2015 bedlam by Stillwater News Press

B E D L A M 2015

Nov. 28 | Boone Pickens Stadium

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2014 loss triggered changes for Sooners Norman Transcript

This year’s Oklahoma Sooners squad looks very different than the one that lost to Oklahoma State last year. New offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid Offense, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, is lighting up scoreboards, while the Sooners have been stiffer on defense than in years past.

By John Shinn

viewed as the low point in the disappointing season and the trigger for some the klahoma found itself biggest coaching staff and philosophical changes durin a difficult spot on Dec. 6, 2014. A seaing OU coach Bob Stoops’ son that began with national tenure. championship hopes had alOU was disjointed by the ready crumbled. The weight time the 2014 Bedlam game of injuries, inexperience and rolled around. The offense indecision had placed three the Sooners displayed at losses on the record before the end of 2013, when Oklahoma State arrived at everything seemed bright Owen Field. after closing the season Still, it seemed unlikely with a Sugar Bowl victory that it could sink so far as against Alabama, was in to lose to an Oklahoma shambles. State team that had lost five Trevor Knight had an straight games before the injured neck, leaving Cody 2014 Bedlam game. The Thomas as the starting Cowboys still needed a win quarterback his third to get bowl eligible. straight game. Sterling The Sooners’ collapse in Shepard, the only receiver the final eight minutes of he presented an everythe 38-35 overtime loss is game threat, was hampered Transcript Staff Writer

by a groin injury. Moving the ball was down to a pitch or handoff to then-freshman running back Samaje Perine. He limped off the field in the third quarter. The Sooners’ defense was in shambles. The secondary was habitually confused or physically overwhelmed one-on-one situations. Everyone remembers Stoops’ decision to re-punt to Oklahoma State’s Tyreek Hill as the biggest gamedecision blunder of OU’s career. But recall the situation OU would’ve been in. The defense was leaking. Could the Sooners have kept Oklahoma State out of the end zone from 85 yards out and a little over a minute

to go? “You take stock any time you lose but in the end I am aware of where our stock is,” Stoops said following the loss. The ax didn’t fall until after the 40-6 loss to Clemson in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The momentum for the changes were in full force after last season’s Bedlam loss. OU went about solving the problems it couldn’t overcome against Oklahoma State. Stoops hired Lincoln Riley to bring balance back to the offense and rebuild the passing game. Baker Mayfield won the quarterback job. Receivers developed in the up-tempo offense Riley installed. Stoops altered the defen-

sive staff. When longtime defensive assistant Bobby Jack Wright retired following the season, he brought in Kerry Cooks to coach the entire secondary. The days of safeties and cornerbacks meeting in separate meeting rooms were done. Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops moved to the press box to give him a better view of the entire defense and streamline communication. All the moves paid off. Statistically, this is the Sooners’ most potent offense since they set NCAA records in 2008. Defensively, the Sooners have consistently been atop the Big 12 Conference in nearly every statistical category this season and consistently been a top 20 unit — a rare feat

for a team forced defending Big 12 offenses eight times a season. “All of it together, there’s been an improvement there in communication and fundamentals and execution,” Stoops said. Perhaps that would have happened if OU had held on and beat Oklahoma State last season. But there’s no doubt that as Stoops walked through a massive Oklahoma State celebration at Owen Field 51 weeks ago, he knew the status quo wasn’t good enough. The win invigorated the Cowboys, for sure. The loss spurred on the Sooners, too. They’re a different team because of it.

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How Miles got under Stoops’ skin Norman Transcript

OU head coach Bob Stoops runs onto the field at a game earlier this year. Bedlam is always an interesting matchup, but when Les Miles led the Cowboys, there was extra flair.

By Clay Horning

Transcript Sports Editor

robably, more than one football coach has gotten under Bob Stoops’

skin. He’s been coaching since his playing days ended and he’s been a head coach since arriving in Norman before the 1999 season. He can’t get along with everybody, right? Maybe not, and still, only one coach has so clearly gotten under Stoops’ skin publicly. Les Miles. The LSU coach became Bob Simmons’ offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State in 1995 and after leaving to become an NFL assistant in Dallas for three

seasons, he returned to Stillwater in time for the 2001 season, succeeding Simmons. At OSU, Miles wasn’t immediately successful, going 4-7 his first season, yet with one notable exception. One of those four wins was the Bedlam game, derailing Oklahoma’s quest to win consecutive national championships. Then, the next season, 2002, one Miles’ eight wins included a stunning Bedlam victory, even in Norman, again derailing Sooner national championship hopes. And, every once in a while, Miles would open his mouth seemingly with the intention of rallying the Poke faithful, infuriating the Sooner Nation and their

coach or both. A week before the 2003 Bedlam game, Miles said, “They’re the best team in college football, we’re told.” And, though it’s not exactly what he said, Miles was quoted, nationwide, as having said, “… or so we’re told.” Stoops didn’t like it. So there was that. Also, there was this. “Saturday, two teams are going to play,” Miles said. “One is maybe the best team in college football and the other is a darn good football team and we’re going to find out which is which.” Oh, by the way, entering that game, OSU was ranked No. 14 and had lost once, at Nebraska, while OU was

unbeaten and ranked No. 1. It seemed like another slight. Then there’s the way Miles simply carries himself. It’s not like he’s become a less colorful, quotable and interesting coach since leaving Stillwater for Baton Rouge. Clearly, he might have looked and sounded a little cocky after stunning the Sooners in successive seasons. Well, Stoops would never admit to anything bother him … until the Sooners beat the Cowboys for the first time in three seasons 52-9 Nov. 1 at Owen Field, when Stoops finally made it clear how much he’d been bothered. “If we beat whoever,” Stoops said, “if we beat

Oklahoma State or whoever else, and they’re sitting there in a championship game, you’re not going to hear a peep out of me.” With that, maybe 20 minutes after OU had finally won Bedlam again, the dam broke. “The same thing,” Stoops said, “if we beat Texas and they end up in a championship game, you will not hear me say one word about anybody, about a champion.” He was asked if, in retrospect, he was surprised to hear such pre-game peeps out of the O-State camp.” “Yeah … but that’s OK,” Stoops said. “It’s just dialogue.” And it was the way he said “dialogue,” like he was spitting it out of his mouth,

like he was cursing. Before the post-game interview session was over, Stoops was asked about their postgame handshake, what did Miles say to him before departure? “I think he said, ‘I guess we found out who the No. 1 team (was) or something,” Stoops said. “I just heard part of it and I was halfway gone.” That must have felt good, right? “I don’t need him,” Stoops said, “to tell me what we are.” It was classic, classic stuff. Also, it was a long time ago. But Miles and Stoops are still coaching and still winning. Perhaps they’ll meet again.

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No bye week provides recruiting edge By John McKelvey

back,” Scout.com Director of Recruiting Brandon Huffman said. “That really seems to be that last week n the world of college in December before the football recruiting any holidays hit, to make that advantage can be huge. impression on a kids that That’s why Oklahoma and Oklahoma State moved are going to announce at the All-American games, or up their contest from last for the guys who are going year’s December date to to sign in mid-December this year’s late November as early enrollees. That ship kickoff. has sailed by the time you It gives the Bedlam get to January.” coaches an extra week to The dead period is spend entirely on recruitexactly as what it sounds ing, allowing them to gain advantage over anyone who like. Programs can’t contact recruits from Dec. 14, is game planning for an 2015 to Jan. 13, 2016. So opponent. coaches hustle to make it “Especially because the so they can get in a last NCAA tightened the dead word before a recruit takes period and took a couple the holidays to think about of extra weekends out, now it gives them a crucial their decision. The Under Armor Allweekend in December Transcript Sports Writer

“Obviously it’s a trade off. Do you want to play for the conference championship or do you want to be out recruiting? But the good schools like to do a little bit of both. So it definitely gives (Big 12 schools) that advantage.”

signing day for football recruits, but by that time, recruits have already made their visits. “You really don’t have a chance to host guys in February,” Powers said. “You have, depending on how the calendar falls, four or Brandon Huffman, five weekends from January Scout.com Director of Recruiting to signing day. That’s the key time now, because a two weeks of December American Game is on Jan. lot of coaches are focusbecause it will go quiet, and ing in on getting wins on 2, and U.S. Army AllAmerican Bowl takes place if you’re the last visit before the field instead of putting it goes quiet, that gives the all of their attention into Jan. 9, 2016. prospect a lot of time to In recent years recruits recruiting.” think about your school,” have shifted towards Because of Bedlam’s Scout.com Midlands making their decision at earlier scheduling, the Football Recruiting Analyst Cowboys and Sooners will that time, making the first Greg Powers said. weeks of December that have an extra weekend in Still, the decision of much more important. December to get a jump on which program to sign “It’s also important to that. host as many guys on cam- with comes down to Feb. Really the Big 12, as a 3, 2016. That’s national pus as possible those first whole, would seemingly

have a similar advantage though, not having a conference title game. But having the ability to play in that game can also be an advantage as the programs can use that achievement as a recruiting pitch. “Typically the schools that recruit the best are going to be schools that are playing in their conference championship games,” Huffman said. “Obviously it’s a trade off. Do you want to play for the conference championship or do you want to be out recruiting? But the good schools like to do a little bit of both. So it definitely gives (Big 12 schools) that advantage and gives them that time period where other conferences may have teams tied up.”

