Friday, November 8, 2024
Trump Wins
President-elect Donald Trump will serve as the 47th president of the United States, his second term in office.
BY KENNEDY THOMASON I EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Former President Donald Trump will enter his second term in the White House.
In a 295 to 226 Electoral College win, Trump claimed victory over his Democratic oppo-
nent, Vice President Kamala Harris. With the race called early Wednesday morning, Trump claimed victories in most of the swing states, including heavy-hitters like Pennsylvania and Georgia, according to the Associated Press. Trump also easily
swept Oklahoma, claiming 66% of the vote and the state’s seven Electoral College votes, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board.
Trump said he is prepared to turn the country around in an acceptance speech early Wednesday morning.
OSU students lead charge behind local campaigns
After Roe v. Wade was overturned, Camryn Paulson packed her bags. Paulson, who graduated from OSU in the spring, was in New York City playing DI volleyball for Manhattan College at the time. After a panicked call from her grandmother, who lives in Oklahoma, Paulson decided to transfer to OSU, which lies in one of the deepest red states in the country.
“I realized I had to do something and go against the grain and move from the Northeast to Oklahoma,
which I hear is kind of rare,” Paulson said. She joined OSU’s College Democrats, becoming president before making her way onto Oklahoma Representative Trish Ranson’s campaign team, where she served as the campaign manager. In a highly contentious presidential election, some current and former OSU students joined local campaigns to play an active role in democracy. On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump was named the winner, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris to concede. Despite politics carrying a heavy national focus, some collegeaged citizens have turned to local politics.
“And I’m asking every citizen all across our land to join me in this noble and righteous endeavor,” he said. “That’s what it is. It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us. It’s time to unite, and we’re gonna try.”
College Republican, Democrat presidents react to election
loves our country and our nation and our democracy,” McIntyre said.
The election is over, and students at OSU are dealing with the outcome.
For some on campus, the results are cause for celebration; for others, they mark the start of a tumultuous four years. Emotions range from joy to anger and even fear.
OSU College Democrats President Avery McIntyre said she is worried about the outcome but is trying to stay positive.
“It’s a very scary time as a gay person, as a woman, as someone who
Mental health is at the forefront of on-campus conversations, and McIntyre took Wednesday to go home and take some much-needed time for herself. After spending time with her family, she hit the road, heading back to Stillwater to offer support.
“Now it’s time for me to come back and offer that space to others as well,” McIntyre said. “We are here for those people feeling frustrated and angry and sad, and all of those emotions are so valid, and making sure that they have a place to come and channel that into work that is going to affect our state and local communities as a whole directly.”
See COLLEGE on page 6A See TRUMP on page 5A
Payton Little
Both Camryn Paulson (middle) and Grace Keltner (right) said the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade inspired them to get involved with local politics.
Bryson Thadhani
Avery McIntyre (left) and Lane Painter acknowledge the feelings of their respective club members.
News
Naloxone training could be added requirement for Greek students
event that they’re having,” Tynes said.
Fraternity & Sorority Affairs
could see a new policy set in place.
On Wednesday, the Student Government Association passed a recommendation that would require fraternities and sororities to have access to and training to administer Naloxone during social events. The legislation has no effect unless Fraternity & Sorority Affairs decides to create its own policy.
SGA Senator Tallie Tynes, who wrote the bill, said the idea came to fruition during an Oklahoma State Harm Reduction meeting.
“It’s just about having a procedure to access that in the event that something happens, whenever they’re having a date party or whatever other kind of social
Editor-in-Chief Kennedy Thomason editorinchief@ocolly.com
Sports editor
Ashton Slaughter sports.ed@ocolly.com
Assistant sports editor Parker Gerl sports.ed@ocolly.com
Design editor
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Social media editor
Bryson Thadhani news.ed@ocolly.com
The training could be done through Greek 100, a peer-led training for hazing and sexual assault prevention, according to Campus Life.
House moms and dads are currently trained to administer Naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioids on the brain, but Tynes said she wants to extend it to executive members.
“It’s not my job to make sure that anybody is sober,” Tynes said. “They should be sober if they are on the risk management team, to my knowledge.”
SGA Senator Trevor Friesen, who abstained from voting, said the Naloxone training would be useful for “off-the-book parties,” not sanctioned fraternity or sorority events.
“It will only have enforceability over events that are already rather well run and well regulated, such as date parties,”
Friesen said.
SGA Senator Ashton Tate, who was formerly a fraternity member, proposed an amendment to the language to allow any sober monitor to count toward the required 2-person team. The previous language required the chapter’s president and one member of the risk management team to be in charge of the Naloxone. Tate said the president and members of the risk management team are not always sober monitors.
You kind of can move around your exec members and move the Narcan around to your sober monitors for each date party,” Tate said.
The recommendation will be forwarded to leadership in Fraternity & Sorority Affairs, as well as other campus leadership. They are the only ones who can take action on it, as SGA has no oversight with enforcement. news.ed@ocolly.com
News & Lifestyle editor
Hayden Alexander news.ed@ocolly.com
Assistant News & Lifestyle
editor Raynee Howell news.ed@ocolly.com
Photo editor Payton Little photo.ed@ocolly.com
Adviser Brett Dawson brett.dawson@okstate.edu
Ask the Pokes
How do you feel now that the election is over?
“I feel a little uneasy after the election because the candidate I wanted to win didn’t win, but I still feel a sense of strength and fellowship.”
-Zoe Kelley, senior
“I’m excited to see what the next four years looks like, and I’m also excited that the turmoil is a little bit over.”
-Jackson Hays, sophomore
“I’m kind of glad it’s over now... I think just making sure we’re respectful to everyone no matter how they vote is all we can do now.”
-Bridget Himes, junior
News & Lifestyle reporters: Milo Cantrell
Bella Casey
Luisa Clausen
Cody Garcia
Jackson Johns
Jocelyne Perez
Megan Roy
Ava Whistler
Sports reporters: Photographers & Designers:
Daniel Allen
Dalton Arredondo
Allyssa Brandon
Baylor Bryant
Cayden Cox
Timonthy Christenson
Gina Foster
Kenzie Kraich
Samuel Mitchell
Calif Poncy
Allyn Orndorff
Kaitlyn Robertson
Wyatt Tessier
Will Thorogood
Wyatt Watson
Weston Wertzberger
Jose Brito
Maya Blanks
Delainey Cops
Mykalyn Daidone
Catherine Dzanski
Lilian Easter
Andon Freitas
Conner Fuxa
Riley Harness
Kaytlyn Hays
Ethan Hilbert
Jonathan Jackson
Benjamin Perry
Isaac Terry
Bryson Thadhani
OUR EYES ARE ON CHRIST!
“ As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he show us his mercy.” (Ps.123:2 NIV)
“My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty...But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Ps.131:1,2 NIV)
“ I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit...he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear (stand in awe) and put their trust in the LORD.” (Ps.40:1-3 NIV)
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall
renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Is.40:31 KJV)
There is something definite and real about waiting on the Lord. I remember years ago when I sensed the Lord speak to me.
“Make yourself available!” I thought I was! I was reading my Bible some and going to church regularly. As I considered this challenge from Lord, I felt I should spend some quiet time daily with the Lord. With my busy days,I decided to spend a hour (5 to 6 a.m.) each day. That decision brought about important changes in my life and service to God. I was learning to wait on the Lord. What a loving and faithful God we have to help us find his best for our lives. It pays off to have a definite, daily time with your Bible and Jesus
Kennedy Thomason
Student Government Association Senator Tallie Tynes said she thinks adding Naloxone training for Greek students would improve harm reduction.
The O’Colly Staff
Newsroom
election day coverage
Students watch election across campus
HAYDEN
OSU students stayed up late to watch the race for the White House unfold live.
The halls of Edmon Low were quiet as students studied, but many were splitting their attention. Their computer screens were a mashup of essays and election results as students watched the electoral votes roll in.
Two architecture students, Logan Gaber and Maia Lebel, worked on assignments while monitoring the election results. Gaber said the election was a little nerve-wracking but she wanted to see how things played out.
“It’s close, and we’re unsure of what’s going to happen,” Gaber said. That uncertainty did not shake Lebel’s hopes and faith in Harris.
“I voted for Harris,” Lebel said. “Morally, for me when I see these two candidates, one who’s a felon convicted of 34 charges, that’s not something I want to vote for or someone I want as president.”
Gaber falls in the middle, deciding to vote based on what she believes to be the most important issue facing the country right now.
“I am more independent, but it was mainly environmental and re -
productive policies; I hunt and stuff, but I would rather have reproductive rights,” Gaber said. “It was just a choice I made.”
the things, women’s reproductive rights, is my main concern.”
2024 election timeline
Jackson Pelfrey sat watching the results on his laptop, observing the changing landscape. The political science student had many thoughts on the election.
“What’s difficult about this election is how polarized our nation is right now,” Pelfrey said. “We’re living in a state in which a lot of people think the overall betterment of democracy within our nation is dependent on who wins this presidential race, and so there’s a lot on the line here.”
Pelfrey said he cast an early vote for former President Donald Trump and vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance because he was concerned about the nation’s economy, border policies and voter ID laws.
“I understand there’s a lot I don’t know, I won’t claim to know it all, but to my best, most educated understanding, I made the decision to vote for this administration based on what I think is going to be the best outcome for the people of the United States of America,” Pelfrey said.
Sathwik Yamana sat in a study room with two other friends, theorizing about the potential results.
“It’s a pretty tight race,” Yamana said. “I’m rooting for Kamala Harris. I feel like there are so many issues on the ballot right now, and one of
J.R. Stipp-Bethune, a friend of Yamana’s, emphasized his frustration with the slowness of election results. He said something this important should not take a long time.
“That seems to be a big problem for me; especially when people are talking about this being drawn out on Wednesday or Thursday,” StippBethune said. “I think the Michigan secretary of state a few weeks ago said maybe Saturday, which is ridiculous.”
A common concern among students was what would after the results. Pelfrey said the nation is highly polarized, and people can get lost in their differences.
“We’re kind of evolving to this direction of division and allowing ourselves to get so passionate about our ideological identities that we’re willing to cut off friendships and hurt people,” Pelfrey said.
In what would be a night of upsets and history-defining calls, Pelfrey said he was prepared for whatever outcome the night brought.
