Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, October 12, 2026
Angelica Martinez
Managing Editor This summer, Our Blood Institute (OBI) announced a critical blood shortage, raising concerns about the availability of blood for patients who need transfusions. OBI is a nonprofit blood provider that serves more than 97% of hospitals, clinics and emergency medical services in Oklahoma, as well as parts of Arkansas and Texas. According to the OBI website, every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. The need can result from cancer treatments, medical emergencies, blood loss during childbirth, blood disorders, surgical complications, babies born prematurely or many more situations. Blood may be needed at any time, and the demand makes maintaining the supply essential. Because blood components have limited shelf lives and cannot be replicated synthetically, consistent donations are
necessary to replenish the supply. Jonathan Timms, an OBI account consultant who recruits blood donors and blood drive hosts, explained how increasing the number of donors could help alleviate shortages. “Only three percent of the population actually donates,” Timms said. “And our big ask is that if we can get that number up to four percent, we wouldn't find ourselves in these predicaments.” During blood shortages, hospitals may have to ration the available supply. Elective surgeries, which are planned in advance, may be postponed to preserve blood for emergency patients. Although elective surgeries may not be immediately lifethreatening, they can be medically necessary to improve quality of life through treating chronic pain, restoring function or preventing future health problems. “They just postpone those while we're in these blood shortages, because there has to be blood readily available for emergency victims before they give it to somebody who's got an elective surgery,” Timms said. Consistently maintaining an emergency supply
of blood is necessary For Amanda Purser, to have two more healthy for those with their lives a Cameron University babies.” at risk as one blood graduate student and Purser continues donation can save up to former managing to donate blood and three lives. editor of the Cameron volunteer with OBI, Donated blood goes Collegian, donated blood encouraging others who through a full testing made the difference are eligible to donate. process before being between life and death. “Just a few delivered to medical minutes of facilities. your time and “That blood will a couple pints of “Just a few minutes be deemed whether your blood can save of your time and a it's safe or not safe,” lives,” Purser said. couple pints of your “I think that's pretty Timms said. “If it's not safe, they will blood can save lives incredible, but you make sure that they never know when ... you never know if let the donor know you're gonna need it. one of your family so the donor can get You never know if checked out. We've one of your family members or loved actually saved lives members or loved ones may need it.” ones may need it. A - Amanda Purser split second decision Cameron could alter the course through Graduate Student of your life.” that too. We Who can donate? found Some people who little are eligible to donate anomalies may not realize they in their At qualify. Potential donors blood that 24, while include: turned out to active duty • People who are at least be a type in the military, 17 years old and weigh of blood Purser experienced at least 125 pounds, or cancer and they severe blood loss during people who are at least were able to get saved.” childbirth and needed 18 years old and weigh For safe blood, it multiple emergency at least 110 pounds. is broken down and transfusions. • People with recent allocated. “I had my first child tattoos from licensed “If it's processed and and ended up needing facilities in Oklahoma. it's deemed safe, they an emergency C-section, Those whose tattoos will take a whole blood and I bled out during the were performed donation and they will surgery,” Purser said. “I elsewhere will need break it into 3 different ended up losing a lot of to wait three months components; the red blood, and I almost died. before donating. blood cells, the platelets My doctor was a combat • People with common and the plasma,” Timms surgeon, and he said I medical conditions, said. “Then they will be took four units of blood, such as high blood distributed to different four blood transfusions. pressure or diabetes, patients that need them. If it wasn't for him and provided they meet Our platelets have a his quick thinking and the other donation five day shelf life, the blood being available, requirements and feel and those serve I would have died at the well on the day of mostly cancer hospital that day. I never donation. patients as well as would have got to meet • People with low iron NICU babies.” my daughter. I went on levels may still be
Volume 115 Issue 6
eligible, depending on the results of an iron-level screening conducted by an OBI phlebotomist before donation. • People who have not donated blood in the past 56 days are eligible. Where can I donate? The Cameron community will have an opportunity to donate blood on campus later this month. The Cameron Collegian will host a blood drive in collaboration with OBI from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Buddy Green Room of the MCC. For those donating, it is recommended to eat iron rich meals and to drink plenty of water leading up to donation day. Each donor will receive a free “All We Need is Blood” t-shirt, a free ticket to the Trail of Fear and will be entered into a raffle for a 20 dollar Aggie Fizzness gift card. For more information or to make an appointment, visit the OBI website or contact OBI at 877-340-8777.
