dec 14

Monday, December 14, 2020

Nothing went the way it was supposed to for Oklahoma State this season, but it ended on a positive note with a big 42-3 win over Baylor.

From injuries and disappointing losses, what was supposed to be a dream season for the Cowboys turned into a three loss season and no spot in the Big 12 Championship, but with the win on Saturday the Cowboys are riding high into bowl season.

“Obviously our defense was fantastic in the game,” coach Mike Gundy said. “Offensively we made some big plays. It’s kind of like the way we used to play. There were times where we were average, I think we had three or four series where we weren’t very good, but we still hit big plays. I was excited about that.”

With running back Chuba Hubbard opting out of the season and his backup LD Brown still out with an injury, the running game had remained in the hands of Dezmon Jackson. But on Saturday true freshman Dominic Richardson made his mark on the game handling the majority of the workload.

Both Jackson and Richardson have multiple years of eligibility left, which shows the future of the backfield is bright–– and the coaching staff sees it, too.

“We’ve got Richardson for five more years and we have Dez for I think three,” Gundy said.

“So I’m excited about the direction we’re going with those guys, maybe we can get some lineman back here and keep some of those guys healthy. We hold our breath on the offensive line every game so I’m excited about those guys and what they bring to the table for the next three or four or five years.”

Jerry Larson Oklahoma State running back Dominic Richardson (20) scores a touchdown past Baylor safety Chris-

Cade Cunningham hadn’t hit a shot in the second half, but it didn’t matter.

It was his shot to take.

On the left wing, Cunningham crossed right then left then back again.

He hesitated before pulling the ball back and elevating with a hand in his face.

Hit. Cunningham’s last-second heroics put the Oklahoma State basketball team ahead by three as the Cowboys closed out a 67-64 road victory against Wichita State.

“I knew I was gonna take the last shot,” Cunningham said. “I don’t know what coach (Boynton) thought. I just knew (to) come down and score. I had full confidence shooting the shot.”

OSU coach Mike Boynton nearly decided against a timeout before the Cowboys’ final possession. He spaced the floor and let his star go to work.

Cunningham started the game 0-for-6 from the field before finding a bit of a rhythm towards the end of the first half. In the second,

he didn’t attempt a field goal until there was only 1:26 left in the game.

Wichita State’s Dexter Dennis, a player who prides himself on defense, drew Cunningham’s primary assignment for most of the game, but he had help.

“This is gonna happen a lot, but the game plan was to stop him,” Boynton said.

“They were sending a second and third defender every time he tried to dribble

penetrate. What he’s gonna do is make the right play.

“Is he still the guy late in the game that has the ball in his hands? Absolutely.”

Cunningham still had a clear impact on the game without his usual scoring output, as evidenced by him finishing plus-14 for the contest, by far the highest mark of anyone on the roster.

When teams all-out commit to stopping him, that creates opportunities

for other players to score. Junior Isaac Likekele finished with 14 points, making a number of timely buckets. Likekele also was huge for the Cowboys on the glass, hauling in five offensive rebounds.

Rondel Walker continues to impress as a freshman, attacking closeouts and carving into the lane and to the rim seemingly at will.

Cunningham said he wasn’t focused on his lack of shots,

Kouma had three fouls and a turnover, not exactly impressive numbers.

He was also out of position on a number of defensive rotations, yet Boynton was happy with the little things Kouma did to make an impact. “(Kouma’s) stat line will tell you I’m an idiot,” Boynton said. “But his 12 minutes were invaluable. He gets guys open. He’s a big man as a screener. He did a really good job of setting the tone for us physically inside.”

OSU once again showcased its depth against the Shockers, and it was needed with Cunningham’s scoring struggles.

But no matter his performance, he just wanted to Cunningham’s confimake the right deci- dence never drops. sion.

