoot them (in practice) in Abilene Christian, OSU shot 8-of-20 at every conceivable way. We’re shooting the line. In a two-point defeat against them in small groups, shooting them as St. Bonaventure, the Cowboys shot a group (and) we make them run when 11-of-18 and in another two-point loss, they miss. We make them shoot ten in this one in overtime to Notre Dame, a row at a time, we make them make they shot 17-23, including a miss at five hundred before they leave some the stripe with the game tied and eight days, like, guys just have to have confiseconds to go. dence and a good routine and the right “It’s a simple fix. You just got to amount of focus.” go up there mentally, mentally strong,” For Boynton, it coincides with said OSU guard Javon Small. “We been not overthinking. It’s either a make or a shooting free throws our whole life so miss then move onto the next. we just got to go up there with confiHe wants muscle memory, repetidence and knock them down.” tion and the amount of times the CowClanks off the rim have been a boys practice free throws to be in the repeating image for a couple of years head, rather than a couple of misses. now. This year, through five games, it’s “Listen, there’s only two things on pace to be a similar year at the free that can happen when you shoot a throw line. OSU is so far No. 13 in the basketball,” Boynton said. “It’ll either Big 12 in free throws made per game at go in, or it can miss. Like, you don’t go 11.6 and dead last in the conference in to jail, no one’s gonna shoot you, and free throw percentage at 59.8% like, you don’t get put off scholarship. The problem doesn’t stem from a So, just go up there with confidence lack of reps. Foul shots are a big part that you’ve done this all your life and of OSU’s practice. Instead, the misses shoot it.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Connor Fuxa The Cowboys have shot poorly from the free throw line through five games, a problem that’s hurt them in past seasons.

Page 6B Friday, November 24, 2023

O’Colly

sports

Point / Counterpoint Daniel Allen

Braden Bush

I mean, rivalry week is in full session for the college football season. But Thanksgiving is also this week. And it remains one of the secluded days on the calendar where Americans can overindulge on the fats and carbs that compile American foods. But who cares? Everyone does it! Even the student-athletes we cover, to an extent. My mom’s Thanksgiving go-to has always been sweet potato pie. And it wasn’t just Thanksgiving, to be frank. Anytime she made it, I’d devour it. Pumpkin pie is a close second, but sweet potato pie will always hold a place in my heart.

Sure, it’s football season. But this week, the real question is, “What is the best Thanksgiving dish?”

Forget the turkey. I don’t need any green bean casserole or stuffing. I gotta save space for mac and cheese. It sounds very un-American, but Thanksgiving food isn’t the best. I like the mashed potatoes and gravy, but the rest is just OK. You know what goes over well any time of year? Mac and cheese.

The O’Colly Sports Picks Week 13 Games

*Highlighted games are locks of the week by the pickers

Braden Bush

Ashton Slaughter

Gabriel Trevino

Davis Cordova

Daniel Allen

BYU @ OSU (-17.5)

Ore. St. @

Ohio St. Bama (-14.5) Wash. St. Fla. St. (-6.5) N. Car. (-3.5) Iowa St. @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon (-13.5) Mich. (-3.5) Auburn Wash. (-16.5) Florida NC St. KSU (-9.5)

UTSA TX A&M @ @ Tulane (-3.5) LSU (-11.5)

OSU

Oregon

Ohio State

Bama

Washington

FSU

NC State

KSU

Tulane

LSU

(33-29)

(43-40)

(28-27)

(38-14)

(36-23)

(33-30)

(31-28)

(34-24)

(30-26)

(31-12)

OSU

Oregon

Michigan

Bama

Wazzu

FSU

UNC

K-State

Tulane

LSU

(37-20)

(45-25)

(23-17)

(33-13)

(45-29)

(27-25)

(33-28)

(29-14)

(33-30)

(27-10)

OSU

Oregon

Ohio St.

Bama

Washington

Florida

KSU

Tulane

LSU

(27-17)

(40-26)

(23-20)

(40-20)

(40-12)

(21-20)

North Carolina (28-25)

(35-14)

(26-23)

(45-30)

OSU

Oregon

Michigan

Bama

Washington

Florida

UNC

KSU

Tulane

LSU

(41-31)

(55-40)

(24-20)

(55-10)

(45-23)

(34-30)

(33-27)

(27-20)

(44-23)

(58-41)

OSU

Oregon

Michigan

Bama

Washington

FSU

Iowa State

UTSA

LSU

(38-14)

(45-31)

(55-35)

(30-21)

North Carolina (45-21)

(24-20)

(31-30)

(51-24)