Wednesday by The O'Colly

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Kelly Kerr

Column: Hey freshmen, OSU’s president is new here too. Take notes of how she responded to adversity early on.

Ryan Novozinsky Editor-in-Chief

The first month is always hellacious for OSU freshmen. Most students will scramble around campus after not walking their schedule beforehand –– a handful of whom are going to end up in an organic chemistry lecture when they should be in creative writing. Some forget to call their

parents because their professor already assigns them a dreaded test in the first week. At some point, you’ll probably feel like your new world is overwhelming. As hectic as it seems, keep this in mind: new OSU President Kayse Shrum had a much rougher start when she got here this summer.

Before she even took over, Shrum’s workload was daunting. She had to plan what the school would look like from a COVID restrictions perspective, create a vaccine campaign and further push OSU’s mental health resources to See Freshman on pg.2

Senate OKs infrastructure bill; fate in House tied to bigger budget bill Tribune New Service Months of back-and-forth negotiations, squabbles over pay-fors and Zoom calls culminated in a long-expected, much-delayed Senate vote Tuesday to pass a sweeping bipartisan infrastructure package. The bill passed 69-30, a margin that demonstrated its popularity in the evenly divided chamber. All 50 Democrats voted for final passage, as did 19 Republicans. Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican, did not vote. The legislation includes $550 billion in new spending and reauthorizes highway and water programs, among other provisions. It would inject federal cash into roads, bridges, water systems, broadband, rail and transit, among other things. And, though Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg estimated it’s about two-thirds of what President Joe Biden requested when he proposed his infrastructure package in March, it still represents what he called “a generational investment” in infrastructure. But despite stops and starts over policy issues as granular as transit formula funding, the hard part may just be beginning. John Brighenti/flickr

See Infrastructure on pg.3

Page 2 Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Freshman... Continued from pg.1 students. Not to mention that she also had to move houses and learn the tedious day-to-day aspects of being OSU’s president. It was a lot. Thankfully, it was July, things were quiet on campus and there was no indication that any bombshell stories would throw her off track. Yeah, that lasted less than a month. On July 21, 20 days after Shrum’s first day, the Houston Chronicle reported that Big 12 rivals OU and Texas were looking to leave the conference for the

News SEC. The story quickly developed from hearsay to grim reality and in the blink of an eye, they were gone. The move seemed especially petty since OU –– a school that usually keeps OSU in the loop with things –– did not communicate it at all, blindsiding Shrum and new athletic director Chad Weiberg. This is like the ultra-extreme version of your new OSU friend group ditching you at a party. Did Shrum cower in fear after this because she’s the new leader in town? Not at all. In fact, she pretty much crushed it with her response. “This action was strategic, deliberate and results from months of planning with the SEC,” Shrum said. “These conversations, which developed over a long period, are a

clear breach of the Big 12 Conference bylaws and broke the decadeslong bond of trust between our universities. It is difficult to understand how an Oklahoma institution of higher education would follow the University of Texas to the detriment of the state of Oklahoma.” Shrum’s message showed that she’s not messing around with her time here. She could have easily released a monotone statement saying that “OSU is weighing their options,” but she chose to strike back. She didn’t let a little adversity get in the way of her goals to dominate. And you shouldn’t either. When looking at this year, you should treat every obstacle like Shrum did with this OU-Texas situation. Are you going to have

exhausted days where you don’t feel ferocious enough to do so? Sure –– finals week does exist after all. However, you should always remember that just because you’re new here doesn’t mean you can’t leave an impact. Shoot, just look at Cade Cunningham. The first overall pick of the NBA draft this year was taking freshman seminar class at OSU just a few months ago. Youth does not exclude you from reaching your dreams –– and you can definitely do that at this school. College can be a hard place if you let people walk all over you. But if you act like Shrum did this summer, it won’t happen to you at OSU. news.ed@ocolly.com

News Insurrection... Continued from pg.1 The Senate followed Tuesday’s vote by moving to take up the second part of Biden’s ambitious domestic agenda, a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that will set the guidelines for a reconciliation package that will address everything from Medicare to climate change to immigration policy to universal prekindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds. The success of the reconciliation package, which the Senate is not expected to begin debating until September or later, will determine when the bipartisan bill approved Tuesday hits the House floor. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has vowed not to put the bipartisan infrastructure package on the floor until she can also schedule the reconciliation package, with Biden’s other priorities, before the House as well. Rep. Tom Malinowski,

