Friday, October 3, 2025
Protect their paws
If no animals received vaccines or general health care, serious consequences would likely occur, affecting not only animal health, but the health of humans.
A federal court ruling leaves more than 40 students at Oklahoma State without the ability to pay an in-state tuition rate.
Federal District Court Judge Ronald White of the U.S. District Court of Eastern Oklahoma ruled a state law unconstitutional Aug. 29 as the result of a lawsuit the U.S. Department of Justice filed against the state of Oklahoma on Aug. 5.
Students who were undocumented could receive in-state tuition at state colleges and universities under the state law that offered the rate to anyone who graduated from an Oklahoma public or private high school and resided in the state for at least two years before graduation.
The judge’s order banned the state from enforcing the statute as it applies to undocumented students.
The Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education followed suit. It voted to revoke a policy that allowed undocumented immigrant students, who meet certain criteria, to attend college without valid documentation of U.S. nationality or an immigration status permitting study at a state college.
The policy change was effective immediately to comply with the court order. Per the most recent data, Angela Caddell, associate vice chancellor for communications at OSRHE, confirmed to The O’Colly that around 400 students are affected statewide with a total of 43 students at OSU.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a motion and released a statement in support of the lawsuit, which also described the state law as providing eligibility to “illegal” immigrants over U.S. citizens from other states.
To ensure animals are receiving the proper care and treatment ensures a more stable economy, food security and the health of people around the world.
shelter’s mission to educate pet owners in Stillwater of the potential for animal disease.
What if a simple shot could save your pet’s life and keep the world around you safe, too?
Anthony Morales, Stillwater Animal Welfare kennel technician, promotes the
“Even well-behaved animals can not avoid diseases they can not see,” Morales said. “It is important for us to ensure they stay protected and safe from these threats.”
Old Power Plant to become green space
Construction is no strange sight to see on campus.
The most recent project: the demolition of the power plant located on Hall of Fame Avenue. It has been nonoperational since 2018, which was 17 years longer than its expected lifespan.
Oklahoma State replaced the power plant with a new one on Washington Street in 2018. This was OSU’s first new power plant since 1945 when the deconstructed plant was built, replacing one built in 1912. The plant that was built in 1912 was replaced by the Classroom Building.
Demolition of the plant was planned to be completed before the end of the summer, but has continued weeks into the school year.
The university has released plans for what will happen with the land from the power plant for the interim. There are also goals and plans that are made for the land but those plans are not official.
Raynee Howell CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Payton Little, The O’Colly
Stillwater Animal Welfare employee Tarin Clinage walks Lois on a leash outside the shelter.
Chance Marick, The O’Colly
The U.S. Department of Justice sued the state of Oklahoma Aug. 5 over a state law on tuition at public colleges.
Marcus Mesis STAFF REPORTER
Lennon Arrington, The O’Colly
The Power Plant in front of Boone Pickens Stadium was demolished to make space for a temporary green space.
Two killed in head-on collision in Stillwater
Raynee Howell CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
A head-on crash resulted in the death of an elderly woman and a teenager early Saturday morning. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol report said Fernando Gonzalez, 17, was driving a vehicle north on US-177 around midnight. Witnesses stated he was traveling at a high rate of speed without his headlights on. He then hit
a curb and lost control of the vehicle.
Upon losing control, Gonzalez’s vehicle struck 78-year-old Lorna R. Stein’s vehicle head-on, killing them both. The deceased were both from Stillwater. The report stated Gonzalez did not have a seatbelt on, but Stein did.
The information provided by OHP was reported during the preliminary stages of the investigation.
of Westwood Elementary.
Stillwater Public Schools names two new principals
Raynee Howell CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
With the resignation of the Stillwater Junior High School principal, Stillwater Public Schools will rely on two current staff members to fill new positions.
Following the resignation of SJHS Principal Jim Vestal, two new principals were named. Darren Nelson is the new principal of SJHS, and Ashley Dobbs will serve as the interim principal of Westwood Elementary.
Nelson was the current principal of Westwood Elementary. He was assistant principal of SJHS from 2005 to 2008 and will return to the junior high with his new position. The district said Nelson’s experience and familiarity with SJHS contributed to the decision.
“His previous experience at the school, combined with his outstanding leadership at Westwood, gives him
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immediate credibility,” Superintendent Tyler Bridges said in a press release.
“He is the right person to build on the school’s successes and guide its staff and students into the future.”
Nelson said he is excited for the opportunity to be principal at SJHS, and he fully supports Dobbs as his successor. Dobbs was assistant principal at Westwood and will fulfill Nelson’s previous job as principal, at least temporarily.
“I’m going to miss the students, staff, and families of Westwood very much, but I feel great leaving it in the hands of Mrs. Dobbs,” Nelson said in a press release. “She’s going to do a fantastic job.”
SPS said the appointments are effective immediately and plans are underway to make the transition smooth for staff, students and families.
Assistant
Toby Greene, the guff little Missourian who coached Oklahoma State’s baseball for 25 years, died at his home in Stillwater shortly after noon Monday (Oct. 2, 1967) after a long illness. He was 68.
Greene, who piloted Cowboy diamond teams from 1942 until he reached retirement age in 1964, had been in serious to critical condition for several days, but refused to let news media release stories concerning his health…
Those who knew him said he could spot a phony farther away than he could throw a baseball.
Impatient with minor injuries, Greene was a fighter. He was honest, sincere and kind beneath his rough exterior.
He never wasted words. When he accepted the NCAA title trophy in 1959, he simply said, “The boys have made an old man very happy.”
J. CARL GUYMON | THE DAILY O’COLLEGIAN SPORTS EDITOR,
Assistant photo
Payton Little photo.ed@ocolly.com
1967
Courtesy OSU Athletics
Toby Greene spent more than two decades as the Oklahoma A&M head coach.
File Photo, The O’Colly
Darren Nelson is the new principal of Stillwater Junior High School and Ashley Dobbs will serve as the interim principal
Student charged in child sex crimes
Bryson Thadhani SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
An Oklahoma State student accused of posing as a teenager on Snapchat to solicit sexual images from a minor was booked and charged in Oklahoma County.
The Edmond Police Department said Teagen Leblanc, 22, was arrested Sept. 23 in Stillwater on nine counts, including seven counts of soliciting sexual conduct with a minor, one count of violation of the Computer Crimes Act and one count of aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material. He was released on a $750,000 bond the following day.
Edmond Police posted to its Facebook page that the arrest was made by the department’s Internet Crimes Against Children unit with help from Stillwater Police and the Payne County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators told News 9 the case began last month in Brookings, South Dakota, after a woman reported “unsettling things” on her 12-yearold stepdaughter’s phone. Brookings Police contacted Edmond investigators, who later sought search warrants for Leblanc’s Snapchat account, phone, home and car in Oklahoma City.
Affidavits indicate the Snapchat exchange began about two months ago with someone posing as a 15-year-old. Police said the conversation turned sexual after phone numbers were exchanged and the girl told investigators she was pressured to send explicit photos and videos multiple times.
Leblanc is a freshman at OSU and lives in Edmond with his father, according to News 9 and the OSU student directory
Leblanc’s attorney, Ed Blau, said in a statement: “These are very serious allegations, and as I have not had an opportunity to review any of the information, it would be inappropriate to make a comment at this time. However, my client would ask that his and his family’s privacy be respected.” Leblanc was previously charged in a separate misdemeanor case. He pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery Sept. 15, 2022 and received a two-year deferred sentence under supervision. An emergency protective order was granted and extended several times while the misdemeanor was pending.
‘This is not democracy’
Student
CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Student Government Association opened up the floor to student concerns Wednesday night.
