Issuu

@thedailycougar www.thedailycougar.com Est. 1934

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Issue 5, Volume 92

MICAH CLAY | sports@thedailycougar.com

FOOTBALL

Wrangling the Cowboys: Houston take down Oklahoma State 35-32 DANIEL CONTRERAS

SPORTS ASSISTANT EDITOR

@ DANTHESPORTMANS

No. 20 Houston recently hosted the No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowboys and won a high-ranking shootout 35-32. Houston ended up winning the game through key takeaways and took control of the game throughout the defensive front while multiple scores from the offense kept the Cougars in lead. This game was the 23rd time these two teams faced off, and Houston now leads with 12 wins over the Cowboys all-time. Now Houston climbed up to No. 14 on the AP poll and OSU leaves TDECU with their first loss in the conference.

Game recap Houston started off the game with an interception that led the OSU offense to score a threepoint field goal early in the first half. With their first drive of the game being a disaster, Houston Head Coach Willie Fritz knew that he had to rebound fast if he wanted to keep the Cougars in the game. Knowing that there was still plenty of time left in the first half to get some points on the board, Houston fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman led their next drive with a successful touchdown to put seven on the board. This let the Cougars breathe a sigh of relief and allowed the defense to get to work against the Cowboy offense. “There’s a couple of plays we’d like to have back,” Fritz said when talking about their strategy after the game. “I thought Austin Armstrong and the defense did a really good job staying over the top.” Houston ended

with a score of 14-3 heading into halftime and left the locker room hungry for more points. However, OSU retaliated with another three-pointer to start the third quarter and kept the score close at 14-10. The Cougars brushed off the OSU field goal with another touchdown of their own, but the Cowboys began to pick up steam when OSU’s sophomore quarterback Drew Mestemaker retaliated with a touchdown of his own. Heading into the fourth quarter, Houston kept their lead over the Cowboys with a score of 28-17. The Cowboys attempted to climb their way back into the game after a successful touchdown and two-point attempt, but Houston kept OSU in a hole after Weigman led another drive that ended with seven more points.

“We knew they had a great offense. To be able to go out there and execute the way we did it was big time. ” Willie Fritz, Head Coach Houston ended the game with a score of 35-32, keeping a

three-point lead over the Cowboys throughout the rest of the fourth quarter. Weigman and the Houston offense kept OSU in a bind they couldn’t escape from. “The best play in football is the victory formation,” Weigman said when asked how it felt to end the game on offense. “To be able to go out there and end in that formation and get the job done like that, it was huge.”

What’s next? Houston now looks to week eight as they head into Salt Lake City to face off against the Utah Utes in another high-ranking matchup. After mauling the Cowboys in an amazing game, the Utes will attempt to cage the Cougars at home. The football team also spoke very highly of the new attention they have gathered, as 42,544 fans gathered to watch the Cougars against the Cowboys. This is the fourth-highest attendance rate that TDECU has seen all time. “I did kind of look around a bit and saw it and that’s what we’ve been hoping for,” Fritz said. “I think Oklahoma State might’ve had three or four thousand

people come but 90 percent of the crowd was Houston people, which is outstanding.” The Houston Cougars climbed to No. 14 in the recent AP poll after the win. They are also ranked No. 16 in the AFCA Coaches poll. Weigman was also named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the week. This is Houston’s highest ranking this season and the highest since 2016. On Oct. 24, Salt Lake City will be the location for ESPN College GameDay, which will highlight Houston vs. Utah. Utah is one of six undefeated FBS teams. According to Houston Athletics, the Cougars will face their first back-to-back ranked

matchups since 1977. A win over the Utes could put Houston in the top 10, giving it a better chance to make the College Football Playoffs.

2 Wednesday, October 21, 2026

news

KAREN WEI News Editor @thedailycougar

A guide for Hispanic student voters dissatisfied with Republicans first-time voters VOTING