“I’ve put in so “I just shot the much work,” Cunshots that they gave ningham said. “I’ve me,” Cunningham spent so much time said. “They helped in the gym. I’ve got (on defense) a lot and up so many shots my teammates were that if a couple don’t open. I have a ton go through I’m not of trust in my team- too worried about mates. I know they’re it. Shooting the next gonna make shots.” ball with confidence Mike Boynton is the best thing you made a change in can do and that’s the starting lineup, what I did.” switching out sophomore big man Kalib Boone in exchange for Bernard Kouma. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 2 Monday, December 14, 2020

sports

Breaking point Oldest son presents inside look at Mike Gundy they would tell you that the message was there and it was definitely correct.

“Overall he didn’t mind what I said. He said, ‘I said what I said,’ but then he went back Ryan Novozinsky to the whole ‘You’ve got to stop scrolling, you’ve got to stop getThis was building up ting on there, you’ve got to stop in Gavin Gundy’s mind. For getting into it with people beyears. cause it’s a losing battle, there’s Usually the oldest son no point to it, it’s not going to of Mike Gundy shrugs it off resolve anything.’” when he views critiques of his Gavin, 24, said the messages father online, but after seeing that hurt the most are the ones repeated shots fired following that say his father “doesn’t care” Oklahoma State’s 29-22 loss to about losing or about OSU. TCU, Gavin hit his breaking “Really it came from a place point. of hurt and it hurt me because of He then wrote an explicit, how much that man would live, 220-word message on his Insbreathe and die for OSU,” Gavin tagram story in response to the said. “I’ve seen it my whole life. critics. He knew it may start He cares about his players just controversy, he knew his father like he cares about me and my would probably see it, but the brothers and my mom.” only thing Gavin regrets is usWhenever OSU loses, Gavin ing profanity. said, his father is devastated. But “To be honest, the genMike doesn’t get sad for personal eral message of what I put out reasons, he gets sad for members there, I do not regret,” Gavin of the OSU community and his told The O’Colly in an excluteam. sive interview. “I think I kind “Especially losing and stuff, of got to a breaking point and he never really cares about him,” some of that came out as anger Gavin said. “Obviously it’s all when it was more just frustragoing to be put on him, but he tion and all that. So the explicit really feels bad for the fans, he parts of it, if I could go back I feels bad for the players and probably wouldn’t have chosen that’s just really what people those words. But at the time don’t get to see.” it was just something I think Gavin said he reads comthat just kind of went off in my ments that say his father only head that I was just tired of it cares about the “money, popularand it was hurtful.” ity or TV shows.” In response, Mike Gundy, who has Gavin said he wished people been critical of social media could understand that Mike in the past, called his son after doesn’t think about those things reading the Instagram post and behind the scenes. delivered a lecture about online “When you live with somecomments. one as long as I did, and still “He actually did call when I go home sometimes, you me last night,” Gavin said. get to see the behind-the-scenes “Because some of his friends stuff of how much he really does or something, it had gotten care and how much he hurts for back to him. Which I mean, I the whole university as a whole,” eventually knew it would. He Gavin said. “Truthfully, I’ve wasn’t angry or upset. I know never seen somebody care about from him and my mother that someone or something in this

Courtesy of Gavin Gundy Gavin Gundy, Mike's 24-year-old son, expressed his frustration on Instagram last week in a long rant.

life as much as he cares for that university and those players.”

Mike, who holds the record for wins and games coached at OSU, has faced criticisms for his recruiting classes, the team’s final records and his 2-14 record against rival Oklahoma. Still, Mike says his yearly goals are to win the Big 12 championship and make the College Football Playoff.

“I’m not disappointed with anybody in this organization,” Mike said. “I’m disappointed that, every year our goal is to win a Big 12 championship. If you win a Big 12 championship, you win first place. If you get second or 10th, you get the last place.

There are no second-place medals. We’re all trying to get to the

championship game and then try to win it.”

Even with some of the shortcomings present, Gavin’s overall message to OSU fans is to look at his father from a holistic perspective.