One OSU junior, J.R. StippBethune, prepared a seven-minute speech, for that very moment.
Stipp-Bethune criticized the organization for its lack of power, student engagement and representation of the student body.
“I have seen nothing unique that this body has demonstratively brought to the table that has enacted change on my life as a student or upon those around me,” StippBethune said. “The vast majority of people on this campus, in my experience, either do not know that you exist, do not know what you do to improve their lives, or do not even know that they’re supposed to be students representing their concerns at a governmental level.”
Stipp-Bethune said he only knows of SGA because he had friends involved. Since he became aware of the organization, he has long held the belief that SGA is useless and thought Wednesday’s SGA Senate meeting was a good time to express that as OSU President Jim Hess was originally on the agenda as a guest speaker.
Moments before the meeting began, a new agenda was sent out and the room was notified Hess would not make it as he was at a donor dinner.
“Some of that in part was directed to President Hess,” Stipp-Bethune said. “I had hoped that he would be here for that. He wasn’t, and that’s unfortunate. I have no personal animosity toward President Hess, but I would hope based on some of my comments, he may have some ideas for change.”
SGA has 50 senate seats
available to be filled at any given time. Currently, the seats are not completely filled. Stipp-Bethune said he does not believe the senate represents the full student population with less than 50 people.
“This is not democracy; This is not how true student representative government is supposed to work,” Stipp-Bethune said.“If the U.S. House of Representatives met with half of its seats filled, nothing which it decided would be considered valid by the greater public. Why then should I take anything that this body does, argues, debates or passes as representative of this campus and in the interests of the students here?”
SGA President Wesley Hurlbut agreed with Stipp-Bethune’s analysis. He said much of what Stipp-Bethune mentioned has been a recurring problem, specifically low voter turnout and filling the senate seats. Regardless, Hurlbut is committed to improving and reaching the student body.
Mass emails, a Canvas page, a new Tiktok account and presidential town halls are the latest changes to how the government body reaches the student population. Hurlbut said SGA used to only reach out to the student body during presidential elections, which made him realize students were questioning why they should care.
“I don’t blame anyone for being fed up with SGA,” Hurlbut said. “Even if we’ve made a lot of improvements, it’s still a responsibility to keep going to keep improving.”
SGA has been recruiting for senate seats and student supreme court appointments, but Hurlbut said he knows there’s a long way for the organization to go.
“One of my responsibilities is to give a graduating speech at the graduation ceremonies in December and May,” Hurlbut said. “Something I’m concerned about is that it’ll be, for a lot of students, the first time they see me. And that feels like
there’s definitely a lot of work we need to do.”
One of the huge changes StippBethune hoped Hess would be present to hear about was the lack of “hard power” SGA has. The student senate can draft and act upon legislation but can’t change OSU policy without further approval. Before it becomes law, legislation is presented to the SGA president. If the SGA president approves, he can take it to university officials, as part of his responsibility in the executive cabinet. The cabinet is responsible for communication between the student body and faculty and university administration.
“It’s a fair assessment to say that we don’t directly have that much ability to upend things on our own,” Hurlbut said. “I can’t give specific details on conversations I’ve had with administrators, but there have been specific progress that we’ve made because we are willing to work with them and what problems they might have in implementing the change that we want to see. It’s not satisfying to hear but it takes time.”
Stipp-Bethune made it clear in his speech that it wasn’t an attack on members of SGA. He said he believes a majority of the people at the meeting are good people who want the best for students.
Melissa Echols, SGA’s advisor, expressed that current recruiting efforts are not in vain as she congratulated the new associate judge appointees and the recruiting staff for its efforts. Regardless, she also acknowledged that StippBethune’s speech outlined real issues in SGA, including the representation of the average student through their respected senators.
“I applaud our guest speakers for being candid about whether or not we’re doing our job,” Echols said “Our motto is your school, your voice. But it’s not just your voice, it’s your constituents’ voices.”
Edmond Police Department
Teagan Leblanc is a freshman at OSU.
Lennon Arrington, The O’Colly
speech to criticize
Student Government Association’s impact at OSU.
The Big 12 celebrated women empowerment in athletic and academic careers through a panel of well-established speakers.
Jenn Hunter, emcee chief impact officer for the Big 12, introduced a panel of successful women who started in or around Oklahoma State during the event Sept. 26. The panel consisted of Baylor University president and Cowgirl basketball alumna Linda Livingstone, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma and OSU alumna Valerie Thompson and vice president of community engagement and executive director for the Thunder Community Foundation Erin Oldfield.
All three women discussed their upbringings to a crowd of students and staff at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Their stories highlighted their beginnings through stories about their families, the schools they attended and when they decided to pursue higher levels of education.
The trio brought up their multiple inspirations and mentors who encouraged them to pursue the path they are on today.
And the process of starting in smaller positions and finding a home in the careers they chose in the nonprofit, sports and education worlds.
Oldfield brought up having coworkers in her corner, people talking positively about her when she’s not in the room, encouraging her to work for her promotion to vice president and telling her that she deserves the titles she has gotten. She also mentioned her husband and sons, saying that they have followed her to whatever thing she has been interested in over
the years.
Thompson said her husband was supportive when she pursued her doctorate while pregnant. She mentioned her daughter knowing her as “the president of the urban league” her whole life. She said she knows that a kid living in the background of a high role is oftentimes difficult but her daughter was always supportive, even now as she is fully grown.
Thompson also brought up how she’s had more than one mentor over the years, helping her along the way, encouraging her to pursue her career with patience and strength and helping her network
throughout Oklahoma and the other nonprofits around the state.
“People can be the gatekeepers to your knowledge, they can either help you or hurt you,” Thompson said. “Be a sponge (when learning from others).”
Livingstone talked about her father and his encouragement in life and athletics and about her mom’s servant heart from working in elementary education to volunteering at the library. Her parents modeling leadership, service and competitiveness has influenced her life in significant ways she said, and her husband and daughter and their
encouragement, through all the paths of her career.
Each of the panelists spoke about being a leader as a woman. Thompson said her great team surrounding her makes sure the sternness of a position like president of the Urban League can be a confident position.
Oldfield said having a human quality in a leadership role affects how she’s seen and heard in her role. She also said empathy helps her communicate better and make the big decisions.
Livingstone said making decisions that are best for your organization builds trust within the community you are serving
and keeps things consistent in the community built.
Having each other’s backs as women was a sentiment each said was important. Driving home the importance of women being able to find a home in the sports world but also in the executive positions, no matter the career field.
“Gathering tools in your toolbox,” Thompson said in response to being asked for advice. “Making sure that if you don’t know something important you have a person you can ask or you find a way to learn and be able to teach someone else along the way.”
‘One Battle After Another’ forces audiences to reflect on race relations, power dynamics
From a revolutionary battle to a man protecting his daughter against a racist, sexist, mentally-unwell colonel, “One Battle After Another” is a unique movie in both good and bad ways.
The movie is loosely based on Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland” in the way it focuses on family estrangement and cultural conflicts. Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw emerges and kidnaps Bob Ferguson’s daughter, Willa. Lockjaw had previous relations with Willa’s mother who was part of a revolutionary group with Ferguson.
Lockjaw dreams of being accepted in a white supremacist society called the Christmas Adventurers Club.
His involvement with Willa’s mother, a Black woman, is the motive behind his vendetta against Ferguson, Willa and their revolutionary group, French 75.