What’s Inside Walk to End Alzheimer's
Student Protest
Homecoming Week
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News
Jake Thomas News Editor
Starting at 9:30 a.m., Sept. 26, Cameron University hosted the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s event, bringing together nearly 300 participants, 40 volunteers, and raising $58,512 to support people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Participants walked across campus to honor those lost to the disease, support people currently living with dementia and raise funds for research and community resources. Christy Galyean, the Alzheimer’s Association’s walk manager for Ardmore and Lawton, said 270 participants had registered for the event. Including sponsors who attended, she estimated total attendance was closer to 300. Galyean said she chose to keep the 2026 walk at Cameron after seeing the campus during the previous year’s event. She mentioned that the campus had many benefits to help the walk continue smoothly, including both the environment and people. “I was very surprised to find that the campus had great shade and great areas to walk,” she said. “I was also told that the Cameron Men’s Basketball team had volunteered in the past and was a good source to find day of event help.” Karin Bailey, executive assistant to the university president, served as a coordinator between Cameron and
the event’s planning committee. Her responsibilities included coordinating campus arrangements, recruiting student volunteers and helping with fundraising. Bailey contacted Cameron’s accounting and business clubs to recruit volunteers, while additional students and United Way volunteers helped with event preparations and activities. Bailey said she believed student involvement was important because some students have relatives, or know people who have relatives, affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. “Getting them connected with those resources is a big benefit of the event,” Bailey said, “And being a part of that committee, I know what resources to give … and that’s the same for anyone in the community.” The walk featured two routes across campus, with participants traveling near the Rec Center and Bentley Garden pond before choosing either a shorter route near campus housing or a longer route passing university buildings. Monte Brown, a Liberty National Bank employee and former KSWO employee, served as master of ceremonies. The opening ceremony also featured remarks from representatives of the Alzheimer’s Association and Edward Jones, the event’s national presenting sponsor. During the ceremony, Brown emphasized the importance of awareness, early detection and research into treatments that can slow Alzheimer’s
October 12, 2026
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progression in its earliest stages. He also encouraged participants to consider how everyday habits, including physical activity, can support brain health. Edward Jones’ financial adviser Justin Phelps spoke about the company’s partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association and its support for research, education and care services. Shelly Fields, the event’s walk chair also addressed the crowd. Fields said the cause was personal to her, as she lost her grandmother and mother to Alzheimer’s disease. Fields said funds raised through the walk help support research and provide education and assistance for families and caregivers. Galyean said Alzheimer’s awareness is important throughout Oklahoma, where she reported more than 70,000 people are living with the disease. She also highlighted the need for local support groups and resources for families navigating a diagnosis. “Early diagnosis is key for people to find out if they are a candidate for the treatments that have been approved by the FDA to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s,” she said. “People in their late 40’s and 50’s are being diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, so education is very critical. She added that younger adults can also develop earlyonset
Alzheimer’s as well, making education important across generations. Galyean said her own experience losing loved ones to the disease influenced her decision to work with the Alzheimer’s Association. Her family struggled to find support, she said, and she wants other families to know they do not have to navigate the disease alone. “I want families to know where to turn to and never feel alone and helpless like my family did,” Galyean said. The Alzheimer’s Association provides a free, 24-hour helpline, educational programs, support groups and other resources for people affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Community members can support the organization by volunteering, sharing information and making donations to the Oklahoma chapter. Bailey said she hopes to see more Cameron students participate in future walks, both to support the cause and to become familiar with resources available to families. The event concluded with participants gathering at the starting line for the walk, carrying colored flowers representing their connections to Alzheimer’s disease, including support for the cause, remembrance of loved ones, caregiving and living with the disease.