“I have faith in the Lord above that no matter what happens, you know, it’s all going to be for the best,” Pelfrey said. “He will never give us anything we can’t handle.”
At the end of the night Trump won the election with a total of 295 electoral votes to Harris’ 226.
news.ed@ocolly.com
OSU students head to the polls
OSU students cast their votes Tuesday.
The race for the presidency is over. After a year of campaigning and historical moments former President Donald J. Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 presidential race Wednesday morning.
In Stillwater, OSU students hit the polls. Senior Alex Baghose waited in line for an hour Tuesday morning to vote. It marked his first time voting in a presidential election.
“I get to do my civic duty as an American to vote,” Baghose said. “It’s a privilege to be able to vote in your own country.”
Many first-time voters at OSU vote by mail. Haylie McArthur voted via a mail-in ballot. McArthur said she was not always politically active, but that changed in high school.
“I went into high school and joined the debate team and had to look at current events,” McArthur said. “That got me really interested in the democratic process.” McArthur’s time on the debate team changed her outlook on politics. She began to wonder how she
could influence the world around her, but she initially feared her vote didn’t matter.
However, McArthur decided she would make her voice count.
“I feel like my voice doesn’t matter on national elections, but on state and county elections, I definitely have a voice, and I definitely want to influence that,” she said.
McArthur is not alone in thinking her vote doesn’t matter, and many students decide not to vote because of it. The Student Volunteer Center workers are hoping to change that outlook.
The group set up a table outside Chi O Clock overflowing with free
shirts reading “vote” with some OSU flare. Next to the shirts stood about five students handing out buttons, candidate profiles and voting information.
Junior Larkin Riddle, a civic engagement ambassador for the Student Volunteer Center, said she encourages students to make their voices heard as young Americans.
“It’s important because the young vote is just as important as any other person’s vote,” Riddle said.
“We’re just encouraging people to be engaged with the community and understand that their vote does have effects on their community.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
O’COLLY STAFF REPORT
Editor’s Note: This contains some of the major updates from the presidential election. As polls closed and votes were counted Tuesday night, The O’Colly documented the timeline.
In a matchup between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, America made its decision, electing Trump as the 47th president of the United States. Here is the timeline:
Tuesday 6:17 p.m.
Three states have been called. Vermont is blue, Indiana is red and Kentucky is red, according to AP News. Vermont accounts for three electoral votes, Indiana accounts for 11 votes and Kentucky has eight. Trump 19-3.
7:01 p.m.
Ten states were called. Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Florida were called red. Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island were called blue. Trump 95-35.
7:31 p.m.
Two states are called, one for blue and one for red. Arkansas is called red, giving Trump six electoral votes, and New Jersey is called blue, giving Harris 14 electoral votes. Trump 101-49.
7:39 p.m.
Illinois, the home of former President Barack Obama, is called blue, giving 19 electoral votes to Harris. Trump 101-71.
8:00 p.m.
Nebraska, Louisiana, Wyoming, South Dakota and North Dakota are called red giving 19 electoral votes to Trump. New York is called blue giving 28 votes to Harris. Trump 120-99.
8:08 p.m.
Ohio, Vance’s home state, is called red, giving Trump 17 electoral votes. Trump 137-99.
9:41 p.m.
Iowa is called red, winning Trump another six electoral votes. Trump 210112.
10:19 p.m. North Carolina, one of the swing states, is called red. Trump receives 16 electoral votes. Trump 230-179.
11:28 p.m. Republicans have won control of the Senate, according to AP News.
11:58 p.m.
Trump wins Georgia, a swing state, and the state’s 16 electoral votes.
Wednesday 1:27 a.m.
Pennsylvania, a swing state, sends its 19 votes to Trump. Trump leads, 267214.
2:01 a.m.
The vice president has won Minnesota, adding 10 electoral votes to Harris’ total, bringing the tally to 267-224.
7:56 a.m.
Overnight, around 5 a.m., AP News called Wisconsin red, giving Trump 10 electoral votes. This brings his total to 277, hitting the 270 mark. AP has called the race. Trump wins, 277226.
news.ed@ocolly.com
orange
Hayden Alexander
The Student Volunteer Center passed out shirts to students to encourage them to vote.
Campus Life offers mental health support post-election
HAYDEN
Every election has a winner and a loser; overnight, 300 million lives change.
Waking up the day after the election is a celebration for some and a struggle for others. Concerns about the mental wellbeing of voters are high during election season. Seventy-seven percent of adults pointed to the election as a major point of anxiety, according to the American Psychological Association.
That anxiety does not stop at the polls or after the votes are counted. In the days after, emotions are high and mental health is a priority.
OSU Campus Life put out a list of resources following the election for students to take advantage of as they navigate whatever they may be feeling after the election.
“We recognize, and other campuses recognize, that the lead-up to an election can cause a significant strain on stress for students, whether that’s a strain on relationships, stress about what a result might be and what the ramifications of that result might be,” Director of Campus Life Scott Alexander said.
The resources include tips on improving mental health and offering others grace following the results. OSU Campus Life encourages students to look beyond the issues and see the people.
“Political discourse can quickly become diverse, leading us to depersonalize others,” according to the Campus Life resources page. “In dialogue, we can minimize people to an ideological position without first seeking to understand them.”
Other tips include taking a break from social media and the 24/7 news cycle and focusing on what you can control, such as getting involved locally and in student government to bring about change.
Connection with friends and classmates is also a good way to find peace in the chaos. Campus Life staff are ready to be a resource and friend
to students.
“We want to be able to make students aware of the places they can go to get the support that they need and have the conversations they need to have,” Alexander said.
Alexander said Campus Life can help, but students can advocate for themselves and their friends.
Care Reports allow students to submit anonymous forms for nonemergency circumstances. Students can submit one for friends and themselves if they need help or are nervous about seeking help. Campus Life will then reach out and start the conversation.
“(Care Reports) can also be a mechanism by which students can selfrefer so they can say, ‘Hey, I’m really struggling with this, and I have a lot of unanswered questions,” Alexander said. “I have a lot of unease about what this election’s result is going to mean for my life. And so they can use the care report to self-refer.”
Students have access to University Counseling Services, University Health Services, and the Psychological Services Center in addition to Care Reports.
Campus Life is hosting a self-care workshop Tuesday that is open to all students. In the meantime, a favorite mental health group on campus, Pete’s Pet Posse, is hosting several events, including Furry Friend Friday at the Colvin Recreation Center at 10 a.m. and Muttday Monday at Edmon Low starting at noon.
“Take care of yourself in healthy ways, and if you need assistance, know that again, we’ve anticipated these things, and we want to be able to provide that assistance and that care,” Alexander said.
When asked what he would say to students who are experiencing negative emotions and anxiety because of the election, Alexander said students are not alone no matter what they are struggling with.
“Don’t feel like you’re the only one that’s having a certain reaction or response,” Alexander said. “Know that there are folks here for you who want to provide that help and not just get the support.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Senate District 21 goes red for ‘Doc’ Grellner
KENNEDY THOMASON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
@_KENNEDYPAGE
The Republican candidate for Senate District 21 has claimed victory.
Dr. Randy “Doc” Grellner won the race with about 64% of the vote, which will send him to Oklahoma’s capitol. The doctor from Cushing took the lead over Democratic candidate Robin Fuxa, who conceded the election shortly on Tuesday.
Grellner will represent parts of Payne and Noble counties.
Grellner said he is ready to “create opportunity in this state” for younger Oklahomans. Among his highest priorities will be healthcare reform,
reinvesting in rural Oklahoma, agriculture and oil and gas.
“It’s not one single issue,” Grellner said. “It is a whole bunch of issues that, in tandem, working together, can make this state top two, three state in the country. But if we don’t fix them all simultaneously, we will not have that.”
Some of his campaign points include promoting Christian values, being pro-Second Amendment and supporting President-elect Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. Grellner will be one of a handful of physicians serving in the state legislature.
Grellner’s opponent, a 24year educator, stood in front of a watch party crowd at Stonecloud Brewing Co. as she conceded. Fuxa said she is
grateful for anyone who helped her campaign.
“We have done a lot of good,” Fuxa said. “We’ve shown that Dems can compete in a very gerrymandered district.”
Fuxa’s campaign focused on improving education for Oklahoma’s youth and fighting against Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters. She also prioritized expanding health care and opportunities for Oklahomans.
Despite losing, Fuxa said she is “so damn proud” of her campaign and the people behind it.
“I hope that Senator Grellner does a great job for us, and we will hold him to that,” Fuxa said. “So I look forward to continuing the advocacy work alongside all of you.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
OSU College Democrats volunteer, work local election
RAYNEE HOWELL
ASSISTANT NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
@RAYNEEHOWELL
Avery McIntyre used to watch politics on the news with her parents in high school.
For the 2024 election, she’d come a long way from her parent’s living room. For incumbent candidate Trish Ranson, DStillwater, McIntyre worked as a field intern for the most recent election cycle.
“I have had a wonderful, wonderful time working with them” McIntyre said. “...predominantly helping engage, volunteer recruitment, as well as getting out and door knocking, lit dropping, all that fun stuff; engaging with people face to face, and having those meaningful interactions that you know people are going to remember.”
The political science student took her interest in politics and decided to make a difference, starting with earning a degree and engaging as much as she could with organizations on campus.
McIntyre joined Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, a mock legislature that advocates for political activism across the state. There, she met the former president of the OSU College Democrats who told McIntyre she would be a good fit for the executive board. The club created a position just for McIntyre: director of recruitment.
In what she describes as a “natural progression,” McIntyre moved up to vice president the next semester, and now she serves as president.
Lucas Fenderson, Ranson’s field director, said McIntyre has acted as a liaison between OSU College Democrats and the local campaign.
“It can’t just be us,” Fenderson
said. “Being able to reach out to the College Democrats, being able to reach out to the county Democrat group and get this wonderful office together. Outreach comes in a lot of forms, and it’s not just telling people who to vote for.
“It’s a lot about creating a community,” he said.
McIntyre has also created a community among her peers in OSU College Democrats. She is chief of staff for the College Democrats of Oklahoma, which monitors state chapters.
With these connections, McIntyre has access to a network of college students. Many of whom found their own ways to get involved in the election.