KAREN WEI

PATRICK SAMMON

NEWS EDITOR @KAREN_FEIWEI

Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, approval ratings of Trump and the Republican party have reached notable lows among Hispanic voters. Nearly two-thirds of Hispanic voters disapprove of the job Trump is doing as president, according to September polling from The New York Times/Siena and Fox News. This decline comes after Trump won 48% of Hispanic voters in 2026. Now, 78% of Hispanic respondents in the Times/Siena poll said they prefer to see the Democratic party in control of Congress after the November midterms. Hispanic student voters at UH, many of whom will be heading to the ballot boxes in the coming weeks, are also voicing discontent with where two years of Republican governance has left the country. “How Trump ran things and the things he promised, those things never arrived,” said mechanical engineering sophomore Daniel Molina. “I feel like a lot of Hispanic voters really wanted Trump for the economy. I remember hearing, especially back in high school, the only reason people wanted Trump is because he’ll be better for the economy because he’s a businessman or because he’s a millionaire. Therefore, he has to be good with money.” But those expectations, Molina reflects, didn’t materialize. The Iran war caused a spike in fuel prices that permeated into consumers’ lives, with one estimate from Moody’s Analytics putting the cost per household at $2,000. Molina is also worried for his grandma, who is dependent on Medicare and Medicaid. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by Trump in July 2025, cut over $1 trillion from health programs. “The costs rise up and suddenly it gets harder to buy gas, and I’m supposed to just be okay,” Molina said. “It’s a large chunk of the money that could be used for food, for expenses for my grandma.” The Times/Siena poll shows that the economy is the single most important issue for the upcoming midterms for 18% of Hispanic respondents, but that’s far from the only matter weighing on the minds of the Hispanic electorate. Mechanical engineering freshman Santiago Angel Velasquez is heading into the midterms with ICE front of mind. “ICE rates have gone up and it’s more dangerous, because you don’t know what type of ICE you get,” Velasquez said. “You get one that just says “ID”, whatever, you show them, all right, you can go. Or, the more brutal ones that are pointing a gun at you. I think all of that, plus the economy, will make a lot of us Latino voters move to the left again.” Mere months ago, in Houston, an ICE officer shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican man who did not have legal status in the U.S. at the time of his death. The news sparked multiple protests in Houston and beyond. Velasquez said he and his family haven’t been personally affected, but it feels like a

SENIOR STAFF WRITER @PSAMMON33

The 2026 midterm elections began on Oct. 19 for early voting and Nov. 3 for general voting. For first-time student voters, here are the four W’s and the H for voting.

Who and why

Elijah Washington/The Cougar

lingering threat. The only way he could see a Hispanic voter still going Republican is on the basis of social issues like policies around transgender people or abortion, where Hispanics can lean more conservative.

Political awakenings This year’s midterms will be many students’ first time voting. Marketing sophomore Alyse Arriaga was still in high school during the 2024 presidential election, but the formation of her political views happened much earlier. In 2018, Arriaga’s school district in Santa Fe had a school shooting in which 10 people were killed: nine students and one teacher. Arriaga’s brother was at the high school when the shooting happened. “During that moment is when I became very anti-gun,” Arriaga said. “I hate guns. I don’t want anything to do with guns.” Nevertheless, in Santa Fe, a rural, predominantly white town where kids miss school for hunting season and people buy milk from the dairy farm instead of H-E-B, Arriaga remembers her classmates celebrating Trump’s 2024 victory. It was discouraging, says Arriaga and that was before Trump even took office. “What ended up happening was a lot worse than what I anticipated, specifically on my community,” Arriaga said. “I’ve seen ICE take individuals, and knowing that I’m in a family of immigrants, I can’t bring myself to be acquainted with someone who agrees with something like that.” A couple weeks ago, on her commute to school, Arriaga saw ICE stop a gardening worker -- but from her eyes, it could have easily been her dad or someone in her family. It just doesn’t sit right with anyone, Arriaga said. Arriaga isn’t the only one with a story about ICE. Journalism senior Gabriela Ramirez says she was terrified of what would happen to her mom in 2024, who was then undocumented and now has a work visa. Seeing Trump elected into office at that time was awful, Ramirez remembers. “It felt like the end of my life,” Ramirez said. “I think people forgot how bad Trump was during his first term and just fell for his facade again. It literally felt like people voted for the devil.” In this year’s midterms, Ramirez plans to vote blue. She’s especially excited about Democratic congressional candidate James

Talarico. “I do have hope that something is going to happen, some change,” Ramirez said. “Even if it doesn’t happen this year, I think it’s the groundwork for it to happen maybe later down the line.”