Photos by Angelica Martinez
Jake Thomas News Editor
At 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Vaska Theatre, Cameron University students and community members will have the opportunity to explore independent filmmaking and hear from a Hollywood actor during CU Movie Night. Organized by Dr. Matt Jenkins, the event will feature a student made film “Killer, Man”, Jenkins’ latest movie, “Louder Than Later”, and guest speaker Johnny “Roastbeef” Williams, an actor known for his role in “Goodfellas”, “The Mask”, and several other films. The free event will include clips from Williams’ filmography, followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask him questions about his roles and experiences in the film industry. Jenkins said he originally started Movie Night to connect students interested in narrative filmmaking with independent producers and directors. Previous guests have included directors Pat Bishow, Allan
Arkush and Anthony Brownrigg, as well as an actor who played the Silver Power Ranger, Justin Nimmo. The event eventually evolved to include screenings of a student-produced film, giving aspiring filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work. Jenkins said one of his favorite aspects of independent filmmaking is having creative control over a project without being held to certain restrictions outside financial contributors. “I love having creative control over the work,” Jenkins said. “I made the movie I envisioned on paper and it will stand or fail on its merits.” Jenkins also praised the experience of producing “Louder Than Later”, saying the production process went well and highlighting the cast’s performances. Victoria Spruill, who participated in one of Jenkins’ projects, described the experience as positive, citing the professionalism and supportive atmosphere on set. “Everyone was super professional and kind,” Spruill said. “Especially when I messed up or
needed another take, I never felt embarrassed or anything.” Spruill said she hopes to participate in more of Jenkins’ projects in the future. In addition to the screenings and guest speaker, public relations students are conducting a promotional campaign across eight weeks, intended to involve campus organizations and attract a larger audience. Raffle prizes will also be part of the evening’s activities, with prizes including Johnny “Roastbeef” memorabilia. Please note, the movies presented contain mature themes, depictions of violence, and profane language. Viewer discretion is advised. It may not be suitable for children or sensitive audiences. By attending, you acknowledge awareness of these elements and accept responsibility for your viewing experience. Student Movie Night will take place Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at Vaska Theater in Lawton. The event is open to people interested in independent films and the movie-making process.
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Voices
October 12, 2026
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SAFETY ON CAMPUS
AGGIES CALL FOR STUDENT SAFETY IN PEACEFUL PROTEST
Photos by Gabriela Villaseñ Villaseñor
Angelica Martinez Managing Editor
At noon on Oct. 3, students and community members gathered between Shepler Towers and the Aggie Rec Center for a peaceful protest concerning student safety and the experience of a former Cameron University student who said she felt unsupported after reporting a sexual assault. The protest, organized by former Cameron student Isabelle Dessinger, followed the Aggie Mile route. The route included passing through the Homecoming tailgate taking place on campus that same afternoon. Dessinger organized the protest to draw attention to the experiences of students who report sexual violence and the support available to them. “I came forward whenever I needed help,” Dessinger said to the protesters. “I trusted a system that I believed was supposed to protect and support. Since then, I’ve walked away feeling unheard, dismissed,
intimidated and deeply affected by what followed in this process.” Dessinger said she organized the protest to advocate for students who have experienced sexual violence, as well as students who may come forward in the future. “We are here because silence does not create accountability,” Dessinger said. “We are here because students deserve to know their rights and resources available. We are here because reporting something traumatic should not leave someone feeling like they are the problem.” Before the walk began, Dessinger reminded participants that the demonstration was to remain peaceful. “This is a peaceful protest,” Dessinger said. “Do not engage with anyone who may come up and try to provoke you, do not threaten anyone, follow anyone or physically confront anyone.” The protest remained focused on accountability rather than confrontation. Throughout the walk along the Aggie Mile, Dessinger would
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The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available twenty Mondays during the year. It is printed by the Lawton Constitution. The first issue is provided for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.
