Friday, Oct. 21, 2022

HOMECOMING EDITION 2022 Hats off to our Cowboy Heroes

This year, OSU Homecoming celebrates Cowboy Heroes. The list stretches wider than the brim of Pistol Pete’s hat.

Impacts that last a lifetime

Mallory Pool News Editor

It’s not just about people who have their name on a build ing.

Our Cowboy heroes are so much more than that. They aren’t just a name, a history fact or words on a plaque. These leaders, professors and loved ones are our biggest role models.

The students of OSU think highly of these individuals and the university does, too. The theme of America’s Greatest Homecoming this year is “Hats Off to our Cowboy Heroes.”

This theme is not just any ordinary theme. While, yes, the theme describes the famous Cow boys such as T. Boone Pickens, Nancy Randolph Davis and Burns Hargis, it also describes the heroes everyone may not see. The Alumni Association described it best when announcing the theme of Homecoming this year.

The Homecoming Executive team selected the theme this year because “we are celebrating the Cowboy heroes who make us all proud by personifying the OSU culture of service and excellence.”

Cowboy heroes can be ath letes, professors, faculty, leaders, entrepreneurs, firefighters and first responders, military person nel and so many more.

“From Wally Funk becom ing the oldest person to reach space, to Henry Edward Rob erts inventing the first personal computer, Cowboys are paving the way as heroes in all aspects of life,” the Alumni Association said. “We recognize those who have come before and eagerly anticipate the next generation of Cowboy difference makers. After all, our heroes have always been Cowboys.”

One of the biggest heroes on our own campus, OSU President Kayse Shrum, has left a legacy that will live on in the Cowboy Culture for years to come.

“I am both honored and humbled that someone would think of me this way,” Shrum told The O’Colly.

“I simply love Oklahoma State University, what it stands for and what we accom plish together. There truly are so many Cowboy heroes, living out the Cowboy Code every day. I’m

working on a new series to find those people and acknowledge their work, their character and what they do for Okla homa State University. I hope everyone will tune in. The first episode is coming out soon.”

Brandon Weeden, former OSU quarterback, stands as a Cowboy hero for many sports fans.

“I love it,” Weeden said about being considered a Cow boy hero. “I kind of embrace it. I always enjoy coming back to Stillwater. I think it’s such a cool vibe, cool fan base. I went with some buddies to the Texas Tech game and about 30 minutes in, they’re like, ‘You’re not annoyed yet?’ I’m like, ‘No.’ Could be the other way around. I could have played there for a few years and they don’t know who I am. I guess it’s always a good thing that they recognize you, but I truly en joy it. I embrace it. I like meeting all these new people. I hope that everybody thinks of me — you know, I’m not Barry Sanders — but I hope people think highly of me or enjoyed watching what we did those two years as a starter. So yeah, it doesn’t bother me one bit. I actually embrace it and enjoy it.”

The students of OSU already knew who their Cowboy Heroes would be. Sonrisa Bebo, a French major at OSU, talked about one of her Cowboy heroes, a professor she loves that has made a huge impact on her future career.

“One of my OSU heroes is my French professor, Laurielle,” Bebo said. “I love her. She was an amazing professor who made my freshman year so much better. She’s really passionate about what she does, and you can tell she really cares about her students. She makes class fun and interest ing and I really fell in love with French after taking her class.”

Friday,

Graphic by Abby Cage Find a full list of all those pictured at ocolly.com

All O’Colly throwback mastheads and headers are from the 1989 version of The Daily O’Collegian.

The O’Colly has returned old mastheads in previous homecoming traditions to pay homage to our O’Colly Alumni.

The O’Comic

By Kendall McGhee

Friday

College of Arts and Sciences Home coming Tailgate Social Sciences and Humanities Building 5-6 p.m.

College of Education and Human Sciences Homecoming Picnic Willard Hall Patio 5-7 p.m.

Eskimo Joe’s Joe State Tailgate Eskimo Joes 6-11:30 p.m.

Saturday Spears School of Business Reunion Business Building Plaza 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

CEAT Reunion Phillips 66 Plaza 12:30-2:00 p.m.

Homecoming Tailgate Information

Editorial board

Co-Editor-in-Chief Abby Cage editorinchief@ocolly.com

Sports editor Gabriel Trevino sports.ed@ocolly.com

Assistant sports editor Ben Hutchens sports.ed@ocolly.com

Design editor

Sam Beebe design.ed@ocolly.com

Co-Editor-in-Chief Adam Engel editorinchief@ocolly.com

News editor Mallory Pool news.ed@ocolly.com

Photo editor Mackenzie Janish photo.ed@ocolly.com

Adviser John Helsley john.helsley@okstate.edu

News & Lifestyle reporters: Luisa Clausen Kylie Hammack Jaden Besteda Payton Little Connor Gray Baylor Bryant Michael Clark Rebekah Cleary Kennedy Thomason Jaycee Hampton Bella Casey Brylee Smith

108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 Newsroom (405)-744-6365

The O’Colly Staff

Sports reporters: Sam Hutchens Braden Bush Davis Cordova Ashton Slaughter Daniel Allen Rowdy Baribeau Payton Little PJ Tikalsky Parker Gerl

Photographers & Designers: Rebekah Cleary Jaiden Daughty Molly Jolliff Cole Gueldenzoph Chase Davis Karlie Boothe Ethan Hilbert Paul Houston Ben Holieway Kendall McGhee Parker Bradley

Cowboys on the couch OSU fans celebrate remotely for Homecoming

Luisa Clausen Staff Reporter

From California to New York, Cowboy fans get together to not only cheer for their alma mater but also to connect with other people that share the same love for the Cowboys.

The OSU Alumni Association hosts watch parties all over the country during football season.

Kim Farber, a proud OSU graduate, got her degree in education in 1977 and still nour ishes her love for OSU.

Farber lives in Edmond, but cannot attend home coming every year.

“We haven’t been in Stillwater for Home coming for the last sev eral years,” Farber said. “A lot has changed but mainly the magnitude of it. It was nothing like this.”

Not attending

homecoming in person does not stop Farber and her husband from cel ebrating the Cowboys. If they don’t have friends over, they will go to a friend’s house and have a cookout. This year won’t be any different.

“We still celebrate from wherever we are,” Farber said. “We are proud graduates of OSU, for sure. I don’t let any of my neighbors who aren’t OSU fans forget it. OSU has a sense of to getherness and commu nity, that lives on even after you graduate.”

Patty Williams, one of Farber’s close friends whom she graduated college with in 1977, lives in Hous ton, and reminisces on her time at OSU when Homecoming comes around.

“It’s where I met my husband,” Williams said. “My memories from my time at OSU are incredible.”

Williams and her husband celebrate home coming from a different state, but that does not stop them from support ing their school.

“We go to watch parties in Houston,” Williams said. “We have become accustomed to going to a specific one and we watch all the games together. That’s where we will be this year too.”

Trying to think of the positive side of celebrating Homecoming away from Stillwater is hard for Williams.

“I don’t think there’s a good thing about celebrating away from Stillwater,” Wil liams said. “If I had to pick one thing it would be celebrating with folks that went to OSU and we all have our own stories so it’s fun to share.”

Julie French lives in Beaverton, Michigan, but she’s originally from Forth Smith, Arkansas.

French graduated OSU at the end of the fall semester in 1984 and remains a loyal Cowboy fan.

“This year I will watch it on my phone,” French said. “Because we will be at a wedding. But I am also in two texting groups with my sorority sisters, plus my family group chat and I am sure everyone will be sending updates.”

Homecoming is a time OSU students and alumni reflect on their admiration and love for the school. French usu ally does that by making a phone call to her mom.

“My mom is 91 and loves football,” French said. “She still lives in Arkansas so we can’t watch the games together in person but we do it over the phone. I’ll have the game on and so will she and we have an amazing time.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

What to do the day of Homecoming

Parker Gerl Staff Reporter

OSU’s Homecom ing is known as the most exciting weekend Still water has to offer.

The 101st edition of OSU’s Homecoming will kick off Saturday. Here is a guide for all things taking place on Saturday.

Homecom ing Registration and Check In:

Make your way to Traditions Hall at the ConocoPhillips Alumni Center to register for Cowboy Homecoming. Pick up memorabilia such as buttons, koozies, stickers and more while supplies last.

Sea of Orange Parade:

Start the home

coming weekend in Stillwater off right by attending the Sea of Orange Parade Saturday morning.

Main Street will be flooded with OSU alumni, students and the entire OSU community to start the weekend.

Floats created by student organizations, Greek life, residential halls and many more will make their way down the street. The band will also perform at the parade to give spectators a great show to start the weekend.

The parade will start at 9 a.m. at Ninth and Main Street and make its way down to Hall of Fame Avenue.

Once the parade is com plete, voting will be held to determine who had the best entry.

See Day of on 4A

ETERNITY IN MIND!

“ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be stead fast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Co.15:58 NKJ)

Just about everything in this life is tempo rary. Yet, most people work very hard to have a pleasant few years in their lifetime. I would like to remind the true Christians that God is offering us an eternity of bless ing as we serve him and his purposes now.

In 1 Co.15 the Apostle Paul is reminding these believers of Christ’s resurrection and how true and real it was. He continues by emphasizing the sure promise of God that we are going to share in that resurrec tion one day. We will have a new, eternal body like Jesus has now. As we help in the work of God, furthering his kingdom;

demonstrating the love of God in blessing and serving others; as you and I get involved with helping missionary work, even going to help in short term mission trips or providing finances for others to go, we are laying up treasure in heaven

“where moths cannot corrupt and thieves cannot steal.”

Actually, this kingdom of God, with forgive ness of all our sins and a new relationship with God as our Father, is offered to all mankind. If you have never opened your heart to Christ, asking for a clean heart and a new life; the door is open wide for you to come. You will not be turned away. Then you too can begin to live for the eternal: laying up treasure in Heaven. I en courage all to consider these words, no matter your age, and choose the best and most satisfying life. It is a life following Christ as your Lord, and going for God’s best in eternity. It is a great and sure future!

All graphics by Bridget Marrara

Graphic by Bridget Marrara

OSU student serves community through firefighting

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

Molly Amsler still remembers the little details about work that morning.

One week into her new job in 2020, Amsler’s pager awakened her with a jolt at 3 a.m. There was snow on the ground. It was dark, of course, and cold. Nine degrees, to be exact. A biting chill typical of a Dec. 19 day in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The cold didn’t concern Amsler. Maybe it would even feel good later on.

After all, she was readying to charge into a burning house.

“I remember going in there and walking to the back of the house because I came in the front side — and there was like this window that was already broken,” Amsler said. “It was just like a glow. It seemed like I was in a movie. It sure didn’t seem real at all.”