Colonel Lockjaw does an amazing job at making you uncomfortable. It surprises you what he’s able to come up with. To the normal rational human being, it’s simply bizarre. Sean Penn does an amazing job showcasing how racists act in the real world, making the audience fully believe the man is unwell and dangerous. Without bashing the performance of Teyana Taylor, her character Perfidia Beverly Hills wasn’t wellwritten. Her character was a revolutionary who lives off the thrill of sexual contact and wants to do nothing else
but that. Though they try to redeem her at the very end of the movie, it seemed more as an afterthought than a wellthought redemption arc for her character.
Colonel also never had a last stare down or really interacted any at all with Ferguson. Which sure, a scene like that would be cliche, but it also felt like it was building up to that moment that never came.
The technical side of “One Battle After Another” made up for some of its plot shortfalls. This movie has a distinctive soundtrack, mostly filled with piano and slight drums. Johnny Greenwood, the lead guitarist and keyboardist of the Grammy-award winning band Radiohead, made the score. He was able to show the characters’ thoughts through sound while striving for originality.
The cast was also amazing. It’s hard to pick who shined the most, but multiple-award winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s role as Ferguson and Academy Award-winner Penn’s role as Colonel Lockjaw stood out. Ferguson starts out as a passionate revolutionary but later turns into a tired substance abuser just trying his best to be a single dad. DiCaprio plays a dad who’s constantly on the lookout but has a good heart despite the appearance.
Even though it’s a little disorientating at times seeing sexual content for the sake of sexual content, it swaps it off with having good production, realistic action and a plot you can’t guess where it’s going.
Caden James STAFF REPORTER
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson in
Kaitlyn Robertson STAFF REPORTER
From left, Jenn Hunter, Linda Livingstone, Valerie Thompson and Erin Oldfield
‘Our pastures are full of gravel dust’
SOS urges commissioners to stop transmission project
Activist group Save Our Sunsets urged the Payne County commissioners to stop the Cimarron Link project and protect landowners’ personal property rights.
The group, also known as SOS, was created to prevent the installation of high-voltage transmission lines and wind turbines across Oklahoma in accordance with the Cimarron Link project. SOS spoke out at a Board of Commissioners meeting Sept. 22.
“We’re here to respectfully ask you to help us stop this in Payne County,” said Rebecca Parrack, leader of SOS. “We’re trying to save Payne County from this destruction that we’re seeing in other places.”
Introduced in 2024, the Cimarron Link Transmission Project is an effort to bring energy from one side of Oklahoma to the other. Using energy generated from wind turbines in the panhandle, it’s then transmitted via transmission lines placed across the state.
However, it’s not the idea of the project that SOS is mad about. It’s how the land is being acquired for it.
“When it comes to eminent domain, people get scared, because they kind of threaten them,” Parrack said. “A lot of the time they’ll tell people, ‘Well, your neighbors signed, so you might as well sign because we’re going to get it anyway.’ They’re written as ‘perpetual write-aways:’’ When you sign those, you’re signing away your property for life.”
Eminent domain is the right of the government to seize private property, without the owner’s permission, for public use, but requires “just
compensation.”
“It was the Delta Plains quarter and the Department of Energy had recommended that,” Parrack said. “Come to find out, the two companies that we’ve continued to fight for transmission lines here, had requested for that quarter, because when it was a federal designation, they could use federal eminent domain to take the land from people, whether you wanted to give it up or not. They just take it.”
Even those who haven’t signed away their land are dealing with issues in relation to the project.
“We’ve experienced firsthand the wind turbine graveyards that are no longer usable,” Parrack said. “Terraces have been cut down, not built back, waterways cut into, not repaired, fences between neighboring properties cut into by these companies without talking to the landowner, landowners locked out of their own gates, and even left open. Our pastures are full of gravel dust.”
The group said the list of issues keep growing. Those concerns include visibly less wildlife, soil is ruined by fiberglass left behind from transporting and cutting the turbines, an increase in transportation through the county and people losing properties they’ve had for generations.
“It’s frightening,” said Kathy Adkins, SOS group member.
“The noise, the vibration, the flicker, it never stops.”
The Cimarron Link project has been in contention since it was introduced in 2024.
Another issue with the project amongst landowners is where the companies get its funding.
While the funding for the Cimarron Link project comes from the U.S. Department of Energy, it also uses tax subsidies.
However, the main concern
residents have is the overuse of eminent domain.
“They’re for-profit: Their motivation is to take tax credits from the government, which they can sell, so they just make money for building,” Adkins said. “It’s a scam.”
Rhonda Markum, a Payne County Commissioner, said the group has attended a board meeting in the past requesting the same thing, but there’s only so much that the commissioners can do.
“I think we can put a moratorium, I know other
counties are,” Markum said.
Issuing a moratorium would mean that Cimarron Link would have to stop its project within the county for a fixed period of time, until an agreement is reached. Markum said that would entail involving Laura Thomas, assistant district attorney, since this is an issue bigger than just the commissioners.
As for moratoriums, there’s no records showing that any moratoriums have been issued to Cimarron Link in
Continued from 1
Stillwater Animal Welfare and other animal shelters across the United States are constantly working to educate citizens who adopt, and those who own pets, on how and why they should prioritize preventive medical measures for their pets.
“In communities where responsible pet ownership is promoted, there are less stays, healthier and happier pets, and in turn, healthier and happier community members,” said Reese Ryan, a director at Stillwater Animal Welfare.
Louis Pasteur developed the first animal vaccine, which was administered to chickens and other domestic or wild birds in order to prevent chicken cholera. Animal vaccines work similarly to human vaccines in that they teach an animal’s immune system to recognize and fight off diseases. What started as a way to protect livestock has turned into a broad system of preventing all kinds of deadly illnesses for animals.
Some examples of core vaccines that should be administered to every pet: rabies for dogs and cats, DHLPPC for dogs and FVRCP for cats, said Rachel Wasserman, a supervisor at Stillwater Animal Welfare.
Another way individuals can ensure their pets are safe and taken care of is by getting them fixed. For female animals, this process is called spaying, or the removal of the uterus and ovaries. For male animals, the process is called neutering.
Not only does getting an animal fixed prevent unwanted reproduction, but the elimination of future cancers relating to the reproductive system.
“...the more we can cut back on unwanted litters, the better it is to manage and maintain the majority of animals not entering the shelter and having families of their own,” Ryan said. “Spaying and neutering is also important because it can help prolong the lifespan and wellbeing of pets.”
Oklahoma.
Markum also mentioned during the meeting that she’s been receiving emails from another woman fighting for the same cause, telling her other board members that they need to do “something,” because “they’re coming after us.”
It’s a long fight, but SOS is far from stopping.
“We love our neighbors and we love our land, and we want to stand up for the land,” Parrack said.
It may seem like the problem has been under control, but data from 2020 through this year shows an increase in rabies cases in Payne County. The Oklahoma State Department of Health shows there were 10 confirmed cases since 2020. Skunks and wild animals were the primary carriers, but there were three cattle cases.
To prevent further spread, vaccinations are heavily encouraged and required by Oklahoma law.
To maintain the safety of animals and people alike, all dogs, cats and ferrets over four months old must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian, wear a rabies tag and receive regular booster shots.
In places where spay and neuter laws are enforced and more commonly practiced, there are fewer homeless animals, animals being placed in shelters and euthanizations, according to ASPCA.
Being in contact with a local veterinarian can also play a big part in administering the correct vaccines and health protocols for your pet. But with the expensive cost of vet care, finances can hold pet owners back from getting the proper care for their animals. There are resources available to assist with cost. OSU Veterinary Medicine has partnered with Stillwater Animal Welfare in the past to host low-cost vaccine clinics.
“Watch for low-cost vaccine clinics, reach out to your local shelter or rescue and ask about any programs that help with cost, and call around to local vet offices near you to see about pricing that is within your budget,” Wasserman said.