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A house divided: Bedlam in the home

in households across the state every fall when the Sooners and Cowboys meet on the field. Crimson and orange In Vonnie Clark’s housedon’t mix. Like water and oil, they repel one another. hold, it’s an even split. She’s an OU fan. Her husband is Most fans are happy to an OSU fan. Her oldest son keep to their designated collegiate cliques, but there and daughter side with the Sooners and her youngest are houses where Sooner sons, current OSU attendfaithful and Cowboy devotees coexist. If cats and ees, obviously side with the dogs can live together, then Cowboys. “My oldest son is exeven OU and OSU fans can treme,” she said. “His first do it. For 364 days out of child’s room is done in OU the year, civility (usually) and he’s 4. It’s so bad that reigns. his wife now makes him go But once a year Bedlam to the sports bar to watch football loosens the ties the game, because the that bind. Lines are drawn in the sand and the surface- 4-year-old is now imitatlevel truce vanishes like the ing him, which is not good. He’s a minister for kids for mirage it is. What’s left is his church. The only time a house divided. A microhe ever gets a little outside cosm of Bedlam itself. The the line is watching OU OU-OSU rivalry plays out By Mack Burke

Transcript Staff Writer

the

games.” She said her youngest boys always liked OU growing up, but when it came time to go to college, their degree path took them to Stillwater. Now they’re big time OSU fans. Clark said that doesn’t stop them from rooting for OU on occasion. “Now they like for OU to do well unless they’re playing OSU. My oldest doesn’t like OSU to dp well at all. When it comes to Bedlam though, they’re completely split … That’s kind of how it works at our house.” Clark’s divided household is now divided in a geographic sense, as well. All of her children are spread out to the point that

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Norman Transcript

The fact that Bedlam sometimes divides families right down the middle on game day is exemplified through Cale and Mike Gundy. Cale, a former OU quarterack, is an assistant coach at OU, while Mike is the head coach of Oklahoma State.

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House:

but I’m kind of in the middle now since the boys started going to OSU,” Clark said. “I always like them Continued from previous page both to do well, because they’re from Oklahoma, but the family tradition of a smack-talking good time is I always lean toward OU. harder to pull together. But But now that OSU is ranked No. 5 I kind of would hate when the stars align, they find themselves back home to see them knocked off.” Normanite Jared Gomez eagerly anticipating victory said that even though him and defeat. This is one of and his friends don’t live those years. “Of course the OSU boys in the same house it feels like it on game days. His are always buying OSU friend Cameron Davis said shirts for the oldest’s kids and he won’t even let them despite his OSU allegiance he’s always felt welcome in wear orange. His son hates Norman. the color orange on top “I’m the kind of fan that of that,” Clark said. “It is a roots on the Sooners all pretty gross color. I don’t but one day off the year. care for it.” Bedlam,” Davis said. Despite her affinity for A house divided can’t OU, Clark said this year stand for long, but it can has been different. She has started to gravitate towards probably make it through Oklahoma State. Her mind one day. There’s only one Bedlam rivalry and someis starting to mirror the characteristic nature of her times it can blur the lines household, at least for now. between family, friends and “I’m usually an OU fan, subtle-24-hour-enemies.

Norman Transcript

Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Sooners’ game against OSU at Owen Field Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014. Perine should be one of the focal points of the OU attack on Nov. 28, but the Sooners will have plenty of other offensive weapons as well.

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Recent history filled with wild finishes

Norman Transcript

Bedlam has taken on new life recently, with Oklahoma State frequently making prolonged forays into the Top 25 and Oklahoma both losing and winning upsets. Two of the previous three Bedlam games have been overtime games, and the third, in 2013, was about as exciting as they come. Fans on both sides of the ball have seen plenty of talent in recent years as well, including current NFL players Brandon Weeden (above) and DeMarco Murray. By John Shinn

Transcript Sports Writer

f you’ve given up on the last three Bedlam games with two minutes left, here’s what you’ve missed: overtime-forcing touchdowns in 2012 and 2014. In 2013, the lead changed hands twice with less than two minutes to go. The recent history between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State shows it ain’t over until it’s over. There were classic games in this century rivalry. But the last three games have gone over the top regarding the joy of victory/agony of

defeat. The string began in 2012 when Bedlam produced one of the most competitive shootouts in its history. Landry Jones threw for over 500 yards, but the Sooners never led in regulation. It took Blake Bell’s gametying touchdown run with 4 seconds left and Brennan Clay’s 17-yard touchdown run to give the Sooners a 51-48 victory at Owen Field. Back then, Bell was the Sooners’ short-yardage quarterback. A year later he was the third quarterback OU used in a 33-24 victory at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Don’t be fooled by the nine-point margin of victory. The Sooners last 13 points came in the final 19 seconds. The Cowboys took a fourpoint lead on Desmond Roland’s 1-yard touchdown run with 1 minute, 46 seconds to play. That looked like it. Bell was at quarterback because starter Trevor Knight suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Backup Kendal Thompson was benched after an ineffective third quarter. OU stayed in the game due to a fake field-goal touchdown from kicker Mi-

chael Hunnicutt and Jalen Saunders’ 64-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter. Bell led an eight-play, 66-yard, 87-second drive that was capped by a 7-yard game-winning toss to Saunders with 19 seconds left. The last six points came when Eric Striker recovered an OSU fumble in the end zone on the game’s final play. The partisan capacity crowd that braved frigid temperatures left stunned. A year later, it was Oklahoma fans leaving their stadium dismayed over what occurred in the final seconds.

Ask Bob Stoops if there’s one in-game decision he’d like to have back. It would be the decision to re-punt to Oklahoma State’s Tyreek Hill with less than a minute to play in 2014 takes the top spot. Hill’s 91-yard kickoff return up Owen Field’s east sideline might be the second most famous punt return by a Sooner opponent, lagging on behind Nebraska’s Johnny Rogers in the 1971 Game of the Century. The Cowboys rallied from a 14-point deficit with 7:54 to play to win that one 3835 in overtime. Even then, it

was OU’s special teams that collapsed. Hunnicutt missed a 44-yard field goal attempt on the Sooners’ opening overtime possession. The Cowboys’ Ben Grogan booted a 21-yarder through the uprights to seal the victory. What happens this year is anyone’s guess. But leaving Pickens Stadium before the final whistle, wandering away from a television or the failure to at least have a mobile device handy means you’re likely to miss something that will could be etched in Bedlam lore for years to come.

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As far as rivalries go, OU v. Neb. shined By John McKelvey

Transcript Sports Writer

t’s been close to five years since Oklahoma played Nebraska — and it’s just six years until they play again — but it’s already felt like a lifetime for Sooner fans. The two programs were titans in the old Big Eight conference. The clashes were memorable and even though there were stretches where one side dominated, every edition on Thanksgiving day felt memorable. But that’s gone now. “What happened, the leagues and the consolidation is what did that,” former Sooners coach Barry Switzer said. “When Nebraska left, we lost one

of the greatest rivalries in college football — Nebraska-Oklahoma on Thanksgiving Day.” The Cornhuskers’ move to the Big Ten has ushered in other rivalries, though they don’t have as much of a storied history. There’s a case to be made that Oklahoma State has the potential to replace that rivalry. The OSU football program has experienced steady improvement throughout the last decade. Cowboys coach Mike Gundy has guided it to 10 straight bowl games, won the program’s first big 12 title in 2011 and has had double digit wins in three of the last five years. Last year’s instant classic

included a punt return for the go-ahead touchdown by Tyreek Hill just added more fervor to an already intense in-state rivalry. But there were some really special moments in the OU-Nebraska series. “I remember very distinctly when I went up to the University of Nebraska when we played them that first year, right before we kicked off, Coach Gibbs brought all the linebackers together and he had his Big Eight championship ring on,” former OU linebacker Brian Bosworth said. “He said, If you want one of these, you have to believe in this moment that you deserve one of these. We

Norman Transcript

Bedlam has gained some luster over the past decade or so, but OU vs. Nebraska was an annual clash of the titans many OU legends, including Barry Switzer and Brian Bosworth, miss seeing.

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OU/NEB:

Norman Transcript

Oklahoma and Nebraska are slated to meet again in six years. For many, it’s been too long since the old Big Eight foes clashed on the gridiron.

come here that specifically want to play against the University of Texas,” Bosworth said. “I came Continued from previous page here for that reason, just so I could walk down that weren’t favored in that Cotton Bowl ramp and game, but we ended up feel that visceral feeling of, having a goal line stand Man, we’re in it. We’re in and it was a tough game. the ring of terror. But we’re “We were in their backyard, and I had never been in control of it. It’s something special. And during in a stadium that loud. those years we had so We couldn’t even hear much confidence because ourselves make calls and checks at the line of scrim- we listened to what the mage. It was that loud. But coaches told us and taught us. We understood we we just bought into it. We were in control. Yes, it was knew all the work we’d going to be chaos, but just done collectively.” stay with the game plan.” Of course, those moSo that begs the quesments still happen every year for OU, against Texas tion: does a team need to be good for there to be a at the Cotton Bowl. Curgreat rivalry? Or does the rent and former players history and setting carry feel that game brings out more weight? OU domithe best in both players. nated Nebraska in the 70s. It was that same way with The two programs pretty Nebraska. Bosworth feels much split the 80s before those moments are irreNebraska took control in placeable. the 90s. “There are guys that

11 Since Bob Stoops took over at OU, the Sooners have returned to dominance. But that game still stayed relevant regardless of the scores. With TCU and Baylor starting to have consistent success, the top tier of the Big 12 has become larger, meaning a rivalry game against Texas or Oklahoma State won’t have the impact in the standings. That might make it more difficult for OSU to become the rival Nebraska once was. “We knew if we were good enough to beat Texas we were, maybe, good enough to beat Nebraska,” Switzer said. “Then we could go to the Orange Bowl and probably play the best team in the country because they did a great job of attracting the best team that wasn’t a conference champion. It was a neat era. It’s a different deal today.”