“We have members who are out phone banking, text banking, sign waving at different locations throughout Stillwater,” McIntyre said. “Our whole exec board is going to be out doing poll running, collecting the things that are posted on precinct doors. When polling shuts down and they get those numbers, we send those back to the campaigns,
that way they can have a more accurate understanding of where they’re at in the race.”
For the members volunteering, being openly Democrat in a red state can come with its struggles. Talking to family members and loved ones who may not necessarily vote to preserve the same values as theirs is one of the hardest challenges, McIntyre said. But to her, the lack of voter education is an even bigger challenge.
As a part of OSU College Democrats’ many election-focused initiatives, the club printed out sample ballots for its meeting to show voters exactly what to expect.
“It’s really hard to get voters connected to resources where they can educate themselves, because they won’t always put the effort in,” McIntyre said. “So we analyzed, and we went through like ‘OK, this is what it looks like,’ top down. This is what is on the ballot for state questions and who’s running for office at these different levels.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Hayden Alexander Campus Life is offering multiple resources for students following
Payton Little
Democratic candidate Robin Fuxa conceded the race for Senate District 21 at a Stonecloud Brewing Co. watch party Tuesday.
Courtesy Avery McIntyre
Rep. Trish Ranson and her campaign team on Election Day.
Stillwater election results, recap
O’COLLY STAFF REPORT
As the polls closed Tuesday, the presidential race took center stage, but for the locals in Stillwater, there was more to watch for.
About 9 p.m., unoffiical results for Stillwater were called on the Oklahoma State Election Board website. One being the City of Stillwater’s proposition for OG+E to power the planned data center. The ‘yes’ vote surpassed the ‘no’ vote with 72%.
District 34 Representative incum-
Charge
Continued from 1
Paulson is part of a four-member all-student campaign team for Ranson. Alongside her is intern Grace Keltner, who is in charge of Ranson’s social media.
Keltner joined the campaign during the fall semester, but has been involved with OSU’s College Democrats since the Dobbs decision, which returned the right to regulate abortion to the states. Making the switch to campaigning for a local candidate was easy, she said.
“I feel like the reason why so much of what we complain about is happening is because of a lack of involvement,” Keltner said. “So the fact that there are people, young people, here who are like boots on the ground, doing the work is proof that one, that’s not entirely true, and two, that when we work, we do make progress.”
Callie Gray, a senior, is campaign manager for Republican Randy “Doc” Grellner. The candidate for Senate District 21 claimed victory Tues-
bent and Trish Ranson won the race against Republican Andrew Muchmore. Ranson pulled ahead with about 1,794 votes.
State Senator for District 21, Republican Randy “Doc” Grellner surpassed Democrat Robin Fuxa. Grellner garnered about 5,000 more votes than Fuxa.
About 7 p.m., the state of Oklahoma was called red in favor of Trump, giving out the state’s seven electoral votes. Oklahomans also voted ‘yes’ for State Question 834, which clarifies only citizens of the United States are qualified to vote in the state.
news.ed@ocolly.com
day night. Gray spent her summer knocking on doors and much of the fall semester bent over her computer answering emails for his campaign.
Balancing classwork with a looming December graduation date, Gray said she has kept herself busy trying to engage voters. Although she doesn’t shy away from sharing her opinion, Gray said she likes to listen and observe.
“I will be considerate of their opinion, but I’m not going to give away my own values just because someone else believes differently,” Gray said. “Because if you do that, you don’t have values to begin with.”
With the contentious presidential election fueling partisanship, Gray said she encountered a range of reactions when knocking on doors. It was anything from friendly responses to someone pulling a gun on her, Gray said.
Despite differing political beliefs, Gray said it is important to let “your voice be heard.”
“We see everyone struggling right now,” Gray said. “And why not start something? Why not get involved at least a little bit, especially at a local level, which it matters the most at, in my opinion?”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Trump
Continued from 1
Nevada and Arizona have yet to announce results as of Thursday night, though it is likely both will go for Trump.
The U.S. Senate also swung red, with Republican candidates sitting 52 to 45 with three flipped seats for Republicans. The U.S. House is still up for grabs, with Republicans leading Democrats 210 to 198 as of Thursday night.
In a concession speech Wednesday afternoon at Howard University, Vice President Kamala Harris said she is
committed to a peaceful transfer of power.
Harris also said Democrats will continue to fight for their values in the voting booths and by treating one another with kindness and respect.
“This is not a time to throw up our hands,” she said. “This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.”
Trump will serve as the country’s 45th and 47th president, making him one of two Commanders-in-Chief to serve nonconsecutive terms. He will also be the first convicted felon to serve as the nation’s top official.
news.ed@ocolly.com
‘My heart is full today’ Kamala Harris concedes election
RAYNEE HOWELL
ASSISTANT NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
@RAYNEEHOWELL
Upon Vice President Kamala Harris’ entrance onto the stage at Howard University, the crowd roared.
At 3:24 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Harris walked out and faced her supporters for the first time since the election was called early Wednesday morning. Supporters made their presence known, screaming out praises and I-love-you’s across the quad of Harris’ alma mater.
For the next 12 minutes, Harris gave an inspiring speech, encouraging voters to continue fighting despite her loss to President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Harris showed gratitude for the support she received over her 107-day campaign.
“My heart is full today,” Harris said. “Full of gratitude for the trust you’ve placed in me, full of love for our country and full of resolve.” Harris made a point to Americans
that accepting the results of the election is principle. She spoke of transferring power over peacefully during her speech and with a private call to Trump hours before.
She also spent a few minutes thanking the Biden family, the Walz family, poll workers, election volunteers and her supporters. She then encouraged the crowd to not give up, addressing pressing issues including access to abortion, gun violence, equal justice, individual rights and freedom.
To her younger supporters, she gave a message of hope while acknowledging their sadness. She said it is OK to be sad and disappointed, but it is not time to throw up your hands, but rather roll up your sleeves.
Harris said despite the outcome, she will continue her efforts to brighten America’s future.
“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” Harris said.
“The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people. A fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation. That is a fight I will never give up.”
Little Oklahoma Representative Trish Ranson’s intern, Grace Keltner, joined the campaign this fall.
Hayden Alexander
Tribune News Service
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris departs the stage after conceding the election during a speech at Howard University on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
Voting for her own DNA
OSU student shares insight into Vance
KENNEDY THOMASON
Although it’s not evident by her surname, Lilly Hudson has watched from a unique seat as the presidential campaigns have unfolded.
Second cousin to Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, Hudson has seen the campaign trail first-hand. To her, it wasn’t a surprise to see Vance on the ticket.
“We always knew he was going to be something huge,” Hudson said.
The Ohio senator first enlisted in the Marine Corps before graduating from Ohio State University and Yale University, where he earned a law degree.
Vance shared a ticket with former President Donald Trump, who won a second term in the White House on Wednesday. Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ran and conceded Wednesday afternoon.
In a highly contentious presidential race, Hudson, a freshman and secondary education major, said her relation to Vance has had little effect. Especially on a predominantly conservative campus in a “deep-red state,” Hudson said she hasn’t received any negative comments about the race.
Hudson said she sees Vance as the family man he has always been, evidenced by the hours of family time at Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Vance’s dedication to family is one of the things Hudson said she has found to be most admirable amidst the constant headlines and national pressure.
Although Vance, his wife, Usha, and their three children, have to take flights almost constantly to keep up with the campaign schedule, Hudson said Vance continues to prioritize time with them. Even when it means taking a break to take his children to the aquarium in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
“One thing about his campaign, no matter how busy the day is, he always makes sure to go back and have dinner with his kids or read a book to his kids,” Hudson said.
Hudson said she got to experience the campaign-trail lifestyle up close and personal for about three days. Accompanied by her mom and little sister, Hudson traveled alongside Vance and his team to Ohio; Green Bay; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; then to Texas. The next day, Hudson was traveling back to Stillwater for class.
“It was the most hectic thing I’ve ever done,” Hudson said.
Both campaigns hit the trail hard, targeting swing states, such as Wisconsin or North Carolina, in an effort to clinch the needed 270 votes from the Electoral College.
As the last ballots were cast Tuesday, Hudson said she celebrated with a watch party with her roommates and was “excited to see how it goes.”
“I forever get to say my first-ever vote was for my own DNA,” Hudson said. news.ed@ocolly.com
College
Continued from 1
McIntyre’s advice of taking time and supporting each other is echoed by College Republicans President Lane Painter. Painter traveled home as well to watch the election unfold. He said it is important to take a moment and unplug from everything.
“I think dipping into it (politics) when you need to, when you have a question and not completely surrounding yourself whenever you know the climate and the tone is just hectic,” he said.
Painter said he understands why Harris supporters are struggling right now and knows each person votes for what they truly believe to be best for the country.
“I would feel the same way as them,” Painter said. “In today’s political climate, the sides are so against each other. They have every right to feel anxious and nervous about it.”
Painter also said that while things may seem drastic now, America will push on, and if both sides can leave politics’ polarizing nature behind, they can find a compromise.
“If we can sit back and understand that some of Biden’s policies will still be in place as well as Trump’s new policies will be in place, we’ll find common ground, “America will keep going on,” he said.
McIntyre and Painter agree that diplomacy, healthy debate and civic duties do not stop after the election ends. McIntyre encouraged students to continue getting involved on the local level, citing the many wins Democrats had in Oklahoma and in smaller elections across the nation Tuesday night.
“There are wins that we have had this election in Oklahoma and nationally,” McIntyre said. “It’s not time to
resign yourself. It is time to get to work and to really start building and continue to build the infrastructure that is going to last for a lifetime.”
Civic engagement on local levels allows students to impact their communities, and part of that impact is through tough conversations, understanding and respect.
“Diplomacy doesn’t stop after an election,” Painter said. “I think diplomacy on a small scale can help us mature and evolve in something bigger.”
Voting is a constant topic of conversation at OSU, and though the result is not what McIntyre hoped for, she said she is happy to see students engaged.
“I think that we can engage the demographic as a nation that historically has not been engaged, and I’m quite proud of the contributions that young people have made across the board no matter what their political leaning and ideology are,” McIntyre said.
Painter said he hopes to keep students engaged and get them more involved in the local community. He also said he wants to continue to work with the College Democrats to emphasize the importance of staying involved. Painter said that no matter the result, the country’s democracy will win out.