Our Views
The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma. Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.
begin a chant by asking, “What do we want?” Participants would respond, “Accountability.” Dessinger would then ask, “When do we want it?” and participants would respond, “Now.” The date for the protest was intentional, as the route passed through the Aggie Tailgate. “I was hoping the
Dessinger spoke about how the protest impacted her. “I started this because I refused to let my experience disappear into straight silence,” Dessinger said. “I am still pursuing answers, I am still advocating for myself and I am still seeking legal assistance to help me do that. But today showed me that I don’t
“We are here because silence does not create accountability. We are here because students deserve to know their rights and resources available.” - Isabelle Dessinger
Protest Organizer
president would be there, and on campus to be able to hear our story as well,” Dessinger said. “I was not trying to interfere with the tailgate or anything. We were just simply passing through as it is through the Aggie Mile route and stay out of their way instead of going the full way around there.” After the walk,
have to stand alone.” Among those attending was Lily Roe, a junior elementary education major, who attended because she wanted to support other survivors who may not feel comfortable publicly sharing their experiences. “As a sexual assault survivor who grieves and worries if it may
ever happen again, I just feel like it is so important to be there for others who may be in a more vulnerable state, who may not be able to come out here and show their face in worry of backlash,” Roe said. Roe said protests can provide a sense of community for survivors. “I think they’re so important just because so many survivors feel like there’s so many stories drowning theirs out,” Roe said. “It’s not a contest. Everyone’s story is just as important, and it needs to be supported just as much because when you are taken advantage of in that way, community is everything.” Participant Dani Jameson, feels protests like this can help bring awareness to issues affecting communities. “I do believe that all of our struggles are connected one way or another, and it’s important to be there in solidarity with other aspects of struggle that we’re all facing,” Jameson said. Dessinger’s goals for the protest extended past her own experience.
Letters Policy
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Managing Editors - Angelica Martinez News Editor - Jake Thomas Voices Editor - Jaley Melton-Wiley, Gabriela Villasenor A & E Editor - Makayla Flenoury Sports Editor - Matthew Hasley Community Outreach Editor - Fabiola Perez-Aponte Student Life Editor - Rachel Nunn Copy Editor - Rachel Nunn Digital Content Editor - Steven Utter
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“I hope people will have an understanding that student safety and survivor support are not just policies that exist on paper,” Dessinger said. “They affect real people in real time.” The protest concluded with Dessinger asking participants, “Whose voices?” The crowd responded, “Our voices.” “Will we be silent?” Dessinger said. “No,” the crowd responded. Dessinger said the demonstration was another step in her effort to raise concerns about student safety and support. “We may be leaving this protest today, but we are not leaving our voices behind,” she said. Dessinger believes this protest could serve as a start to wider conversations. “I do think that our voices were heard by at least some people,” Dessinger said. “I hope that this is just the beginning of this and it will lead into a bigger conversation and start bringing up more talks about how our system is working and what we should do to better in.”
Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be e-mailed to aggiecentral@cameron.edu.
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The Cameron Collegian is dedicated to ensuring all journalistic content is accessible to all readers. For access to PDF copies of The Cameron Collegian, contact Adviser David Bublitz at dbublitz@cameron.edu.
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A&E
October 12, 2026
‘They Promised Her the Moon’ Daniel Zikan Staff Writer
From Oct. 1 - 4, in the University Theatre, the Department of Art, Music and Theater Arts presented “They Promised Her the Moon,” a biographical drama about Oklahoma’s Jerrie Cobb, the record-breaking pilot who was almost the first American woman in space.