“I shouldn’t have said (OSU) was irrelevant without him, that was probably taken out of context, it was more trying to say basically for people to step back and look at the last 15-16 years that he’s coached and the things that we’ve accomplished and seen: the draft picks, the bowl games, the television,” Gavin said. “It almost made Oklahoma State football relevant on a national stage.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Surprise of the Game: OSU vs Baylor

Jacob Sturm What Oklahoma State fans have been wanting finally happened in the Cowboys regular season finale against the Baylor Bears in Waco on Saturday afternoon.

OSU bullied the Bears, paving the way for a shutout possibility in the meaningful minutes. Here is what surprised us.

The Surprise: Dominic Richardson pacing the OSU rushing attack.

Context: OSU was without Chuba Hubbard and LD Brown again. Baylor was missRod Aydelotte ing 47 players/coaches and staff and seemed a step slow stopping the run.

With Dezmon Jackson having proved himself in the Cowboys previous two

games, Richardson didn’t start.

Breaking it down: Richardson wasn’t the starting running back when the game started.

The OSU offense didn’t seem to be struggling to move the ball, so the expectation of playing time for the freshman wasn’t out of the question.

Suddenly, Richardson was on the field, serving as the Cowboys workhorse in the backfield. Dezmon Jackson looked banged up and Mike Gundy had no reason to risk another skilled position player from getting injured.

That proved to be a good decision.

Richardson produced quickly and effectively. He broke runs of 53 and 43 yards and punched in three OSU touchdowns (the longest being a 17yard sprint).

The freshman finished with 169 yards (OSU gained 261 on the ground).

The result? Optimism and quality running back competition in the future.

ACTIVE FAITH! (Part #2) “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” (Heb.11: NIV) These Ancients of the Bible were commended for their faith. “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” (Gen.6:9 NIV) He believed God existed and God rewarded those who diligently sought him. His faith brought immediate action. (Heb.11:8) He did not put the building of the ark on a long “to do” list. It took 100 years to build. During that time he constantly spoke of the judgement that was coming. (2 Pet.2:5) This was the situation in Noah’s day.

How about our day? Do we believe God exists? To so many, God is something of the past; one you give an hour or so every Sunday morning, because of tradition, but he does not truly count

for much in life. So this moves us to turn to things that have only temporary pleasure, and build our life activities around them. Noah and others mentioned in Heb. 11, were looking for something lasting, something God had promised. They realized they were strangers and pilgrims; living here for a short time. They were living for something better. (Heb.11:13-16) It is so worthwhile to read and reread the New Testament and consider what was the hope of the early Christian leaders; they passed on to all the believers. It was not centered in this present life. They were “running a race;” living a life centered in the example of Jesus himself, and in those who walked with him during his earthly life. We can do the same; live for the eternal, present ourselves to Christ, and let him use us to bear lasting fruit.

sports

Raymond Carlin III Dec 12, 2020; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears running back Trestan Ebner (1) looks for running room as Oklahoma State Cowboys line

Report card: OSU vs. Baylor Sam Hutchens Oklahoma State defeated Baylor 42-3 on Saturday in Waco. Here are the grades: Passing Offense: AIt didn’t take long. A 75yard touchdown pass from Spencer Sanders to WR Dillon Stoner on the second play of the game immediately set the tone for the Cowboys, and they did not let up. Sanders finished with 347 passing yards, completing a respectable 20-30. Stoner racked up a whopping 247 receiving yards on his own, doing most of his damage in the first quarter.

OSU used explosive passing plays to gash the Bears for huge chunks of yardage throughout the game and parlayed that success through the air into blistering 42 points. A pair of

INT’s were the only blemish on an otherwise impressive day for Sanders, who looked poised and relaxed – traits he has not always so clearly displayed this season.

Rushing Offense: A The Cowboys rushed for 261 yards on Saturday, almost quadrupling their opponent.

With both veteran running backs Chuba Hubbard and LD Brown not available, freshman RB Dominic Richardson got time to shine. He had 23 carries for 169 yards and added three rushing scores. Dezmon Jackson filled in behind Richardson, going for 38 yards on 10 carries. Also, QB Spencer Sanders showcased his rushing ability by picking up a couple key third-down conversions on the ground. It was a dominant showing for the OSU attack, and the Cowboys wisely leaned on their RB’s to grind out the game in the second half.