“America prevails,” Painter said. It would have prevailed if Harris won, and it’s going to keep going because it’s been here for a while, and we just need to keep diplomacy a thing and understand that it’s going to be OK for both sides.”
Above all, both Painter and McIntyre want students to respect each other and lead with humanity first. McIntyre has a message for her fellow students to remember those who will be affected by this election, such as women and the LGBTQ+ communities.
“No matter what your political leanings are and what your beliefs are on that specifically be decent, respect one another, and I think just have conversations, talk with each other and with open minds,” McIntyre said.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy Lilly Hudson
Lilly Hudson (left) traveled with Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, her second cousin, during three days of his campaign.
Payton Little
After Tuesday’s presidential election, students on both sides of the aisle are taking time to reflect.
Students, veterans plant flags to honor the fallen
HAYDEN ALEXANDER NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
It’s that time of year again; the air grows colder, days get shorter, and Library Lawn is covered in a cascade of red, white and blue.
Every year at OSU, the Veterans Success Center works with veterans, service members, ROTC members, students, faculty and staff to plant 7,158 flags on Library Lawn in honor of Veterans Day. Each flag represents every fallen U.S. military member since Sept. 11, 2001.
On Thursday, more than 120 volunteers gathered to place flags, and Friday, volunteers will adorn the flags with the dog tags of every fallen service member.
“They (community members) can come here, they can see the flags, they can find their family member’s dog tags,” Veteran Success Center coordinator Vince Rivera said. “It gives them a reason to come to campus, intermingle and meet with our students.”
“It’s one of those things that shows all of our students that we understand we have a diverse group and population on campus, that student veterans are just another one of those things that we want to say thank you for being here. We appreciate who you are, and really it’s just that community building that’s the most important.”
Multiple current service members and veterans joined the efforts to plant flags Thursday.
Jaci Pierce, who works for the Veterans Success Center and serves in the Army National Guard, said seeing the flags on campus gives her a sense of pride.
“It makes me feel proud to be a
part of something bigger than myself,” Pierce said. “A lot of people don’t get to see the side of it I do, but you know I think the military, it’s got a lot of great people in it.”
Aaron Malinoski, an OSU student and veteran, said students should take the time to learn about the flags’ purpose.
“They should care because it’s an American thing that we do,” Malinoski. “We celebrate the ones that go fight for us, and we appreciate what they do and sacrifice. There are so many things that they give up for us that we should always appreciate them.”
Veterans Day is typically meant to celebrate the living, retired and current service members, but flags allow student veterans to connect with those who came before them.
Westlee Chase Humphrey joined the military at 19 and left the service to pursue a degree at OSU. When he looks at the flags, he sees more than just fabric.
“Each one of these flags has a different meaning,” Humphrey
said. “This is a life. Each one of these you’re looking at, each one of these I’m holding, this is a life. They’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.”
The flag planting is occurring right after the election, and Rivera wants students to understand that the flags are not political; they are for everyone.
“I just hope people understand that being a veteran means we’re representative of every political ideology, every socio-economic status, every identity orientation,” Rivera said. “So this goes beyond politics. It goes beyond the left, right, red and blue. Our veterans are here to serve all, not one party, and so this is a celebration that I think supersedes the political climate.”
The Veterans Success Center is hosting several events next week to honor and celebrate veterans, including a Veterans appreciation dinner and lunch and learn. To find out more, visit the Campus Life website.
KENNEDY
THOMASON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @_KENNEDYPAGE
Following a series of racist texts that are being sent to Black Americans across the country, OSU has released a statement.
Students at Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama and North Carolina have reported receiving the text, which references plantation work. College students, in particular, seem to be receiving the texts.
An OSU Instagram account catered toward Black students has posted a similar version of the message. The account’s owner claims the screenshot was sent from an OSU student.
OSUPD Public Information Officer Shannon Rigsby said the police force “doesn’t have any reports thus far” of students receiving the message.
“We are aware that in-
dividuals at universities across the nation have received them,” Rigsby said in an email. “If anyone in the Cowboy family has received one, the OSU Police Department will assist them with filing a police report.”
OSU also released a statement acknowledging the nationwide reports. It said the messages are believed to be associated with online spoofing sites and there appears to be no credible threat.
“Oklahoma State University will continue to uphold the law and foster a campus where everyone feels welcomed and valued,” the statement read. “Incidents that violate the law or our student code of conduct will not be tolerated.” To report a message, call OSUPD at (405) 744-6523 or talk with dispatchers via the Rave Guardian app. Resources for students are also available on the Student Support website.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Bryson Thadhani
OSUPD has not received reports from any student claiming to have received racist messages.
Hayden Alexander
More than 120 students, veterans, faculty and staff gathered to plant 7,158 flags honoring all those that have fallen since 9/11.
news.ed@ocolly.com
‘The Substance’ chilling take on societal pressures
minder of the emotional decay that can result from comparing ourselves to the seemingly perfect lives we see online.
Editor’s note: This article contains spoilers.
“The Substance,” which premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival to a 13-minute standing ovation, portrays Hollywood’s crazy obsession with youth and beauty — an obsession that starkly highlights how younger actresses often replace wellknown actresses as they age.
This fixation is not just a cinematic trope; it reflects a broader societal phenomenon. Although it’s easy to point fingers at Hollywood, director Coralie Fargeat goes deeper, using the film to explore a struggle that resonates with many of us.
The pressure to stay young, attractive and relevant transcends the entertainment industry; it’s a universal challenge that permeates our everyday lives.
This film is rich with horror elements that will undoubtedly enthrall genre enthusiasts — it’s a true masterpiece for body horror lovers. Yet, amidst the chilling moments, the exchange between Elisabeth (Demi Moore) and her boss, Harvey (Dennis Quaid), struck me profoundly.
Harvey’s blunt suggestion that Elisabeth should retire, delivered while he munched on shrimp, represents a deeply unsettling moment that feels like the most violent scene in the film. Moore herself described it as such, and I completely agree. This moment resonates powerfully with the way society often views women, exposing the cruel, unspoken rules that dictate their worth based on youth.
Confronted with relentless pressures from both society and industry, Elisabeth finds herself considering“The Substance,” a mysterious black-market drug that promises to replicate her cells and create a younger, “better” version of herself.
This temptation is hard to resist, and she takes the plunge, embracing her new, idealized self —her alter ego, Sue (Margaret Qualley). But there is a devastating twist: As she transitions to a new body, her original one deteriorates at a terrifying rate, aging rapidly as she leaves it behind without exchanging one body for the other body.
This narrative poignantly illustrates how our fixation on external perfection can lead us to lose sight of our own essential selves. Watching Elisabeth’s struggle serves as a stark re -
One of the most relatable moments for me occurs when Elisabeth prepares for a date, hoping to feel glamorous, only to step outside and feel like an imposter. We’ve all experienced that moment when we think we look amazing until we’re surrounded by others or confronted by the polished images on social media.
“The Substance” captures this disheartening truth: Society’s obsession with appearances can warp our sense of self-worth and beauty, leaving us questioning who we are.
Fargeat pays homage to classic films, using horror and thriller techniques to heighten Elisabeth’s tumultuous journey. Her transformation mirrors that of 2010’s “Black Swan,” while the eerie atmosphere recalls the unsettling corridors of “The Shining.” The body horror elements are reminiscent of “The Fly” and “Carrie,” and I even caught the corridor echoes of “Irreversible.”
These references amplify the horror of losing control over our identity and self-image, a concern that feels increasingly relevant in an era obsessed with unrealistic beauty standards.
Raffertie’s score deserves special mention as well. His haunting, ethereal compositions intertwine seamlessly with Elisabeth’s downward spiral, layering the film with an extra level of psychological tension. The music lingered with me long after the credits rolled, creating an almost tangible atmosphere of unease. I suspect you’ll feel its impact too if you give the film a watch.
Ultimately, “The Substance” delivers a message that is both haunting and liberating. Elisabeth’s journey reflects a struggle many face when trying to conform to impossible standards. Her final act — embracing her true self, even in hideous form of “ElisaSue”(aka Monstrous Elisasue) — offers a powerful reminder that selfacceptance, flaws and all, can be the most empowering choice we can make.
The film may be dark, but it underscores the dangers of constantly measuring ourselves against others. After viewing, I find myself grappling with a compelling question: If offered a substance to maintain youth, would I take it? Probably, yes. But after this film I would also take a moment to consider the true cost of such a choice.
‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ delivers a lot of heart, emotion
HAYDEN ALEXANDER NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Editor’s note: This article contains spoilers. Season 3 of Amazon Prime’s “The Legend of Vox Machina” is a whirlwind of adventure and emotions.
The 12-episode season doesn’t hold any punches, throwing the characters head-first into trauma, relationships and character growth.
Last we left our heroes, the team had been collecting vestiges, magical objects that enhance the users’ power, to defeat Thordak (Lance Reddick) and the Chroma Conclave. With two dragons out of five slain, the team plans to take out the rest.
In a bold move, Vox Machina teams up with Raishan (Cree Summer), an ancient dragon, to defeat Thordak as he grows his Conclave. The commodore is called into question by Keyleth (Marisha Ray), a central plot point made valid in the season finale.
This season is focused on many villains, but the world-saving portions of the plot line get overshadowed by the relationship-building within Vox Machina. After three years, two of the show’s ships finally sail, but it’s rough seas.
Keyleth and Vax’ildan (Liam O’Brien) finally start to explore their feelings for each other, but this time, Vax stops things, much to my annoyance (sorry, I have been on team Vaxleth since day one). Vax fears the future, Keyleth’s immortality and his curse.
Vax’s twin sister, Vex’ahlia, shares this fear as she navigates feelings for Percival de Rolo (Taliesin Jaffe). The two come together in a flurry of emotions, but she is unable to say, “I love you.”
These commonalities find their way into other characters’ relationships as Scanlan Shorthalt fights for a place in his daughter’s life and Pike Trickfoot (Ashley Johnson) finds her strength apart from the Everlight.
that truly cares for one another.
Vax and Vex learn to let go of fear and open up outside themselves. Keyleth and Percy initially hurt, understand and give the twins grace. Percy a little more so than Keyleth.
Percy’s story is integral to the fabric of the Vox Machina universe, and it drives the plot. His arc comes full circle as he resists the demon that once tormented him.