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Bedlam trivia

Norman Transcript

Steve Owens, shown here as a member of the Detroit Lions, was one of many legends who have competed in Bedlam games throughout the rivalry’s long history. By Clay Horning

one of those times. From 1964 to 1969 — six games — two were Oklahoma State victories t’s a lopsided history, the Bedlam Series, with and three were one-point Oklahoma owning an 87- games, the only one-point 18-7 advantage. games in the history of the Absolutely a case can be series. made that it’s never been Perhaps you remember more competitive than it them. Perhaps you were is now. Oklahoma State not yet born. Perhaps prevailed last season in you’ve been waiting to be overtime, two years after schooled in the history of the Sooners prevailed in the Bedlam rivalry. overtime. If the latter applies, enjoy. That and the 2013 game, Here are those games, when Blake Bell, OU’s maybe with some tidbits third quarterback that day, you never knew or have in frigid conditions, led a forgotten. last-minute game winning drive in Stillwater, has been • 1965: OSU 17, OU 16 called the best of the entire This might have been series according to former the most glorious day in Transcript sports editor the history of the series Berry Tramel. for OSU, if only because it Still, it’s not like it hasn’t ended the longest Sooner been a competitive series winning streak in the hisat other times, too, and the tory of the series: 19 games latter half of the 1960s was (going back to a 47-0 Transcript Sports Editor

drubbing OSU handed OU in Norman in 1945; one season after OSU beat the Sooners 28-6 in, of all places, Oklahoma City; there really no end to Bedlam trivia). OSU forged the final score on a 35-yard field goal from Charley Durkee with 1:41 remaining. And Durkee did it just two minutes and change after Ron Shotts — more on him later, from the 1966 game — put OU up 16-14 with a 27-yard field goal. However, Shotts, who ran for 163 yards on 28 carries, missed wide from 41 yards with 6 seconds remaining. According to the Oklahoman, not only did legendary OSU basketball coach Henry Iba make it to the locker room to congratuContinued on next page

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Bobby Warmack “faded to pass and had to toss to safety-valve Shotts at the • 1966: OSU 15, OU 14 10,” from which, Shotts Back when Oklahomans Continued from previous page used to elect Democrats reached only the 2. Probably, Shotts wasn’t to be their governor even late the Pokes, so too did blamed for failing to net more frequently than they Arkansas football coach the two points on a rare elect Republicans these Frank Broyles, who must reception, but for failing to days, a joke during the not have had a game that get a single yard on three 1978 gubernatorial camDec. 4 Saturday, as well as, different shots from the paign, when Ron Shotts of all people, OU president and George Nigh were both 1-yard line earlier in the George Lynn Cross. aiming to take over for the fourth quarter when OSU Durkee, by the way, enmight have mounted the outgoing David Boren — joyed a football life beyond yes, that David Boren, same Bedlam Series’ greatest Oklahoma State, kicking goal-line stand. Or maybe guy — a common guffaw four years in the NFL, all they were still blaming him was that maybe Shotts for the New Orleans Saints might make a fine goverfor missing from 41 yards beginning in 1967 and in the ’65 game. nor, but he still lost the ending in 1972. Durkee More on Shotts, he was a Bedlam game. was not in the NFL in 1969 young state legislator from Well, the truth is, Shotts and 1970, making him the Moore, when only 12 years carried 39 times for 149 answer to a crazy trivia yards. He scored both OU’s after failing to get reach question touchdowns, including one the end zone, he tried to Who kicked for the become the very young that might have tied the Saints before and after Tom game with 1:29 remaingovernor of the state. Dempsey, the guy whose In 1989, “working in the ing had Sooner coach Jim 63-yard field goal against restaurant and oil busiMackenzie opted to go for Detroit in 1970, has still nesses,” according to the the tie. not been bettered 45 years Tulsa World, while also However, as reported in the Transcript, quarterback serving on the Oklahoma later? Durkee.

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Horse Racing Commission, Shotts was tabbed to become the director of Horse Racing for Fair Meadows Race Track, in Tulsa. He remained in the position until his 2014 retirement. • 1969: OU 28, OSU 27 Oklahoma lost four times in 1969. Also, Steve Owens won the Heisman Trophy, which should have ended all conjecture about the statue being a “team award” as OU tried to claim the year Josh Heupel lost to Florida State’s Chris Weinke. Anyway, Owens ran for 261 yards that day on a stupefying 55 carries. Also amazing, quarterback Jack Mildren ran 19 times and threw 12 times. Add up the snaps and OU must have possessed the ball the entire game. Still, in front of 38,200, OU prevailed at Lewis Field, the Sooners won very

much the same way they had lost in 1966. OU scored its final touchdown when Mildren running 34 yards around the left side with 13:56 remaining. OSU, however, might have tied it with 1:15 remaining when Hermann Eben caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Cowboys quarterback Bob Cutburth. Instead, the Pokes went for two and failed when Albert Qualls sacked Cutburth. • A little bit about the characters: Owens had actually already picked up the Heisman Trophy before the game. “I tried to play like a Heisman Trophy winner and I think I did,” he told The Transcript. Mildren, like Owens, had an NFL career, playing two years with the Balti-

“I tried to play like a Heisman Trophy winner and I think I did.”

Steve Owens,

On his 1969 Bedlam performance more Colts and one with the New England Patriots, where he played safety rather than quarterback. He also had a political career and was elected lieutenant governor of the state in 1990. A Democrat, he lost the 1994 governor’s race to Frank Keating. He died of stomach cancer in 2008. Cutburth died of brain cancer in 2009. He was a 1970 draft pick of the Chicago Bears. Though he never played in the league, he coached the game at OSU and SMU.

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A Bedlam to remember By Caleb Slinkard

injury. A 17-7 win over No. 1 Nebraska had the Sooners within striking distance of edlam games in recent the national title. history have been The 1984 Sooners were captivating: OSU’s loaded with talent, espeovertime victory last year in cially on defense, led by Norman, OU’s upset of the All-American defensive Cowboys in 2013 thanks lineman Tony Casillas, to Blake Bell, and the 2012 freshman linebacker Brain overtime battle that saw the Bosworth and defensive Sooners edge Oklahoma back Gary Lowell. State 51-48. The Cowboys had plenty But for Barry Switzer, the of talent themselves, with most significant game in running back Thurman Bedlam history occurred in Thomas leading the way 1984. on offense and defensive “The winner of that game lineman Leslie O’Neal goes on to the Orange anchoring a defense that Bowl, and then the National hadn’t allowed more than Championship,” he said. 17 points all season. Their “That had to be the most only loss was to mighty Nesignificant one. We were braska, and, at No. 3, they ranked second, they were were ranked higher than third.” had ever been before going Oklahoma was 8-1-1 into Bedlam. at the time. The 15-15 The game itself was tie came at the hands the relatively straightforward. Longhorns, thanks to a The Sooners took an early missed call by officials who 7-0 lead, thanks to a 7-yard ruled an OU interception in touchdown pass from Bradthe end zone an incompleley to TE Keith Jackson. tion. However, late in the first The Sooners only loss half, the Cowboys were up to that point was to the driving in Sooner territory lowly Kansas Jayhawks, when running back Thurdue in large part to missing man Thomas appeared to their starting quarterback be stopped just in front of the goal line. Danny Bradley due to Transcript Editor

With the clock winding down, the referees decided stop the clock, and give OSU a chance to run one more play. “The most memorable play was that play, right there,” Switzer said. “Obviously, that made me mad. They stopped the clock, but [Thomas] had been tackled. The clock ought to have been running.” Quarterback Rusty Hilger connected with Jamie Harris for the touchdown, and the score was knotted at 7 apiece going into halftime. Early in the second half, Hilger hit Malcom Lewis on a 77-yard pass to give OSU the 14-7 lead, but it was all OU the rest of the way, as the Sooners bruised their way past the Cowboys for the 24-14 victory. OU went on to play Washington in the Orange Ball, losing to the Huskies 28-17 and being knocked out of the national championship game. The ’84 game was sandwiched by two other memorable Bedlams. In 1983, OU went to Stillwater and defeated Oklahoma State 21-20. “That was the Keystone

Cops game,” Switzer said. “We gave them every opportunity to win that game. Then we come back and kick an onside kick, it ricochets off of [Chris Rockins’] head, we catch it on a dead run. Six second left, we kick a field goal to win the game… that was a crazy one.” In 1985, en route to Switzer’s third national championship, OU played in what many call “The Ice Bowl.” “All-time, worst conditions we every played in,” Switzer said. “That wasn’t a football field, it was a skating rink. This year’s game won’t be played on ice, hopefully, but it will feature two teams that are contenders in the Big 12. Regardless of OU and OSU’s records going into Bedlam, it’s going to significantly impact how their respective fans view their team’s success this year. “I think it will be a heck of a football game,” Switzer said. “OSU has gotten tougher of late. They’ve been able to recruit more, and they never got players Norman Transcript out Texas then like they Barry Switzer only lost one Bedlam game during his 15 years do now. Today, you have a as head coach of Oklahoma. For him, the most significant larger talent pool and less game in the rivalry’s history was in 1984. scholarships to offer.”