Defense: A The Bears had no chance.

With a depleted roster and a huge early deficit, the acclaimed Cowboy defense got a chance to flex its muscles in primetime.

The defense showed out, surrendering just 156 total yards and a measly three points. Players from the orange-clad secondary flew around like hornets all afternoon, showcasing their quickness and speed by harassing ball carriers trying to find open space. Throwing lanes were tight and the pocket was crowded for Charlie Brewer – turning the man who torched OSU in Stillwater last year into a hapless victim of a defensive onslaught.

Special Teams: A After a few shaky showings in the back half of the season, Cowboys fans ought to be content with a solid, quiet special teams performance. That is exactly the type of day exhibited by the Cowboys against the Bears. No field goals were attempted by OSU, but freshman kicker Brady Pohl rebounded

from a tough outing to go 6-for6 on extra point attempts. There were no big returns, costly penalties or missed kicks for OSU on Saturday – all things that any team with a big lead tries to avoid. Clean, mistakefree football had to feel nice for Mike Gundy.

Energy: A Maybe it was the bright-orange helmets, or just a desire to cleanse the bitter taste from last year’s homecoming loss. Whatever the Cowboys used to psych themselves up for Saturday’s game – it worked. Players and coaches for OSU looked upbeat, lively, and perhaps most importantly, appeared to be having fun. There was plenty to celebrate for the Pokes on Saturday and energy exuded from players all day long. The game may not have meant much on paper, but the whooping and joyous shouts from the sideline tell a different story. sports.ed@ocolly.com

GOOD MONEY

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Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Food nutrients that might be saturated 5 Trooper automaker 10 Docks 15 Father of Leif 16 Curry spice 17 Away from the dock, maybe 18 Florida swimwith-the-dolphins park 20 Lightning-fast Bolt 21 1860s prez 22 Energy source 23 Energy source with tunnels 25 Slangy “Now it’s clear” 28 Miler Sebastian 29 Tree pod used as ersatz chocolate 31 Muslim mystic 34 Bellicose god 38 Symphony wind 39 With 43-Across, America ... or what 18-, 23-, 53and 63-Across contain, briefly 41 Black-clad subculturist 42 Boy Scout groups 43 See 39-Across 44 “Back forty” unit 45 “What’s more ... ” 46 Words of woe 47 Favored on Facebook 48 Pester 50 Amber and epoxy 53 Huge corporate agreement 58 Zodiac butter 59 Smartphone no.

62 Rossini work 63 One requiring a token payment?

66 Sexy poster 67 Big blood vessel 68 Grand __: auto race 69 Bloodhound’s clue 70 Haughty one 71 __ Spumante wine

12/14/20

By Bruce Haight

DOWN 1 Hurricane response org.

2 Many a Syrian 3 Flat-fixing tools 4 Slider on a slope 5 Seal the deal 6 Pilot played by Hanks 7 Actress Thurman 8 Brass component 9 Loosen, as a knot 10 São __, Brazil 11 “I’m baaaack” 12 Morales of “Criminal Minds” 13 Equestrian’s control 14 All there 19 Gaming novice 24 Stomach __: digestive aids 26 Starts one’s daily jog 27 “Take me __”: “This is me” 29 Musical finale 30 Biblical shepherd 32 Unmitigated 33 Greens __: golfer’s payment 35 Rolling Stone interviewees

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

36 To be, in Toulon 37 Mower storage spot 39 Grammar lesson subject 40 Utmost degree 47 Corona wedge 49 Modify to fit 51 Muse with a lyre 52 Anwar of Egypt 53 Deck-swabbing tools

12/14/20

54 Large-scale tale 55 Heredity carrier 56 Small batteries 57 Scientologist Hubbard 60 Radiate, as light 61 Thompson of the LPGA 64 __-Magnon 65 College transcript no.

Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS)

Level 1

2

3

4

launches with today’s eclipse in your sign. Make personal changes next summer, before a collaboration reaches new levels. Reinvent yourself again next winter. Save up for something special.

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Study with a master. A sixmonth phase favoring education, travels and exploration sprout under this Sagittarius Eclipse. Consider new perspectives. Make long-distance connections and bold discoveries.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Get creative to grow your family nest egg. A lucrative phase dawns with this New Moon Solar Eclipse. Launch Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Begin a new chapter together.

Support each other through change or transformation. Strengthen bonds and deepen roots.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — The next six months sparks growing health and strength with this Eclipse. Put your heart into your actions.

Practice for excellent performance. Reach a physical milestone.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — This Sagittarius Eclipse initiates a six-month family, fun and passion phase. A romantic relationship transforms.

It’s all for love and love for all.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Wrap your love around home and family. A blissful six-month domestic phase follows this Eclipse. Seeds planted

Breakthroughs arise in conversation over a transformative six-month Eclipse phase. Make powerful connections. Invite participation. Creative projects reach new heights.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Step into new levels of prosperity. Discover fresh markets and shift position to tap into a win-win situation.

Begin a lucrative six-month growth phase.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Take charge. Raise talents, capacities and skills to new levels over six months with this Solar Eclipse in your sign. Begin a period of personal growth.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Insights, breakthroughs and revelations sparkle over a six-month Eclipse phase. Dreams seem within reach. plans. team efforts. Celebrate breakthroughs in friendship, social networks and community following the Sagittarius Eclipse. Share love, support and appreciation.

Connect.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Professional opportunities shine over the next six months, inspired by this Sagittarius Eclipse. Develop projects from idea to reality. Innovate and create exciting possibilities.

Solution to Saturday’s puzzle

12/14/20 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

© 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Page 6 Monday, December 14, 2020

sports

3 stars of the game: OSU vs Baylor Ryan Breeden

did exactly what Jackson did against Texas Tech: prove his worth.

Richardson carried the ball 23 times for 169 yards and three touchdowns, while adding two runs of 40+ yards.

The 100-yard performance by Richardson makes him the fourth running back on the roster to have a 100-yard game, which is two more than any other team in the nation.

Though OSU will be losing Hubbard and maybe losing Brown, the Cowboys will be just fine with an extremely deep and talented running back room.

Richardson proved that today.

The Defense What a fitting way for the defense to end what has been a mostly dominant regular season.

When looking at the defensive performance, it was impossible to pick just one player to highlight.

This past week, PFF ranked the OSU secondary as the No. 3 secondary in the nation, and they showed out today.

Everybody else did too.

The Cowboys gave up just 156 total yards today, with the number being below 80 going into the fourth quarter.

Baylor only converted 10 first downs, and they crossed midfield twice. One of which was on the opening kickoff.

The defensive line was maybe the most dominant group on the field today. They recorded four sacks and an insane 13 tackles for loss, making it impossible for Baylor to run with much efficiency all night.

When you combine the defensive line performance, the lineOklahoma State wide receiver Dillon Stoner, left, scores over Baylor safety JT backers swarming all around and suffocating game by the secondary, a dominant game where only three points are allowed is what you are going to get.

The Cowboys were missing some star power today on the road against Baylor. The team didn’t get the memo though, and they walloped the Bears 42-3. There were many reasons why the game went the way it did, but three things in particular played a big role, starting with a familiar face.

Dillon Stoner Dillon Stoner came to play today.

The Cowboys were without star wideout Tylan Wallace today but it sure didn’t feel like it. Stoner filled Wallace’s spot, something he has done before, and he had just as much production as Wallace would have.

Maybe even more.

Stoner finished the game with 247(!) receiving yards and three touchdowns on eight catches, and it was apparent what type of day Stoner was going to have within the first 20 seconds.

On the second play of the game, Spencer Sanders rolled out and found Stoner down the sideline. He did the rest himself and took it 75 yards to the house.

With somebody as prominent as Wallace on the roster, somebody like Stoner often goes underutilized and unnoticed. Today he showed who he can really be, and Cowboy fans are for sure going to miss him next season.