Amsler, a sophomore aerospace administration and operations major at OSU, is a volunteer firefighter at Ingalls Fire Department in Stillwater. She embodies OSU’s 2022 Homecom ing theme: Heroes.

Why does she balance classes and college life with a demanding, dan gerous job she is not compensated for?

“I just love it,” Amsler said. “It’s like a second family. We’re a very tight-knight group. We put our lives on the line for each other.”

Amsler did not grow up yearn ing to be a firefighter. She led an active life in high school and was a cheer leader for Allentown Central Catholic. In 2020, during COVID-19, Amsler’s brother Nick wanted to do something new and joined Upper Macungie Sta tion 56 in Pennsylvania with a friend.

Nick’s unique way to stay active and serve during the pandemic caught Amsler’s eye.

“We grew up in a very Catholic community where you always went out and did stuff for the community,” Amsler said. “It was also just a way to give back to everyone, but also a way to get out. He started telling me all the calls and different stories. The differ ent things you got to do. And it kind of started to pique my interest because, like him, I’m a little bit of adrenaline junkie.”

While in high school, Amsler

of...

Spears School of Business Reunion:

Beginning at 11:30 a.m., Spears School of Business will host a Homecoming tailgate three hours before OSU takes on Texas.

Alumni from the 1972 and 1997 classes will celebrate their 25 and 50 year reunions.

SSB alumni, students, faculty, staff, donors, family and friends are invited to attend.

The reunion will be held at the Business Build ing Plaza. Registration for this event can be done on the orange connection website.

took Fire Fighter 1: a rigorous, multiweek course offering all-day training that a fire academy puts on.

Amsler learned procedures for entering burning buildings, putting out fires and first aid. She also prac ticed physical tasks such as getting full firefighting gear on in two minutes and dragging 300-pound dummies to safety.

Gear is a constant reminder

Amsler doesn’t look like a typical fire fighter. She is 5-foot-1 and weighed 100 pounds when she started volunteering.

“When I first joined, of course I was the tiniest and the smallest,” Amsler said.

While being fit for gear in Fire fighter 1, Amsler tried her best to cinch her pants up and make standard gear work. Perfection, though, is the stan dard in a burning building, so Amsler received custom-made gear to ensure proper protection.

“I have a lot smaller face than all the guys at my station, so I have a specific mask I have to wear it to make sure it seals correctly and everything,” Amsler said.

Sometimes, frantic people are confused when a petite firefighter shows up to answer their 9-1-1 call.

Even classmates and other firefighters have had their doubts at first.

It’s rarely mean-spirited, but Amsler occasionally reminds other firefighters going out of their way to help her lift ladders or carry hoses that she is plenty capable.

“Don’t baby me,” Amsler said. “Throw me right in with you guys.”

As for the people she routinely works with?

“The guys at my station started calling me scrappy,” Amsler said with a smile.

Since joining Ingalls when she moved to Stillwater, Amsler’s respon sibilities have changed. At Station 56 back home, building fires were the most common call. Amsler often car ried hoses into the heat and sprayed until the blaze was extinguished.

Wendy Hall, Ingalls Fire De partment’s Training Coordinator, said Amsler has proven herself to be a valu able team member.

“To have somebody come in that already had Firefighter 1 and has a lot of structure fire experience was really exciting for us,” Hall said. “We knew

College of Engi neering, Architecture and Technology re union:

CEAT will also be hold ing a tailgate for all CEAT alumni, donors, students, staff, fac ulty, family and friends.

The reunion is set for 12:30 p.m. at Phillips 66 Plaza, two hours be fore kickoff. The classes of 1972 and 1997 will also be celebrat ing their 25 and 50 year reunions.

OSU vs. Texas:

The Cowboys will face off with the Texas Longhorns at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.

The ConocoPhil lips Alumni Center will hold Cow boy Cor ral at 12:30 before the game.

Cowboy Corral is free to attend and will serve as a place where you can enjoy other football games on the big screens and take pictures in the photo booth. Hideaway Pizza and Iron Mark Beer will be served.

If you plan on go ing to the game, make sure to wear orange.

For more informa tion regarding Cowboy Homecoming and events to attend, please visit orangeconnection.org.

we could learn from her.”

Because she is a full-time stu dent, Amsler is told to only come out to big fires. She can be paged at all hours — even while listening to a lecture, as she once had to sheepishly explain to a professor — and leaves her phone on.

“Anybody who goes onto a volun teer fire department and puts that much time and effort into it is, first of all, an exceptional person,” Hall said.

Balancing school, family life and firefighting is not easy. For Amsler, they tend to overlap. She has gone on a call while wearing her high school cheerleading uniform under her fire fighter gear, and seen her father, Jeff, recently start volunteering at Station 56.

The nature of the job mandates that Amsler send a simple text to her mom before she takes a call. “Fire. Love you.” A way for Amsler to let her mom know without scaring her with details.

Few college students have to text that to a parent before work, but to Amsler, it is worth it. When she goes home for breaks in the school year, she jumps right back into volunteering at Station 56.

“It’s a good group of people to be around,” Amsler said. “It feels good that I’m helping out other people.”

Rounding out the Homecoming experience

Abby Cage Co-Editor-in-Chief

Streets are crowded, children run between activities and there is so much to see at the walkaround dur ing OSU’s Homecoming week, but it doesn’t all happen overnight. Well, sort of. Fraternities and sororities plan for walkaround all semester before the big night comes to end the prepara tions – all-night pomp.

From 3 p.m. Thursday to 3 p.m. Friday, Greek life students are out set ting up their house decorations for all to see Friday night as the homecom ing festivities bring thousands more to Stillwater for the weekend. Alumna Julia Price was the design apprentice in her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, her sophomore year and shared her experience leading up to the end result of walkarounds.

Graphic by Parker Bradley

Courtesy of Molly Amsler

OSU student Molly Amsler volunteers as a firefighter in Stillwater and in Pennsylvania, depending whether classes are in session.

Courtesy of Julia Price

The atmosphere in the pomping room the night before walkarounds is sleepy but exciting.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Abby Cage

Pi Phi and Fiji capture bonanza championship

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

It took the team of Pi Phi and Fiji four games to claim the championship of the Greek life basketball tournament.

Basketball Bo nanza is part of the annual Homecoming festivities at OSU with Greek life and is switched, usually every year, with Football Frenzy, a similar tournament held during Homecoming.

The event was held at the Colvin Annex Fri day and Saturday, with the finals being held in Galla gher-Iba Arena on Sunday with OSU men’s basket ball head coach Mike Boynton in attendance.

Sorority Pi Beta Phi and fraternity Phi Gamma Delta, also known as Fiji won this year.

“For probably a month, we were just prac ticing, like twice a week, getting together whenever we could and doing some good team bonding. It was fun,” Michael Pynn, a se nior member of Fiji, said.

The co-ed team put together an undefeated four-game streak to win the championship. On Friday, the team defeated Sigma Phi Epsilon/Zeta Tau Alpha in overtime.

On Saturday, the team defeated Sigma Chi/ Kappa Kappa Gamma by two points and Farm house/Kappa Delta by double-digits to advance to the finals.

Finals were a re match with Farmhouse/ Kappa Delta. The team won 39-37 in overtime in GIA.

“I mean, we know it’s important for home coming as a whole,” Pynn said. “Especially for the girls, I know that they really take it seriously, because it counts and has implications for the

sweepstakes for Home coming. But, we really just wanted to win, you know, any organized basketball for us, we just wanted to win the game. So we were excited to do it.”

The team had two coaches who are part of the basketball teams at OSU. Bo Butler, a junior member of Fiji, is a wom en’s basketball manager, and Brady Priess, a senior member of Fiji, is a man ager for the men’s team.

The play is not something you’d typically see being played on a TV or on GIA’s floor, it’s a coed tournament, so, there were different rules.

“The rules were that there always had to be at least two girls on the court,” Pynn said. “We always had three guys and two girls on the court. And there were some talented girls as well. So it worked out well for us during the games.”

Heroes...

Laurielle Prema responded in kind about how honored she feels to be con sidered a hero to her students.

“It’s an honor to be considered a hero to even just one person, but knowing that there is at least a small handful of lives I’ve touched contin ues to surprise me,” she said. “Students have told me I have inspired them to be a teacher or helped them define exactly how they want to teach. Others have told me how one specific thing I said in class or to them privately has made them feel included, turned around their mental health or even saved their life. Often, it’s the small est gestures that mean the most. Being a hero hap pens naturally when you create space for people to be their most authentic selves. That means everyone can be and likely is a hero to someone else, even if they don’t say it.”

I simply love Oklahoma State University, what it stands for and what we accomplish together. There truly are so many Cowboy heroes, living out the Cowboy Code every day.

President Shrum

neering major from Washington, talked about his sports hero that he grew up watching with his family.

“My Cowboy Hero is PGA golfer Rickie Fowler,” Aune said. “Through watching golf with my grandparents at a young age, I gained interest in the sport, and Rickie became one of my favor ite players before I even knew that

Bryanna Nickel, Homecoming steer ing communication executive and a junior strategic communica tions major, said her Cowboy heroes are the McKnight’s who founded the program that furthered her college career.

“Ross and Bil lie McKnight—one of OSU’s largest donors—founded the McKnight Scholars Leadership Program, which is a scholar

I guess it’s always a good thing that they recognize you, but I truly I enjoy it. I embrace it. I like meeting all these new people.

Brandon Weeden

he was an alumni of OSU. He continues to show his love for our university by wearing orange on the final day of each tourna ment and proudly calls Stillwater home.”

Cora Griffin, an applied exercise science major with a focus in strength and conditioning, also spoke about a profes sor that has made an impact on her.

“When I was first asked who my OSU hero was, my first thought was of different celebrated ath letes or those who hold leader ship positions,” Griffin said. “While they certainly have had a profound effect on stu dents past and present as well as influenced my experience at OSU, I would have to say that Dr. Slesinger is my OSU hero. Dr. Slesinger isn’t your average professor, he truly cares about his students and embod ies all of OSU’s core values. He pushed me to grow as both an individual and a student and gave me a sense of belonging at OSU. It’s hon estly hard to describe the impact that Dr. Slesinger has had on my time here at OSU, but I will forever be grateful for him.”

Shawn Hilliary, an agricultural com munications major, went a different route with his OSU heroes.

“My OSU he roes have to be Larry and Kaylene Fergu son,” he said.

“Their gener osity has not only benefit ted the dairy science facility but have also have greatly benefitted the entire college of agriculture.”

Gunnar Aune, a bio systems engi

Some people, such as Danielle Jawad, an agribusi ness and agricultural communications ma jor, stand by a group of people, rather than an individual, as their Cowboy heroes.