Outside the box Hispanic voters, though, are not a monolith, and certainly aren’t uniformly liberal. Even with many opposed to Republican policies on immigration and the economy, the Hispanic vote isn’t guaranteed for Democrats. Take computer science senior Matthew Boodram, who voted third party in 2024, casting his ballot for Green Party nominee Jill Stein. “I felt like if I voted either side red or blue, I felt like I was betraying my values,” Boodram said. “So I still wanted to vote and be a part of the system. But there was no cookie cutter choice where I could go.” Boodram’s parents voted for Trump (Borden describes himself as centrist). Having seen the escalation of deportations led by ICE, Boodram’s parents will be voting blue in the upcoming midterms. But although Boodram likes Talarico, his governor vote isn’t locked in yet. He says he doesn’t know that much about Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, “I’m in tune with my Latino culture, but I just see myself as a person, so it’s like, what do I feel would benefit me and my neighbors the most?” Boodram said. And many times, evolving political views follow generational lines. Supply chain and logistics freshman Kelly Zelaya said she had to actively convince her dad, a former Republican, to see her stance on abortion. Zelaya is “a hundred percent” planning to vote in the midterms. She already has a list of pros and cons ready and says she considers herself privileged. “Americans are privileged. I’m privileged,” Zelaya said. “I’m Hispanic, but I’m also American. For other Hispanic voters, their priorities are different. There’s people who need papers. There’s people who are trying to get their work permits. Americans are not thinking about that.” news@thedailycougar.com

Before entering a voting booth, it is the voter’s responsibility to know their chosen candidate well. It is not enough to just categorize politicians into being just a Republican or Democrat, as each candidate has varied stances on a wide range of topics. How would a voter decide on their candidate? Begin by taking a look at their individual campaign sites where their political leanings are expressed fully. These sites will have some sort of mission statement and quote about why a candidate is running and what they will do for the voter. Students should also note that these sites are biased by showing personal accomplishments and affiliations that strengthen their parties. To have a nonpartisan look at each candidate, search for articles from non-biased sources. Politicians can change their views on topics, especially during an election cycle where the main goal is to gain the most voters come election season, so students should keep an eye out for headlines discussing the candidates until election day.

When and where Early voting runs from Oct. 19 to Oct. 30 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and noon and 7 p.m. on Sundays. On Nov. 3, voting times will take place from 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., but voters can expect a larger turnout as people try to get their votes at the last second. As a result, early voting is highly recommended to keep voters more spread out through the election process. Voters should also plan where they will be putting their ballot, as voting locations are spread widely throughout each district. For Harris County voters, Harrisvotes.com contains a PDF map of locations for both early voting and general voting locations.

How When a voter enters the polling location, they are expected to have ID on them. Voters can have one of seven forms of ID, including a driver’s license or passport. Use votetexas. gov to research valid IDs voters can bring to the poll. After a voter is brought through with their valid ID, they will approach an electronic voting machine on which they will cast their ballots. The voting machine will show different candidates for a wide range of elections. After the voter places their ballots in full, they are then free to go on with their day. news@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

As we’re entering the final weeks of this election, I wanted y’all, the next generation of Texas leaders, to be able to hear from me directly. I grew up in Brownsville and went to UT Austin. What I found on campus was Texas itself. Panhandle kids and Houston kids, Valley kids and rural kids, people who had worked their way through school and people who had never worried about money. I learned just how big and complicated this state is, and how much promise it holds. I know you see it too whether you're at Texas A&M or Texas Tech or anything in between. You are about to inherit Texas, and each of you has some idea of the life you want to build here. Maybe you will start a company, teach in a classroom, work in public service, or do something you haven’t quite figured out yet. Whatever your piece of the American Dream looks like, Texas should be the place where you can make it happen. You are doing your part but Texas is not holding up its end. State government is working for insiders and billionaire donors while public schools are starved, costs keep rising, and ordinary Texans pay the Abbott corruption tax. Follow the money and you find the answer to almost every question about why things here are harder than they should be. I have spent my career fighting that. College students across Texas have real power in this election. You will help decide what Texas becomes and who it belongs to. Is this a Texas by and for the people, or is this the billionaires’ world and we just live here? I believe Texas belongs to all of us. That’s why I’m running for governor: to secure the American Dream by saving Texas schools and putting money in your pocket. It’s time for a change, and this election, we’re going to prove it. I’ll see you at the polls, Gina Hinojosa

Candidate for Governor ginafortexas.com PS. You can find your nearest polling place at IWillVote.com/Texas. Make a plan to vote early, October 19–30. Election Day is November 3.

POL. ADV. PAID BY GINA HINOJOSA CAMPAIGN

4 Wednesday, October 21, 2026

news CRIME

Reports of violence against women on campus up 60% GIA MEJIA

as our Crossroads online training, which covers dating and domestic violence, stalking, consent and reporting options.”

NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR @GIA.MEJIA

Reports of violence against women increased 61.11% from 2024 to 2025, according to the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which was released on Sept. 30. Violence against women includes dating violence, domestic violence and stalking. Dating violence experienced the sharpest surge, rising from 18 in 2024 to 41 reported incidents in 2025. Domestic violence cases nearly doubled over the same period, rising from nine reports to 17. Stalking cases saw the slightest increase, moving from 27 to 29. While a rise in statistics can indicate a growing safety concern, university officials and experts note that higher numbers can also simply reflect an increase of student awareness. “There is a greater awareness, from the Me Too movement all the way to the Cornell incident,” said associate professor of sociology Sheila Katz. “There is more of an awareness of what is considered sexual assault and that reporting is okay.” On-campus resources like Sexual Misconduct Support Services provide individualized safety planning. Students are most likely to come forward and report a violence in a safe environment. However, due to the implementation of Senate Bill 17, public Texas universities are

Overcoming the stigma

Isabel Bustos, Lily Huynh, Nina To/The Cougar

prohibited from maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion offices. At UH, the former Women and Gender Resource Center was consolidated into the Parent and Family Office in fall 2025. While administrative offices manage Title IX compliance and official investigations, Katz emphasized that informal resource center served as an approachable space for students to process traumatic events, before pursuing a formal reporting. “These women and gender resource centers are often the place where women feel safe to

go, to just talk about the experience and if they are not sure how to process it,” Katz said. In response to safety concerns, a University spokesperson emphasized the institution’s commitment to safety through prevention education. “The University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all employees, students and visitors through multi-layered campus policing, education and by connecting those affected with individualized support,” said a University spokesperson. “We also mandate comprehensive prevention education, such

Despite the increased awareness, genderbased violence remains among the most underreported crimes nationally, particularly among young adults. Violent crimes often go unreported on college campuses because victims do not believe the incident is serious enough. They fear they will not be taken seriously by authorities or they are unsure if a crime actually occurred. “Sexual assault often gets deflected around onto the women or onto the survior, saying what were you doing? What were you wearing? What did you have to drink?” Katz said. “The way society views the victim definitely adds on to the pressure.” While acknowledging the challenges victims face, Katz also emphasized that the increase of reports is a positive. “I think that student-led movements help our campus but also our campus administrators more broadly who are in it for the students create better student experiences,” Katz said. “I would be more critical of the state.” news@thedailycougar.com

24 HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CAPS CRISIS LINE

713-743-5454 Togetherall Web-based peer support platform Welltrack Boost Self-help app uh.edu/caps/services/24-7supports

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

CAMPUS

Whitmire makes appearance to celebrate White Cane Safety Day CELENE BOURESLAN

NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR @CELENE_BOURESLAN

Mayor John Whitmire declared Oct. 15 as Houston’s 2026 White Cane Safety Day during the initiative’s 20th anniversary celebration. The initiative aims to unite blind or visually impaired individuals to promote accessibility and increase the public’s awareness about the community’s experiences. In 2007, the first WCSD was declared. The founders of the initiative said that they didn’t

just want the day to be celebrated in other cities, like Austin, but also in Houston. Every year, Houston’s mayor declares a date on or near Oct. 15 as that year’s White Cane Safety Day, according to Texas Workforce Solutions. “Look what we’re doing in Houston today: We’re coming together, united, inclusive and to make a difference in individuals’ lives,” Whitemire said. “That’s why, quite frankly, we get up each and every day.” The event began with an awareness march. Together, organizers and volunteers walked around the Student Centers, with

Representatives of Houston White Cane Safety day speak to University of Houston students, Oct. 15, 2026 at the Student Center South in Houston. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar

Houston Mayor John Whitmire speaks at the 20th anniversary celebration of White Cane Safety Day on October 15, 2026, in Houston, Texas. | Celene Boureslan/The Cougar

some using their white canes, a device primarily used by members of the blind and visually impaired community. “My cane is a symbol of independence. It symbolizes that we can do it,” said iBug Today volunteer and UH alumness Wes Ferrell. “I’m one of the fortunate visually impaired individuals with a full-time job. I took off work to do this today because I care that much about it. I care that much about the whole idea behind WCSD.” Ferrell said that the march is important because it allows visually impaired individuals to navigate their white canes safely and with independence. He added that it also increases awareness on how to identify citizens who are visually impaired. “I think that the march provides

awareness, especially if a student sees this event, or if they walk by and see all the Metro buses stopping with people with their white canes, they’ll be more knowledgeable about what these things (canes) are,” Ferrell said. During the event, various partners of the initiative, including the Gulf Coast Workforce Solutions and 62 tabling organizations, aimed to inform attendees regarding their services, resources and programs for the community. “Nothing is more impressive than to see a group of people come together and make a statement of independence, a statement of recognition and a statement of opportunity,” Whitmire said. news@thedailycougar.com