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2015 BE D LAM

Norman Transcript

Oklahoma receiver Locoltran Bester pushes past an OSU defender after catching a pass during the 2013 Bedlam game. While some consider the 2013 contest, or other recent matchups, the highlight of the rivalryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, Barry Switzer said the most significant game occurred in 1984.

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2015 BE D L AM

84 wins-18 losses-7 ties: OU rules Bedlam

the Yankees are to baseball. Revered by the masses, hated by the envious, OU is a timeless institution. The Cowboys are like the Cubs. But while the Cubs are lovable losers, Editor’s note: Each year, the OU and UT the Cowboys are just losers. student papers publish columns in preparaThe Sooners have 44 conference titles, tion for the Red River Showdown. This year, seven national titles, five Heisman Trophy the Transcript and News Press decided to participate in that kind of debate by publish- winners and a pedigree that garners them top-10 consideration even in undeserving ing dueling columns in our annual Bedlam years. tab. The OSU column can be found on Page The game needs the Sooners. It doesn’t 19 of the other side. need the Cowboys. They could disappear completely and the rest of the country would It’s almost cute when your little brother wins a couple of games here and there. That’s hardly notice. Say OSU on national television and most people would assume you’re talkwhy it’s impossible to hate Oklahoma State. ing about Ohio State (failing that, Oregon Unlike the Longhorns, who are rightfully deserving of our disdain, Oklahoma State is, State). Nobody cares about the Cowboys. And while OSU fans live and die with the well … just pitiful. Though I’ve never done it, there must be a Bedlam rivalry — a generous distinction certain masochistic allure to rooting for such as it’s more like a one-way, annual dreama beleaguered bunch of less-than-lovable Bad dashing beatdown — OU fans know what it News Bears wannabes. You know they’re go- is. It’s another chance to put little brother in his place. ing to come up short. They always do. While OU has the Sooner Nation, OSU has The Cowboys couldn’t get a seat at the the … I don’t even know, Cowboy city? It’s adult table in 2009, when they got skunked comically lopsided. It’s a gauntlet of gridiron by an unranked Oklahoma and missed out talent versus a trash bag full of hand-meon a title shot they surely would’ve squandown, mothball-ridden Nickelback T-Shirts. dered. Bedlam is like that game of horse you play The Sooners have a tradition of excellence. OU is synonymous with championships, win with your little brother every Thanksgiving. Even if he wins a few (and gloats about streaks, long bombs and gut-busting runs. it incessantly) you know it’s short lived. You The Cowboys have a tradition of failure know that he can’t act like he’s been there while striving for mediocrity. Their obnoxious fans (How are those damn paddles even before, because he so rarely is. The Sooners set the tone in 1904 with a legal?) are fittingly clothed in retina-searing 75-0 trouncing and haven’t looked back. The orange attire that was probably made from “rivalry” record currently stands at 84–18–7. leftover roadside reflective vests. Conclusion: Pistol Pete has no firepower. The The Sooners, draped in crimson and Cowboys are hapless. I know how this ends cream, evoke a feeling of reverence. Names like Steve Owens, Jason White, Billy Simms, and I almost feel bad for them. Almost. Boomer Sooner. Billy Vessels, Brian Bosworth, Sam Bradford, Adrian Peterson, DeMarco Murray, Mark P.S. — All joking aside, we hope that it’s a Clayton, the Tabor brothers, Barry Switzer, well-fought, exciting game that brings out the Bud Wilkinson … the list goes on and on. best in both teams. And we want to emphaThe Cowboys’ list includes Barry Sanders, size that we stand with our OSU family in Thurman Thomas and a few problem-child the wake of the unfathomable homecoming receivers. That’s it. tragedy. Here’s to another great Bedlam. The Sooners are to college football what By Mack Burke

Transcript Staff Writer

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56 Ty Darlington 58 Erick Wren

RG: 54 Nila Kasitati 63 Alex Dalton

31 Tre Flowers 5 Jerel Morrow

CB: 6 Ashton Lampkin 24 Miketavius Jones

SS: DE: 90 Trace Clark 94 Jordan Brailford

RT: 75 Dru Samia 55 Josiah St. John

WR: 5 Durron Neal 12 A.D. Miller

LG: 68 Jonathan Alvarez

DT: 96 Vincent Taylor 97 Eric Davis

WR: 3 Sterling Shepard 81 Mark Andrews

DT: 56 Motekiai Maile 79 Darrion Daniels

QB: 6 Baker Mayfield 9 Trevor Knight

RB: 32 Samaje Perine 25 Joe Mixon

LT: 78 Orlando Brown 72 Derek Farniok

LB: 10 Seth Jacobs 40 Devante Averette

LB: 45 Chad Whitener 50 Josh Mabin

LB: 20 Jordan Burton 9 Gyasi Akem DE: 38 Emmanual Ogbah 93 Jarrell Owens

WR: 1 Jarvis Baxter 16 Michiah Quick

WR: 11 DeDe Westbrook 15 Jeffery Mead

CB: 1 Kevin Peterson 17 Mitchell Hunter

FS: 13 Jordan Sterns 23 Kenneth EdisonMcGruder

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2015 BE D L AM

OSU revitalized by 2014 victory Jason Elmquist

News Press Sports Editor

he foundation was cracking. The two most important figures in the Oklahoma State football program at were at odds, and the man with money was reportedly unhappy with the man unable win the big rivalry game. Heading into the 2014 Bedlam battle in Norman, speculation was swirling around Stillwater about the discontent billionaire booster T. Boone Pickens had for Mike Gundy, mired in a five-game losing streak and clearly the underdogs heading into Bedlam. That power struggle at the top apparently had been growing over the

years as both men admitted later that their relationship was at odds because they hadn’t been in contact with other for years. “We just fell out of communication,” Pickens said months after the 2014 Bedlam game. “(Mike) Holder said, ‘Look, you guys need to start talking again.’ That was kind of it. It made sense. This program up here isn’t about Gundy and it’s not about me. It’s about OSU. “So I said, ‘Look, you and I both want the same thing – OSU to win.’ He said, ‘Let’s do everything we can to accomplish that.’ And that’s where we are. It was that quick.”

Transcript Photo

The Cowboys’ 38-35 overtime victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2014 Bedlam game was an upset for the unranked Cowboys. The victory helped revitalize the program, as evidenced by the Cowboys fast start this year.

Continued on next page

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2014:

And from there, the festering continued to grow all season. Gundy and his Cowboy Continued from previous page team lost game after game, It was as quick as the derailed by an injury to turn around that has folquarterback J.W. Walsh lowed the outlook of the and the inability of backup Cowboy program. QB Daxx Garman to rise to Prior to the kickoff of the occasion after showing the 2014 season, Bedlam flashes against mediocre was the one game Pickens nonconference foes. had circled on his calendar. Then the week before When giving his anBedlam, Garman was nual season outlook before benched for a head inOklahoma State came up jury and the redshirt was just short of beating Florida removed from Mason RuState and Heisman winner dolph and the future of the Jameis Winston, the OSU organization was put into booster wanted to focus on the hands of a true freshthe last game of the season. man from Rock Hill, South “When you look at the Carolina. other schools we’ve played, Suddenly the Cowboys we’re competitive,” Pickshowed a glimpse of life ens said. “The only one we against Big 12 Conference haven’t been competitive champion Baylor. But not with is OU. Like (in 2013), enough to leave the crackwe’re a 10-point favorite ing foundations from the and we lose. We should verge of ruin. have won, in the last five And on that fateful night years, three ball games.”

in December 2014, Bob “It was huge. It sent us to a bowl game, gave Stoops elected to punt us all those extra practices with having such a for a second time – and thus breathing life back young team. At the end of those three weeks, into Gundy’s time at his we came out a much better football team than alma mater and changed we were even going into the Bedlam game.” the direction of an entire program. Until that ill-fated deciSenior Wide Receiver David Glidden, sion to give the explosive Tyreek Hill another oppor- on the impact of the 2014 OSU Bedlam victory tunity to return a punt, this Young players such game winning streak. time for a 92-yard touchas quarterback Mason “It was huge. It sent us down to send the game to a bowl game, gave us all Rudolph and wide receiver to overtime, it appeared James Washington jolted those extra practices with Oklahoma State was gohaving such a young team,” the Oklahoma State ofing to have its first losing senior wide receiver David fense. record since Gundy’s first The depth on the defense Glidden said. “We basiyear as the head coach in 2005. And more fodder for cally got three extra weeks allowed the Cowboys to overcome injuries throughany “Fire Gundy” campaign of practice. ... At the end out the year, including big of those three weeks, we that had arisen over the season-ending losses to secame out a much better season. With that 38-35 overtime football team than we were nior leaders Ryan Simmons even going into the Bedlam and Jimmy Bean. Provwin, the Cowboys got the ing Gundy and defensive chance to practice another game.” coordinator Glenn Spencer That streak only conmonth, play in a mediocre geniuses for their decision tinued to grow over the bowl against a mediocre to reallocate extra scholarcourse of the 2015 camPac-12 team and end its ships from the offense over paign. 2014 season with a two-

5 to the defense. “I think that we made a good choice in what we’re doing on defense and the coaches understand the philosophy in the recruiting and the principles we are looking for and the depth,” Gundy said. “Up to this point, it’s worked out well for us.” Gundy may not have been in Stillwater this season to see those young offensive players bloom, or the deep defense rise to the top of the Big 12 as one of the top groups in the league. But his counterpart in Norman gave Gundy new life, and suddenly the rivalry that appeared to have gone dormant after a few brief competitive years while Brandon Weeden quarterbacked at Oklahoma State has regained as much momentum as the Cowboy program.