“My cowboy heroes are the OSU police department because they work every day to make or campus

ship program aimed at rural, out-of-state student leaders,” she said. “The program waived my out-ofstate tuition, took me to five different countries through a study abroad pro gram, gave me an incredible mentor and wonderful mentees, equipped me with essential leadership skills and introduced me to some of my greatest friends at college. The McK night Scholars Leadership Program is the reason many rural, out-of-state students—like

Danielle Jawad

safer,” she said. “I respect their dedica tion and utmost com mitment to keeping students the number one priority through out homecoming, as well as year-round.”

The thing about OSU is that no mat ter what, there is a diverse, wide range of people that have made an impact on this campus. Next time you are walk ing to class, take a moment and read the plaques with names on them. Look at the statues of the people that founded the building you are sitting in. Remember that these people are people who once were where you are, and they wanted to make an impact and leave a legacy.

my self— are able to attend OSU and flourish in a new community, and the program is one of the greatest high lights of my college career.

“Ross and Billie McKnight are my Cowboy Heroes because they believe and see the value in a rural, out-of-state background, and I will forever be grate ful to them and their generous efforts to pour into the OSU community.”

These Cowboy Heroes are more than just a name on a building, they’re written in our Cow boy Legacy.

recognize those who have come before and eagerly anticipate the next generation of Cowboy difference makers. After all, our heroes have always been Cowboys.

Cole Gueldenzoph

Basketball Bonanza is one of the biggest parts of Greek life’s Homecoming festivities.

Cole

My Cowboy heroes are the OSU police department because they work every day to make our campus safer.

Bonanza

Cowboy spotlight: A senior’s take on Homecoming

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

Madison Stites, a senior English literature major, has been a proud Cowboy their entire life. They have been active in the Stillwater community for as long as they can remember. As a senior, they are celebrating their last Homecoming as a student. So many tradi tions are going to change, but they are excited to celebrate their school with pride.

Q: How has homecoming impacted you during your time at OSU?

A: Since I grew up in the Stillwater area, I’ve been going to Home coming my whole life. Now that I’m a student at OSU, it’s even more fun to attend as a more involved member of the Cowboy Community. It’s just so cool to see how many people show up to celebrate our school.

Q: What is your favorite part about homecoming?

A: My favorite part of Homecoming is defi nitely the walkaround. I’m always so impressed by the creativity and ef fort that gets put into the house decs.

Q: If you could add one event or activ ity to the homecoming festivities, what would it be and why?

A: As someone who loves live music, I think that some kind of con cert series hosted by the university would be a fun way to add to the celebra tion.

Q: What is one piece of advice you have for freshmen coming into their first cowboy homecoming?

A: My advice to freshmen who have never been to Homecoming before is to just get your friends and do as much as you can — take advan tage of all the fun.

Q: Did you always know that you wanted to attend Oklahoma State? How did you know this was the school for you?

A: Attending Oklahoma State was a no-brainer for me. Since I grew up in the area, I always felt connected to the school and the Stillwater community. While I considered some other schools in the area, I just knew that OSU was

where I wanted to spend my time in college.

Q: What are your plans after college? What do you want to pursue with your de gree?

A: After college, my goal is to pursue a ca reer in copyediting with my English degree. I plan on building a foundation with freelance editing be fore I find an editor posi tion for a bigger company or organization.

Q: Do you plan to continue to celebrate homecoming after you graduate?

A: As long as I’m in the area, I can always see myself coming back to celebrate homecoming. It’s way too much fun to miss out on..

Courtesy of Madison Stites Stites (right) enjoys Cowboy football games and encourages freshmen to enjoy the Homecoming experience.

OSU’S largest freshman class shares homecoming expereience

Kennedy Thomason Staff Reporter

While Ameri ca’s Greatest Home coming has a spirited reputation, freshmen often don’t realize quite how extrava gant it is.

The entire week of celebrations and events is nothing compared to the high school homecomings they are used to.

Landry Jones is a microbiology major and member of Kap pa Kappa Gamma, as well as an out-ofstate student.

“I did not know anything about Homecoming coming into freshman year,” she said. “I knew that we pomped but that is about it. I did not know the amount of time and effort that would go into everything. I also did not know about Basketball Bonanza, walkaround, the amount of people that attend and the week prior to Homecom ing.”

There are many activities and events that happen on campus throughout the week to celebrate OSU and lead up to Saturday’s football

game. Olivia Mc Nichol, a chemical engineering major, also shared her expe rience.

“My mom is an OSU alumna, so I grew up coming to Homecoming and doing the house dec walk around,” she said. “I knew that they dyed the foun tain orange every year and that there were lots of events going on throughout the week. I’m excited for the events and to see the energy that it brings Stillwater each year. I definitely didn’t realize how much time went into pomping and welding the house decs until I came here. And I’ve never attended the chili cook-off but I will be this year.”

Members of Greek life also have a lot to look forward to during Homecoming week, including pre paring and presenting their house decs.

Jones shared her experience as a member of the Greek community.

“Kappa has made it such an exciting experience,” she said. “They have gone over every thing so we are extra

prepared but without spilling too many secrets so it is all still a surprise.”

Freshmen students have many exciting traditions to experience.

“One thing that I’m looking forward to about OSU Home coming is getting to see all the floats and decorations that the fraternities and sororities are mak ing,” Ben Matherly, a mechanical engineer ing major, said.

“I am excited for walk around,” Jones said. “I want to see all the other houses and how they have prepared compared to my own house.”

Homecoming is the event of the fall semester. It allows freshmen to fully ex perience OSU spirit, pride and loyalty.

This year’s freshman class will witness how special the OSU community is throughout this week.

For more information regard ing Cowboy Home coming, please visit orangeconnection. org.

Walk...

“It was the most ex hausting night of my life,” Price, a senior last year, said. “But you’re running on adrenaline and caffeine the whole time so somehow you make it through.”

Price built a dragon’s head for her house dec and was in charge of supervising the pomping room during pomping hours. Through all weather changes and any time of the night, Price and her sorority sisters and partnered fraternity pushed through to the final minute they were allowed to pomp.

“I had the opportunity to go up in the lift on Friday afternoon to do some finish ing pomps and corrections and that was the best part of the whole experience,” Price said. “I had so much fun getting to help bring it all together.”

Though the adrenaline and caffeine helps keep you going, Price shared Friday mid-morning was the hard est part as adrenaline started to wear off, but you’re in the home stretch.

“Looking back, it was amazing but when you’re that overwhelmed and tired and stressed, it’s hard to stay positive,” Price said.

Despite the long over night hours and severe lack of sleep, she said she wouldn’t trade any of it. Price is thrilled to have taken part in America’s Greatest Home coming celebration.

“I think the walkaround experience helped give me more energy because you fi nally get to see the hard work pay off,” Price said. “Seeing

everyone else’s reactions to your work is super reward ing.”

Price will be returning this year for the first time as an alumna to see the house decs at walkaround and expe rience homecoming in a less stressful environment.

“I’d say it’s totally worth it— not only to see people reacting to your hard work, but to play an actual part of America’s biggest homecoming celebration,” Price said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world and I miss it so much.”

Walkaround festivities begin Friday night at 5:30 in Greek Neighborhood. Alumni

can check in at the Home coming Hub at the south end of Library Lawn to get their official 101st Homecoming memorabilia. House decs will be up through the end of the weekend and can be seen even on Saturday before or after the football game. To vote for your favorite house dec, visit orangecon nection.org. Voting is only open Friday and Saturday. A full map of activities for Fri day night can also be found at orangeconnection.org or in the Orange Connection App.

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Ups and downs The economic impacts of Homecoming in Stillwater

Michael Clark Staff Reporter

Homecoming is the most exciting time of the year for many of OSU’s students, but it is sometimes easy to forget the impact it has on workers and businesses as well.

Hype bringers and ear ringers: The mascots of Oklahoma State

During this chaotic week, fittingly titled “Amer ica’s Greatest Homecoming” many essential resources such as restaurants, hotels and oncampus shops receive a sharp increase in customers and demand.

Martin explained that even surrounding cities tend to be fully booked in anticipa tion for Homecoming. Martin could not share any specific numbers on the event, but confirmed that he is consis tently at 100% capacity during this time. He also noted that his hotel numbers were depen dent on how well the Cowboys played during football season.

Vedda Hisu, the direc tor of OSU’s dining services, provided helpful informa tion about their sales during weekends.

Everyone knows Pistol Pete, but there are others that have contributed to Ameri ca’s Brightest Orange.

With Homecom ing this week, Cowboy students and alumni are getting prepped for the big event. Those attending will be greeted with Still water staples such as Eskimo Joe’s cheese fries, the gargantuan decorations that Greek life houses build and lots of orange. With OSU’s history span ning more than 130 years, there have been plenty of mascots and hype people that have taken the reigns in Stillwater. Here is a look at a few figures in OSU history that have brought the rowdy. No. 1 The Tigers

Since the 1890s, OSU donned orange and black. This was done thanks to a faculty member’s par ent being a graduate from Princeton. The look stuck, obviously, and the Tiger mascot was even given to a few Oklahoma A&M College athletic teams at the time. Thanks, Princeton.

ways comes equipped with his big orange hat, chaps, OSU boots, poofy mustache and his pistols.

No. 3 Bullet

Three words that always bring energy to OSU fans, “Here Comes Bullet.”

No. 2 Pistol Pete

Pistol Pete’s origins date back to the 1920s. When Oklahoma A&M fans were looking for a new mascot, they found their answer in real life cowboy Frank Eaton.

Eaton was the textbook definition of a cowboy. He was an excellent marks man and served as a marshal. Students saw Eaton during an Armistice Day parade and he acted as the university’s unofficial mascot until his death in 1958, the same year the first Pistol Pete mascot came to life.

Pistol Pete al

Eddy Finley started the tradition of Bullet and the spirit ride in 1984. Since then, the horse has been a key part of OSU football games. After OSU touchdowns and extra points, a rider holding an OSU flag comes storming across the field on Bullet, a jetblack horse. In 2019, Bullet got a sidekick — BB the mini horse. BB was added into the game day lineup, typically showing up at events or popping up on the jumbotron during football games. Though BB does not run alongside Bullet, Cowboy fans love the mascots.

Orange Peel. Orange Peel was a colossal charity event that brought in celebri ties of all sorts into Stillwater to raise money. Stars such as Jason Aldean, Brooks and Dunn, Jimmy Fallon and various celebrities performed throughout the years. Pulp, an orange, wore an OSU straw hat and a big smile. As the face of the event, Pulp is a symbol for the years past since the events cancelation in 2009. Pulp has faded into obscurity, as most people don’t have a clue about the once prevalent orange mascot.