CAMPUS

Turning Point “Prove Me Wrong” event sparks debate over Christianity, Sharia law KAREN WEI

NEWS EDITOR @KAREN_FEIWEI

Turning Point USA at UH hosted Lucas Miles, a pastor and vice president of TPUSA Faith, for an event called “Prove Me Wrong” on Oct. 15 at the Student Center North Lawn. As part of TPUSA’s “Pick Up the Mic” initiative, Miles received questions and debated with students, drawing dozens of onlookers. “It’s a crowd of many people that look very different, black, white, Hispanic, Muslim, and as of now it seems very calm, but can get very riled up due to the political siding of the school itself, or at least what I’ve been witnessing,” said electrical engineering freshman Amir Fontenot. “Our school is very left-leaning, so it seems like most of the people in the crowd are very left and really don’t want this to happen.” TPUSA at UH declined to be interviewed. Fontenot said he was drawn to the event out of curiosity by the large crowd present. He describes his views as more right than left and said he thought it was disrespectful for people in the crowd to yell and heckle. “That’s the point of college and university: to hear different thoughts,” Fontenot said. “Myself, I’m here right now trying to listen to both sides and learn more. I’ve heard about Sharia law, but I’ve never really understood it too much, so hearing both sides is pretty informational.” The thematic through line of the event was Christianity and its opposition to Sharia law and Islam.

University of Houston student discusses with Vice President of TPUSA Lucas Miles, Oct. 15, 2026 in Houston.. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar

Management information systems and marketing sophomore Rayan Khan, who is Muslim, went up to the mic after seeing a sign that read “Don’t Sharia My Texas”. “We had a conversation about what Sharia law actually means, and his main argument was that it threatens the U.S. Constitution because its principles are incompatible with constitutional law,” Khan said. “He also argued that Christianity is the best way to live. I strongly disagreed because I believe all Americans should be able to exercise their

First Amendment rights, particularly the freedom of religion and practice their beliefs without government interference. To me, this means keeping religion out of American law, whether it’s Christianity, Islam or any other faith.” Ultimately, Khan said he believes these events are important for encouraging college students to take action on the issues important to them, especially in light of the upcoming elections. Open-minded conversation, Khan says, is key.

“Many speakers, and sometimes students, come to these discussions with preconceived biases or the assumption that their opinions are fully correct,” Khan said. “I think this contributes to the division we see across our country, where everything becomes conservative versus liberal, red versus blue, Christianity versus Islam, rather than focusing on the corruption and the major humanitarian and economic issues affecting people’s lives.” news@thedailycougar.com

6 Wednesday, October 21, 2026

sports

MICAH CLAY Sports Editor @thedailycougar

BASKETBALL

Houston beats Montana Tech in exhibition game blowout

Houston guard Bryce Jackson (6) reacts to his teammate during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Montana Tech, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 at Fertitta Center. | Oscar Herrera/The Cougar

COREY HUNTER

SPORTS WRITER @COREYYY_HUNTER

Houston men’s basketball rolled in its first exhibition game of the 2026 season, with a 110-53 victory over Montana Tech in the Fertitta Center on Oct. 15. Six Cougars hit the double-digit mark, with sophomore guard Chase McCarty leading with 19 points. Senior forward Delrecco Gilespie was second on the team with 13 points, draining all five of his shot attempts. He also added five rebounds. Sophomore guard Kordel Jefferson, freshman center Arafan Diane, freshman guard Ikenna Alozie and senior forward Joseph Tugler all finished with 10 or more points. Tugler also finished leading the team in rebounds with nine. Jefferson was perfect from beyond the arc, hitting all four of his attempts. McCarty was also efficient from three-point land, as he nailed five of his six attempts. It was Houston’s game from the jump, as it opened up a 22-4 run in the first half

before it went into the tunnel leading 56-29. Montana Tech hit just six total field goals in the second half compared to Houston’s five three-pointers. Sophomore guard Asher Williams led the Orediggers in points with 12 while senior forward Justin Asi led the team in rebounds with five. While this game may seem like an ordinary exhibition game, it holds extra weight for head coach Kelvin Sampson. He was Montana Tech’s head coach from 19811985, where he led the Orediggers to three straight conference championships. “I was 25 and their basketball program wasn’t very good, but neither was I,” said Sampson. “They took a chance on a guy that probably else would have or should have.” In the postgame press conference, Sampson recalled how he and his future wife Karen were “just surviving” out in Butte, Montana. With their limited income, the two would go to the gym and have kayak races for entertainment. He cherishes that time, however, saying that it was a great time in their lives.