Upon discovering that his nemesis is attempting to mass-produce pepper boxes, Dungeons and Dragons’ version of guns, he stops her. He learns from his mistakes and forfeits his life for those he loves. He dies in peace, but naturally, this is D&D, so he doesn’t stay that way for long.
Keyleth is still sweet; at times, her youthful ignorance comes out, but she has grown. She is the only one who fully mistrusts Rasihan and begs to complete the Earth Ashari seeing ritual to save her friends. She finds her strength and defeats her foe masterfully. Pike, so engrossed in always having her god with her, learns to let go and put faith in herself, unlocking a hidden power. Scanlan reconnects with his daughter and finds a new purpose. Grog (Travis Willingham) does not have much character growth this season, but he is often the glue that holds the team together.
What happens when everyone on a vigilante-turned-hero team finds themselves? They go their separate ways. After defeating the Chroma Conclave, Vox Machina splits up to pursue varying adventures, but I have no doubt that they will be back. Their connection is too strong, plus an end-credits scene reveals a new villain.
The show’s familial aspect is why I know the team will be back together soon. An adventure is only as good as the characters on the journey. This idea translates to real life.
Vox Machina found each other, and that idea of finding a family is mirrored in real life, as many campaigns and parties build friendships and give people a home.
“The Legend of Vox Machina” will return for a fourth season. Review Review
(For an added layer of depth, I recommend listening to Anna von Hausswolff’s “Ugly and Vengeful.”) news.ed@ocolly.com
It’s a simple but powerful theme to run with as each character examines their relationships and futures. It shows growth and maturity from cavalier adventurers to a team
This connection between the campaign and the show is the reason for its success. It has multiple campaigns worth of storytelling to explore and a voice cast, producers and crew who love this show and take the time and effort needed to build a wellthought-out storyline.
news.ed@ocolly.com
‘Born for this’
Freshman quarterback Smith ready for chance at starting job
BY DANIEL ALLEN I STAFF REPORTER I
Patrick Walsh found himself at a crossroads. In the first quarter of a Week 2 contest on Sept. 2, 2022, at topranked De La Salle, Walsh, the head coach at Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, watched
his junior quarterback, Maealiuaki Smith, endure a violent head-first hit to the facemask from a defensive lineman. So violent that Smith’s helmet popped off, and he had to exit the game for one play. Chaos ensued, and benches nearly cleared. But amid the pandemonium,
Cowgirls in waiting period to learn NCAA Tournament fate
of the Big 12 Tournament early and is tasked with the multi-week break between the conference tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
Walsh was focused on the safety of his quarterback.
“I was like, ‘Do I let him stay in? Or do I keep him out for a drive or two?’” Walsh told The O’Colly “(Smith) looked fine. But it was such a violent hit that I didn’t know if I should let him keep playing.”
Walsh and Smith crossed paths moments later on the sideline. As Smith — visibly startled by the hit, Walsh said — was putting his helmet back on, Walsh asked him, “Do you really want to go back in?” Smith didn’t hesitate. “Yup.”
See SMITH on page 2B
Gundy has prime opportunity to man up after half-hearted apology
Apple’s Notes application. It read:
“I apologize to those who my comments during Monday’s media call offended. My intent was not to offend any of our fans who have supported us and this program through the years.”
Alex Morris’ 30-plus-yard goal to take down Cincinnati has never loomed larger. Oklahoma State soccer came into the season on a four-year run of missing the NCAA Tournament. Heading into the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri, the Cowgirls remained on the bubble, and all they needed was one win to likely secure a spot in the Big Dance. After a 5-0 loss to BYU a few days later, OSU bowed out
On paper, OSU had an easy win. After losing on the final day of the season and losing the fourth seed (and a first-round bye) to BYU, the Cowgirls had to beat 12-seeded Cincinnati to tip the odds in their favor. With 12 minutes remaining, OSU trailed 2-0. Somehow, the Cowgirls scored three goals in the final stages, including Morris’ ridiculous winner. The feeling of bliss only lasted a few days before OSU fell to BYU. But now the Cowgirls have bigger fish to fry –or at least they think so.
If Mike Gundy truly meant it, he would’ve waited.
The Oklahoma State head coach made some controversial comments at his Monday weekly press conference on Zoom, so he released an apology on his X (formerly known as Twitter) account Tuesday night at 9:28 p.m. Anyone know what was happening then?
It was two sentences typed up on
An all-time news dump, as the nation and Cowboy fans’ eyes were far from Gundy’s X account. The comments, which called negative fans and critics “weak” and said they often “can’t pay their own bills,” made the rounds on social media.
@AlabamaGil: “Gundy: our fan base is POOR!”
@Big_T_023: “Refuses to adapt when problems arise — his own definition of a failure.”
@FRZEStix: “Um. Is it time for Gundy to go??”
Payton Little
Oklahoma State quarterback Maealiuaki Smith came in for one possession and led a touchdown drive against Arizona State.
Jose Brito
Oklahoma State head coach Colin Carmichael and the Cowgirls must wait for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Nov. 11 to learn their postseason fate.
Bryson Thadhani
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy angered some fans with controversial comments.
See GUNDY on page 2B
The pop of the chin strap locking into the helmet solidified it. Shortly after, Smith led Junipero Serra to its first win against De La Salle in school history, 24-21.
“Right there, I was like, ‘Holy sh—t, that’s a quarterback,” Walsh said. “That was genuinely one of the most vicious hits you’ll ever see, and he got right up and went in there and had one of the best games of his career.”
To those close to Smith, such moments have defined his career. Enamored with uncertainty and adversity, Smith has defied overwhelming odds, perceptions about his height and a late start to his recruiting process. But through it all, Smith came out on the winning side. A consensus three-star recruit out of high school – the No. 547 overall recruit in the 2023 class according to 247Sports – Smith signed his National Letter of Intent with Oklahoma State, choosing the Cowboys over BYU, Arizona State, Arizona, Florida State and Utah, among others.
Now, Smith has an opportunity to be the third true freshman to start at quarterback for OSU since Mason Rudolph in 2014, as OSU (3-6, 0-6 Big 12) travels to Fort Worth, Texas, to face TCU (5-4, 3-3 Big 12) at Amon G. Carter Stadium. With bowl eligibility on the line and OSU’s 18-year bowl streak – the sixthlongest active streak in college football –in jeopardy, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Smith’s potential first-career collegiate start. But not too big for Smith, Walsh said.
“He would be a terrible person to play Poker against,” Walsh said. “Whether he throws for 300 or 400 yards in a game, or just over 100 and throws a couple of picks, you can’t tell what’s going through his mind. He’s cold stone every game.”
Should Smith garner an opportunity to lead OSU’s offense Saturday, what can Cowboys fans expect from the first-year quarterback?
“Some people like the Drew Brees, get em’ up, get em’ going and fire up the entire stadium type of quarterback,” Walsh said. “That’s not him. He’s not that guy. That’s not his personality. But he’s also cool under pressure. He’s so calm and poised. There could be 100,000 people there or there could be zero people in attendance. You’re gonna get the same person each time.”
As a sophomore, Smith transferred to Junipero Serra – the alma mater of future NFL Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady –with no assured playing time. Normally, Walsh said, prestigious high school
sports
transfers would get emotional over a “wasted year of eligibility.” But not Smith.
His sophomore season consisted of perfect attendance in practices and team meetings as Smith patiently waited his turn.
One year later, it came to fruition. Smith took California high school football by storm, erupting into the college football recruiting spotlight after a prolific junior season.
Fast forward and Smith garnered playing time in the Cowboys’ 42-21 Homecoming game loss to Arizona State after starting quarterback Alan Bowman was benched late in the fourth quarter.
The Tupac song, “California Love,” echoed through the Boone Pickens Stadium as Smith trotted onto the field with the offense before he pioneered a sevenplay, 49-yard touchdown drive – Smith’s only offensive drive of the game.
“That was gutsy,” wide receiver Kyler Pearson said. “That’s just Maealiaki. He led (OSU) on that scoring drive like he’d been playing all game. The moment wasn’t too big for him. It never is, really.”
Cowboy head coach Mike Gundy echoed Pearson’s sentiment regarding Smith’s performance.
“It looked like he played pretty good,” Gundy said postgame. “I thought he handled himself well. The clock was running down a time or two, and he got lined up and got going and kept the ball, ran the ball a little bit, and made some good reads. Most of the plays we gave him were read plays.
“So it’s a heck of a way to start your career.”
Now, another opportunity potentially awaits. If Smith starts against the Horned Frogs, the moment won’t hinder his ability to execute and lead OSU’s offense.
Dual-threat quarterbacks have unleashed the rushing attack for the Cowboys. Smith displayed his dual-threat ability against ASU, which might give OSU fans optimism about a successful Saturday.
Regardless, his former head coach said he expects nothing less than a productive start from Smith, should he start. If a violent hit can’t knock him out of a game, Walsh said, no opposing crowd or hostile atmosphere can, either.
“He’s very, very poised,” Walsh said. “Regardless of the situation, regardless of the moment, he’s ready for it. I think he would bring that competitive nature, and all of the things that he did to help us become one of the top programs in the state of California, he would bring it to the game this weekend. He’s trained his whole life for this. This is his dream.
“If it happened, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to watch him be successful. He was born for this moment.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
OSU should start freshman Smith at quarterback; what is there to lose?
era and nothing more.
That’s what OSU should have done a year ago. Instead, it welcomed back Bowman for another year. And now it’s paying the price.
Calling Oklahoma State’s 2024 season disappointing would be a drastic understatement.
Up the ante and call it like it is – an unequivocal disaster – and you’re right on cue. Something the Cowboys have not been for a large portion of the year.
After being ranked No. 17 to start the year and picked third in the Big 12 Preseason Football Media Poll, compiling injuries and underperforming prospects that were key to a 10-4 campaign a year ago, which included an appearance in the Big 12 Championship game against Texas, have resulted in a 3-6 record and a 0-6 start to Big 12 play.
One of those underperforming players is quarterback Alan Bowman. And speaking of understatements, the term “underperforming” isn’t dramatic enough to feasibly illustrate how disappointing quarterback play has been for the Cowboys this season.
If you’re Mike Gundy, starting freshman quarterback Maealiuaki Smith should be the plan heading into a game road contest against TCU at Amon G. Carter Stadium. What more do you have to lose?