It is up to the community to prioritize animal health. With the help of local animal shelters, vet offices, and vaccine clinics, a significant change can be made.
“We can completely stop disease, excessive litter and neglect by staying educated and taking care of the pets we have in our own homes,” Morales said. “A community effort is what solves community problems.”
Payton Little, The O’Colly
Stillwater Animal Welfare employee Tarin Clinage walks Walter on a leash.
Alice Welch, USDA
Activist group Save Our Sunsets is urging the Payne County commissioners to prevent the installation of high-voltage transmission lines and wind turbines in the county as part of the Cimarron Link project.
Payton Little, The O’Colly
Tarin Clinage holds a 1-year-old brown tabby named Norman.
“Today marks the end of a longstanding exploitation of Oklahoma taxpayers, who for many years have subsidized colleges and universities as they provide unlawful benefits to illegal immigrants in the form of in-state tuition,” Drummond said in a statement. “Rewarding foreign nationals who are in our country illegally with lower tuition costs that are not made available to out-of-state American citizens is not only wrong — it is discriminatory and unlawful.”
For those at OSU, the in-state tuition rate is close to $14,000 for a 30-hour estimate, which includes 15 hours each semester in a school year.
The rate for out-of-state students is more than double that at almost $30,000. Students who are affected must pay the increased rate or prove U.S. residency to continue to receive in-state tuition.
Caddell said to her knowledge each institution has been in contact with the affected students. Mack Burke, an OSU spokesperson, said the university has reached out to each student with details and guidance regarding the recent federal court ruling.
“Oklahoma State University is committed to compliance with all federal laws and will continue to monitor the latest directives from the federal and state government and provide appropriate guidance to those impacted,” Burke said in a statement.
“For the time being for the interim plan is to convert that to a green space that we would maintain with landscape services,” said John Lee, director of Landscape Services.
Landscape Services will be in charge of the care and maintenance of the new green space and will also oversee the design of the space.
“Including, well, on our end strategically placing street tree plantings,” Lee said
The trees will provide much needed shade along Hall of Fame Avenue. The shade will help with students walking to class along that route as well as the route to Boone Pickens Stadium.
“Once (the) demo is completed, normally (it takes) six to nine months at the longest duration to completely transform that space,” Lee said. “We always try to move quicker than that, and most often, weather depending, we will meet deadlines much sooner.”
If the project is complete on deadline, the green space will be there for the 2026-2027 school year.
“It would be a strategy to soften that corner that used to be a building in a hardscape area to hopefully, a
street line with tree plantings,” Lee said “Hopefully, with a widened sidewalk until further development on the corner.”
There will be no construction for a new path. The existing sidewalk on the north side of the demolition area will become the shaded area.
“That sidewalk would be widened to accommodate more pedestrian traffic and then there is the sidewalk on the east side that would stay the existing size,” Lee said. “There is hope for future development of that corner whether that be a building, place holder, or an entry to campus, but no, we haven’t been given any time frame or dates upon which that would happen.”
While no official timeline or plans have been made for the future, there are hopes on how that space will be used. The campus master plan shows there will eventually be a new building in place of the old power plant.
It also shows the new Life Sciences building on that corner in the future, but no specifics for a construction plan or timeline has been released. Until the university is able to decide on the official future plans, students can get used to nature with a new green space and extra shade trees.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Chance Marick, The O’Colly
In-state tuition is no longer available for undocumented students who attended a Oklahoma high school after a federal court ruled against a state law.
Andon Freitas, The O’Colly
The Power Plant at West Hall of Fame Avenue and North Washington Street was demolished and will become a green space temporarily.
Laken Chambers, The O’Colly Student writes on a rubber duck before tossing it into the fountain.
Lauren Rogers, The O’Colly
Students support OSU Wellness’ event, Don’t Duck for Cancer, to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Lauren Rogers, The O’Colly
Each duck in the fountain has the name of someone affected by breast cancer written on it.
Lauren Rogers, The O’Colly Ducks floating in the Edmon Low Library fountain represent breast cancer awareness for the month of October.
Lauren Rogers, The O’Colly
A student writing the name of a loved one affected by breast cancer.
Lauren Rogers, The O’Colly
Taleah Simon, Tatum Howard and Kadence Dykhouse raise awareness for breast cancer during the Don’t Duck with Cancer event Wednesday.
Doug Meacham spoke to the press after his first football game as interim coach Sept. 27.
O’Colly Staff Reporter
Will Thorogood began to ask Meacham a question and Meacham stopped him. This is the conversation that followed:
Meacham: Who do you write for?
Thorogood: I write for The O’Colly.
Meacham: Atta boy. Let’s go. Love The O’Colly. I never once figured out the crossword puzzle my entire college career. I sat down every day and said ‘This time I’m going to do it.’ Never happened. That’s a tough one. Tell them to dial it down.
The O’Colly hasn’t published a crossword puzzle in the print edition since May 10, 2024. Per Meacham’s request, the crossword returns in this edition. Hope this one’s easy enough for you, coach.
DOWN
1. “ There is only one Oklahoma and it ends with ____”
3. Oklahoma State’s mascot
5. A play worth 2 points, where the defense tackles an offensive player in their own endzone
6. When a pass is caught by a defensive player
7. The Big 12 is a ____
OSU football crossword
9. The name of OSU’s stadium
12. Josh Ford plays this position 14. The position in between the center and the tackles on the offensive line 18. A route a RB or TE runs that has the same name as a U.S. state
ACROSS
2. An offensive formation where a player, other than the quarterback, takes a direct snap
4. The name of the horse that runs on the field after an OSU touchdown
8. Tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage results in this 10. A play where the quarterback can either keep the ball and run or hand it off to the RB 11. The area past the goal line where touchdowns are scored
12. An offensive alignment where three eligible receivers line up on the same side of the field
13. Last name of the all-time receptions leader in OSU history
15. Last name of the interim head coach for OSU 16. The school Doug Meacham coached at before Oklahoma State 17. When a football player extends one arm fully above their head, while a kicked ball is in the air to indicate they intend to catch it without being hit 19. Name of the rivalry between OU and OSU
Friday, October 3, 2025
Howland, Fields providing spark
Parker Gerl CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Doug Meacham always thought Trent Howland was capable of doing damage out of the backfield.
But Howland, who’s in his second season with Oklahoma State, wasn’t getting it done during spring practice. Meacham had hoped to see more from his physically imposing running back.
“I’m going to tell this to his face,” said Meacham, the Cowboys’ interim head coach. “In spring ball, (he was) a big pretty guy. A little soft. But, shoot, he runs hard. He runs behinds his pads. Now he looks a lot better… I’m really proud of him.”
Howland has quickly put Meacham’s jokes to rest, though.
He and fellow back Rodney Fields Jr. have helped spark the Cowboys’ offense the last couple of weeks, one of the few bright spots for a struggling OSU squad. Howland’s 247-pound frame and downhill running style, combined with Fields’ shifty, makeyou-miss abilities have meshed well for a rushing attack that was searching for juice.
In the Cowboys’ 45-27 loss Saturday, Howland put up 84 rushing yards on 16 carries and punched in two touchdowns. He averaged more than 5 yards per carry for the second time this season, too.
And Fields, who rushed for 39 yards, was effective through the air, catching five passes for 75 yards. His best play was when he caught a pass in the flat, then cut back across the entire field and made several Bears miss for a 47-yard gain.
See SPARK on page 2B
Cowboys looking for first Big 12 win
OSU, Arizona set to meet Saturday
Will Thorogood STAFF REPORTER
Oklahoma State and Arizona are set to face off Saturday in Tucson in the first conference meeting between the two schools.
The last matchups between the Cowboys and Wildcats was on Sept. 8, 2012, in Tucson when Arizona defeated OSU 59-38.