Houston forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) dunks the ball during an NCAA college men’s basketball match against Montana Tech on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026 in Houston. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar

Sampson also remembers how the other coaches felt about him in his first year as Montana Tech’s head coach. “I still remember all the coaches. I’m sure

they felt sorry for me that first year, but maybe not after that.” sports@thedailycougar.com

FAN EXPERIENCE

Fans react to the Houston vs. Oklahoma State game win MICAH CLAY

SPORTS EDITOR @MCJOSH_BTW_PODCAST

On Oct. 17, the Houston Cougars won against Oklahoma State 35-32. The Cougars are now 5-1 and are ranked No. 14 in the AP poll.

What fans said The main attraction that night was the drone show, which featured the Houston logo, a Cougar paw and even celebrated Hispanic Heritage with a skull and a woman dancing. “It was pretty cool,” sophomore biomedical student Isaiah Jefferson said. The Houston fans were ecstatic, mainly due to the game being at night. “It’s cold and I needed that,” Jefferson said. “It’s too hot to be out here in the morning.”

Additionally, the Cougars saw a sold-out stadium, with over 40,000 people coming to the game to support the team. Due to most games being in the morning, many students and fans didn’t attend because of the heat, the weather, or simply the early start. However, many students were excited and even surprised about a sold-out stadium. “I believe that it’s too good to be true,” sophomore pre-nursing student Mila Martinez said. “We showed up and I didn’t expect it.” Tailgating was also a favorite for many Houston students. “It was fun. Walking around, you see all the Oklahoma State people,” Martinez said. “It’s crazy.” Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman had five passing touchdowns and 343 yards

to push the Cougars to the win column. “I’m so excited that (Weigman) is showing out in this ranked game,” Martinez said. With the score being 14-3 at halftime, many fans believed that Houston had the win under its belt. “We’re already ahead by 11 points. We’re amazing,” said Jefferson. “They got a field goal so I mean that’s amazing.” However, Oklahoma State had the game narrowed to three points and threatened to score. However, Houston ran out the clock and won. The Houston Cougars are starting to become a team where fans will show out and support. Facing No. 10 Utah in Salt Lake City, the Cougars will need all the support they can get from fans. sports@thedailycougar.com

Houston student section celebrates a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State University on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 in Houston. | Gillian Wisniewski/The Cougar

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

AWARDS

Houston Cougars receiving national recognition midseason MICAH CLAY

SPORTS EDITOR @MCJOSH_BTW_PODCAST

The Houston Cougars are now in the No. 14 spot of the AP poll and there have been a plethora of players and coaches who have brought them there. All of these players have showcased to the nation how great they are. From tying records or kicking field goals, they have planted themselves on the national map.

Patrick Overmyer Senior tight end Patrick Overmyer was named the Associated Press Midseason All-American Second Team thanks to a fourtouchdown performance against Kansas State, which tied the NCAA FBS record for a tight end. He was also named to the John Mackey, Earl Campbell and Tyler Rose Player of the Week after that performance. Overmyer is eighth in the nation with seven touchdowns and has 432 receiving yards.

Conner Weigman Fifth-year quarterback Conner Weigman advanced into the Top 15 for the Golden Arm Award after a three-rushing-touchdown performance against UCF. Weigman has 1,771 passing yards, which is second in the Big 12 and has thrown 20 touchdowns.

Shadre Hurst, Anthony Boswell

Nina To/The Cougar

Fifth-year offensive lineman Shadre Hurst and junior offensive lineman Anthony Boswell were named to the AP Midseason All-American First Team. According to Houston Athletics, both linemen are among the nation’s best.

Jonathan Dimas Finally, senior kicker Jonathan Dimas

earned Big 12 Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. This comes after a two 40+ yard field goal performance against UCF and is the only Big 12 kicker to do so in Week 5.

Head coach Willie Fritz Head coach Willie Fritz was named to the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List after a win over UCF. He is one of two Big 12 head

coaches and one of three head coaches in Texas to make the list. He has led Houston in multiple top-25 statistics, including third-down conversion percentage, rushing defense, interceptions allowed, scoring offense and rushing offense. sports@thedailycougar.com

8 Wednesday, October 21, 2026

opinion

NASHLY RAMIREZ Opinion Editor @thedailycougar

POLITICS

Why are Texas Republicans avoiding political debates?