Hideaway Pizza is a great example of this. Having won The Oklahoman’s Reader Choice Award in 2020, its pizza is a staple of Stillwater and its culture. With such iconic food, it is bound to face a substantial increase in service on the biggest day of the year.

“The sales at on-campus dining sites show to be around the same as a regular week end,” she said. “There is much more revenue at bars, off-cam pus restaurants and hotels.”

Hisu reported 2,000 sales on Oct. 1, 2022. On Oct. 8, the day of the latest OSU home game, there was close to 3,000.

Stephanie Termer, a manager for Hideaway Pizza, reported to The O’Colly that Hideaway Pizza sold 2,580 items on Oct. 23, 2021, a week before homecoming. However, a whopping total of 8,087 items were sold on Oct. 30, 2021, the day of last year’s Homecoming football game. That is well over triple the amount of revenue of an average Saturday. Termer concurred that the traffic was substantial, but well worth it.

An increase, but not as radical as with Hideaway or Hampton. Regardless, Hisu was happy to provide services to OSU students during these weeknds.

She also noted that there will likely be higher numbers during this year’s Homecom ing due to the decrease of COVID-19 cases. Hisu ended her statement by encouraging OSU students to work with their dining services.

Although, not all of these traditions and cheer bringers are seen in full force today, the mascots are a fun look into the past of school origins, new beginnings and days past.

No. 4 Pulp Pulp was the mascot for a campus wide event known as

Joe Martin, owner of the Hampton Inn on Country Club Road, agrees that Homecom ing is a chaotic time for his company.

“It’s certainly a signifi cantly different workload than a normal work week,” he said.

Payton Little Staff Reporter news.ed@ocolly.com

“Homecoming is a unique event and is probably the high est demand for rooms citywide anytime during the year. It’s safe to say that all rooms are sold in town.”

Ultimately, there is a sharp increase in traffic and revenue for Stillwater’s economy during the week of Homecoming, and according to the numbers, it is likely that this year’s Homecoming will be one of the biggest yet because of OSU’s home win streak, less COVID-19 restric tions and America’s Greatest Homecoming making its way back full force.

Courtesy of Julia Price Houses are proud of the finished product and show off their work to the thou sands of people who come to walkaround.

Mackenzie

Janish

The mascots of OSU are loud and proud. Bullet is one of the staples of Cowboy Culture and circles the field to celebrate touchdowns.

Inside look: Greek life during Homecoming

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

America’s Greatest Homecoming is here.

People from all over the country are gathering in Still water to celebrate the Cowboy Community.

Emma Foster is a senior human development and fam ily sciences major. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega, and it has been preparing for Homecoming for the past couple of weeks.

Each sorority is involved with homecoming. There is so much dedication and hard work put into these activities and that deserves recognition.

“Alpha Chi Omega participates in homecoming in so many different ways,” she said. “We participate in pomp ing for dec competition, sign competition, bonanza, follies and many more fun activities.”

Pomping is the art of

rolling tiny pieces of paper and poking them into chicken wire to create the dec. They spend about two months pomping before homecoming week even begins.

“The one thing that I look forward to during Homecoming week is seeing the finished product of all of the decs,” Foster said. “After pomping for so many weeks throughout the fall, it’s really a special moment to see all of our hard work come together.”

There are many ben eficial aspects of being in a sorority. Not only do you create long-lasting memories and friendships, but you also gain many experiences with community service and aca demic integrity, amongst other things.

“I definitely believe there are benefits of being in a sorority during homecoming,” Foster said. “There are just so many opportunities for you to be involved throughout the whole week, that it makes it

so much more rewarding and fun, not only for yourself but everyone around.”

Being in a sisterhood like Alpha Chi Omega is a one-of-a-kind experience, Foster said.

“My favorite part of being in Alpha Chi Omega is the opportunity to experience all of the fun memories with everyone,” she continued. “It is close to my heart because I was blessed to share this ex perience with my sister during my freshman year as she was a senior, as well as continue on my mother’s legacy as well.”

Since this is Foster’s last homecoming as a student, she couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities the Cowboy Community has brought her and is soaking up all the time she has left at OSU.

“Alpha Chi Omega is unique in so many different ways,” she said. “The diversity of girls we have is really what makes the chapter so special.

Cowboy Marching Band prepares for America’s Greatest Homecoming

Brylee Smith Staff Reporter

The Cowboy Marching Band pre pares for another year of America’s Greatest Homecoming. Even with a new director, hopes are high for a successful turnout.

Beginning the first week of October, CMB kicks off its Homecoming preparations. At the end of the first week, it starts drill and begin memoriz ing its music. Practicing for two hours, three times a week, there is not much extra work that has to be done outside of rehearsal. The preparation for the Homecoming festivities is just the beginning of how much work has to be done the day of the parade.

“On actual game day for homecoming we have a 20 hour day,” Rebecca Cohen said. “We have the parade in the morning, straight into a two hour rehearsal, then we go change, then do

pep bands around cam pus, another parade, then finally the game. We have a long day because we have to play all over, but it’s so much fun.”

Along with prac ticing, they also have to coordinate with other groups to make sure the performances go smooth ly. Between the pregame show, shows involving Bullet and the paddle people and making sure the athletic department is in the loop for halftime, there are many people involved.

This year’s show case is pop tunes, as heard on the radio. “As It Was” by Harry Styles and “About Damn Time” by Lizzo will be showcased during their performance. The theme of the show was chosen from sug gested ideas from section leaders to bring more in clusivity. Section leaders brought forward 20 ideas and the final decision was chosen from a list of the best eight.

A new director isn’t

the only thing that’s new about the band though. About half of the band are freshmen, making this year’s band, on aver age, much younger than years past. With a larger percentage of first years, section leaders have their work cut out to communi cate with their sections to make sure everyone is on the same page.

This year’s dy namic between director and students is fresh. With new band director, Phil Vallejo, things have changed for the better.

“It is different, but not in a bad way,” Cohen said. “There was a learn ing curve at the begin ning, but we have settled in a really good spot because everyone knows how rehearsals are gonna be run. Everyone knows the expectations of the band and everyone is so much happier and more cheerful and getting work done so much better.”

You always have someone to talk to and share your college experiences with. Alpha Chi Omega is your home away from home, and the amount of love that is shared between everybody is so big. As a

Tailgate Guys guarantee all Pokes the tailgating experience

Bella Casey Staff Reporter

The Tailgate Guys ensure OSU tailgaters a stress-free game day by offering to take care of the time consuming and labor-intensive elements of tailgating for you.

Every Friday be fore game day, tailgaters are seen holding spots for their parties across the East side of cam pus. After waiting all day to put up their tent, tailgaters must return on game day to set up chairs, TVs, grills and coolers.

For nonlocals or those with a tight work schedule, the Friday stake-out and Saturday morning preparation isn’t an option.

“I live out of town, I’m from Wichita, Kan sas,” Marc Conrady, an OSU alumni and tail gater, said. “I don’t want to do the whole land grab on Friday.”

The Tailgate Guys offer Pokes the opportu nity to celebrate game day without the hassle.

“We do what’s called a turnkey tail gate,” Tailgate Guy Michael Wilson said.

“We take all the labor aspects of the tailgate out of your hands.”

Turnkey tailgating ensures your tailgate site is ready to host guests the minute you arrive.

Tailgaters are wel comed with a tent with a personalized name tag on the corner of the Spears School of Busi ness. Each package in cludes chairs and tables, and all larger packages include coolers. Tail gaters can upgrade their experience with a media package or meal and beverage package.

Turnkey tailgating is a unique opportu nity for families such as Doug Gosney’s to cel ebrate game day. Gosney and his family attend every home game in support of their son, who is a member of OSU’s Cowboy Marching Band. Because they are from Houston, the Gosney family is not able to save a tailgating spot the Fri day before the game.

The Tailgate Guys allow out-of-towners such as Gosney to tail gate like locals.

“We can come to these and our spot is set up,” Gosney said.

Many parties show their school spirit by bringing lights or flags to decorate their tents in addition to what the Tailgate Guys provide.

“We like to add our own personal touch,” Cathy Avery, whose tent was strung with Eskimo Joe’s themed lights, said.

Of course, tail gaters don’t need to waste their energy on carrying extra supplies into their tailgates, ei ther. The Tailgate Guys will help customers carry in any extra chairs or supplies they bring from home for their tailgate.

Tailgating sites are ready to go around five hours before each game and are left up for two hours after the game to allow customers to con tinue their celebration.

Turnkey tailgating gives every OSU fan the chance to celebrate game day.

As Wilson said, you just “show up and have a good time.”

Take it from Conrady: “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

senior, I reflect on all of my memories at OSU, and I know that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Alpha Chi Omega.”

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Mackenzie Janish

Bella Casey

Tailgate Guys take away the work of staking claim and setting up a tailgate.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Jaiden Daughty

All of Greek life prepares for walkarounds throughout the night. The people flood ing the streets of Stillwater will be able to see the members hard work pay off.

America’s greatest alumni

Students to Spouses

Tamra and Gene Crabtree fell in love during their shared time on campus in the 1990s. Together they enjoyed many traditions includ ing “Lights on Still water,” watching the library fountain turn orange and the Home coming walk around.

Probation King

Ed King grew up experi encing Homecoming, partici pating in the “Sea of Orange” parade with his high school band. Each year he marched, Ed earned tickets to the Home coming game.

“My favorite memory was the 20-19 victory in 1976 by No. 16 Cowboys over No. 10 Missouri”, King said, which sold him on being a Cowboy. For King,”the parade, walk around, and large crowds are what make OSU Homecoming the greatest.”

King keeps coming back from his home in Indiana to speak to classes about careers in entomology.

When back on campus, he makes an effort to attend the Homecoming game, something he was unable to do during part of his time on campus. As a result, he had an idea.

In 1979, the Cowboys were on probation and didn’t play a Homecoming game.

“As a joke my dorm floor on Kerr Hall 12th floor made the “probation champs” TShirts,” King said. “It was very popular on campus.”

In making these shirts, King and his friends kept the Cowboy spirit alive during a time where school spirit was limited.

The couple spent a lot of their time “squeezing into the stu dent section for football games, as well as other athletic events,” Tamra said.

It’s the feelings that the Crabtrees felt during their time as students that draw them back to Homecoming each year.

“OSU creates an environment that allows everyone to feel excited and involved, giving everyone, of every age, something exciting to see and do,” Tamra said.

Students, alumni and fans are able to take in the work of the Greek life creations.

“Their creativ

ity, ingenuity, and hard work surround ing a central theme for Homecoming are fun to see and socialize with others as you experi ence them,” Tamra said.

She said it’s not just the Greek commu nity that participates.