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2015 BE D L AM

Pokes grow closer with video games

AP Photo/Sue Ogrock

Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanual Ogbah is a force on the football field. He and his Cowboy teammates also bond off of it by playing video games, including Call of Duty. Jason Elmquist

News Press Sports Editor

he debate was fierce a few weeks ago between quarterback J.W. Walsh and offensive lineman Zachary Crabtree. The discussion between roommates had nothing to do with the Oklahoma State football team, or any real professional sports team.

Instead it was about the outcomes of their football matchups in the Madden video game. “You can ask him and he’ll get fired up about that,” Crabtree said of his roommate. “He hasn’t played me for a while after he lost like 56-7 one time. Then he came back and won one by a touchdown and now he’s kind of back on his high

horse.” “The one time you beat me,” Walsh responded between media members. “The one time. The series right now is like 4-2 with me up.” Like many college students, most of the Cowboys find solace in their limited free time with playing video games. It’s an escape from the grind of being a

student-athlete and a way for teammates to connect off the field. “It’s great, just sitting at home chilling with my teammates, playing some video games,” defensive tackle Ben Hughes said in August. But these players are competitors. And that carries over into the video game realm, as well.

Before the season, when the Cowboys had more time to play games like Call of Duty, the competition was fierce – especially among the defensive players. In early August, the debate was who was the best at one of the most popular first-person shooter games in the video gaming industry. Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah proclaimed

it was himself that was constantly at the top of the leaderboard when playing with teammates. That didn’t sit well with safety Tre Flowers. “We’re a team right now, and I don’t want to bring him down confidence-wise,” Flowers said before the season. “... I don’t know why Continued on next page

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Closer:

full swing, the players don’t have as much time to turn to video games, but some still take the time to play a Continued from previous page few games here and there. That’s what led to the arhe would think that, but I gument between Walsh and like the kid in him – that Crabtree a few weeks ago. lie to yourself to feel good Neither could seem to about yourself when you go agree with who had bested to sleep. the other in a few games “Being humble, I’m just of Madden. When asked going to let that slide. I’m recently how the matchups just going to leave that blank. I never toot my own had gone of late, of course horn, but you see my name both remember themselves coming out on the positive at the top a lot in Call of side of the action. Duty – I think that’s my “He got beat last night,” second talent in the world.” There has been no discus- Crabtree said during the bye week. “He can’t stop the sion of the players putting toss play. Adrian Peterson together a tournament to decide once and for all who ran it all over him with the Minnesota Vikings. I the best video game player converted a fourth-and-13 is, but according to one to win the game.” Cowboy, that’s probably a Madden is the main footgood thing. ball game of choice, though “If that ever happened, excuse my French, all hell it used to be NCAA college would break loose,” Hughes football before EA Sports said. cancelled the franchise Now that the season is in amid lawsuits from former

college players in regards to the industry making money by use likenesses of players in the game. However, being part of a game – though no names of college players were ever used in the final product over the years – was always a special moment for the college athletes. “Of course the first season I get here is the year they stop making it so I never got a chance to be on it,” sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph said. “That’s definitely one thing you look forward to when you come to college and I was never able to do it.” More than just Madden Perhaps that most surprising revelation is that Madden isn’t the only sports game that has found its way into the Cowboy locker room. Oklahoma State players are also fans of FIFA 16, the newest soccer game by EA

Sports. “It gets real in FIFA. When me and (Kevin Peterson) have played, there have been some times where I’ve stopped talking to him for a few hours because he beat me. I love it,” Flowers said. While many of the Cowboys players have mastered Madden, Peterson appears to be one of the best when it comes to soccer. “I’m not good at Madden at all, I’ll be the first one to say that, but I’m ready to play anybody at any time,” Peterson said. “I try to think I’m coach Spencer calling a game plan, actually calling real plays that we’ve played on defense in game situations – but it doesn’t really work like that on Madden. “You’re talking to somebody who takes a lot of pride in their game, so I feel like I’m the best FIFA player. I haven ‘t lost in a while.” Peterson played one year

W h a t e v e r i s h a p p e n i n g i n y o u r l i f e , t h e re ’s a go o d c h a n ce yo u r co l l e ge ex p e r i e n ce h e l p e d yo u ge t t o w h e re yo u a re t o d ay. W h e n yo u re f l e c t o n t h a t t i m e , yo u m ay b e ove r w h e l m e d by fo n d m e m o r i e s — m e e t i n g yo u r s p o u s e , ce l e b ra t i n g a b i g fo o t b a l l w i n , p u l l i n g a n a l l n i g h t e r t o s t u d y o r l a u g h i n g w i t h p e o p l e w h o b e c a m e yo u r l i fe l o n g f r i e n d s . To d ay ’s O k l a h o m a S t a t e U n i ve rs i ty s t u d e n t s a re h av i n g t h e s a m e ex p e r i e n ce s a s t h ey p u rs u e b r i g h t o ra n ge f u t u re s . Vi s i t O S U g i v i n g .co m t o l e a r n h ow yo u c a n b e a p a r t o f t h e i r j o u r n ey.

7 of soccer at the high school level – saying he was kicked off the team for missing a practice because he was competing at a track and field event, which he told his soccer coach would happen. And so the Wagoner native has a love for soccer that carries over to video games – typically playing as Barcelona so he can play as his favorite player, Lionel Messi. “Everybody wants to play with the best players. So when KP gets Messi, it’s kind of cheating a little bit. So I always foul him, knock him over trying to hurt him every time,” Flowers said. “It’s the only way you can beat him.” Whether it’s FIFA or Madden, both of which are played regularly in the Cowboy locker room, according to the players it can have some high stakes for the next team’s practice.

“If you lose in the locker room, the next day you are going to know about it,” Flowers said. “It’s better to lose on an off day so they forget the whole time. But if you lose and you have to go to practice the next day, that’s the talk of the whole practice.” But some players perhaps take the video games a little too seriously. According to Flowers, there is one Cowboy in particular that is always wanting to play, but rarely comes out on the winning end. “Jhajuan Seales thinks he is so good at Madden, but I’ve beaten him multiple times. When he asks to play, I’m always like, ‘You sure?’” Flowers said. “But he’s always so serious with the game. He’s the funniest dude to watch because he’s so dramatic. It can be the first play and he’ll go crazy because somebody didn’t block or something.”

2015 BE D L AM

Spirit Rider a staple of home games

Stillwater News Press

Oklahoma State Spirit Rider Paris Nottingham, a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Baldwin City, Kansas, is part of a longtime OSU tradition that dates back to 1984. By Jimmy Gillispie

News Press Staff Writer

“And here comes Bullet.” Sprinting out of the southwest tunnel of Boone Pickens Stadium comes the famed Oklahoma State mascot. Riding atop the black horse is the mysterious “Spirit Rider” carrying an orange OSU flag. Together, they sprint out on to the field to the roar of nearly 60,000 fans. But, just who is the mysterious “Spirit Rider?” She is a senior eques-

trian rider from Baldwin City, Kansas. She is also a biochemistry and molecular biology major and the second of her siblings to attend OSU. She’s been around horses since she was a toddler. She is Paris Nottingham. Nottingham is part of a longtime tradition at OSU, dating back to 1984. It’s an honor that she’s proud to be a part of during her final year in Stillwater. “I never dreamed I’d be doing something like this,” Nottingham said. “It’s one

of those things that I’m extremely fortunate to have happened upon.” Sprinting out of the tunnel before OSU home games and after touchdowns are memories that will last with her forever. “It is an adrenaline rush,” Nottingham said. “It’s one of those things where one second you’re running out of the tunnel and the next second you’re running in the tunnel. It’s a lot of fun. It’s also an honor to be a part of such a long standing tradition.