D-N.J., a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the House Problem Solvers Caucus, predicted both measures would pass. “Basically, we have several planes up in the air, trying to come in for a landing in stormy weather, and we have air traffic controllers — our leadership in the House and the Senate — that are going to bring those planes down,” he said. “I’m not sure what order, or exactly when, but I’m absolutely certain the House will pass this infrastructure bill.” Despite some resistance on the left and right flanks, he said, “I just don’t see anybody who is committed to governing saying no to this bill at the end of the day.” Senators had sought to pass the bipartisan package as early as last Thursday, but were thwarted by Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, a freshman Republican who opposes the bipartisan bill because a Congressional Budget Office score found it will add $256 billion to the deficit over 10 years. Hagerty delayed another opportunity to speed the process on Saturday, insisting that senators take up the

full 30 hours for debate of both a substitute amendment and the overall bill. That insistence initially put the bill on a path to final passage vote shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday, but Senate leadership agreed to delay the vote until the far more tenable hour of 11 a.m. The legislation was negotiated by a bipartisan group of 22 senators led by Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Rob Portman, R-Ohio. Two of the Republicans who had early on been part of the negotiations, Todd Young of Indiana and Jerry Moran of Kansas, announced this week that they would not back the bill. Both are up for reelection next year, and both expressed concern about the bill’s impact on deficits in their statements announcing opposition. In an interview Monday, Buttigieg said the bill will provide a legislative road map for many of the priorities of the Biden administration, including equity and climate change. “I think last year the conversation was largely on, you know what happens if there’s no legislative majority and you just have

to cobble together what you can with administrative action rulemaking,” he said. “Now we find ourselves in a place where we’re in a position to do all of those things, so of course within the department.” As the bill moves to the House, it will likely face pushback from progressive Democrats who want to include things the Senate negotiators did not, and by conservative Republicans, many prodded to oppose it by former President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, hours before the Senate was to vote on the bill, Trump sent out yet another statement urging Republicans not to give his successor in the White House a win. This one focused on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who voted for final passage. “Nobody will ever understand why Mitch McConnell allowed this non-infrastructure bill to be passed,” Trump wrote.

news.ed@ocolly.com

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sports Tumma’s take: Breaking down OSU’s O-line situation

Sudeep Tumma Staff Reporter In this 12-part series, we’ll take an in-depth look at OSU’s QB, RB, WR, CW, O-line, D-line, LB, CB, S, ST, OFF and DEF situations. Each report will break down relevant players’ strengths/weaknesses, what to expect in 2021 and other critical information. 2020 was a textbook example of why an offensive line needs to be a priority for every football team. You can have all the weapons in the world, but it all starts in the trenches. But let’s put it in perspective. After 2019 wrapped up, Oklahoma State’s O-line was one of its biggest assets. Then two months before the 2020 season started, OSU lost starting left tackle Dylan Galloway, who retired because of injuries. Still, the Cowboys were OK, they had talent and experience and a potential plug-and-play option in redshirt freshman Jacob Farrell. Then a month later, Farrell announced he would transfer. To make matters worse, starting right guard Bryce Bray bolted two days later. That’s essentially three starters before the ball is snapped once. Lucky for OSU, offensive line coach Charlie Dickey is widely considered one of the best in the country. Dickey was forced to shuffle guys around and bring their development along quicker, but there figured to be at least some solidarity. There was no need to hit the panic button — yet. Then, less than one half into OSU’s first game against Tulsa, right guard Cole Birmingham and right tackle Hunter Anthony suffered undisclosed injuries. OK, time to panic. The Cowboys lost five O-line starters and starting QB Spencer Sanders, in less than one half of the

first game of the season. Suffice to say, the O-line was at the crux of most of OSU’s offensive struggles. The Cowboys weren’t able to replicate their normally-explosive offenses. Still, there was a silver lining to it all. As the season went on, the Oline looked to come together, with its best game against Texas Tech, which ironically came after after NFL second-round pick Teven Jenkins opted out for the reason of the season. How? The Cowboys finally had continuity up front, five guys practicing together all week long — something they lacked all year long. In