For the Cowboys, Wes Lunt threw four touchdown passes that were all caught by Tracy Moore, Jeremy Smith had a 10-yard rushing touchdown and Quinn Sharp converted a field goal from 25 yards out.
OSU is coming off of a 45-27 loss at home to Baylor last week in Doug Meacham’s first game as interim head
coach. The offense brought trick plays to the game plan with wide receiver Sam Jackson V completing three passes, including a touchdown pass to Josh Ford, and Trent Howland throwing a 13-yard pass to wide receiver Royal Capell.
Meacham had a lot of positive things to say about how aggressive the offense looked against Baylor.
“We thought they were good plays on Monday, and we thought they were good on Tuesday, so we just read them off a sheet of paper and call them,” Meacham said. “I don’t think you can coach and try to have an answer for every little minor detail when there is 22 moving parts out on the field.”
OSU defense has new leader
Weston Wertzberger STAFF REPORTER
Oklahoma State football will have a new face leading the defense for the second time in 2025, as Clint Bowen assumed the role of interim defensive coordinator.
Bowen, previously the offense’s quality control coach, was elevated to the position Sunday after defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was fired following the team’s 45-27 loss to Baylor this past Saturday.
Through four games, Grantham’s defense allowed 473 yards per game and 16 touchdowns — the most in the Big 12 Conference. The Cowboys (1-3, 0-1 Big 12) also gave up at least
45 points on two occasions.
Interim head coach Doug Meacham said Monday why he thinks Bowen is fit for the position. His reasoning extended beyond X’s and O’s.
“For me, I’m so comfortable with (Bowen) because I know him,” Meacham said. “He’s a back-end guy, a secondary safety and corners guy, and that makes me feel good too. He fit the profile for what we were looking for immediately, and I think that he’ll have that room go off and galvanized pretty soon. I feel like he’s going to do a pretty good job.”
See LEADER on page
Bryson Thadhani, The O’Colly
Doug Meacham is looking to guide the Cowboys to their second win of the season in his second game as OSU’s interim head coach
Trey Creel, The O’Colly
OSU running back Trent Howland has averaged more than 5 yards per carry in two games this season.
sports
Continued from 1
Thanks to Fields and Howland’s production, OSU trailed by only one score late in the third quarter in a game in which it was a 20-point betting underdog.
“(Howland is) 235 or 240 (pounds), whatever he is,” Meacham said.
“That’s a good one-two punch. Like him and Fields, because Fields is shifty and he can slip through little creases. (And Howland) can just hammer you.”
Fields has played in three of OSU’s four games this season and has averaged more than 6 yards per carry twice. He also put up a career-best 113 rushing yards against Tulsa.
Howland and Fields have only been on the field together twice this season. But when the Cowboys head to Arizona this weekend to face the Wildcats, they’ll need the duo to continue to contribute.
Through four games, Arizona’s
defense has limited opponents to 99.8 rushing yards, fourth-best in the Big 12. The Wildcats have also given up only 16.3 points per game and could potentially look to put pressure on quarterback Zane Flores — another reason why Fields and Howland are an important piece to Saturday’s game.
“You gotta run the football to be able to win championships and win games,” Meacham said.
Saturday’s game will give OSU an opportunity to snap its 12-game losing streak against FBS opponents and pick up its first conference win since the 2023 season.
Meacham, who will be in his second game as the Cowboys’ interim head coach, knows Fields and Howland will continue to be important to the offense. But he also wants to continue to find ways to put them in good situations.
“I think what we need to do is maybe simplifly the run game a little bit and just get dialed on five things we could be really good at,” Meacham said.
OSU Wrestling schedule announced
NOV. 7: VS STANFORD
NOV. 15-16: NATIONAL DUALS
NOV. 21: AT AIR FORCE
NOV. 23: AT ARIZONA STATE
DEC. 14: AT WEST VIRGINIA
DEC. 21: AT NEBRASKA
JAN. 11: VS OKLAHOMA
JAN. 23: AT MISSOURI
JAN. 25: VS UTAH VALLEY
JAN. 30: VS NORTHERN IOWA
FEB. 1: VS IOWA STATE
FEB. 6: VS LITTLE ROCK
FEB. 15: AT VIRGINIA TECH
FEB. 22: VS IOWA
Bowen acknowledged the challenges of stepping into a system already in place, but emphasized the importance of staying true to his own coaching style.
“It’s a unique situation, taking over somewhere where the players are embraced in a system, a scheme,” Bowen said. “They’ve had their coaches in mind. That does make it a little bit unique. In doing this, I got to be me and do the things that I’m comfortable with, and with that, it really kind of starts no matter where you’re at.”
As Bowen transitions his duties from offense to defense, he has made it clear that his focus will be on clarity and repetition, as he refines the current scheme to suit the players.
“That’s always been a philosophy of mine, that it really doesn’t matter what I know, or the assistant coaches know, all that matters is what the players know,” Bowen said. “We’ll go back to day-one tackling techniques.
opponent is doing, and we’ll start from there, and we’ll be as basic as we need to be.”
Bowen didn’t speak to his unit before Monday, when he addressed the media, but he did reach out to the team about a straightforward matter that the Cowboys will be working on starting this week.
“We are going to be flying around,” defensive tackle Iman Oates said. “It’s kind of the same mentality that Meacham had, just having fun, that’s the main thing. Going out there and having fun at the same time as executing assignments and playing for each other. I think it will be a good thing.”
Bowen will coach his first game under his new role this Saturday at 2 p.m. CT when the Cowboys head out to Arizona (3-1, 0-1).
While Bowen praised Arizona’s offensive creativity and the playmaking ability of quarterback Noah Fifita, he emphasized that OSU’s defensive focus must remain on discipline and fundamentals.
“We kind of always said, you get a motion and a run, you’re going to get a lot of different looks,” Bowen said.
“... My approach is we have to go back to step one of the process. What do we do? Master the reactions, and then start figuring out what the
“So, we’ll zero in. A big part of what we’ve got to do defensively is make sure that we’re handling shifts and motions. That’s a big emphasis for us.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com Continued from 1
Payton Little, The O’Colly
Rodney Fields Jr.’s speed has helped OSU revive its rushing attack.
Courtesy OSU Athletics
Clint Bowen will call OSU’s defense against Arizona on Saturday in Tucson.
sports
Week 6 Big 12 power rankings
Weston Wertzberger STAFF REPORTER
College football has wrapped up the month of September, and four teams in the Big 12 remain perfect so far. Week 5 saw a lot of competitiveness in the conference, as three points decided four of the eight games. Here’s where everyone stacks up in the Week 6 edition of The O’Colly Big 12 football power rankings.
No. 1: Texas Tech (AP No. 11; 4-0, 1-0 Big 12)
The Red Raiders were on a bye week in Week 5 and will go on the road to face Houston in the battle of unbeatens. TTU is coming off a monster win at Utah and has its highest ranking in the AP Poll since 1973.
No. 2: Iowa State (AP No. 14; 5-0, 2-0)
The Cyclones didn’t miss a beat against Arizona, as quarterback Rocco Becht rushed for two touchdowns with 243 passing yards, and running back Carson Hansen scored two rushing touchdowns in a 39-14 blowout win.
No. 3: Arizona State (AP No. 25; 4-1, 2-0)
The Sun Devils trailed 17-0 halfway through the second quarter against TCU and were down by seven with two minutes to go, but found a way to respond and match the score at 24. A massive fumble recovery led to a game-winning 23-yard field goal by Jesus Gomez to give the Sun Devils a decisive 27-24 win for another significant conference victory.