“People just absolutely love Bullet. He’s such an idol. Little kids come up and line up near the tunnel where I run out and they wave at Bullet. Some older ladies come to the meet and great and tell us, ‘We just buy our tickets so we can see Bullet.’ He’s an idol that’s for sure.” Nottingham nearly missed the opportunity to become this year’s Spirit Rider. Her roommate, who was last year’s Spirit Rider, brought the idea up to her and even gave her an ap-

plication form. One day before the tryouts for Ty and Jennifer Cunningham, Bullet’s owners, Nottingham filled out the application and decided to give it a try. She attended the tryouts with around a dozen other applicants. They did riding tryouts before a face to face interview with the Cunninghams. “It was a pretty informal tryout so it wasn’t too bad,” Nottingham said. “You get to watch everyone else ride, so you’re kind of gauging yourself where you fall. It

was definitely a tryout environment, but it wasn’t cut throat by any means.” More than half of the applicants had rodeo backgrounds, while only one other was on the OSU equestrian team. Nottingham said there were several qualified individuals. Hours after the tryouts, the winner was announced. “I was excited and surprised; all of those genuine emotions,” Nottingham said. “It’s such an honor Continued on next page

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Spirit:

the Cunninghams. That continued for a while and then she practiced with Bullet inside BPS before Continued from previous page OSU’s home opener Sept. 12 against Central Arkanand tradition. I actually didn’t tell my parents I was sas. Leading into Saturday’s trying out for it. It was regular season finale, Nota last-minute deal. I was tingham and Bullet have kind of on the fence about been on display at six home whether or not to do it. games. This Saturday, like I kind of decided the day the other six, will be a busy the application was due to day for them. do it. “Game days are the busi“I hadn’t told my parents. est part of it,” Nottingham I texted them all and my mom was like, ‘Oh, you did said. “We all meet and then go to the meet and greet decide to do it then.’ They with Bullet. That’s usually were all really excited. My 30-45 minutes. Then we’ll oldest brother, Braxton, went to OSU as well, so we stay in that grassy area and I’ll warm him up for maybe kind of turned our family 15 minutes. Then we over into OSU fans, so everyto the stadium. body was really excited.” “It’s very much like Once she was named the clockwork. Ty and Jennifer 2015 Spirit Rider, Nottinghave been doing it for a ham began traveling back long time and they know and forth to Tulsa to ride how long everything takes. Bullet and become more We have to stay on time, acquainted with him and

because we have to beat the band into the stadium, because Bullet hates the tubas. We have to make sure we avoid the tubas. It’s just like clockwork.” Like many football fans around the state, Nottingham is ready for Saturday’s contest. “I’m really looking forward to that game,” Nottingham said. “It’s going to be very special. It’s my senior year, a home game and it’s against OU. That’s such a huge rival. That’s probably the game I’m most excited for. I get the opportunity to do that on Bedlam.” Not only will Saturday be a big game, it will also be the last of a great opportunity. “Oh yes, very bittersweet,” Nottingham said. “It’s my last home football game as an Oklahoma Stater.”

Stillwater News Press

Nottingham on top of the famed OSU mascot Bullet. Oklahoma State has the Spirit Rider routine down to an exact science.

2015 BE D L AM

Taylor finds home on defensive line

Stillwater News Press

Vincent Taylor sacks Texas quarterback Jerrod Heard in the backfield at a game earlier this year. Taylor’s experiences surviving Hurricane Katrina and being displaced from his New Orleans home have molded him into the man he is today. By Jason Elmquist

News Press Sports Editor

hey say the home is where the heart is. That’s why Vincent Taylor may be listed on the Oklahoma State roster as a San Antonio native, but when asked around Stillwater and on campus where he is from, his response is always New Orleans. Taylor is another of what seems like an ever-growing

list of families displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “It’s a part of me, regardless,” Taylor said. “Talking about it brings back memories, but I don’t have a problem sharing it because it’s something I experienced. “New Orleans will always be home, regardless. But San Antonio is home, too, because it was a place that took me in. They didn’t have to do that, but they did. So San Antonio will always be

a part of me as well.” The story, through his recollection as a then-10year-old, is one of gruesome imagery and luck – that led to hope, and now another new home in Stillwater and Oklahoma State. Taylor’s family was one of those that was still trapped in New Orleans when the levee systems failed and flooded nearly 80 percent of the city. He said he and his family found refuge on

the roof of the DoubleTree Hotel, where his mother worked, in the French Quarter. Taylor can still recall seeing bodies floating in the flood waters while waiting three days, with no food or water, for the waters to recede enough that the family could get in their car – that Taylor remembers was in a parking garage, so was still working – to escape the natural disaster, leaving the

state of Louisiana for the first time ever as a family. “It was a nightmare. I don’t think any parent would want their child to go through that,” said Taylor, who was born in New Orleans. And that’s why his parents took him and his brother, got in their car and drove away. But as to where they would go, there was a plan – but no direction. “When leaving New

Orleans, we never knew we were going to end up in Texas. We thought we’d try to go to New York,” Taylor said. “We stopped at a gas station in Sealy, Texas, right outside of Houston and my dad asked the cashier where we were at. We always thought we were going to go to New York, and somehow we ended up in Texas. “We didn’t have anything, Continued on next page

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Taylor:

and his brother got similar tattoos on the same spot on his right arm. “Before every game, I Continued from previous page actually think about Katrina so we didn’t know where we and knowing that if it wasn’t for God, where would I be were going. We just got on Highway 90 and just ended right now?” Taylor said. “Every morning I wake up up in Texas.” and think about Katrina, But a piece of Louisiana think about where I would still stuck with Taylor. And be if that wouldn’t have it’s stuck to him every day happened. So I think about in the form of a tattoo on Katrina and New Orleans his right forearm. every day.” “I’ve got the map of Part of his heart still Louisiana and the date that lingers in New Orleans with Katrina hit. It’s just somefamily members and friends thing that always reminds still residing there. Taylor me of where I come from said he still has a grandand where I want to be in having faith in God,” Taylor mother who lives in New Orleans – who texts him said. before every game to wish Taylor said it’s similar to him good luck, which he a tattoo his father – who says he never deletes from Taylor recalled helped, his phone. along with his uncle, to get The tragedy turned out to elder people to the roof of be a blessing in disguise for the hotel during the hurTaylor, though. ricane – first got after the While playing high school tragedy, and later Taylor football in the prep football

11 Stillwater News Press

Mecca that is Texas, he was spotted by defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer – who was actually in the San Antonio area originally to recruit his high school teammate Kris Catlin, a redshirt senior linebacker for the Cowboys. “I remember coach

Spencer telling my dad, ‘I’ll be back to get your son,’” Taylor said. “I remember one day coach Spencer called me up and told me they had one more scholarship left and that I was one of the first guys he called. That same day he called me, I committed.”

“Before I even knew he committed, a reporter Oklahoma called me up and said, ‘Do State defenyou know that you have fusive lineman ture teammate from Steele Vincent Taylor that committed with you?’ And I was like, ‘No, I had celebrates a no idea,’” Taylor said. “So we sack earlier committed on the same day this year. without even knowing.” The 6-foot-3, 300-pound starting defensive tackle now has found a home along the defensive line after the graduation of a couple two-year starters. But now, Taylor takes everything he learned from his former teammates, bottled with the journey that has led him here, out Taylor actually committed on the field every Saturday. “I think he uses that time to the Cowboys on the same in his life as motivation, and day fellow San Antonio native Jordan Sterns – who to let him know that he has went to Cibolo Steele High family that’s always looking School, not far from Madi- out for him,” junior defenson High School – officially sive end Emmanual Ogbah announced he was going to said. “He uses all of that as a Oklahoma State. Though it motor to help him through wasn’t planned out that way. everything.”

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2015 BE D L AM

Glenn Spencer: motivator, innovator By Kieran Steckley

The defense that frustrated Heisman Trophy contender Trevone Boykin could get hat separates even better. Oklahoma State But as great as he is at defensive coorcoming up with a windinator Glenn Spencer isn’t ning game plan or makthe work he continues to do ing a halftime adjustment with the OSU defense. that turns things around, Taking the Cowboys Spencer makes his money from mediocre and ocon motivation. casionally above average Before every game, to arguably the conferSpencer has a message ence’s best defense is saying for his team, usually an something, especially in the inspirational quote from a explosive and pass-happy general, world leader or anBig 12. cient solider. Before TCU, After all, it was Spencer it Winston Churchill. The that convinced OSU coach man is a walking history Mike Gundy to delegate lesson and quote machine. more scholarships to de“He is a great guy,” fensive players. Some have linebacker Chad Whitener proven to be real players said. “Coach Spencer is early in their career, and awesome. He deserves some have yet to emerge. everything that is coming News Press Staff Writer

his way.” Unlike many coordinators, Spencer prefers to call plays from the sideline. He likes to be around his players for coaching, adjustments and, of course, celebration. “When we are hype, he is always hype, too,” defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah said. “So when he is excited, we are all excited. We are glad we are doing this for him. He gives us something to fight for. “I have so much respect for Coach Spencer. He always has a great game plan. Great schemes. I’m glad we have a guy like Coach Spencer. He is a great role model for us too.” Spencer’s a self-aware

Stillwater News Press

Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer has worked wonders with the Cowboys’ defense, turning it into one of the top units in the Big 12 conference.