Chloe Sales/The Cougar

ELLYSSA MEYER

STAFF WRITER @THEDAILYCOUGAR

Election season is underway in the United States. Typically, such a season would consist of ads, speeches and debates; however, for Texans, the latter is almost entirely absent. While candidates from both parties have declined debates, some prominent Texas Republicans have faced criticism for doing so, including Ken Paxton, who has declined calls to debate Democratic opponent James Talarico in the U.S. Senate race.

Some critics have suggested that Paxton’s reluctance to debate stems from concerns about how a public confrontation could affect his campaign. Regardless of Paxton’s speaking prowess, this assumption ignores the previously stated fact: Republicans across the board refuse to debate, not just Paxton. Gov. Greg Abbott has debated his Democratic opponent in the past 12 years and three elections, and has won each one. This year, even though the race against Democrat Gina Hinojosa is extremely close, he has now decided that a debate is

unnecessary. Assuming that every Republican candidate avoids debates out of fear of losing oversimplifies the issue. Given the sheer number of people involved, it is reasonable to assume that at least some Republicans would be skilled enough at debate, or face opponents weak enough, to avoid losing. However, that does not mean that they are not afraid. Texas Republicans occupy a unique position. It is no small stretch to say that Texas is Republican, but at the same time, they support Trump, who is being viewed more and more negatively as time goes on. From a campaign strategy perspective, declining debates may allow Republican candidates to avoid giving their opponents additional visibility.

The strategy behind avoiding debates Campaigns are meant to bring attention to political candidates, but Republican campaigns often focus their messaging on presenting their candidates as the solution to their opponents. This strategy shifts attention and negativity toward the opposition, something a debate could change. Both

parties are placed on equal footing, resulting in attention shared equally between them. Participating in a debate could introduce political risks for Republican candidates who already benefit from a loyal voter base in Texas. Although debates can offer candidates opportunities to reach voters, they also carry risks, which may help explain why some Republicans choose not to participate.

Voters deserve answers Still, avoiding debates does not mean candidates should be exempt from answering voters’ questions. Candidates regularly visit communities to connect with voters. Although Gov. Greg Abbott has emphasized the importance of community engagement in his campaign for a fourth term, participating in a debate would give voters another opportunity to hear directly from him. If candidates want to earn voters’ trust, they should be willing to defend their positions on the debate stage rather than leave voters with unanswered questions. opinion@thedailycougar.com

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Wednesday, October 21, 2026

HORROR

The real horror: What scary movies say about society HARLEM GILBERT

STAFF WRITER @ HARLEMRENAISSSANCE

As summer turns to autumn, swimsuits are replaced by sweaters, apple cider makes its return and Halloween brings horror movies back into the spotlight. For decades, horror movies have terrified audiences with slashers, zombies and supernatural possessions. However, behind the blood and gore lies something much more unsettling: the fears and anxieties of the real world. From political unrest to racial inequality, horror has consistently reflected the issues troubling society, proving that the genre is more than just entertainment.

Societal reflections Horror movies have always reflected society’s fears. During the Great Depression, films like “Dracula,” “Frankenstein” and “White Zombie” explored fears surrounding outsiders, reflecting the racial prejudices and “us versus them” mindset of the time. With strict immigration laws and widespread discrimination, Mexican migrants and Black Americans faced harmful stereotypes that influenced how monsters were portrayed. Victor Halperin’s “White Zombie,” set in Haiti, used zombies controlled by an immoral master to reflect themes of slavery and exploitation. As society changed, so did horror. The

1960s brought occult-based films like “Rosemary’s Baby” and later “The Exorcist,” reflecting anxieties surrounding religion and cultural change. The 1980s saw the rise of slashers alongside growing conservatism, often punishing teenagers for premarital sex, drinking and smoking. Following 9/11, films like “The Strangers” reflected fears of unpredictable violence, while “Cloverfield” revived the “us versus them” mentality amid rising nationalism.

Creators’ perspective The voices behind horror are just as important as the themes themselves. For decades, Hollywood lacked diversity, with the majority of popular horror films in the 1980s directed by white men. As Hollywood became more diverse, new perspectives gained visibility. Black horror, which dates back to the 1940s, gained mainstream attention through films like “Candyman” and Jordan Peele’s “Get Out,” which explores racial exploitation and cultural appropriation Similarly, Clive Barker’s “Hellraiser” explores sexuality and pain, drawing inspiration from queer subcultures Both filmmakers demonstrate how personal experiences and fears can shape horror, giving these stories deeper meaning beyond the scares.