It’s difficult enough to go from left to right guard, but Sills had to go from left guard to left tackle before shifting to right tackle. Sills remains at his best at left guard where uses the strength behind his 6-foot-6, 325-pound frame to push defenders around. With his size, Sills remains an excellent puller who excels in the power run game, which is a part of the OSU offense. His versatility kept this O-line afloat as it suffered — in addition to the initial five — several more injuries throughout the season. We consistently heard OSU coaches describe the situation as “musical chairs.” And it was, but it gave

Chris Becker

2021, they’ll have continuity again. Still, through the struggles of last season, the O-line gained something that couldn’t be replicated. Experience. Jake Springfield and Hunter Woodard, who were likely to be third stringers if OSU didn’t lose five guys, were thrusted into starting roles, responding well. It was a struggle at first, but this O-line started to hit its stride as the season went on. Josh Sills was key last season. A graduate transfer from West Virginia was instrumental when asked to play all over the O-line, which isn’t an easy task.

way to young guys to step in and gain valuable experience. Redshirt sophomore Preston Wilson made some spot starts. Birmingham and Anthony came back and played meaningful snaps in OSU’s Cheez-It Bowl victory over Miami. Birmingham actually started that game at left guard. The Cowboys lose two valuable linemen in Jenkins and starting center Ry Schneider, but they get reinforcements again through the transfer portal. Miami (OH) transfer Danny Godlevske, who earned three AllMAC honors, looks to slide right into Schenider’s starting center spot. He

doesn’t possess elite physical traits at 6-foot-2, 300-pounds, but he’s an intelligent lineman who is reliable in pass and run blocking. Then there’s JUCO transfer Caleb Etienne. The mammoth-sized 6-8, 350-pound lineman is physically imposing (like really imposing). With his size, Sanders said Etienne is still athletic and agile — a scary combination. Etienne will be a treat for Dickey to work with. So the TLDR: there are questions, albeit good questions, surrounding this O-line. Will Anthony recapture his starting right tackle spot? Will Birmingham do the same at right guard? Can Etienne get his conditioning right and be the starting left tackle? But this isn’t the same scenario OSU faced in 2020 when the O-line was running on life support. Dickey has a crop of talented guys who have picked up valuable experience and are better for it. And that’s the key to it all. I said before last season started, “OSU should be so glad to have Charlie Dickey.” While the linemen you have are important, a smart offensive line coach pays major dividends. An Oline isn’t just about how many 6-6, 325-pound guys you have. It’s about continuity, communication, calling out blitzes, etc. The proof is in the pudding. OSU lost one of the best tackles in the country in Jenkins, and its O-line has its best game of the season. That math doesn’t add up. But it happened because it had a group that practiced together all week long and was able to maintain that continuity. Again, a coach can’t magically solve all issues, as we saw last year, but Dickey put the O-line in a position to succeed. We saw how this unit operated in 2019 (Dickey’s first year), as running back Chuba Hubbard blazed to an FBS-best 2,094 rushing yards. 2020 was a rough year for the unit up front, but the silver lining couldn’t shine any brighter. sports.ed@ocolly.com

sports

2021 Big 12 preview: Kansas State Chris Becker Assistant Sports Editor The consistent underdog of the conference could be poised to once again surprise the country. Kansas State was picked to finish seventh in the 2021 Big 12 preseason media poll, but are in a position to rise above the expectations, especially with the return of not one but two starting quarterbacks. “Quarterback oftentimes is a position that you either have one or you have none, and we have at least two and some other kids that potentially have a chance,” coach Chris Klieman said. The Wildcats return sixthyear senior Skylar Thompson, who will most likely begin the season as the starter. Sophomore Will Howard will also look to head the offense. Both quarterbacks are more than capable of leading the Wildcats through their challenging schedule. Thompson knows the ins and outs of what it takes to win games in the Big 12, being around the conference for five full seasons and starting 30 starts in 39 total appearances. In his career Thompson has thrown for 5,021 yards and 30 touchdowns, he’s also ran for 1,083 yards and 22 touchdowns. However, he is coming off of an undisclosed upper-body injury, which ended his 2020 campaign after three games. The Wildcat’s offense also has one of the best running backs in the Big 12, if not the country, in Deuce Vaughn. Vaughn was the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2020 after rushing for 642 yards and seven touchdowns. Vaughn’s size was a reason for his under