Continued on next page

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2015 BE D L AM

Spencer:

important after four people lost their lives and dozens more were injured. A fact not lost on SpenContinued from previous page cer. man. He knows the reputa“We just did what we tion of Big 12 defenses. did,” Spencer said. “We Traditional defensive stats hurt, we recognized there aren’t fair to defenses like was a great tragedy and his. we played a football game. But the brilliant Spencer To be honest with you, it has a new way of defining a wouldn’t have upset me if defense. we hadn’t played today, but Points per possession. we did and the kids went Take OSU’s recent win out and played a game. against TCU. The eye test They knew what happened says OSU dominated in all and there were some heavy phases. But the OSU dehearts, and I really didn’t fense allowed 663 yards of know how they were going total offense. Hardly a good to react. look. But OSU’s defense “I wish I had some magic was stout, allowing just 1.7 words for any of this, but I points per possession. don’t. I just know there’s a “Some teams will play 55 lot of people hurting right snaps today,” Spencer said. now.” “I think we defended 17 Spencer is the consumpossessions, 110 (snaps), mate professional. One of so we just played two ball his best traits is his abilgames compared to what ity to use all his cognitive some people do. That’s energy on his job. But he why the yardage thing is admitted that was hard to so irrelevant. People of do that day. influence have got to figure “I wouldn’t have been this out how to evaluate upset if they hadn’t played defense.” a good game,” Spencer said. At no time was Spen“I grieve for those people. cer’s role model ability on I’m staying focused because display more than at this it’s my job, but it’s in the year’s homecoming game. back of your head. There Hours after an unthinkable were a few times where tragedy at the homecoming I’m going ‘Are you serious? parade, the Cowboys took There’s people grieving the field with heavy hearts. who lost loved ones,’ and OSU won the game, 58we’re out there playing a 10, but it hardly seemed game.”

We Bleed Orange at Charlie’s

2011 Bedlam put OSU over the hump By Kieran Steckley

News Press Staff Writer

urning around a football program is no small feat. You need the audacity to believe it could work, the resources to make it happen and right people in place to execute. The Oklahoma State Cowboys got those in bunches with Mike Holder’s hire as athletic director and Boone Pickens donations to give the whole program extensive plastic surgery. To choose former quarterback Mike Gundy to be the head man was the essence of right place, right time. And while the wins were increasing, the talent was noticeably better and program’s notoriety on the rise, there was still something missing from OSU’s climb to national prominence. Those pesky Sooners. By the time 2011 rolled around, the Cowboys had lost eight consecutive games to their Bedlam rival, which included Gundy’s first six years at the helm of the program. But that 2011 Oklahoma State team was different. The OSU offense was

Stillwater News Press

The 2011 Bedlam victory galvanized OSU and proved they were serious contenders.

more explosive than ever, with Brandon Weeden at one point being considered a Heisman Trophy favorite and Justin Blackmon on his way to his second consecutive Biletnikoff Award. The defense defined “bend but don’t break,” and led the

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nation in takeaways. 2011 had the look of a historic season, but it all would have been for not without a Bedlam win. And the 44-10 Bedlam win proved one thing: OSU was over the hump. With a Big 12 title on

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2015 BE D L AM

Whitener’s journey prepared him for starting role

Stillwater News Press

Oklahoma State defender Chad Whitener forfeited his scholarship at the University of California-Berkley and transfered to Oklahoma State to be closer to his hometown. By Kieran Steckley

News Press Staff Writer

alifornia dreaming? Truth be told, the West Coast isn’t for everyone, and that includes Chad Whitener. Before he had a teamhigh nine tackles and two sacks against Kansas State

last Saturday, Whitener, a three-star prospect out of Mansfield, Texas, started his collegiate career at the University of CaliforniaBerkley. As a freshman linebacker playing in the Pac-12, Whitener recorded six tackles and had a fumble recovery, seemingly on his

way to a promising career. But it wasn’t a good fit. Whitener didn’t feel at home at Cal. He was on scholarship at a good school, yet Whitener wasn’t happy being on the West Coast. He was 18, too far away from home and wanted a change. “It was the mentality out

there that is just so much different,” Whitener said. “Common little things like manners (is different). The homeless population out there is really big. It was just a really big culture shock for me.” Whitener wanted to transfer, which meant forfeiting his scholarship

for the chance to play for another school as a walkon. With the backing of his parents, he started looking at schools closer to home. He was high school teammates with OSU offensive Zachary Crabtree, who put him in touch with the Cowboys’ coaching staff.

“It was a really big unknown,” Whitener said. “I talked it over with my parents because it is a financial strain on them more than me. I really wanted to make sure everybody was OK with it. My dad said ‘As long as you’re happy Continued on next page

Whitener:

really a big fan of that and am glad I chose this school.” Whitener stepped in for Continued from previous page an injured Ryan Simmons and you feel like you are against Kansas State, making the right decision, during which the defense go ahead.’” never skipped a beat. With Stillwater being With news that Ryan about four hours away Simmons was to miss the from his hometown, the rest of the season with proximity was appealing, a torn MCL and PCL in as was the opportunity for his knee, Whitener once playing time. again step into the middle “The big thing was the linebacker role for the depth at linebacker, seeCowboys. ing they had a lot of guys “I wanted an opportunity graduating,” said Whitener, to showcase my ability, who joined the program and I felt like I had the in 2014. “Once I had my best opportunity to have release, contacting them, that here,” Whitener said. getting down here dur“I’m really fortunate to be ing Christmas break and able to step in and play the getting a feel for how the game I played. program is run and I really “I watched a lot of a film. liked it. I prepared myself like I was “I like how coach (Mike) going to play the whole Gundy and coach (Glenn) game. I study and try to Spencer are stand-up guys retain all the information and keep their word. I’m coach Spencer lays out for

2015 BE D L AM us. That’s all it was.” Part of the OSU coaches being stand-up guys was the frankness of which they recruited Whitener. They knew they were bringing a talented player from another school at no cost. They made it clear to Whitener that he was going to have to prove himself to the coaches and players. “I told him that I couldn’t promise him anything,” said Spencer, who serves as OSU’s linebacker coach and defensive coordinator. “He’s going to have to come in and earn it, and he did. Not one time did he come to me and say, ‘Coach, when am I going to get on scholarship?’ I think he trusted me. He showed that he can be a contributor.” Per NCAA transfer rules, Whitener sat out the 2014 season. He spent his time

on the practice squad, and laid the foundation for his success on the field in 2015. “They say it all the time that guys get noticed on scout team, and it is true,” Whitener said. “Just going out there and running and showing I move a little bit and making moves, it all works together. By actually trying on scout team, you work on your own technique. It really helped develop me as a football player.” Although he was making a name for himself on the practice squad, the transition for Whitener took some getting used to. He had to change his mentality. Monday through Friday was his game day. “It was hard at times, going from playing all the time to not, being on the travel squad to not,” Whitener said. “The adjustment

15 to that was weird. But I made a lot of friends on campus and I’ve been expanding myself and really knowing how to deal with adversity. That year was a really good year for me as far as growing as a person. “You got to win every day. If (practice squad members) don’t try hard, then the offense won’t perform (on Saturdays). Whenever they go and execute on the field, we know that’s our doing.” OSU’s coaches thought enough of Whitener to offer him a scholarship in August. “I went to Coach Gundy and said, ‘This is a young man who is deserving (of a scholarship),’” Spencer said. “He is going to be a big factor for us the next couple years. It’s a good story.” Gundy announced Whitener, center Brad Lundblade and Cowboy

Back Blake Jarwin were being put on scholarship in a surprise ceremony before practice in early August. “It was a really big moment, a big deal,” Whitener said. “I worked my butt off, my parents worked their butt off to pay for me to come here, knowing that I left a situation when I was at Cal on scholarship. It was a big relief for everybody. “It goes to my parents and how they raised me. To set a goal and do whatever you have to do to achieve it. That’s the biggest thing. I had a goal and a time I wanted to get it done by and worked hard to do it.” Whitener met his selfimposed deadline to get back on scholarship. But if he hadn’t? “Keep working,” Whitener said. Chances are he’s doing that anyway.