Photo by Angelica Martinez
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I’m not a person who goes out to watch plays; however, I do love learning about historical topics, and the idea of the first American woman going into space almost being from Oklahoma fascinated me. I went to this with an open mind, and I think that was the correct choice because I was thoroughly entertained by the play. “They Promised Her the Moon” told an interesting true story, adding a bit of flair, but not enough to make the play into fiction. The play also touched a lot on faith and timing, something that’s very prevalent in the real Jerrie Cobb’s life, and I felt these scenes had been the most emotionally complex in the play. To add on, I liked that all the actors had pretty good chemistry with each other. Speaking of actors, I felt the acting in the play was the best part. They gave the play life. Every character is flawed in some way, and I think that adds a lot of good to a play. Two major highlights go to Rose Venus (Cobb) and Victoria Spruill (Jackie Cochran). They put on an excellent performance and really brought the characters to life. Theo Cogen (Dr. Lovelace), Joe Waggoner (Congressman), Joshua Olenick (Jack Ford and
John Gleen), Morgan Whelpley-Hof (Harvey, and Victor Anfuso (Congressman) all performed really well. They all played amazing roles and poured their hearts into the play. On the technical side, I felt the lighting for the scenes was good. Although the flying scenes were very shakey. There could’ve been a bit more life put into it, but overall, the play was great. The director, Dr. Natalie McCabe, spoke on her experience directing the play, saying how fun it was, especially the fact that the play was about an Oklahoman. “It was really fun to direct,” McCabe said. “I was really excited about the play itself because it highlights a woman from Oklahoma, an aviator, and an Oklahoma woman in STEM, which I think is really lovely to talk about people from our state and Oklahoma’s contribution to science and space.” Overall, I think “They Promised Her the Moon” was an informative, interesting and entertaining look at the life of Jerrie Cobb. I hope everyone who has an interest in space and the tension around that time period, got a chance to see it.
‘Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out’ Lorelai Wilcox Staff Writer
In August 2023, the movie “Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out” released on streaming. I discovered this movie about a week ago, and I wish I had known about it sooner. Not only does this film fall into the science fiction genre, but it mixes in classic comedy and coming-ofage elements. The best thing about this movie is how it seamlessly blends serious themes with fun, quirky characters. The movie begins with one of the main characters, Calvin (Jacob Buster) witnessing what appears to be his parents’ abduction by aliens. He is stargazing, with his father (Will Forte), waiting for Jesper’s Comet to appear. Then, Calvin’s dad leaves to check out a strange car in their driveway. While he is gone, Calvin sees the comet fly across the sky. Immediately after, Calvin hears his dad shouting his name; he rushes downstairs, but both of his parents are gone. Ten years later, Itsy (Emma Tremblay) and her family make the move from New York to the tiny town of Pebble Falls. While the rest of her family is happy, Itsy is not. She is upset about leaving her friends,
life, and journalistic aspirations behind her in New York City. And Itsy is willing to do almost anything to get out of Pebble Falls. On her first day at her new school, Isty runs into Heather (Landry Townsend), who offers Isty everything she is looking for. Heather claims that if Itsy works with her to write about the weirdest thing in Pebble Falls, they can win a place at a summer writing program in New York City. The only catch is that it isn’t a what that Itsy has to research, but a who: Calvin Kibler. Itsy has already met Calvin, and to say those interactions were weird would be an understatement, but Itsy is determined to find a way back to New York. Slowly, Itsy works her way into Calvin’s life, but things get complicated when Calvin admits that he honestly believes that his parents were abducted by aliens. He tells her the key to seeing them is the return of Jesper’s Comet, which is happening in forty-one days. And when they return, he intends to go with them. Itsy begins to realize that this is more than a sensational news story: this is a kid who lost his parents ten years ago and is still trying to find them. Despite her reservations, Itsy