Courtesy of Kansas State

recruitment, but in 2020 he showed his ability to breakout in a big time conference. The issues reside on the defensive side of the ball, which is normally a strong suit for Kansas State. The Wildcats lost Wyatt Heubert, the team’s leader from the defensive end position. They have pieces around the field, but Heubert leaves big shoes to fill in Manhattan. The Wildcats will have to be on top of their game, and early in the season starting with a neutral site game against Stanford. The schedule doesn’t get easier from there, their conference schedule begins with Oklahoma State, Okla-

Coach: Chris Klieman (Third season) X-Factor: Skylar Thompson homa and then Iowa State. Kansas State has been given an over/under win total of 5.5 wins per VegasInsider. A difficult schedule and some question marks on both sides of the ball, especially on defense could be

Key Players: Deuce Vaughn- Running back Phillip Brooks- Wide receiver Jahron McPherson- Defensive back the difference between a bowl game for the Wildcats or another losing season in Manhattan, Kansas.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6 Wednesday, August 11, 2021

sports

Kelly Kerr

Conference realignment a hot topic for Shrum, Weiberg during OKC alumni event Chris Becker Assistant Sports Editor

A crowd of alumni and donors from the Metro-OKC Oklahoma State alumni chapter gathered in the new OSU Discovery building in downtown Oklahoma City. The crowd was a part of A Night With OSU put on by the OSU

Alumni Association and was joined by speakers from the school. The speakers were associate athletic director/ development Larry Reece, athletic director Chad Weiberg, president Dr. Kayse Shrum and football coach Mike Gundy. The biggest question for Weiberg and Shrum was the future of OSU and the Big 12, and they didn’t hold back on their feelings on where the athletic department stands heading into the unknown. “We’re here and we’re not going anywhere,” Weiberg said. When the news first hit social media and the public eye Shrum released multiple strong-worded statements directed toward Oklahoma

and its counterpart Texas. Shrum said she strongly believes in what she said, and is glad she said it. “I’m happy to do it, and I meant every word I said,” Shrum said. The duo of Shrum and Weiberg continued to be unrelenting toward their displeasure with their in-state academic and athletic counterparts, and their decisions. They also used the time to push the resume of the school both academically and athletically. “We’ve got 52 national championships across all sports. We are the leader in the Big 12. We would go into three of the four other (Power 5) conferences,” Weiberg said.

Despite not going into specifics and naming other conferences, which didn’t happen with the only the Big 12 mentioned by name, they did say they’ll continue to monitor the situation, but not begin to worry about the unknown. “Control the things you can control. There’s going to be things that happen on the field, the court or the mat that you aren’t expecting, just control the things you can control,” Weiberg said. “That’s what we’re going to do. “Let people know we’re here and we’re not going anywhere.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

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Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes

Level 1

Today’s Birthday (08/11/21). Love and partnership blossom this year. Strategize and coordinate for shared growth. Prioritize health and vitality. Social reconnection lights up the summer, before professional changes require autumn adaptation. Romance and passion inspire winter creativity leading to springtime career breakthroughs. Together you’re unbeatable. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. grow stronger with practice. For three weeks, with Mercury in Virgo, work gets more interesting. Put your heart into it. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Energize creative projects. For several weeks, with Mercury in Virgo, it’s easier to express your affection, feelings and passions. Make bold declarations. Share your love. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Put your love into your home over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Virgo. Decorate, beautify and add ambiance. Music and lighting work wonders. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Creative communications thrive and liant. Talk about subjects near to your heart.

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Page 8 Wednesday, August 11, 2021

RUNNING TO WIN! “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run...Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games (athletics) goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No. I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (I Co. 9:2427 NIV)

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The Apostle said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim.4:78) Therefore a crown of righteousness will be given to him at that final judgment. Yet, not only to him but to all who long for Christ’s coming.

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