Dominic Richardson OSU has been without both Chuba Hubbard and LD Brown for a few weeks now, and during the first half, recently emerging back Dezmon Jackson got injured.

In steps Dominic Richardson.

The true freshman running back from Bishop McGuinness high school sports.ed@ocolly.com

Notebook

Cowboys step up despite missing key pieces on both sides of the ball

Dean Ruhl After losing two of their last three games, the Cowboys were able to handily defeat Baylor 42-3 despite missing wide-receiver Tylan Wallace and cornerback Rodarius Williams.

OSU was able to win its first game in Waco since 2009, thanks in large part to players stepping up and filling the holes left by these injuries.

Defense continues impressive performance without Rodarius Williams Although Baylor was battling another COVID-19 breakout within its program, and were without a couple starters on offense, the OSU defense only allowed 156 yards of total offense and gave up three points without starting cornerback Rodarius Williams.

“It was great to see the guys finish the regular season that way,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “We had been on a bad run of explosive plays, we made some adjustments, I thought everybody stepped up.”

This comes after a week that saw the defense force five turnovers against TCU but allow several big plays that decided the game. Today the biggest play the Cowboys let up was a 21-yard reception by Baylor’s R.J. Sneed.

The team was also without defensive end Trace Ford for the second half of the game after he suffered a leg injury.

Dillon Stoner stepped up in absence of Tylan Wallace After missing the entire fourth quarter last week against TCU, wide-receiver Tylan Wallace didn’t see the field against Baylor, but the veteran Dillon Stoner stepped up, having a career day in Waco.

Stoner had two touchdowns in the first quarter alone, scoring on a 75-yard reception on the second play from scrimmage and then strong-arming a ball away from a defender in the endzone.

“We had a great game plan going in,” Stoner said. “Spencer (Sanders) delivered three perfect balls and I was fortunate enough to make the play on it.”

He finished the day with eight receptions for 247 yards and three touchdowns, falling just inches short of scoring a fourth with five minutes left in the game.

Cowboys successful at pla-

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy looks on during their game with Baylor in

tooning running backs After two straight weeks of Dezmon Jackson assuming the role as RB1 for the Cowboys, he was able to take a backseat against Baylor, allowing Dominic Richardson to pound away for 169 yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson still saw touches, getting the ball 10 times and rushing for 38 yards, as well as

bringing in a reception for five yards.

“We’ve got Richardson for five more years, and we’ve got Dez for three,” Mike Gundy said. “So I’m excited about the direction we’re going with those guys.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Finale...

The OSU offensive line has been depleted from injuries all season, but that also allowed younger players to get reps for next season. With a lot of young depth in the unit offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn thinks next season will be the opposite of this one.

“Obviously Dez had a big one a couple games ago and then (Richardson) today,” Dunn said. “It’s a pretty good 1-2 punch moving into 2021. We’re excited about where we’re heading there and we’re excited about the offensive line. I think we’re probably going to flip the script next year with our offensive line. This year we’ve had to help them out in protection and do a lot of things to try and bring some young guys

along. Next year, hell, I think they’re going to be the dang strength of our offense.”

area. The guys know that. We review every explosive play together as a defense. It’s good we won’t have much to talk about toOn the other side of the ball the defense morrow, but I just tell them that we need to had been consistently dominant all season, have answers for every one that happens and but the biggest weakness was the big plays it it was my fault. I tell them it was my fault. has allowed. Against Baylor, that didn’t hap- It’s such a key to winning the game.” pen with a complete shutdown performance from the defense.

With no shot at the College Football Playoff, the Cowboys now sit back and await Baylor only compiled 156 yards on less their bowl invitation, which could come than 2.5 yards per pass and 2.3 per rush. from the Cheez-it Bowl, formerly the Camping World Bowl, or the Texas Bowl.

“We had done quite well with it for the first half of the season,” defensive coordinasports.ed@ocolly.com tor Jim Knowles said. “There was a stretch of a couple games where we faltered in that