Current state of horror Horror movies had a recent revival. Over

Chloe Sales/The Cougar

the past few years the horror genre has been performing well critically and at the box office. Notably, “Sinners” was nominated for 16 Oscars, one of them being for Best Picture, making it one out of nine total horror movies to ever be nominated. One-third of horror nominations for best picture took place in the last three years. Since the pandemic, psychological horror has gained attention, particularly stories that explore isolation and the fear of being trapped in familiar spaces. The overturn of Roe v. Wade brought an increase of horror related to women’s autonomy like “Obsession” and “Companion.” Horror is often dismissed as nothing more than graphic violence, but the idea

that the genre has only recently become meaningful overlooks its long history of social commentary. Horror has never been just about making audiences scream. It gives filmmakers a way to confront uncomfortable realities through fictional stories, allowing viewers to recognize fears they might otherwise ignore. This October, when you sit down to watch a horror movie, look beyond the blood and gore. The most frightening part of these stories might not be the monsters themselves, but what they reveal about the world we live in. opinion@thedailycougar.com

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

DV Awareness Month should not be overlooked

Nina To/The Cougar

KELSEY WILLIAMSON

WEB EDITOR @KELSEY_WILLIAMSON_

Domestic violence is an issue that can oftentimes be overlooked. It is a very nuanced problem that not everyone can fully understand. It’s one of those things when heard about, there’s sympathy but little action or thought. With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it becomes apparent that this information often goes overlooked due to a lack of understanding on the many different factors of domestic violence.

More than just physical harm The most common misconception is that domestic violence is only associated with physical harm. Although this is definitely a traumatic and serious part of it, this isn’t the only form of abuse. Many victims experience abusive behaviors that aren’t physical harm or assault. Psychological control over another is something that perpetuates toxic and violent relationships. Oftentimes, it is emotional harm that can lead to a destructive cycle of abuse. Someone maintaining power over another causes victims to feel trapped, making it hard to break the cycle.

Exerting power over another can be things like isolation, intimidation, making threats and gaslighting someone. These types of things mess with a person’s mind. Physical harm can leave damage on someone’s body, but emotional, economic, cultural and ritual abuse can bruise someone’s brain. Victims will start to lose touch with themselves and reality, an exploitation that can completely change their lives. Domestic violence does not dwindle down to one form of harm. It is an extremely nuanced problem that needs to be addressed. Spreading awareness and helping those in need starts with not overlooking all the factors that contribute to domestic violence. It is an ongoing issue that affects too many people worldwide. About 35.6% of women and about 28.5% of men experience some sort of domestic abuse. Unfortunately, it is hard to eliminate these numbers. But people can become educated on the topic, so they can recognize the signs and save the people around them.

Leaving is not that simple One of the biggest complexities in domestic violence cases is leaving the relationship. Due to the systematic power being held

over a victim, leaving can sometimes not feel like an option for some. They could be trapped due to financial or family reasons, or they can feel that leaving is more life-threatening than staying in the relationship. It is such a hard thing that, for most, it can take multiple attempts before someone can leave for good. Knowing the signs and patterns of domestic violence will help encourage more victimsto break away from these relationships. Ending the silence around the topic is something that needs to be done. While Domestic Violence Awareness Month is recognized, there is still room for much more action. There are local women’s shelters and domestic violence shelters that offer resources and aid to victims and education to the public. There is never a cap on how much awareness can be spread. Domestic violence often goes overlooked due to a lack of information and education. This cannot be a neglected problem. It is not hard to learn about the nuances of abusive relationships. But to make a difference, the silence must be broken, and the issue can no longer be overlooked. opinion@thedailycougar.com

10 Wednesday, October 21, 2026

life and arts

Karen Wei News Editor @thedailycougar

GAURAANGI GUPTA | editor@thedailycougar.com

i The Cougar

thedailycougar.com

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Gauraangi Gupta MANAGING EDITOR

Anjali Martinez NEWS EDITOR

Karen Wei

SPORTS EDITOR

Micah Clay

OPINION EDITOR

Nashly Ramirez SENIOR STAFF WRITERS

April Badmus Maria Krylova Patrick Sammon Nanaki Matharu

PHOTO EDITOR

Gillian Wisniewski CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Lily Huynh WEB EDITOR

Kelsey Williamson ASSISTANT EDITORS

Rahaf Ahmad Celene Boureslan Isabel Bustos Daniel Contreras Oscar Herrera Gia Mejia Yocelin Real Nina To Emily Traweek Umniyah Alazzawi

ISSUE STAFF CLOSING EDITORS

Gauraangi Gupta Anjali Martinez

COVER

Lily Huynh Gillian Wisniewski

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