No. 4: BYU (AP No. 23; 4-0, 1-0)
The BYU defense struggled in the first quarter at Colorado, allowing two touchdowns and facing a 14-0 deficit, but the Cougars found a way to bounce back with 396 total yards on offense, securing a decisive 2421 win. BYU will host its first conference game on Friday as huge favorites against West Virginia.
No. 5: Utah (4-1, 1-1)
The Utes were explosive on both sides against West Virginia as quarterback Devon Dampier threw for four touchdowns and 237 yards, as the defense shut down their passing attack to 81 yards in a monstrous 48-14 win on the road.
Utah will head back home as it hosts another ranked opponent, this time being former Pac-12 foe, Arizona State.
No. 6: TCU (3-1, 0-1)
The Horned Frogs suffered a heartbreaking collapse against Arizona State, allowing
500 total yards on defense and committing two crucial turnovers in the final two minutes, resulting in a 27-24 defeat. TCU will have to get back on track at home next week against Colorado.
No. 7: Houston (4-0, 1-0)
The Cougars were in big trouble with a 14-point deficit to Oregon State with seven minutes remaining. Two significant scoring drives led by quarterback Connor Weigman in regulation, along with a 24yard game-winning field goal by Ethan Sanchez in overtime, completed the 27-24 comeback on the road to stay unbeaten. Houston is 4-0 for the first time since 2016.
No. 8: Cincinnati (3-1, 1-0)
The Bearcats were in dire trouble after allowing a gameleading touchdown by Kansas with under two minutes remaining. Still, Cincinnati drove down 75 yards as running back Tawee Walker walked in the game-winning two-yard touchdown for a tremendous 37-34 road win.
Walker and quarterback Brendan Sorsby each had two
touchdowns, and the Bearcats barely outgained Kansas in the battle of offenses, with 603 yards on offense and 597 yards allowed on defense.
No. 9: Baylor (3-2, 1-1)
Quarterback Sawyer Robertson continued his standout season with his second four-touchdown game this season, for 17 total passing touchdowns. Baylor earned 612 total yards on offense on its way to a 45-27 victory at Oklahoma State.
Baylor evens its conference record and will face Kansas State at home next week.
No. 10: Kansas (3-2, 1-1)
The KU offense remains stellar after quarterback Jalon Daniels tossed four touchdowns and 445 yards, with the whole unit gaining 597 yards. That didn’t matter at the end, as Cincinnati earned a game-winning drive for a stunning 37-34 loss at home.
No. 11: Arizona (3-1, 0-1)
The Wildcats were toasted from the beginning against Iowa State, along with two interceptions thrown by
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quarterback Noah Fifita in a 3914 defeat for their first loss of the season. Arizona will take on OSU at home for the first time since 2012.
No. 12: Kansas State (2-3, 1-1)
The Wildcats finally found their stride without giving up their lead over UCF for their first convincing win of the season, 34-20. The win lets K-State out of the basement of the Big 12 power rankings, but it will have a more challenging test this Saturday at Baylor.
No. 13: UCF (3-1, 0-1)
The Knights struggled with turnovers, giving up two interceptions and a fumble in their 34-20 loss at Kansas State. UCF will look to avenge its loss versus the other team from the Sunflower State, Kansas, at home.
No. 14: West Virginia (2-3, 0-2)
The Mountaineers were dismantled by at least 30 points once again after allowing over 500 yards on defense and barely found anything through the air. WVU didn’t score until the third quarter after trailing
35-0.
The exact sequence could happen again when they head to BYU on Friday night against a team with an electric defense.
No. 15: Colorado (2-3, 0-2)
The Buffaloes showed signs of life early against BYU and headed into the fourth quarter with a four-point lead, but then those hopes came crashing down with no more points scored in a 24-21 defeat. Colorado joins West Virginia as the only two teams to lose their first two conference games thus far.
No. 16: Oklahoma State (13, 0-1)
The Cowboys improved on offense, with running back Trent Howland rushing for two touchdowns and 84 yards. However, the defense struggled against Baylor, allowing over 600 yards, resulting in a 45-27 home defeat.
OSU suffered its third consecutive loss and will look to avoid that streak as it heads into Arizona as big underdogs.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SPRING SEMESTER 2026
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THE O’COLLY
Applications for Spring Semester 2026 Editor-in-Chief of The O’Colly will be accepted from now until 12 p.m. (noon) Monday, October 6, 2025.
Applications are now available in the Paul Miller Journalism and Broadcasting Building, room 106. Applicants must return their completed applications to room 106 no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) Monday, October 6, 2025.
To be eligible for Editor-In-Chief, the applicant must be a student on the Stillwater campus of Oklahoma State University, be in good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation), have a grade point average of not less than 2.5, and have completed at least 60 hours toward a degree.
Applicant must show evidence of having worked one semester in an editor position on The O’Colly. Students serving as an Editor-in-Chief may take up to 6 credit hours of independent study in consultation and approval of their major advisor.
An internship on a newspaper in a newsroom capacity may be substituted for one semester of service on The O’Colly. The internship must meet the requirements of the School of Media and Strategic Communications’ current internship course.
Payton Little, The O’Colly
Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton has helped the Red Raiders start undefeated and look like a real postseason contender.
Our best photos from OSU vs. Baylor
Chance Marick, The O’Colly Zane Flores throws a pass while facing pressure.
Chance Marick, The O’Colly OSU defender Wendell Gregory tackles a Baylor ball carrier.
Trey Creel, The O’Colly
OSU quarterback Zane Flores hurdles a defender on his way to the endzone for a touchdown.
Nicole Stevens, The O’Colly OSU players celebrate their first touchdown in the Cowboys’ game this past Saturday.
Bryson Thadhani, The O’Colly
Doug Meacham and Dave Aranda shake hands after the Bears defeated OSU 45-27.
Chance Marick, The O’Colly OSU players run out of the tunnel at Boone Pickens Stadium.
Bryson Thadhani, The O’Colly OSU quarterback Zane Flores hands the ball to running back Rodney Fields Jr.
Chance Marick, The O’Colly OSU defender Chandavian Bradley yells.
Chance Marick, The O’Colly OSU wide receiver Shamar Rigby battles a Baylor defender.
Nicole Stevens, The O’Colly
Josh Ford and Zane Flores celebrate a score.
What
For the first time since 2005, Oklahoma State football is searching for a new head coach. It’s not something OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg expected to do early in the 2025 season, but a change is coming to Stillwater.
When Weiberg addressed the media Sept. 23, he avoided specifics on priorities for the hire but emphasized the importance of vision, culture and the ability to thrive in a changing college football era.
“I think football, the game has changed, and so I think that as we have discussions with potential candidates for our football coaching search, I’m going to be interested in hearing how they see building the program, building the vision for how they establish a winning program,” Weiberg said. “The ingredients are here, and I feel very, very confident about that. I know that I will be able to talk about that with any coaching candidates. This is a place that you can win football games.”
The hire isn’t just about returning to a winning formula — it’s about sustaining success while adapting to NIL, roster management and the transfer portal.
Weiberg has stressed that OSU’s foundation remains strong. Despite a 3-9 record last season and a 1-3 start in 2025, fans are still filling up Boone Pickens Stadium.
“This place has support, and there are people who are committed to winning here,”
Weiberg said. “Our donors are committed to winning here and giving us the resources that we need to win here. Our administration is supportive. We have won football games here, and we can win football games here.”
That support makes Stillwater an attractive job opportunity, one where a proven program builder could step in and make an immediate impact. UTSA’s Jeff Traylor, who has turned the Roadrunners into a consistent winner and has strong recruiting ties in Texas, fits that mold.