“Businesses, student organizations, and even faith based groups host events and reunions that provide additional energy and excitement that contrib

utes to making OSU’s Homecoming ‘Ameri ca’s Greatest’,” she said.

She describes how the energy on campus is incomparable to any other school.

Year after year, Tamra and Gene return to campus where her most precious memo ries are held. It’s where she met her husband nearly 30 years ago, and became their home away from home.

“The university

provided us a space where we felt safe and supported, learning professionally and per sonally,” Tamra said.

“Each year we return to remember, reflect, and soak up the energy.”

They hope that in returning they can show their kids how OSU can also be their home, with hopes they will have just as incredible expe riences at their parents’ alma mater.

The decision was elementary

Cheryl Thorn ton attended OSU in the late 1960s and early 70s, however, this isn’t when her Cowboy story began. From the time she was in fourth grade, Cheryl has attended home football games.

“I knew I was going to OSU,” Thornton said. “The spirit and the love we all have, for this great university, never

leaves our souls”.

Thornton and her husband Gary are brought back year after year to attend home games, with their favorite occa sion being Homecom ing.

“The involve ment of the entire student body is what makes it America’s Greatest Homecom ing,” Cheryl said.

Family Ties

Larry Pierce, a 1982 graduate, was once a member of The O’Colly family.

He met his wife, Kathy at OSU, working in The O’Colly advertising depart ment.

Together, Larry and Kathy have raised six OSU students, five who are alumni, and one current student.

“With six kids attending OSU, we have seen it just get better and better,” Pierce said.

Larry praises the university for how greatly it welcomes alumni back to campus, especially with the different activities.

“I enjoy attending all the different activities,” Pierce said, “walk around, pep rally and basketball showcase, the parade and ending with the football game.”

He is grateful to be able to come back and experience Homecoming with his kids and grandkids.

“There is nothing like it,” Pierce said.

Courtesy of Tamra Crabtree Tamra and Gene Crabtree enjoyed squeezing into the best spots of the student section during their time on campus in the 90s.

Courtesy of Ed King Ed King wearing shirt designed in 1979 making light of the probation OSU football faced that year.

Courtesy of Cheryl Thornton

Cheryl and her husband Gary enjoy returning to campus for home games and the community within Boone Pickens Stadium.

Courtesy of Larry Pierce Larry and his wife Kathy met work ing in the advertising department of The O’Colly.

All stories by Rebekah Cleary

news.ed@ocolly.com

10 o’clock on Friday mornin’...

slipping on down to the oasis.

Friday, October 21, 2022

Cowboys running struggles are a historical decline

Adam Engel Co-Editor-in-Chief

Mike Gundy spent a few minutes Monday repeating statements he made Saturday after OSU’s 43-40 loss to TCU.

Two nights of sleep didn’t change his mindset.

“We need to rush the ball a little better,” he said.

As OSU enters its half way point of the season, the nonconference schedule is

gone. Get ready for experienced and hard hitting Big 12 de fenses. Strong rushing becomes necessary. One-dimensional teams will get exposed.

OSU dedicates a half page of its weekly game notes to show explosive plays (20 yards or longer). To this point, there are 28 explosive passing plays. That occupies about half a page.

But rushing explosive plays? Five. None from a running back in OSU’s three

conference games so far. Only from Spencer Sanders.

In nonconference? Just one explosive play from a run ning back. Ollie Gordon for 24 yards against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Dominic Richardson’s long to this point is a 19-yard dash against Arizona State. That’s the worst among Big 12 starting running backs.

But Richardson’s style is different from others.

“He’s a power back, and he’s going to run through arm

tackles and drop his pads and protect the football and grind,” Gundy said in April. “He’s gonna grind yards out.”

It’s a fact that Gundy uses to remind reporters. A disclaim er. Each player — in any sport, possess a unique skillset that fits better in some situations than others.

For Richardson, he’s the short yardage burst back.

His longest touchdown? A 7-yard dash up the middle

One more chance

OSU-Texas rivalry nearing end

resting, preparing and game planning for the next night’s primetime matchup against No. 6 Texas.

Tylan Wallace looked on from the Ather ton Hotel toward the crowds of people flocking Stillwater.

Just outside the walls of Atherton, the campus hotel that houses the Cowboy football team the night before home games, upward of 50,000 OSU fans and alumni took to the streets to marvel at the Homecom ing decorations built by students.

Like other Cowboy football teams, the 2018 team did not participate in all the Homecoming festivities. They were

It was OSU’s first Homecoming game against the Longhorns since 2005. On Saturday, the Cowboys will again take on 20th-ranked Texas on Homecoming in front of a national stage.

It’s become an important game in Big 12 hierarchy. But this matchup is likely one of the last, as Texas departs for the SEC in 2025.

Wallace could sense the energy and frenzy oc curring outside his hotel room that night. It was a big game on an impor tant day. Though, the magnitude didn’t hit until he walked the tunnel of Boone Pickens Stadium.

“I ain’t ever seen it look like that before,” Wallace said. “And for it to be Homecoming,

and for us to pull out the new (throwback) jerseys, Barry Sanders being there, I mean, it was just, I feel like a game that you really don’t forget in your career.”

While Wallace, one of the Cowboys’ top re ceivers, was in his second of four seasons in Stillwa ter, running back Justice Hill was in his final. Hill, from Tulsa, never lost to Texas while at OSU.

Entering the game, Hill felt the Homecom ing hype, but as a kid from Oklahoma, it was just that. Texas was just another opponent.

“Texas was a tough game, but for me man, I’m just like, yo, we gotta go in there and win,” Hill said. “It’s just football.”

OSU jumped out to a 24-14 lead behind three touchdowns from quarter back Taylor Cornelius and lengthy scampers from Hill. Then, on fourth-

and-one, just before halftime, Wallace ignited the stadium.

“I feel like that’s obviously one of like the highlights I tend to remember the most out of all of them,” Wallace said.

OSU coach Mike Gundy decided to gamble on fourth down from the 36-yard line instead of kicking a field goal. All or nothing in a big game. Cornelius found Wallace down the north sideline, where he won the jump over one Texas defensive back and squeezed past another.

Touchdown. OSU held on for the 38-35 win in one of the most memorable Texas and Homecoming games. Un like Hill, the game meant more to Wallace, who hails from Fort Worth.

against Texas Tech. Some of his touchdowns, a couple of 1-yard ers, would win a golf tourna ment.

‘Slow jog’

Cowboys stretching substitution rule

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

Sometimes, OSU coaches encourage tardiness.

When a burly defensive lineman jogs onto the field with the pace of a person intent on using every second of time a crosswalk timer allots, it is not laziness cropping up on the Cowboy roster.

It’s a carefully crafted tactical deci sion.

In the first half of their previous game against TCU, the Cow boys forced the Horned Frog offense to take a delay of game penalty.

Pushing TCU back five yards was quite simple, really. When TCU substituted on offense, the referee moved under center to block TCU from snap ping the ball. According to the rules, defenses must be allowed time to substitute if the offense does. As the Cowboys shuffled players on and off at a leisurely pace, seconds on the play clock dwindled. TCU quarterback Max Dug gan was not allowed to snap the ball before time expired, triggering a cascade of boos from

TCU fans.

“Slow jog,” defen sive end Collin Oliver said. “That’s what we’re told. Slow jog off, slow jog on. If the officials aren’t on your side they want you to hustle on a little more than you normally would.”

It was the latest example of OSU us ing a rule that coach Mike Gundy described as “a train wreck” due to its vague nature and increasing use across the Big 12. The O’Colly reached out to Terry McAulay, a former NFL referee and AAC Coor dinator of Officials, for clarification on the rule.

“The offense always puts itself in jeopardy when it sub stitutes late,” McAulay said. “The rules specifi cally allow three sec onds for the defense to react to the substitution and that three seconds begins when the offense has clearly declared who is coming in and who is going out. Once the defense starts their substitution, they get to fully complete it with the incoming player(s) getting in position and the exiting player(s) fully off the field.”

Cowboy pass rush looking to contain explosive UT offense

Gabriel Trevino Sports Editor

Collin Oliver’s signa ture sack celebration carries a double meaning.

The sophomore edge rusher, who leads OSU in sacks the past two seasons, dem onstrates throwing roses on a coffin after taking down an opposing quarterback. But now, Oliver uses the same gesture to indicate him throwing money in the air and “spreading the wealth.”

Sharing the success is ex actly what OSU’s defensive line

is trying to do on Saturday’s game vs Texas.

Trying to get to TCU quarterback Max Duggan became difficult for the Cowboy defense, with only one sack last week against the mobile quar terback. A trend for OSU all season compared to last year.

In 2021, OSU’s defense was third in the country in sack percentage, with 10.87% of snaps. This year, that number has been cut in half, with the Cow boys defense only getting a sack in 5.26% of snaps.

Coach Mike Gundy and de fensive coordinator Derek Mason attribute the decline not because

of their defensive personnel, but on the account of the fast, spread offenses OSU has seen thus far.

“That’s how football is played in the Big 12,” Mason said.

This week will be a slightly different task, though. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers doesn’t take off and run as much as other quarterbacks around the Big 12. The solution for Texas, from Gundy’s eyes, is for the Long horns to use more running backs and tight ends as extra blockers.

Braden Bush Staff Reporter

File photo

Tylan Wallace makes a catch over two defenders as OSU upset No. 6 Texas in 2018.

A twist occurred in the second half of

Jerry Larson of the Waco Tribune Herald

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy argues with the referee in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Baylor.

See Subbing on 5B

Pass rush...

Even with using more players to pick up rushers, Texas possesses the playmakers to win on its own. Run ning back Bijan Robinson scored three touchdowns last year vs OSU, and this year is averaging 150 yards per game from scrimmage. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy was an All-Big 12 First Team player as a freshman last season, and is a speedy deep threat who can stretch

the field.

(Worthy) is dynamic,” Gundy said. “He’s a threat wherever he is. Catching it, running it, throwing it. He can do a lot of things. And they’ve al ways had five-star running backs, and (Ewers) throws it around pretty well.”

With the talent on the burntorange side of the field, it’s imperative OSU is able to rush the quarterback effectively. Pressure creates chaos for quarterbacks, which makes it harder to find and complete passes to receiv ers down the field. Another thing the Cowboys have struggled to defend this

season.

In four of the six games this sea son, OSU has been outgained through the air. TCU receiver Quentin Johnston caught eight passes for 180 yards. Bay lor’s Monaray Baldwin had 174 yards and two touchdowns and Texas Tech had two receivers haul in more than 100 yards in its game vs OSU.

“Sometimes (the defensive line) don’t get there, and you just have to cover for a couple more seconds,” said safety Sean Michael-Flanagan. “I’m more of a run fit guy. I don’t like to have to cover for longer than I have to.”