Gundy, in his 20th season as OSU’s head coach, isn’t prone to starting freshman quarterbacks.
Wes Lunt is the only true freshman to start at quarterback for OSU’s season opener, doing so in 2012. Others – Zac Robinson (2006), Mason Rudolph (2014) and Garret Rangel (2022) – have attained a starting role through injuries or belowaverage play from the starter.
Bowman has been benched three times this season, most recently in OSU’s disastrous 42-21 Homecoming loss to Arizona State last weekend.
Seven years into his college football career, folks know what they have in Bowman – a veteran rental option who can act as a bridge into a new
Dual-threat quarterbacks have proven to enhance OSU’s offensive fluency on multiple occasions this season. OSU led undefeated BYU 2114 at halftime in Provo, Utah, behind the mobility of Rangel. Well, Rangel broke his collarbone late in the second quarter, and the offense reached a standstill for most of the second half, ending in a 38-35 loss.
Against the Sun Devils, Smith entered the game late in the fourth quarter and pioneered a seven-play, 49-yard touchdown drive. The positive effect Smith’s mobility had on the offensive efficiency was apparent, regardless of whether it came against ASU’s defensive backups or its starters.
Why not give Smith three games to garner live reps and further develop heading into the spring?
Smith led Junipero Serra High School to a 25-2 record and a California state runner-up finish through two seasons as the starter. He threw for 3,482 yards and 45 touchdowns in that span to go with five rushing touchdowns. That came against the likes of national high school powerhouses St. John Boscoe, Mater Dei, De La Salle and others.
Case in point – Smith has experience playing against marquee talent. Although the jump from high school to Power Four college football can be daunting, again, what more does OSU have to lose?
Zane Flores or Rangel are the presumed starter options for 2025. But if Smith dazzles the next few weeks, saves OSU’s season and extends the bowl streak to 19 years, he could take the lead for the job.
The odds are against that, but crazier has happened in college football.
A beloved 18-year bowl streak, which marks the sixth-longest active streak in college football, is on life support. Win this weekend, and the chance to extend that streak remains alive. Lose, and it’s all but history.
Maybe OSU has its next star quarterback waiting for an opportunity. OSU fans and coaches won’t truly know unless Smith is given it.
Bryson Thadhani
Oklahoma State quarterback Maealiuaki Smith could open up the Cowboys’ offense.
File Photo
Oklahoma State quarterback Maealiuaki Smith is prepared to be the starter, those closest to him said.
Gundy’s 20th
The coach’s controversies at OSU
ASHTON SLAUGHTER
SPORTS EDITOR
@ASHTON_SLOT
Editor’s note: This is a story from “Gundy’s 20th,” The O’Colly’s weekly series to commemorate OSU football head coach Mike Gundy’s 20th season as the leading man. This week, we talk Gundy’s controversies.
Mike Gundy is undoubtedly Oklahoma State’s most successful coach. Let’s start there.
With 18 consecutive winning seasons, Gundy ties Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops from 1999-2016 and Michigan’s Fielding Yost from 1901-18 for the eighth-longest streak at a school in NCAA history. He has set a new expectation for Cowboy football, a program that before him was mostly bleak.
This season could end Gundy’s streak, as OSU (3-6, 0-6 Big 12) has three games remaining and needs to win out to make a bowl game.
But that isn’t the main Gundy headline heading into Saturday’s 6 p.m. game against TCU; it’s something he did off the field.
On Monday, Gundy was on a Zoom call with the media for his weekly press conference, and when he was talking about critics who “can’t play their own bills” and who are “weak” and “failures,” it struck a cord with Cowboy fans, who mostly feel they’re anything but those things.
It sparked a controversy. Gundy’s apology on Tuesday night didn’t help him, either.
It’s not the first time Gundy’s been here, so let’s take a look at a few other times Gundy has found himself in a controversy. Because, like it or not, that’s part of his OSU legacy.
‘I’m a man! I’m 40!’
Although not thought about as much of a controversy now since it’s been turned into an online meme and viral clip, Gundy’s 2007 rant targeted at The Oklahoman sportswriter Jenni Carlson is one of the best-known press conference moments ever.
Gundy went after Carlson after she wrote a column about OSU benching quarterback Bobby Reid for Zac Robinson. Gundy didn’t like it, and after
a 49-45 victory over Texas Tech, he let Carlson know that.
Reid later told ESPN the rant “didn’t feel genuine” and that it “basically ended (his) life.”
The OAN shirt
In June 2020, during the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, a photo surfaced on social media of Gundy wearing a T-shirt from OAN (One America News), a far-right news network that had criticized BLM.
Players, namely star running back Chuba Hubbard, spoke out against Gundy; Hubbard posted on social media he wouldn’t associate with OSU until things changed. From there, Gundy released multiple apology videos — which some believed were disingenuous — and only sparked more issues with the situation.
The shirt controversy led to at-thetime athletic director Mike Holder administering a two-week program review and Gundy suffering a $1 million paycut.
Drunk driving comment
In July, after the DUI arrest of running back Ollie Gordon II, Gundy was doing a live interview with ESPNU at Big 12 Media Days in Las Vegas. In the interview, when talking about Gordon’s arrest, he said something that caused a social media frenzy, similar to his comments from Monday.
“Well, I thought, ‘I’ve probably did that 1,000 times in my life,’” Gundy said. “Which is fine. I got lucky; people get lucky.”
Later that day, a statement was released on Gundy’s X (formerly known as Twitter) account, reading:
“My intended point today at Big 12 media days was that we are all guilty of making bad decisions. It was not a reference to something specific.”
Overall, despite Gundy’s success, controversy has popped up over the years.
Most recently, it’s been because of two statements that he’s had to walk back, which came on July 9 and Tuesday.
Whether these affect Gundy’s legacy is to be determined and is really up to each individual.
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OSU goes 6-4 against TCU in 10 EA Sports College Football 25 simulations
touchdowns and 0.7 interceptions on average.
Another week, another The O’Colly article with EA Sports predicting Oklahoma State to be victorious.
EA Sports College Football 25 believes OSU will get the best of TCU on Saturday at 6 p.m., as I simulated the Cowboys’ game 10 times, making it an evening kickoff with 15-minute quarters. Below are the results of The O’Colly’s weekly OSU game simulations.
Average score, result OSU went 6-4 against TCU, and the average score was OSU 32.2-TCU 29.1. The 3.1-point margin of victory means EA Sports projected OSU to not only cover the 10.5-point spread favored the Horned Frogs’ way but win outright.
The over/under game total of 66.5 went under, as the game total was 59.4.
Cowboy statistics
On average, OSU had 413.2 yards of total offense. TCU, on the other hand, had 391.7 yards of total offense.
Despite OSU head coach Mike Gundy leaving who will start at quarterback against TCU up for debate, Alan Bowman started in our simulations. He completed 54.6% of his passes and threw for 197.2 passing yards, 2.4
Running back Ollie Gordon II averaged 17.8 carries for 140.9 yards and 0.8 touchdowns. It’s also another week where Gordon didn’t fumble across 10 sims.
As for the wide receivers: Brennan Presley averaged 3.5 receptions, 54 receiving yards and 0.6 receiving touchdowns; De’Zhaun Stribling averaged three receptions, 48.2 receiving yards and 0.5 receiving touchdowns; and Rashod Owens averaged 2.2 receptions, 30.3 receiving yards and 0.2 receiving touchdowns.
On the defense, safety Lyrik Rawls led the Cowboys in tackles five times, cornerback Cam Smith and defensive end Kody Walterscheid led twice and linebacker Justin Wright led once. Kicker Logan Ward went 14 of 15 kicking field goals and 39 of 40 kicking PATs.
More results
Despite Kyler Pearson getting some playing time at kickoff and punt returner in real life, Presley returned a punt for a 67-yard touchdown. It’s the second straight week Presley has scored on a return.
Each week, EA Sports gives OSU fans hope on these sims. Although Cowboy fans may not have a lot left, a win against TCU would at least keep their hopes for a bowl game alive. Maybe the video game finally gets it right in this potentially legacy-defining game.
Payton Little
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy has had several controversies during his tenure.
File Photo
Oklahoma State safety Lyrik Rawls led the Cowboys in tackles five times in 10 simulations.
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Why OSU walk-on, anonymous returner Pearson is making most of his opportunity
First he was 27, then he was 14, then he was 12.
But no matter what jersey number Oklahoma State fifthyear returner Kyler Pearson wore, his shiftiness was apparent. And it was never more apparent than in the Cowboys’ 42-21 loss to Arizona State.
Before things got out of hand in OSU’s Homecoming game, the Cowboys trailed by seven after a two-hour-and38-minute weather delay that extended the halftime period. During that time, Pearson and the return unit decided it: The second-half kickoff was ending with Pearson in the end zone. And it did.
“We had, like, manifested that,” Pearson said. “We were in there for, I mean, half that delay talking about what we were gonna do and we were all bought in; we were like, ‘Hey, we’re taking this to the house.’”
What Pearson didn’t see while he was hauling toward the end zone was a flag. Holding on Raymond Gay II, a
Cowboy special teamer. Wide receiver Cale Cabbiness broke the news to Pearson, letting him know that what would’ve been his first collegiate return touchdown was nothing more than a close-but-not-quite manifestation.
But for Pearson, touchdown or not, he’s thankful for the opportunity to be returning kicks for the Cowboys. Coming out of Tulsa Union High School, Pearson signed with Kansas, where he played two seasons and returned 10 kickoffs.
Then he transferred for a reason to UT Martin, where he saw action in only four games.
So for his junior season in 2023, he transferred to OSU as a walk-on. He moved back closer to home and took a gamble.
And after not seeing the field last season, Pearson, though still a walk-on, is playing and has shown he can provide a spark for the Cowboys, who are on a six-game losing streak and need all the sparks they can get with bowl eligibility on the line.
As for the jersey numbers, Pearson has been a man of mystery, returning kicks as an anonymous Cowboy.
Since he started the season as Brennan Presley’s backup,
OSU never ran into any jersey problems. He started out as No. 27 before the team realized that’s Gray’s number.
So he switched to No. 14 against Baylor and wore it on a punt return. Nope. That’s freshman Landyn Cleveland’s number.