At the same time, modern offensive innovators are in play. Texas State’s G.J. Kinne and Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle have embraced the new era, energizing players and attracting talent. Both bring forward-thinking approaches, though their limited head coaching experience raises questions about readiness.
Weiberg also tied the search to bigger forces shaping college football.
“I believe that we are in a window of time here that is critical,” Weiberg said. “Television contracts for conferences will be coming up in the next five years, and that has typically been the trigger for conference realignment. And so I think we are in a critical period, and I think winning is a big part of setting yourself up for success.”
That urgency could push OSU toward steadier names. Toledo’s Jason Candle, for instance, has consistently won in the MAC. He may not be flashy, but his track record of stability matches
Continued from 1
Regarding the defense, a change was made, as defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was fired Sunday after the defense had a rough outing. Baylor was 7-of-14 on third down and scored on all five of its red-zone trips. Offense Quality Control coach Clint Bowen was named the interim defensive coordinator after Grantham’s dismissal.
“(Bowen is) such a great guy, and I think he’s a players’ coach,” Meacham said. “I think the players feel like he cares, and the players feel like he’s in it to get the best out of them. He fit the profile for what we were looking for immediately, and I think that he’ll have that room go off and galvanized pretty soon.”
Bowen is in his 30th coaching season. He was the defensive coordinator for Kansas from 19982009, Western Kentucky in 2010, North Texas in 2011, Kansas again from 2012-19 and North Texas again in 2020.
Bowen takes this role in a chaotic situation, but he is ready for any challenges he has to face.
“It’s a unique situation, taking over somewhere where the players are embraced in a system, a scheme,” Bowen said. “But my philosophy as a coach, I think, will help me in this situation more than anything. I told our guys, no matter what a player does wrong, if you’re a good coach, it’s your fault.”
The positives from the defense against BU include David Kabongo’s fumble recovery and a stop on fourth down by Wendell Gregory.
Arizona enters this game coming off of a 39-14 loss on the road to Iowa State for its first loss of the season.
Quarterback Noah Fifita had a performance of 32-48, 253 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Wildcats’ run game was led by Ismail Mahdi, who rushed for 85 yards on 13 carries.
Kris Hutson was Arizona’s leading receiver against ISU with 67 yards on six receptions and a touchdown. Tre Spivey also caught a touchdown pass for the Wildcats.
The Arizona defense struggled against the Cyclones run game. They allowed five rushing touchdowns, three by ISU quarterback Rocco Becht and two by running back Carson Hansen. Connor Moberly was hard to stop on the Cyclones run game, averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
The bright side for the Wildcats’ defense is that they have yet to allow a passing touchdown this season. Along with Nebraska, they are one of two programs to do so.
After looking at the last game for both OSU and Arizona, the key to victory is going to be which team’s defense shows up when it matters.
Arizona coach Brent Brennan had this to say about what stands out to him about the Cowboys.
“I think their quarterback (Zane Flores) is a dual-threat guy and he can be a problem with his arm and his legs,” Brennan said. “They’ve got a really good group of receivers and they’ve done a good job of putting together guys that are explosive and then also some big body guys. On defense they have a lot of experience, especially in the secondary, and then their defensive front is big and long. We’re going to get their best shot here on Saturday and we know that.”
Weiberg’s call to restore “the standard of Cowboy football.”
As with any coaching search, speculation about Cowboy ties has surfaced, but Weiberg downplayed it.
“That can be a factor, I think, as it is probably at any school,” Weiberg said. “It’s not the only factor. We’ve had a lot of success here with our alums – Coach (Mike Gundy) obviously being one of the best examples of that — but we’ve also had a lot of success here with non-alums. And so we will be looking for the best person for the job regardless of that.”
That keeps the door open for names like Zac Robinson, the former OSU quarterback now coordinating the Atlanta Falcons’ offense. Collin Klein, the Texas A&M offensive coordinator and former Kansas State standout, also has Big 12 ties. Both offer regional familiarity and offensive pedigree, though neither has head coaching experience.
Timing will play a role, with many candidates tied up in their own seasons. But Weiberg stated that OSU will be prepared.
“Virtually everyone that we’ll be looking at is going to be coaching,” Weiberg said. “But this allows us to be in a good position for moving as soon as they are finished.”
What comes next, he added, will shape OSU’s place in the national landscape.
“It’s important that we make a really good decision with the hire,” Weiberg said. “And it’s important that we get behind him and support him at a level that he can be successful with this program.”
Weston Wertzberger STAFF REPORTER
Chance Marick, The O’Colly
OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg says the school has the “ingredients” to win football games.
Bryson Thadhani, The O’Colly Doug Meacham is trying to help OSU snap its 12game losing streak to FBS opponents on Saturday.
OSU
Hoyt, OSU plan to use new defensive style
REPORTER
Oklahoma State women’s basketball retooled its roster in the offseason, adding more depth and versatility to its guard position.
Cowgirls’ coach Jacie Hoyt believes her guards serve as one of the strengths for her team.
From taking on a new role in the defensive play, providing options from beyond the arc and a new conductor of the offense, the Cowgirls guards are poised for big roles this season.
Change in defensive style
Tenin Magassa was a force defensively in the post last season for OSU.
Magassa was third in the Big 12 in blocks, averaging 2.5 blocks a game, including eight in the NCAA Tournament against South Dakota State. Her 6-foot-6 frame gave the Cowgirls a trusted presence down low.
When speaking to media, Hoyt said Magassa’s presence down low is “difficult to replace.”
Hoyt said that her team is changing their defensive style without that big presence down low.
“I think what it’s going to look like this year is just playing a very kind of style defensively,” Hoyt said. “We’re going to be a lot more aggressive, going to challenge our guards to get after people, and make it harder for teams to just simply get the ball up the floor.”
last year, but also had games where her shots wouldn’t fall. However, Gray showed no fear to shoot the ball, something her coach loves about her play style.
“She had some games where she put the team on her back,” Hoyt said. “She hit some really big shots for us, and the thing I love about Micah, is that you’re really not going to be able to tell if she’s having a good game or a bad game.”
In addition to Gray, the Cowgirls retain Heard and Macey Huard, who both shot over 30% from 3.
Heard led the team in 3-point percentage, hitting 41% of her shots from behind the arc, and turned into the team’s breakout star down the stretch.
Huard showed her potential in flashes last season, including her 31-point performance against Arkansas- Pine Bluff.
In addition to Huard, Heard and Gray, the Cowgirls added Haleigh Timmer to the roster. Timmer, who joins the Cowgirls after spending her last three seasons with South Dakota State, was one of the nation’s best 3-point shooters.
Timmer shot 41.3% from three last season and has seen her shooting increase as her career has progressed.
“Haleigh Timmer was one of the best 3-point shooters in the country last season,” Hoyt said. “To add her and that depth and more people who are able to shoot, I feel like that makes up for what we lost in Anna Gret (Asi). We’re feeling pretty good about that spot.”
Steve Lutz is starting to see his plan come to fruition.
The Oklahoma State coach wasn’t hired until April 2024, meaning he had a smaller window than normal to use the transfer portal and build the Cowboys’ roster before his first season. But after going 17-18 and reaching the NIT with a senior-heavy team last season, Lutz had more time to tailor the roster to his schemes.
The Cowboys welcomed seven players who were at different schools last season and another two from overseas. And Lutz, through offseason activities and early practice sessions, expects those players to help OSU be more versatile and improve its scoring.
“I think we’ve had an opportunity to build a team that probably fits the way I like to play a little bit better,” Lutz said.