After suffering the first loss in 10 months last weekend in Fort Worth, before another matchup against a ranked opponent, the Cowboy defense emphasized it’s not the end of the season. Only the beginning of the rest of it.

“We could’ve done better, I’m pretty sure everyone sees that,” Oliver said. “But it’s all about the bounce back.”

Red Scare

goal of the day kicked inside the TCU 17.

The OSU offense had a redzone problem.

Braden Bush Staff Reporter

Inside OSU’s fourth down mentality

on fourth down, 49%.

Ben Hutchens Assistant Sports Editor

Mason Cobb some times roots for an offense to stay on the field.

Cobb, an OSU line backer, knows his unit does its job when the opposing offense runs off the field, but

occasionally, he likes when an opponent attempts to pick up a fourth down.

“S---, that’s the type of time I want to be out there,” Cobb said. “You know, that’s when your adrenaline is super high. You know, that’s like a goal line stand, that’s where you know, boys become men.”

Cobb said fourth down conversions are the most exciting play in football. If that’s the case, he picked a school wisely. Only eight out of 131 teams have defended more fourth downs (18) than

OSU this season.

“You know, if people want to continue to chal lenge us on fourth down, challenge us on fourth down,” OSU defensive coor dinator Derek Mason said.

“We’re not afraid, we carry a big stick around here. You know I think these guys are resilient when it comes to being in those situations.”

The Cowboys have faced 18 fourth downs and stopped opponents nine times. The mark is slightly better than the average rate Big 12 teams stop opponents

There are physical things the Cowboys do when they realize an of fense is staying on the field.

Defensive end Collin Oliver said his first thought is ‘Uh oh,’ because, depending on the number of yards left to gain, the defense will have to worry about getting the correct personnel substituted on the field.

Mason said part of the process is matching the pace of the offense.

See Fourth on 5B

Jaden Nixon’s 11-yard sprint placed the Cowboys at the TCU 18-yard line, already holding on to an 11-point lead. It was inside the final three minutes of the third quarter, and a touchdown would make it a three-possession game. It would have been timely, too, as OSU hadn’t scored a touchdown in 23 game minutes. The next three plays after Nixon’s run? Three-yard run, no gain, incom plete pass.

Instead of a touchdown to ice the game going into the fourth quarter, the Cow boys settled for a field goal from the 15-yard line — its third field

“You kick too many field goals and it’s gonna be tough,” coach Mike Gundy said.

The field goal was the last time OSU had the chance to score, and it left the door open for TCU’s walk-off overtime win.

TCU’s defense stifled the Cowboy of fense inside the 20. Fortunately for OSU, Tanner Brown has been a nation-leading 12-for-12 on field goal attempts. But this OSU team can’t afford to finish drives without touch downs.

“College football is about finishing with touchdowns and not field goals,” Gundy said. “... And then in the second half,

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See Red Scare on 5B

Abby Cage

The Cowboys have defended 18 fourth downs this season, tied for the ninth-most in the nation.

Run down

The state of OSU’s rushing unit

Lowest score wins.

Much is dif ferent compared to explosive plays after three conference games in 2021. At this point a year ago, Jaylen Warren tallied six.

That guy? He’s with the Pittsburgh Steelers now. Gundy plucked him from the transfer portal.

On Monday, Gundy said Richard son needs to create more space for him self. Find a way to turn a 3-yard run to a 6-yard run. Warren did that.

Meanwhile, Spencer Sanders emerged as OSU’s explosive rusher.

Eight touchdowns and a long of 42 on 69 carries. Sanders’ experience brings a savvy tuck it or chuck it ability. One that keeps defend ers guessing. When defenders drop into coverage, Sanders takes advantage of open field.

That’s an area where the Cowboys used Richardson against TCU. A dink and dunk receiver. A way to break up the run.

“Dom is run ning good for us but I’m concerned about his total carries,” Gundy said.

But how does the team rush the ball better and who’s next? That’s Gundy’s predicament.

Two youngsters

wait behind Richard son. Jaden Nixon, a redshirt freshman, and Gordon. Soon, there could be a production increase for the pair that com bined for 30 carries so far.

“We’re go ing to have to share some of the load because he’s getting a lot of hits and tak ing a lot of blows,” Gundy said. “We’ll eventually have to do that.”

It’s a change of mindset from April when Gundy said Richardson needs 18 to 20 carries a game. In late September, that changed to “a 20-carry-a-game guy.”

On Monday, Gundy said he’s concerned about Richardson’s total carries. He ran 22

times against TCU.

It’s an anomaly compared to other Gundy-coached teams. Remember Chuba Hubbard? Justice Hill? Those guys are in the NFL. Speed, elusiveness, low center of gravity and strong footwork. All characteristics to excel at the next level.

To Gundy, Richardson is still maturing, but at what point is Gundy com fortable with using Nixon and Gordon more?

“We’re gonna start working those guys in,” he said.

“…. As he (Nixon) evolves, he’s earned the right to get more carries but I want to say that it’s not necessarily that we need to take them from Dom.”

Gundy said he’s cautious with Gordon. He’s not playing high school football anymore.

“He’s still a young player as a freshman and we’re playing against teams now that can hit,” Gundy said. “They’ll hit you hard and they’ll tackle you. They’re physi cal. Just like this team we’re gonna play.”

An old-school Oklahoman from Midwest City, Gundy doesn’t want to change much. He’s like that in many situations. Not just with running backs. He prefers to use his “gut feeling” over computer suggested analytics.

He’s a classic football guy.

Adam Engel Co-Editor-in-Chief

OSU has a rushing game issue.

Through six games, the Cowboys rank No. 8 in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game at 148. Sure, the season is at the halfway point, but history suggests the stat is a large decline.

The Cowboys logged 185.5 yards per game in 2021. In 2019, with Chuba Hubbard at the front, OSU exploded for 229.6 per game.

This isn’t 2019.

When will it get fixed? Dominic Richardson, a power back, doesn’t have the skillset of recent OSU running backs. Not a knock on him. Just different skills. Tackle breaker and a goal-line specialist.

How about the youngsters? Jaden Nixon and Ollie Gordon. It appears those guys aren’t ready to star yet. How will this predica ment get fixed?

Time will tell through re cruiting and development.

OSU doesn’t have any running back commits in future classes. Kedrick Reescano, a four-

star 2023 Michigan State commit from New Caney, Texas, will visit OSU this weekend, according to Robert Allen of Pokes Report.

John Randle Jr., a 2023 talent from Wichita, Kansas, is the only uncommitted running back with an offer in that class. A four-star recruit according to 247Sports, Randle Jr. is the nephew of former OSU running back Joseph Randle.

The Cowboys extended of fers to two 2024 running backs.

Taylor Tatum, a four star from Longview, Texas, and Nate Palmer, a four star from Decatur, Texas.

The pair combine for 26 offers. Tatum recently watched the Cowboys when he visited Baylor and TCU. Then there’s the transfer portal. If improvement doesn’t occur, Gundy could reach into the portal. He’s done that in the past.

Think about Jaylen Warren. Portal guy. Chris Carson? JUCO transfer. Other former transfers? How about Tay Martin or Chris tian Holmes?

Deondre Jackson, a Texas A&M transfer struggled with obtaining eligibility from the NCAA. He was cleared against Arizona State but ran once since.

Regardless of how it hap pens, improvement seems neces sary if OSU wants to keep its identity of a high-powered offense.

The stats don’t lie.

Abby Cage

OSU running back Dominic Richardson (20) hasn’t recorded a run for 20 yards or longer this season.

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Mackenzie Janish

Dominic Richardson (20) leads the Cowboy rushing unit which ranks No. 8 in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game.

Texas...

Continued from

So did the win. Wallace went 2-2 against UT in his ca reer, but those wins were sweet er than others, as they were for the numerous other OSU players from the Lone Star State.

“I think that game means a lot to those guys from Texas,” Wallace said. “They know prob ably a lot of guys on that team. Probably grew up with some of them, played against some of them.

“So when we win or we lose, it just means a little bit more.”

But for most of history, the losses far exceeded wins.

******

Bevo loped laps around Bullet.

In the first 93 years of opposition, OSU won just two of 24 games against UT. From 1998 to 2009, the Cowboys went winless against the Longhorns in 12 matchups. Many of those weren’t particularly close.

Running back Tatum Bell was part of that slide. He went 0-4 against UT from 2000-03, losing by an average of 26 points in those games. The Cowboys had no answer.

“They had our number, man,” Bell said. “Anything we did, they could counter.”

At the time, Texas carried an aura that intimidated and made them the superior team on the field. Bell could sense it. Texas was one of the confer ence’s top dogs. Entering those four matchups against OSU and Bell, UT had a combined 21-4 record.

Even when OSU did keep it close, it couldn’t pull off the win. A trip to Austin in 2002 was Bell’s best opportunity, but despite a 45-yard touchdown sprint, Texas proved supreme. Final score: 17-15.

“When we played Texas,

us like we were the little brothers and they were the big brothers,” Bell said. “We always started the game off hot against them, but could never finish against them.”

The best of OSU-Texas: 1997: OSU 42, Texas 16

The series had just restarted a year earlier, when Texas joined the Big 8 Conference, forming the new Big 12. This game was the first time the Longhorns ever played in Stillwater, and OSU came out with its first win over UT since 1944.

2008: No. 1 Texas 28, No. 7 OSU 24

This game showed OSU could compete. On the road at top-ranked Texas, OSU nearly pulled off the upset. No longer were games blow outs. The Cowboys were becoming competitive in marquee games.

Like many OSU players, Bell was from Texas. He never liked Texas, though, admitting he’d take sides with Texas A&M over the ‘Horns any day. Between the disdain for UT and the natural rivalry between an emigrant Texan athlete and his homestate’s flagship university, those games stood out.

2011: No. 6 OSU 38, No. 22 Texas 26

This win gave OSU its first-ever win streak against Texas, and its first win at home over UT in 14 years.

2018: OSU 38, No. 6 Texas 35

This win epitomized the shift in the OSU-Texas series. Unlike previous seasons when the Cowboys caught the Longhorns in down years, Texas was top 10, while OSU had a mediocre 4-3 record. OSU pulled off the upset for its fourth consecutive win in the series — its longest in series history.

OSU linebacker recovered a UT fumble, and he went on to finish with five tackles in the 33-16 breakthrough win.

the first class to ever beat Texas multiple times — much less have a winning record against them.

All three wins came in Austin, less than three hours away from his hometown of Missouri City. Texas recruited Lewis, one of the top linebackers in the state, and expressed interest but didn’t offer him a scholarship. That inter action with Texas created long-last ing motivation.

crack at college football royalty, outside of OU.