G s! ke U Po t O

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Cowboys fans love tailgating tradition

Stillwater News Press

Tailgating is a time-honored tradition for Oklahoma State fans, who begin preparing for the festivities hours before kickoff at Boone Pickens Stadium. By Jimmy Gillispie

water and one OSU fans are proud of. “It’s awesome,” said Bryan Ball, who has been tailgatake a walk around ing in the parking lot west Boone Pickens Stadium hours before of BPS for seven years. “To any Oklahoma State home me, it’s the best homecomfootball game and you’ll see ing, it’s the best tailgating a sea of orange. experience and the best There will be plenty of town ever. When it’s game orange tents and flags, day, it’s a whole different along with thousands of deal. We gather around fans dressed in Cowboy and welcome anybody and orange. Of course, you can’t everybody. It’s a blast.” forget the smells of foods, Afton Melson, a former especially those on the grill. OSU softball player, has It’s a fall tradition in Still- been a long-time tailgater News Press Staff Writer

at Cowboys home games, shared a similar sentiment, saying OSU pregame festivities are quite friendly. “It is awesome and everyone is always so friendly,” Melson said. “Just an example of that, my mom parked her car next to another tailgate and they invited her to come back and eat. We parked in our spot and the people around us told us to come by and eat if we get hungry. “Everyone is just so welcoming. It’s just a great

place and you can’t really meet a stranger here. We’re always inviting people to come by.” Melson and her family tailgates southwest of the stadium in the main parking lot. Their large domeshaped, blow-up OSU tent can easily be seen from almost anywhere in the parking lot. The Melson family tradition started several years ago after she graduated from OSU. It’s grown into a much-bigger game day

event with friends and family … or whoever walks by their tent. “We have a core group of people that help us make this thing go,” Melson said. “It’s not a one-person thing, it’s a community. That’s what Stillwater is – a great community. We’ve been here for several years.” Her group of fans also combines with their neighbor tailgaters when planning the meal for the day – and as any real tailgaters know, the food is arguably

the most important part of the event. “It varies each week,” Melson said. “We’ll do fajitas one time a year. We order pizza, we do barbecue and for Bedlam we’re going to have a chili cookoff. We put all of the side walls up and put heaters in there. We have a relative who supplies all of the heat each week. We have a core group of people who do whatever they can to help.” Continued on next page

2015 BE D L AM

17 Stillwater News Press

For many fans, tailgating is a integral part of the Bedlam experience. Some fans will cook a variety of food, including ribs, chicken, and pizzas, and share with friends and complete strangers.

Tradition:

barbecue and a big tent. It’s fans preparing for the game going to be crazy. in the blocks around the “I was smart and raised stadium. right. OSU is the college to “Oh yeah, looking Continued from previous page go for. I bleed orange and forward to Bedlam,” At the Ball tailgate, which love them to death and will Melson said. “It’s always to the day I die.” a great time. It’s always in is a trailer, a homemade The Bedlam contest is a colder time of year, but smoker and an OSU flag, highly-anticipated by fans that doesn’t get our spirits the menu also varies each from both teams. While the down. We’re going to be week and sometimes is score of the game is unpre- here and be cheering loud planned around the opponent. They will also feed dictable, one certainty will and cheering our Cowboys to a victory.” anybody, as they take dona- be the thousands of OSU tions for food. “I usually cook ribs, pork loin, tri-tip, pulled GO STATE! pork, chicken, potatoes GO STATE! and beans,” Ball said. “We do pizzas, too. I smoke frozen pizzas for breakfast. Don’t let our colors fool you, They’re amazing. Every Don’t let our colors fool you, now and then we’ll throw we’re pulling for the Pokes. something special on, like we’re pulling for the Pokes. pulled pork grilled cheeses. I try to mix it up. Today, I did frog legs since we’re playing the Horned Frogs.” For this Saturday’s game, the menu is already set. “Bedlam is going to be off the hook,” Ball said. “This is small to what we’re going 1323 WEST SIXTH • STILLWATER • 405.372.1480 • STILLWATERMEDICAL.COM 1323 WEST SIXTH • STILLWATER • 405.372.1480 • STILLWATERMEDICAL.COM to do for Bedlam. We’re going to have catfish and

2015 BE D L AM

2011:

did is super special.” It’s hard to point to who that win meant more to. From Page B1 The myriad Cowboy fans across the country who had the Sooner offense. long suffered at the hands This wasn’t a fluke win of the Sooners, the players like many OSU Bedlam triwho had been told for years umphs. On a Saturday night that they weren’t good game broadcasted on ESPN, enough or Gundy for finally the Cowboys looked like an besting Bob Stoops? elite team. They all have a good Emotions for the OSU claim, but it’s hard to top faithful during that game Pickens, who had finally were numerous. Hope. seen the return on his $165 Excitement. Disbelief. Joy. million investment in 2006, Nervousness. Disbelief which added on to the $70 again. Jubilation. million pledge in 2003. Mission accomplished. “I made that gift, and I “To be able to take said I was tired of leavthousands of pictures with ing the stadium with my that trophy and wear this head down,” Pickens said hat and be a champion, after hoisting the Big 12 that’s what I came back championship trophy in the for,” Weeden said after locker room. “I got tired of the game. “I think (Justin) looking at my shoes when Blackmon will tell you the I left. I said I want to be same thing. This senior competitive. You’re not class has been through its going to win every game. ups and downs. We won You feel like you want to be seven games our first year competitive and have your and to finish the way we

head up, not down. It turned out to be the best recruiting tool for the University, for OSU experienced its biggest freshman enrollment in school history the following fall. That game epitomized Stillwater and the Cowboys. Sometimes outmatched, often times overlooked, the team and the community got to celebrate victory together. It was common knowledge the OSU students would storm the field when the clock turned 00:00. In the final minutes, the student section crowded the rails that proved to be too little of a barrier between fans and players. Nothing was going to keep the fans from celebrating with their Cowboys, just as nothing could stop OSU from beating Oklahoma. Stillwater News Press Never thought you would The Cowboys proved their No. 3 ranking was justified with a convincing 44-10 victory over No. read that, huh? 10 Oklahoma in 2011. The win was OSU’s first since 2002.

2015 BE D L AM

It’s Bedlam, and we’re talking about statues? By Tanner Holubar

All that hype, and he finished with an underwhelming 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. This always seems to be one of the staples of OU football. Blow Editor’s note: Each year, the OU and UT student papers publish columns in prepara- the expectations out of the water and tion for the Red River Showdown. This year, fume when things don’t work out. Maybe the Transcript and News Press decided a reality check that games need to be won to participate in that kind of debate by before boasting such claims. publishing dueling columns in our annual And what’s up with playing the fight Bedlam tab. The OU column can be found song after every play for positive yardage? on Page 19 of the other side. The song seems to pop at the worst times. When the OU quarterback gets sacked, Another year, another year for backor after a first-down conversion from a and-forth trash talk between Oklahoma one-yard run. Or just before OSU sealed State and Oklahoma fans. And yet again, off the 2014 Bedlam win with an overtime OU served up another reason to point and field goal. Is there a plan for when the laugh on a silver platter. band plays the song, or do they just go as On Nov. 9, a statue of Bob Stoops ranthey please regardless of what’s happening domly arrived on campus without warnon the field? ing. Seen around Norman on the back of a The days of OU ruling the roost for conflatbed truck, the statue apparently was to secutive years are seemingly over. After an be held until Stoops’ days at OU were over. eight-game winning streak against OSU Who knows, maybe there is a plan to pull prior to 2011, the Bedlam scale has been the statue in a trailer behind the Sooner tipped more than ever in OSU’s favor. Schooner. OU’s two wins in the series during that While Stoops is certainly deserving of a span have come in overtime in 2012 and a statue as OU’s all-time wins leader, on the last-second score in 2013. In both instancsurface it seems like another instance of es, OSU held the lead before the Sooners prematurely putting someone on a pedes- made a last-second comeback to put the tal. Every year, the Sooners field another game away. Heisman “candidate” at quarterback. From Another game in Stillwater will bring Landry Jones to Blake Bell, and this year out the best in both teams as they look for Baker Mayfield, OU is the perennial leader state superiority. Let’s all raise our glasses in quarterbacks who fail to live up to to watching Emmanuel Ogbah and the Cowboys’ defense terrorizing Mayfield all wildly unrealistic expectations. Mayfield has put up strong numbers this game long. This year’s game has the potential to season, but what else is new? Oklahoma quarterbacks are routinely near the top of be an elimination game for the College the heap in passing categories, but always Football Playoff and Big 12 title hopes for both teams. But Oklahoma should also end up as a disappointment because they didn’t’ win the national championship that be recognized for its support after the homecoming parade tragedy on Oct. 24. wasn’t going to happen anyway. But once the opening kickoff is in the air, Knight is the prime example. After it’s back to the usual hatred for both fan beating Alabama in the 2014 Sugar Bowl, bases. he was pegged as one of the best quarterGo Pokes! backs in the country. News Press Staff Writer

LG: 74 Michael Wilson 66 Lemaefe Galea’i C: 71 Brad Lundblad 76 Colby Hegwood RG: 64 Jesse Robinson 57 Paul Lewis WR: 3 Marcell Ateman 7 Brandon Sheperd

LT: 73 Victor Salako 78 Matthew Mucha

WR: 28 James Washington 81 Jhajuan Seales

DT: 92 Matthew Romar 93,Jordan Wade CB: 7,Jordan Thomas 2 P.J. Mbanansor

DE: 91 Charles Tapper 87 D.J. Ward

DE: 19 Eric Striker 23 Devante Bond

DT: 94 Matt Dimon 97 Charles Walker

QB: 2 Mason Rudolph 4 J.W. Walsh

RB: 32 Chris Carson 23 Rennie Childs

WR: 17 Austin Hayes 15 Chris Lacy

WR: 13 David Glidden 84 Jalen McCleskey

CB: 15 Zack Sanchez 27 Dakota Austin

13 Ahmad Thomas 8 Kahlil Haughton

SS: 10, Steven Parker 21 Will Sunderland

LB: 1, Dominique Alexander 9, Tay Evants

LB: 26 Jordan Evans 20 Frank Shannon

NB: 12 William Johnson 10 Steven Parker

FS:

2015 BE D L AM

When Oklahoma State has the ball

RT: 60 Zachary Crabtree 51 Brandon Pertile

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