With the unexpected swaps, Pearson landed on No. 12, and because of the mixups, he didn’t have his name on the back; OSU fans were cheering for a touchdown that didn’t
Gundy
Not great. Neither was Gundy’s short, not-so-sweet apology. He’s described himself as not a social media guy, so the thought of him typing that up and posting it is difficult to comprehend. Hence, the likelihood that an OSU official who runs the account posted it on Election Night.
If Gundy was actually sorry, he should’ve waited until he faces the media Saturday night after OSU’s game against TCU. He shouldn’t have likely let an OSU official do the half-hearted apology for him — because that, too, wasn’t received well.
Imagine this: Gundy, either celebrating a win to keep his bowl-game streak hopes alive or wondering where the season went wrong after a bowl-gameberth-ending loss, sat down and told the media Saturday: “Before we talk about football, I want to address my comments from Monday,” before continuing.
That would be manly. He’s a man, remember?
What Gundy’s account reflected Tuesday was far from stand-up manly. It was doing the same thing that Gundy hates: sitting behind a screen on social media. Gundy’s charm and ability to win over a crowd are known, so after a win or a loss against the Horned Frogs, an apology to begin his opening statement to fans would’ve ripped the Band-Aid off. A few seconds later, he could’ve cracked a joke, leaving everyone in the room smiling and everyone behind their screens watching his press conference
already forgiving and forgetting his comments.
Instead, OSU decided to roll with his Notes app apology. Even those above Gundy, like President Kayse Shum, went with a statement, which was released Wednesday.
“OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg and I value the strength created by bringing the OSU family together,” Shrum said. “Coach Gundy’s press conference comments did not reflect the position of the university, and he has subsequently issued a statement to apologize for those offensive remarks. We are grateful for the dedicated OSU fans and donors who make our success possible and appreciate their support during this challenging season.”
Shrum wouldn’t have even needed to release the statement if it weren’t for the apology. From Monday to Wednesday before she released the statement, plenty of OSU fans and donors were fired up about Gundy’s comments. Why didn’t Shrum release one Tuesday morning?
The answer, presumably, is because the backlash got worse after Gundy’s apology. The insincerity shined through.
So if Gundy wants to make amends and come across as sincere, Saturday, whether his 18-season-strong bowl streak is alive or not, is a prime opportunity to be a man and own up to his mistake.
That’ll show more about his character than him being like @AlabamaGil, @ Big_T_023, @FRZEStix, who, nothing against them, are putting out comments on social media. As a head coach, hiding behind a screen isn’t the answer. Especially when you become the very thing you despise: a username with a comment on X. Be a man. You’re 57.
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happen from a player they didn’t know.
Pearson said “it sucks” that his name wasn’t on the back, but it “doesn’t really matter.”
After all…
“Obviously you guys know who I am,” Pearson told the media with a laugh.
And the 5-foot-6 returner, who’s expected to have his name on his jersey Saturday night against TCU, is taking this moment in. He decided to come back for a fifth season because “not everything is
guaranteed,” and he knows, with his size, the odds of playing after OSU are stacked against him.
So name on the jersey or not, he’s ready to roll and manifest more touchdowns.
“I think I can still play,” Pearson said. “And that was kind of why I wanted to come back and give it a shot for a fifth year, like, why not? You never know what can happen; you’re only guaranteed so much time.”
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OSU looking to win out, make another bowl game
ASHTON SLAUGHTER SPORTS EDITOR @ASHTON_SLOT
“The only game that matters is next week” ideology might be true for most weeks, but one can only wonder if that’s the case still for Oklahoma State.
Yes, the Cowboys need to win their 6 p.m. Saturday game against TCU to keep their bowl game hopes alive and head coach Mike Gundy’s streak of 18 straight seasons with bowl game appearances going. But with that being such a staple of the program, the thought of what a loss could mean has creeped into OSU fans and the media’s minds.
So what about Cowboys’ minds?
“Every single game is the most important game that we play,” wide receiver Brennan Presley said. “Every single day is the most important day to attack whatever it is at hand. We believe we can win the next three games, and we’re gonna go out there and win the next three games. It’s nothing out of ordinary for us to be like, ‘Hey, let’s go and win three games.’
“We’re kind of accustomed to it and used to it. We’re gonna go out there, and we’re gonna get some wins.”
Although Presley started with “every single game” being important, he wound up talking about the next three games. Which is fair, because the Cowboys, who were ranked third in the Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll after a Big 12 Championship Game appearance and a 10-4 season, haven’t come close to their lofty expectations, so a
bowl game must be the goal. OSU is 3-6 and 0-6 in conference play. The Cowboys have gone from one of the league’s best to the worst. Because of their poor play, winning in Fort Worth this weekend, at home against Texas Tech or against Colorado on the road seems tough, let alone all three games.
Presley is right; OSU has built its culture around surprising doubters and more often than not winning games under Gundy when it maybe shouldn’t. That’s what it takes to make 18 straight bowl games.
But even with an experienced roster, the Cowboys have yet to respond to adversity this season. There’s no more true adversity to face after another loss, so it’s now or never.
Because if a loss comes, then OSU will more than likely look toward the future. Freshman quarterback Maealiuaki Smith is one of the key players who could see playing time before another loss, let alone after one.
With Gundy and Co. knowing they’re going to lose experience and production this offseason, looking toward the future isn’t a bad idea.
With history and legacies on the line, though, next season can’t be thought about. Just like how the game after next, supposedly, shouldn’t be thought about either.
Right now, TCU is the first obstacle to overcome for OSU. The Cowboys said they’re up for the challenge.
“Backs against the wall,” super-senior center Joe Michalski said. “No one is quitting or giving up. I don’t think that’s something that we have to worry about. Ready to fight back and get back to work next week.”
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Payton Little
Oklahoma State wide receiver/returner Kyler Pearson provided a spark in the return game against Arizona St
Payton Little Oklahoma State wide receiver Brennan Presley said “every single game” is important.
Payton Little
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy issued a half-hearted apology to fans.
NCAA
“Getting that 14th win, beating Cincinnati was massive,” OSU head coach Colin Carmichael said. “And, you know, being down 2-0 late and coming back to win the way we did just made it even better. But yeah, we knew going into the tournament, when we didn’t get the four seed, that we really needed to get that win. We didn’t want to lose. Cincinnati’s RPI in the hundreds, and that wouldn’t look good either. So that was the crucial one as far as the NCAA goes.”
With a conference tournament of highs and lows behind them, the Cowgirls are now tasked with the hardest part of their season to this point – waiting. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is Nov. 11 and until then, OSU is left with nothing to do but assume it did enough to get in.
“It’s really nice to have the time
off and have my body recover and everything like that, but at the same time, I’m like, this is the last little bit I get of college soccer,” OSU goalkeeper Grace Gordon said. “I’d rather just practice six days out of the week and get back to it. But again, I know having the time off is very important, and it’s a part of it. So it’s a double-edged sword.”
With the final stretch nearing, the Cowgirls seem to have accomplished what they set out to do. With a special group of seniors set to graduate and an NCAA Tournament bid likely, all that’s left for OSU to do is do what it does best – get on the field and play.
“I think it’ll be special more than just us (the graduating class),” Breiner said. “I think it will be special because we’ve experienced it and know how it goes. But I also think it would be special for the seniors now, the juniors — you know, people who have been on the team when we didn’t make it, so it’ll be their first time making it. And I think that makes it more special.”
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This is the kind of team Jacie Hoyt envisioned when she started at Oklahoma State.
Last year, the Cowgirl women’s basketball team was hammered with long-term injuries, ineligibility issues and myriad other issues. As a result, OSU was down to as few as six healthy rotation players by the end of the season.
So far this year, it’s the opposite.
In the season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Hoyt played eight players at least 19 minutes and freshman point guard Jadyn Wooten is set to return soon and add another body to the rotation.
“I’ve been waiting for that for a long time, over a year,” Hoyt said. “It was great. You know? I think the thing I’m looking forward to the most is just — we still have another player that we want to get back in Jayden, and that’s coming sooner than later.”
ment in Hoyt’s first season appeared to be back in full swing.
Newcomer Macey Huard led the charge with 31 points. She was joined by Anna Gret Asi and Micah Gray, who each had 16, in leading OSU in scoring. Perhaps more indicative of the style of play were OSU’s assist numbers — the Cowgirls had 16 assists on 32 made shots, all without Wooten, the team’s only true point guard.
“We want to shoot a lot of 3s, make a lot of 3s,” Hoyt said. “That’s what we recruit toward. I think last year we weren’t able to do it as frequently as we wanted because of what we went through. But that’s what we did in Year 1. That’s what I’ve kind of always done. So it was really fun and refreshing to just kind of get back to that to that point. I thought our kids did a really great job of finding the hot hand. You know, Macey (Huard) got hot, and they did a great job of finding her. It was just a really fun game in terms of sharing the ball and moving the ball and finding the hot hand.”
Bryce Thompson waited long and hard to return to basketball.
The Oklahoma State guard had last season cut short after he tore his left labrum, which caused him to miss the Cowboys’ final 11 games and watch the season plummet.
“It was rough,” Thompson said. “Especially dealing with the surgery, you can’t do anything. Like, my mom helped me put on clothes and just little stuff like that.”
But after a nine-month layoff, Thompson appears to have recovered well. He’s been one of OSU’s best players so far and is leading the attack offensively, beginning with a red-hot start from deep.
Thompson dropped 24 points in an exhibition win against SMU and made all five of his 3s. And in the season opener against Green Bay, which the Cowboys won 89-76, he scored 22 on 9-of-13 shooting including 4-of-5 3-point shooting.
The fifth-year guard won’t shoot 90% from 3 all year, but his shot looks clean coming off the injury.
“Just got back in the gym,” Thompson said. “Made sure my shoulder was all the way right before I started getting back to working, and once it was 100 (percent), I was in that gym.”
Brantley, Dean’s roles
First-year head coach Steve Lutz’s fast-paced offense is already in full effect.
The Cowboys totaled 73 possessions in the win against Green Bay — about six more than its tempo-adjusted aver-
age last season, according to KemPom. com — and pushed the ball up the court often.