From Lewis and the 2010 Cowboys’ ice-breaking win to the 2018 Homecoming classic, the Texas game has taken on a new meaning. No longer is the Texas game one of apprehen sion, but instead it’s become an opportunity to cement OSU’s place on the map.

“For us, those have been quality games for the big pic ture,” Gundy said.

The importance hasn’t just been on-field. Gundy has recruited Texas hard, apparent by the 2022 roster consisting of over one-third Texas natives, and he said all of those play ers enjoy trying to dethrone the Longhorns.

Even if it was for not-sogood reasons.

Texas was a team to beat in the Big 12, and OSU couldn’t pull it off. Beat Texas, and the college football world would take notice. They stood in the way of what the Cowboys wanted.

A rise in perception and success.

“It just pisses me off,” Bell said, about his record against UT. “I was such a competitor, I just hated losing. Then I’m from Texas. Man, I was just pissed off every time I played them.”

A freshman Shaun Lewis had no clue about OSU’s 0-for run against Texas when he stepped onto the field at Darrel K Royal Stadium in 2010.

That didn’t mean anything to him. Neither did the 66-year drought between wins in Aus tin. And it showed. Not even five minutes into the game, the

There was no thought given to the history he had just been involved in. Lewis didn’t know his team had just ended an era and started a new one.

“Well, since it was a new experience for me, it was a new normal,” Lewis said.

It wasn’t normal for quarterback Brandon Weeden, though. His first two seasons, Weeden was backup to Zac Robinson in a pair of losses to Texas.

A season earlier, in 2009, a top-15 OSU team suffered a 27-point home loss to the Long horns, who went on to play in the BCS Championship game.

“They were always just kind of, you know, athletically a step ahead early on,” Weeden said. “And I’d say my last couple of years here, we kind of caught up to them and kind of became a team that gave them fits.”

While the 12 UT games prior to that day ended with OSU in the loss column, the next 12 saw the Cowboys go 8-4 against the Longhorns. The 2010 recruiting class, which Lewis

“It’s like that girl in high school that you knew liked you, but for whatever reason, she chose not to give you any atten tion,” Lewis said. “Any time you could, you wanted to make sure that she knows she missed out.”

Lewis said he never had real interest in Texas, but he took it personally that they thought he wasn’t a fit there. Whether Texas had a losing record, like in 2010, or was ranked in the top 25, like Lewis’ final three seasons, he was out to prove a point.

That’s a common theme on OSU teams throughout the years. Even on the 2022 roster, only two of 48 players from Texas received a scholarship of fer from UT.

“You want to make sure that when someone looks over you, they know they made a mistake,” Lewis said. “So not to have to rub it in someone’s face, but like that was a little extra motivation.”

The 12-year stretch leading up to 2010 wasn’t just tough on the Cowboys. During that time, Texas appeared in two national championships (winning one), four Big 12 championships and won at least nine games every season — including double-digit win totals nine times.

Texas (and OU) stood between the rest of the Big 12 and palpable success. Like Interstate-35, the road to confer ence contention and national relevance had long ran through Austin.

But Lewis and Weeden’s teams broke through that bar rier and created a new mentality that’s carried over.

“I think going down to Texas and beating them, it was the start of something that was pretty awesome,” Lewis said. “Pretty much an awesome feel ing.

Inside an empty Boone Pickens Stadium, days before Saturday’s matchup with Texas, Gundy reflected on what the UT game has meant to him and OSU.

The Cowboys don’t have a shot at Notre Dame every year. Ohio State and Michigan aren’t coming to Stillwater anytime

The opportunity to play in front of more than 100,000 fans in Darrel K Royal Stadium has been a huge marketing advan tage for OSU. Regardless of where the game is played or if Texas is having down year, it’s sold out and viewed nationally.

Gundy said the loss of Texas can’t be fixed by the ad dition of four new teams to the conference, as unique as they may be. UT has a tradition and following that’s hard, if not pos sible, for the Big 12 to replace.

“Will there be as an at tractive draw without having Texas and OU? Probably not,” Gundy said. Right? People love to watch Texas.

“Even when Mike Tyson was old and wasn’t as produc tive, when he went somewhere and fought, everybody wanted to go watch him fight. They kind of carry that wherever they go.”

The end of the recently remodeled rivalry is now in sight. Saturday is one of OSU’s last chances to play Texas in Stillwater. Many haven’t forgot ten the years of suffering at the hands of UT.

In its final moments of existence, the game carries the same intensity and meaning.

“They’re not gonna be with us this much longer in the Big 12,” Weeden said. “Let’s send them out on a high note and whoop their ass.”

Gundy has seen the evolu tion of the Texas game, having been back around OSU since the days of Burnt Orange reign in the early 2000s. It’s been a gauge of success for his program over the years.

Just like in 2018, the Cow boys have another chance for a memorable Homecoming game against a ranked Texas team in the spotlight. That barometer won’t be there much longer.

“I think it’s gonna be sad,” Gundy said. “…So yeah, my answer would be yes (I’ll miss Texas).”

File photo

Former OSU running back Justice Hill celebrating OSU’s win over No. 6 Texas, 38-35, with fans storming the field in 2018.

Courtesy of OSU Athletics

Star running back Tatum Bell never defeated Texas in

The defense has to read whether the op ponent is hustling to the line and keeping the same players in the game or taking its time to get the perfect play dialed up.

But in the trenches on a pivotal fourth down, the mentality of a player matters more than any physical adjustment made.

Sometimes, a player has to just bow up.

Mason pointed to OSU’s 41-31 win against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders started the game 4-for-4 on fourth down conversions. Midway through the fourth quar ter, TTU running back SaRodorick Thompson tried his luck again but was stuffed. The Cow boys stopped TTU on its next three fourth down conversion attempts.

“We leaked at times and then you know, like, all of a sudden the leaks went away,” Mason said. “And what you started to see was, was guys just bowing up. Sometimes you just got to bow up

game where hu man error cannot be a factor would be better.”

of the OSU vs. TCU game.

When the Cowboys attempt ed to substitute in the same, slow manner in the second half, OSU ended up with a penalty. The referee under cen ter backed away before the Cowboy players running off the field made it to the sideline. It cleared the way for Duggan to snap the ball with 12 OSU defenders on the field, leading to a flag.

McAualy said the referee’s decision — which McAualy deemed correct — to step away from the ball came down to interpretation of “reasonable pace.”

“If the ref eree feels they are not doing so at a reasonable pace, McAualy said, “he will warn the de fensive coach once, and if it is repeat ed, he will put the ball in play before they complete their substitution (if it appears deliberate the first time, then he can put the ball in play without warning).”

Gundy, who said the rule’s interpretation changed over the course of the game, suggested Monday that the rule is not work ing.

“There’s too much of a human involvement and human error,” Gundy said. “And I think the offi cials would agree, everything that we can do to take the officials out of the

Gundy hy pothesized that a clock similar to the play clock could be instituted to stan dardize the process and clarify the rule. As it is cur rently written, “a reasonable pace” is subjective.

“There is nothing in the rule book that defines it,” McAualy said. “Defenses are always given the benefit of the doubt, but when it is as patently obvi ous as what I saw in that game, it re ally isn’t a difficult judgment.”

Oliver said the “slow sub” is a tactic players learn at OSU. The Cowboys have benefitted from it far more than they have been burned, but McAualy does not recommend abusing the rule that, at its core, stands to give defenses a fair shot at matching up correctly against the offense.

“The matchup rule is intended to protect the defense and has worked very well,” McAualy said. “I would strongly sug gest coaches who want to push the envelope should think twice about it. It’s unlikely a rule change would benefit them more than the current process.”

in order to get to where you’re trying to go.”

OSU safety Sean Michael Flanagan was in on the play OSU stopped Thompson in his tracks, changing the momentum in the game. To him, what makes OSU able to stop opponents on fourth down is simple. “Just effort,” Flana gan said. “Having a little bit more grit to stay one more down.”

Mason and the OSU defense has been through the ringer on fourth down already. Against Baylor, Ma son handed the offense the ball on the Bears’ 33-yard line, leading to

a field goal. The next Baylor drive, quarterback Blake Shapen threw a 71yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-five.

Cobb said the experience operating in football’s most exciting play is getting the de fense more comfortable under the pressure.

“I like being tested and that’s kind of the culture here is being in those kind of situations and overcoming it,” Cobb said. “So the more we’re tested, I think the better team we’ll be at the end of the day.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Homecoming and Hoops back in GIA, Waka Flocka Flame performing

Pistols firing blog.

Gabriel Trevino Sports Editor

Last week, Mike Boynton said he was “fairly confident” in the an nual Homecoming and Hoops return ing to Gallagher-Iba Arena this year.

And he was correct.

On Monday, OSU athletics an nounced the yearly showcase for its men’s and women’s basketball teams will return to GIA, after last year the event moved to a basketball court on

fraternity row.

The night will consist of the introduction of this season’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, and the Cowboy wrestling team, to the thousands of OSU fans in the historic venue on the Friday night before the Homecoming football game. From dunk contests to three point shoot outs, fans, and recruits, will get a chance to watch OSU from a different angle. All four of OSU men’s basket ball 2023 commits will be in at tendance, including four-star, No. 1 player in Oklahoma, Brandon Gar rison. Five-star, No. 8 player in the 2024 class and target for Boynton and OSU, David Castillo, will also be in GIA on Friday night, according to

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Red scare...

Continued from 2B

we ended up kicking field goals and they scored touchdowns.”

That day in Fort Worth isn’t the only time the redzone offense has struggled to produce. In the past three games, OSU has kicked eight fields goals inside the red zone.

So what’s going wrong?

Gundy pinned the run ning game as a culprit behind the struggle. Of the three plays attempted before each red-zone field goal against TCU, OSU ran the ball five times for 10 yards. The in ability to rush stagnated the passing game, which ac counted for three incomple tions and a sack on those nine plays.

“Most of what we

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame will perform in GIA during the festivities.

Admission is free. Doors open at 8 p.m., with the event beginning at 9 p.m. Before the Wake Flocka Flame concert, there will be a 15-minute pe riod for families with young children to leave the arena.

“There’s still nothing quite like being in GIA,” Boynton, OSU’s men’s basketball coach, said. “The energy in this building on that night. It’s really as good as it gets everywhere. People come to visit and get to see what it’s like to be here. This place will be ridiculously on fire.”

have to get accomplished on offense is rushing the ball effectively enough to balance who we are,” Gundy said.

“It doesn’t make a difference where we are on the field. If we can rush the ball a little bit better, then we can bal ance up, we can avoid being one-dimensional and it makes us a better team.”

Between the 20-yard lines, the offense found suc cess. Drives of 57 yards in seven plays and 60 yards in four snaps put OSU inside the 20. More than 10 yards per play. Once there, both resulted in field goals against the Horned Frogs.