In the 2024-25 season, OSU ranked No. 11 in the Big 12 Conference in points per game with 73 and shot 33.1% from 3-point range, the 10th best in the league. The Cowboys’ team field goal percentage, 42.8%, was also fourth-worst in the conference.
to OSU in April, was averaging an NCAA-best 25.7 points at Green Bay last season before suffering a seasonending ankle injury. Kanye Clary put up 16.7 points two seasons ago at Penn State and Isaiah Coleman’s 15.6 average led Seton Hall last season.
Transfer guard Vyctorius Miller is also an intriguing creator for the Cowboys. He averaged 8.9 points as a true freshman at LSU and scored at least 15 points in seven of the Tigers’ nonconference games.
“I think at times we were really strapped last year in terms of being able to score,” Lutz said. “If we didn’t score in transition, (or) if we didn’t get to the free throw line, then we had a hard time scoring baskets.”
OSU also has the chance to be a versatile team in the frontcourt.
Six-foot-9 Pasra Fallah can do a bit of everything and has the skillset to play in Lutz’s fast-paced, uptempo offense, and freshman big man Mekhi Ragland has a great feel for the game, particularly as a passer.
Lutz’s Cowboys deployed mostly traditional bigs last season, but now they expect to be able to open up the floor and have more space to operate.
“I’ve always said I’d like to have four players on the floor at all times, one through four, that can pass, handle and shoot,” Lutz said. “And we didn’t always have that last season… (Now) we even have a chance to put five people on the floor that can spread the floor and shoot the 3.” Parker
The Cowgirls have Stailee Heard and Amari Whiting at the guard position, who were among the top 10 in the Big 12 in steals last season.
Hoyt said it best, with no lockdown presence down low, the shift to create more chaos defensively will start to shape as the season progresses.
Shooting versatility
Hoyt lead teams are known for their offensive firepower and ability to drill 3-pointers. This team is no different.
Anna Gret Asi, who exhausted her eligibility, played a big role in the Cowgirls shooting the past three seasons. Asi had the ability to make plays on the ball, but also could catchand-shoot.
The Cowgirls return Micah Gray, who has the ability to take over. Gray propelled the Cowgirls offense at times
Wooten stepping up
Jadyn Wooten showcased her playmaking ability in limited action last season as she came off the bench in all of the Cowgirls games.
This year, she’s poised to run OSU’s offense, and Hoyt said she has stepped up, not only on the court, but also off the court as a leader of the team.
“Jadyn Wooten is one that I’ve really seen grow and mature in that area,” Hoyt said. “She’s really impressed me with her ability to show up and just be the same every day.”
With one of her point guards leading the team, Hoyt has confidence in Wooten this season.
“She’s someone that’s really stood out to me, just in progress from last year to this year,” Hoyt said.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
OSU has the chance to improve those numbers because of the creators and playmakers it added, though. Six of the Cowboys’ portal additions have averaged double-digit points per game for a season during their collegiate careers.
Anthony Roy, who transferred
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little, The O’Colly
Steve Lutz said he expects OSU to better space the floor this season.
Connor Fuxa, The O’Colly
Jacie Hoyt and OSU are eyeing their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Cayden Cox STAFF
DB, Genesis Smith
Smith has provided the Arizona secondary with a spark this season. He is one of the team’s leading tacklers and has strived against the pass, accumulating a pass breakup or interception in each of the Wildcats’ games. Smith’s ability to break up passes could present a challenge for quarterback Zane Flores and the Cowboys’ passing game.
SEASON STATS: 26 TOTAL TACKLES, 13 SOLO, 1 INTERCEPTION AND 5 PASSES DEFENDED
sports
players to watch
RB, Ismail Mahdi
After splitting carries with Quincy Craig in Arizona’s first two games, Mahdi has separated himself as the Wildcats’ lead back in their most recent games. He is averaging seven yards a carry on the season and has showcased his ability to bounce off tacklers. Mahdi’s play style could be a mismatch for the Cowboys defense.
SEASON STATS: 50 CARRIES, 348 YARDS, 1 TOUCHDOWN AND 7.0 YARDS PER CARRY
3 STORYLINES
In its last three games, OSU has given up more than 200 rushing yards. This week, the Cowboys’ defense has its hands full with an Arizona team that has had some explosive plays out of the backfield this season. Quarterback Noah Fifita has used his legs to make plays in the Wildcats’ most recent games. Arizona is also rushing for 4.8 yards per carry on the season. With a dual-threat quarterback and a balanced running back room, Arizona’s rushing attack presents the Cowboys’ defense with a challenge.
up
17 carries for 113
served as the primary rusher, carrying the ball 16 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns. The running backs have taken pressure off of quarterback Zane Flores in the past two weeks, but a true leader has yet to emerge. Do Fields, Howland keep
the
Last week, Trent
Will the Cowboys continue getting Jackson involved?
A week ago, Doug Meacham got the ball in Sam Jackson V’s hands often. Jackson threw the ball four times, rushed it twice and had two receptions. Jackson found success against Baylor throwing the ball and completing three of his passes, including a touchdown pass to Josh Ford. During his press conference Monday, Meacham described Jackson as “a quarterback playing receiver.” With Jackson’s versatility, Meacham could keep putting the ball in his hands.
TIME OF GOD’S FAVOR!
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Is.55:6 NIV)
It is worthwhile to take the time; to stop and consider your way of life and make resolutions; new steps to take to make your life more meaningful or productive. Maybe you are doing this, or maybe you have just given up on the whole idea.
Can you remember when you were a child, how time went by so slowly? It seemed like it took forever for the holidays to arrive. Now time passes so swiftly; the years seem to rush by. The turn of the century seemed so far away when I was younger. Now we are nearly twenty years into the 21st century.
I want to encourage you to stop and consider your life; especially the remainder. None of us know when our life may end. Jesus spoke of those who
would come into their purposes in the “eleventh hour;” right at the end of life’s work day.(Mt.20) You may think that it is too late to turn your life over to Christ; there is such little time left on “your calendar.” Yet, those who come in at the “eleventh hour” will receive the same wages as those who labored the whole day. We need to work in God’s purpose for our lives while we still have time. The Bible tells us the time is coming when “no man can work.” (Jn.9:4)
As you set your heart and get definite about trusting God with your life and serv ing him, you will find wonderful opportuni ties will open for you. You see God has his purposes for you planned out, and he will begin to open doors that you know nothing about. There will be such great satisfaction in serving and finishing what he has for you to accomplish. When your life does end, and it will, you will be so glad you have followed Christ. The Bible tells us that your labor for him is not in vain. (1 Co.15:58)
Bryson Thadhani, The O’Colly
Sam Jackson V
The Cowboys’ rushing attack has picked
steam in
past two games. Against Tulsa, Rodney Fields Jr. led the running back room with
yards.
Howland
Chance Marick, The O’Colly
Running back Rodney Fields Jr.
Nicole Stevens, The O’Colly OSU defenders attempt a tackle.
The o’colly sports picks
ABOUT OUR GUEST PICKER:
Berry Tramel is a sports columnist for the Tulsa World. He has also written for The Norman Transcript and The Oklahoman. Tramel is in the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.
CAYDEN COX
OSU’s rushing attack will be key for the Cowboys to get their first Big 12 win. Arizona gave up five rushing touchdowns against Iowa State this past weekend and with OSU’s Rodney Fields Jr. and Trent Howland’s recent success, getting them involved will be critical.
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST KEY TO OSU DEFEATING ARIZONA THIS WEEKEND?
PARKER GERL
The Cowboys’ ability to stop Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita will be key to OSU beating the Wildcats. Fifita has thrown for 965 yards this season and is a dynamic player who can extend plays. The Cowboys have struggled in the past with running quarterbacks and will need to zero in on Fifita.
Sam Mitchell
Luke Mazza
Cayden Cox