And guards Khalil Brantley and Arturo Dean, two first-year transfers, have so far handled Lutz’s up-tempo offense well. Brantley, the current starter, dished out nine assists to three turnovers across the exhibition and season opener, while Dean snagged seven rebounds and recorded three assists off the bench against Green Bay.
Lutz said he is pleased with their starts but thinks they can improve as the season progresses.
“I thought Khalil did fine,” Lutz said. “He’ll continue to get better in our system and the way we play. At times, I thought he was a little bit too passive… He’s got to become a better leader, as does Arturo. But with that being said, those guys can’t be the only leaders.”
Defense an area to improve
Lutz used one word to grade OSU’s defense against Green Bay: “Bad.”
The Cowboys led by just one point at halftime, as the Phoenix shot 14 of 24 from the field and made five of its first nine 3-pointers. OSU improved in the second half, but Green Bay still managed 76 points on 49% shooting and 45% from behind the arc.
“You cannot give up 58% (shooting in the first half) and think you’re gonna win games, no matter what,” Lutz said after the Green Bay game. “We gave up 41% in the second half, and still 37% from the 3.”
In the exhibition, the Cowboys gave up 78 points to the Mustangs on 41% shooting while putting them on the free -throw line 32 times.
“You’re not going to be able to give up that many points in Big 12 play and win games,” Lutz said.
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Stailee Heard and Praise Egharevba both played limited minutes as well. Egharevba may be playing a reduced role this season because of the addition of 6-foot-6 Tenin Magassa, but Heard is expected to be a major contributor for the Cowgirls once she is fully recovered from an undisclosed injury.
Hoyt has been open about her dissatisfaction with the injuries her team faced last season, along with the fit of the team, both on and off the court. OSU saw multiple starters transfer to other Big 12 Conference schools over the summer. Hannah Gusters, who led the team in scoring last season, is now at UCF, and Lior Garzon, the team’s best shooter, now plays for Colorado. Despite being major losses on paper, the Cowgirl offense looked much more free Monday against UAPB. The fastpaced, load-sharing offense that got the Cowgirls to the NCAA Tourna-
Early 2024-25 seems to be trending toward being more like 22-23 than 23-24. It’s too early to truly declare anything, but Hoyt has made one thing clear since she first spoke to the media a few weeks ago — the Cowgirls are healthy (or are going to be soon) and are going to get back to playing fast.
“‘It’s so fun to have so many weapons on the floor and have so many kids that just trust each other and buy into each other,” Hoyt said. “I think it’s going to play into the style that we want to play here, which is an uptempo, quick, fast-paced style. And when you’ve got those bodies, you can get up and down a lot better and just kind of tell them, ‘Hey, let’s empty the tank while you’re out there, and when you get tired, we’ll get someone else in.’ So I love our depth. That’s always been something I’ve been really excited about entering into this season, and I’m just excited to see it continue to evolve.”
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Catherine Dzanski
Oklahoma State goalkeeper Grace Gordon said she’s liked having a break before the NCAA Tournament.
Lilian Easter Oklahoma State guard Macey Huard (left) scored 31 points in the Cowgirls’ season opener.
Payton Little
Oklahoma State guard Bryce Thompson has led the team in scoring through two games.
Before the season, TCU was one of the more polarizing teams in the Big 12 Conference, and this season has reflected that.
The Horned Frogs are 5-4 and lost by double digits to Houston but also won a close game over Texas Tech, which still has a real chance to earn a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. In the middle of the Horned Frogs’ roller-coaster season is quarterback Josh Hoover.
Hoover’s numbers are good; some could even argue great. He’s passed for 2,947 yards and has a 21:8 touchdown to interception ratio. However, the eye test isn’t quite as successful for the second-year starter. Hoover is inconsistent with his accuracy and brings little as a runner, making it difficult for TCU to thrive against teams with a good pass rush. With OSU’s middling pass rush, he could have a big day.
Game Day Preview
Horned frogs to Watch
Josh Hoover, No. 10, QB Devean Deal, No. 11, LB
3 Storylines
Smith?
The season is on its last legs for OSU. With six losses already, the Cowboys have to win out to make a bowl game this season, and with Colorado and Texas Tech after TCU, it looks unlikely to happen.
Because of the minimal chance OSU makes a bowl game as currently constructed, why not roll with freshman quarterback Maealiuaki Smith? It is true that Smith wasn’t expected to play this season, but with how everything has shaken out, it is far more worth it to see what you have in Smith than to keep trotting out a capped out, minimally impactful Alan Bowman.
It’s impossible to know what Smith will do once he’s on the field, but his running ability would be a boost to Ollie Gordon II and the OSU rushing attack at a minimum, and that alone is worth a shot.
Mike Gundy hasn’t missed a bowl game since 2005, but unless his team wins out, that streak will end.
The long list of things that have gone wrong for OSU this season is well known, but these are the cards that have been dealt to the Cowboys, and it is up to them to win out and keep the bowl streak alive. TCU is the easiest hill for OSU to climb that is left on the schedule, but a win in Fort Worth is unlikely to come easy, especially with this team.
Struggles aside, a win over TCU is required for the Cowboys to make a bowl game, and beating them in somewhat convincing fashion would be big for both the confidence of the team and the hope of the fanbase.
OSU’s run defense has been terrible this season, and the only way for it to get on track could be playing an offense that doesn’t really run the ball. Enter TCU.
The Horned Frogs’ leading rusher this season is running back Cam Cook, who has 367 yards and is averaging less than four yards per carry. Wide receiver Savion Williams has 213 yards on the ground this season but has 29 carries.
With Tahj Brooks of Texas Tech next on the schedule, it is now or never for OSU to prove its run defense even has a pulse. Completely shutting down an opposing team’s rushing offense isn’t a realistic expectation for this Cowboy team, but if TCU runs all over them just like every other team in Big 12 Conference play has, it paves the way for Brooks to go crazy in two weeks.
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TCU’s defense has been miserable all season. The Horned Frogs rank 108th in scoring defense and 69th in yardage defense, but a few players have shined.
One of these players is Devean Deal. He leads TCU in sacks with 4.5 and is also in the top 10 on the team in total tackles with 19. As a pass rusher, Deal brings a good amount to the table. He was a defensive end at Tulane before transferring to TCU and shows the skills he developed with the Green Wave when coming off the edge.
He’s is facing an OSU offensive line that has done well in pass blocking situations this season, but there is also a chance Deal sees a freshman quarterback in Maealiuaki Smith, who has yet to see in-game reps against a starting defense. Deal will have a tough matchup against OSU, but if anyone is going to get to whoever it may be playing quarterback, it will be him.
TCU’s Richardson set to clash against former team
both numbers put him on pace to outperform last season’s numbers.
Oklahoma State has a long line of standout receivers.
Dez Bryant, Justin Blackmon, James Washington, Rashaun Woods and Tylan Wallace are just the tip of the iceberg. Lesser-known players like Dillon Stoner and Marcel Ateman were useful players in their own right.
In 2022, the Cowboys appeared to have multiple candidates next in line to be dominant wide receivers. Brennan Presley was coming into his own, Jaden Bray had flashed big-time ability during his freshman season in 2021 and JP Richardson seemed due up as an outside/slot hybrid. Only one of them is still a Cowboy. Presley is likely to break the OSU record for career receptions and has a chance to have his name immortalized in Boone Pickens Stadium one day. Bray transferred to West Virginia after the 2023 season and hasn’t made a huge impact.
The final member of the once-promising young trio was Richardson, who transferred to TCU and is thriving in his role with the Horned Frogs.
Richardson was second in receptions for TCU last season with 46 and 536 yards. This year, he is improving upon his performance. With three games left, Richardson has 423 yards and 37 receptions,
With OSU headed to Fort Worth this weekend with one of the worst defenses in the country, Richardson could be in store for a big day. The Horned Frogs run the ball at one of the lowest rates in the Big 12 Conference, and quarterback Josh Hoover’s consistency has improved this season. After he was second on the team in receiving yards last season, Richardson was expected to retain a large role this season. He has lagged behind some of his teammates in a deep room for the Horned Frogs and sits fourth on the team in receiving yards, but that is more of an indication of his teammates than it is Richardson.
Looking back, OSU has done a good job overcoming losing Richardson. When he went to TCU, it was on the heels of Richardson being named a team captain in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl against Wisconsin. Nobody had any idea that Rashod Owens was going to blossom or De’Zhaun Stribling would end up in Stillwater. Regardless, a former player, not to mention one who showed he could be a heavy contributor, facing his old team is always interesting.
Despite his place in the pecking order, Richardson has had big games this year, and don’t be surprised if he has another one Saturday.
Courtesy TCU Athletics
Courtesy TCU Athletics
Payton Little
Payton Little
Courtesy TCU Athletics
Snapshots from Osu-Arizona state
Arizona State defeated the Cowboys 42-21 last weekend in Stillwater. Here are some of our staff’s best photos:
TOP LEFT: OSU quarterback Maealiuaki Smith throwing a pass.
TOP MIDDLE: OSU running back Sesi Vailahi in the open field.
TOP RIGHT: ASU running back Cam Skattebo running downfield.
CENTER LEFT: ASU players celebrating a touchdown.
CENTER RIGHT: OSU Spirit Rider Keaton Cunningham riding Bullet.
BOTTOM LEFT: OSU safety Kobe Hylton in coverage.
BOTTOM RIGHT: OSU fans sticking out the weather.
Payton Little
Payton Little
Bailey Schmitz
Bryson Thadhani
Payton Little
Benjamin Perry
Bryson Thadhani
The O’colly sports picks
Pick Leaderboard: Point / Counterpoint
Vannini 13-6-1, Week 1
13-7, Week 2
Dave Hunziker 13-7, Week 9
11-8-1 Week 8
Kenny Gajewski
David Taylor 11-9 Week 7
10-9-1, Week 5
Colin Carmichael 6-14, Week 3
Nicole Auerbach 6-13-1, Week 6
Steve Lutz 6-14, Week 10 Jacie Hoyt ???, Week 11
Brett McMurphy 4-16, Week 4
No. Although Maealiuaki Smith is going to be in the mix for OSU’s quarterback of the future, banking on him to be the guy right now is a lot. At home against a less-than team? Maybe. But on the road against TCU as a 10.5-point underdog isn’t the prime time to give him his first start. If the Cowboys drop this game, though, then getting him in against Texas Tech is a good idea.
At this