Against Baylor, OSU resorted to field goals from the one- and nine-yard lines. When working with short fields in the red zone, moving the ball gets tougher.

“It gets a little more serious, and then as the game goes on, you can start to re

ally key in on what teams are doing or what you’re thinking based off your game plan,” cowboy back Braden Cassity said.

Plays in the red zone don’t have as much space to operate with, compacting defenses. When a team can’t run the ball, it allows the defense to emphasize pass de fense. The results is what the Cowboys had on Saturday.

Settling for field goals has kept OSU in close games in past weeks, but it finally caught up to the Cowboys at TCU. To keep this season’s goals alive, the offense has to adopt Gundy’s statement.

Touchdowns, not field goals.

“Everyone’s messing up,” Cassity said. “It’s not one position, and everyone’s messing up. There’s obvious ly things we can clean up.”

Cole Gueldenzoph Mason Cobb said he likes defending fourth downs. To him, that is the most exciting play in football and “When boys become men.”

Abby Cage OSU’s offense has struggled in the red zone, kicking eight field goals in the last three games.

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File photo

Avery Anderson III during Homecoming and Hoops in 2019 at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

3 heroic football moments in OSU history

Orange dye flooded the fountain adjacent to the Edmon Low Library on Sunday evening as members of the OSU Greek life community cheered and roared in excitement.

It signified the start of the week of “Ameri ca’s Greatest Homecom ing.” With homecoming week kicking off in Still water, The O’Colly put together a list of three of OSU’s most heroic and monumental moments in athletic program history.

Tyreek Hill’s punt return for touchdown in 2014 Bedlam victory: It’s a moment that lives in every OSU fan’s hearts for the foreseeable future. The 5-6 Cowboys were in need of a win against their in-state ri val in order to clinch eli gibility for a bowl game. OSU trailed 35-28 with 55 seconds remaining in the contest and was set to get the ball back.

Then, OSU running back Tyreek Hill evaded two Oklahoma defend ers at his own eight-yard line. It was all but set.

After one overtime period, the Cowboys escaped Norman with a

narrow 38-35 win to save its season.

OSU defeats Kan sas on 2015 Homecom ing game:

As festivities were rampant and activities were underway just hours before kickoff, complete horror struck Stillwater.

A car crashed into a crowd watching the annual Oklahoma State homecoming parade, killing four while injur ing 46.

Pre-game, the ma jority of the OSU roster huddled to honor the vic tims of the accident. The performance the Cow boys put on that day was

only fitting to honor the victims, as OSU routed the Jayhawks 58-10.

The 16-13 Game:

The Cowboys entered the 2001 Bed lam game at 3-7 and a 27-point underdog. But OSU stunned the Soon ers 16-13, with Josh Fields and Rashaun Woods connecting for a late touchdown pass.

The Cowboys knocked the Sooners out of the Rose Bowl and be gan an upward trajectory for the program, which continues today.

Monday - Wednesday: 10:00am - 10:00pm

Thursday - Saturday: 10:00am - 11:00pm

N Main St. Stillwater, OK

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Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

File Photo

David Glidden prays prior to the Cowboys game against Kansas on Oct. 24, 2015, in Boone Pickens Stadium.

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

As Kionna Simon walks onto the field at Neal Patterson Sta dium on match days, she glances around the scene and embraces the mo ment.

As she moves toward midfield for the player introductions before every match, a square-shaped pendant can be seen hanging from her neck. When her name is called out, she rubs it as she waves her hands toward the crowd.

It’s a pre-match rit ual that Simon believes brings her closer to her loved ones — something she has held since her freshman year at OSU.

The silver pendant that Simon dons every time she goes onto the soccer field is one that her mother, Cassandra, bought for her not too long before her move-in day.

It reads: “She believed she could, so she did.”

“It’s just a mental thing for me,” Simon said. “As a student athlete, a college athlete, I sometimes struggle to stay mentally put. So, (the necklace) kind of

just reminds me that she’s with me every where I go.”

Two hundred twenty-seven miles separate Simon and her hometown of Denton, Texas. While at first glance, the number may seem rather compact, in hindsight, it’s enough to make the junior defender homesick.

As she watched her parents drive away after moving in, she remem bers looking down at the silver pendant. She held the words it read close to her heart as she looked up and watched her parents’ car fade into the distance.

“I remember the moment it happened it took a while to hit,” Simon said. “But when it did, I felt it. I remem ber not wanting to go to practice on a handful of instances because I wanted mom and I wanted dad. I missed the comfort of going home to them and being around them. So yeah, it took a while for me to get used to it.”

The opportunity to have external opinions on issues regarding life and their athletic careers bodes well for studentathletes’ mental health. Talking about life and easing the stress that comes with it can go a long way between team mates.

“I remember the first day being away

from home (in college),” senior midfielder Grace Yochum said. “It was not it. Nowadays, I’m obviously more mature and I’m able to handle more of the major issues myself but it honestly doesn’t hurt to call my parents and occasionally ask for some advice here and there.”

Simon’s immediate family frequently makes the three-and-a-halfhour drive to Stillwater to watch Simon on match days. Seeing them often gives her an adrenaline boost.

However, the moment they leave, the silver pendant constantly hanging from her neck keeps as a reminder that she is always with them, and they are always with her.

“It’s just a friendly reminder to myself that the intimate people in my life are with me while I’m out on the field,” Simon said. “But it’s just nice to have that support system outside of your team, even if they’re not there with you in person. That’s why I love this necklace so much. My mother isn’t with me physically, but in my mind I know she is when I wear it.”

‘It just felt like home’ How Pineda found her own path at OSU

PJ Tikalsky Staff Reporter

Xcaret Pineda is on her own journey in soccer at OSU.

When it came time to determine the start of that journey, however, the Cowgirl freshman wasn’t sure where to begin. Looking for answers, she turned to family to help guide the way.

“All five of us grew up playing soc cer every day for hours, said Victor Pineda Jr., Xcaret’s eldest brother. “We never thought of it as a job or as a career or anything. It was just like playing video games to us.”

The beautiful game and the Pineda family are nigh-insepa rable from each other.

Whether in the backyard or the base ment of their Boling brook, Illinois, home, pickup games or spon taneous training ses sions are commonplace throughout the year.

“We would al ways train together, playing one-on-ones or two-on-twos,” Xcaret said. “There’s five of us, so we would all play against each other.”

For however many scrimmages they’ve played over the years, each sibling has taken

their own path on to greater things. Guided by family patriarch Vic tor, the Pineda children have succeeded at some of the highest levels of the sport.

Victor Jr. was a player for the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer and now runs a soccer academy in the Greater Chicago area. Her sister, Cindy, played for four years at Notre Dame. Her next-oldest brother, Mauricio, is a centre-back for the Fire after playing for four years at the University of North Carolina.

“I think we each went our own route,” Mauricio said. “My brother signed straight out of high school. I signed out of four years of college. I think X kind of wanted her own journey too.”

Xcaret wanted the best shot at becoming a pro, but knew from con versations with Victor Jr. trying to get a contract would be a tall task.

Signing out of high school with the Fire, Victor Jr. was the franchise’s first home grown contract signing. Started in 2012, the homegrown contract can be given to players who did not participate in the MLS Draft but were part of the club’s youth system instead.

“I think it’s just

a little bit different as well for women and men still,” Victor Jr. said. “That’s something she’s always been aware of, and I think she was very aware that she probably couldn’t take the same path as I did. Luckily for her, she had Cindy and Mauricio to guide her and tell her about col lege and how good of an experience it was.”

Despite her fam ily ties to ACC power houses, such as those in South Bend and Chapel Hill, Xcaret chose Okla homa State. Her siblings understood the choice.

“I obviously sup ported her if she wanted to go to UNC,” Mauricio said, “But I think she kind of wanted to do her own thing, go to her own school and not really be known as ‘someone’s sister at a school.’”

Settling into life in Stillwater and the Cow girl soccer team, the next chapter of Pineda’s journey has begun. As for why she picked OSU?

“It just felt like home to me,” she said. “I really liked the coaching staff and the facilities, and I thought it fit me pretty well. I’m glad that I chose it.”

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Mackenzie Janish

Xcaret Pineda’s family is full of former and current soccer players.

Cole Gueldenzoph

Kionna Simon and her mother share a bracelet that connects the two.

‘She believed she could, so she did’ The piece of jewelry that drives Simon

Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy! Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater

The best selection of beer, wine and li quor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main

“The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University. Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store

815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6 Monday thru Saturday

Business Squares Business Squares Company Coming?

Check out “Cowboy Cabin” 550 steps east of Boone Pickens Stadium

Airbnb.com/h/cowboy-cabin

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (10/21/22). Collaboration brings good fortune this year. Raise peak performance levels with consistent practice. Autumn rains artistic victories before new winter itineraries develop. Pull in a healthy spring harvest together, leading to summer creative changes and adaptations. Share support, strength, sor rows and sweet joys.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most chal lenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Discover fresh energy. Physical activity gets your blood flowing. Connection with nature feeds your spirit. Choose stability over illusion. Avoid risky sections. Step carefully.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Fun comes knocking at your door. Enjoy family and friends. Relax and get playful. Find beauty all around. Whisper sweet nothings to someone attractive.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Take advantage of favorable condi tions for domestic upgrades. Discover an incredible bargain. Give away stuff you no longer need. Make improvements ou’ve been wanting.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Creative explorations could take you in unexpected directions. Adapt around the news. Take advantage of favorable conditions. Make connections. You’re generating interesting buzz.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — The profit potential is high. Don’t spend it all right away. Balance for positive cash flow. Divert a trickle into savings. Develop lucrative projects.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — You know what you want and you know how to get it. As you gain strength, you gain options. Pursue personal pas sion projects.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Get quiet to hear your own thoughts. Listen to intuition and inner wisdom. Notice dreams and symbolism. Introspection and contemplation recharge your batteries.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Social connections delight. Fall into serendipity. One good friend leads to another. Meet someone who opens doors. Have fun with talented and interesting people.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Discover a beneficial surprise or synchronicity at work. Your status is on the rise. Discover savings and efficien cies. Provide excellent services. Someone important is watching.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Investigate the possibilities. An exploration draws you out. Avoid risk or expense. Can you connect virtually?

Develop your thesis. Interview, research and study.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Collaborate to direct funding into shared accounts. Contribute lucrative benefits. Together, you’re building for the future. Share the load and generate rising profits.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Discover something new about your partner. Attractions deepen with common passions. Talk about dreams, wishes and desires. Invent interesting and exciting possibilities together.

ACROSS

on a

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By Alexander Liebeskind

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box

bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve

Malcolm Rodriguez

Clint Chelf