commits to spending even more time with Calvin. He thinks Itsy is helping him prepare for the comet’s return, but in reality she is still working on her story. Despite herself, Itsy is impressed by how much research Calvin has done and how intelligent he is. Slowly, the two began to form a genuine relationship. Itsy knows that Calvin’s parents were not really abducted by aliens, despite the proof that Calvin shows her. He even gives her photos from the night his parents were abducted that he never had the chance to develop. Itsy promises to develop them for him, even though she knows his parents were not abducted by aliens. She believes that Calvin deserves to know what really happened to his parents, so she takes him on a road trip the week Jesper’s Comet is set to return. Their final destination is a diner, where Calvin’s mother is working. What follows is one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the whole movie. This scene is a moment of both growth and transformation for Itsy and Calvin. When Calvin realizes his mother is alive but abandoned him without saying goodbye, all he wants is an explanation. His mother says, “I was
just so desperate to get out of that little town … I was willing to give up anything.” This hits Itsy hard, and she realizes she has been so set on getting out of Pebble Falls that she was willing to sacrifice her relationship with Calvin. After this she tries to tell him the truth about the article she has been writing with Heather, but Calvin is too distracted to give her the chance to explain. His deep belief that aliens abducted his parents has been shattered. The next day things go downhill quickly. When Itsy goes back to school, she realizes that Heather chose to publish the article behind her back and Calvin has read it. After school, she runs to Calvin’s workshop, but he is gone. Devastated, Itsy goes back home, not knowing where he is. With nothing left to do, and no way to salvage their shattered relationship, Itsy begins looking through the photos she took with Calvin. In the one she promised to develop for Calvin, the one from the night his parents disappeared, she sees a UFO. She rushes to find Calvin, not wanting him to miss the return of Jesper’s Comet. When she finds him, he is ready to give up and confesses
that he has spent too much time thinking about leaving, rather than what would happen if he stayed. When Calvin’s dad appears on a UFO, Calvin decides to stay with Itsy. The two officially become boyfriend and girlfriend. Both characters realize that leaving is not the solution to their problems. Their ability to live an amazing life is about who they are with, not where they are. The relationship between the two main characters, the theme of this story, and all the funny, cute interactions in the script are all things that make this film fantastic. Some films struggle with overly preachy or ambiguous themes, but this film took it out of this world. To be fair, I do have a few critiques of this film. Firstly, about halfway
through the movie, the pace was very slow. It felt like things could have happened much faster in the middle of the movie. I love good character development, but even I felt a little impatient. The pacing fortunately does pick up during the last forty minutes of the film. Secondly, there were some scenes where the humor did not work. For example, early on Ity’s brother falls through the roof of the family’s new house. It is meant to be funny, but it just seemed weird and made Itsy’s family dynamic confusing. All in all this was a well-told story with good acting, fun characters, and a satisfying ending. If you are interested in watching it yourself, it is currently free on Pluto TV. My rating is 7.5/10 stars.
Graphic by Fabiola Perez-Aponte
October 12, 2026
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Student Life
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ROAD TO GOLD HOMECOMING WEEK Devlin Calley Staff Writer
Cameron University celebrated its 2026 Homecoming Week from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3, marking the university’s first fall Homecoming in more than 30 years. This year’s “Road to Gold” celebration moved Homecoming from the spring semester to the fall volleyball season, when originally it had been held alongside the basketball season since the early 1990s. The university made the change to increase participation and create more opportunities for students and alumni to take part in Homecoming activities. Programming Activities Council (PAC) President Ty Spence said events have historically drawn stronger attendance during the fall, particularly among freshmen looking to meet people and get involved on campus. “I think having Homecoming in the fall is actually just better overall,” Spence said. “It’s a great opportunity to put yourself out there.” Throughout the week, PAC and the Office of Events and Activities hosted daily student events. Alumni returned Friday and Saturday for activities including an alumni breakfast, class reunions, athletics and the annual alumni awards ceremony. PAC’s events were Karaoke Night, Terrarium Night, Casino Night and the Homecoming dance located in McCasland Ballroom. Students also participated in Spirit Week with themes including Business on Top, Comfy on Bottom, Anything but a Bag, Class Colors, Mismatch Day, Beach vs. Biker and Black and Gold.
Karaoke Night
a lot more.” Schilling said the experience added to their excitement for the rest of Homecoming Week. “Not getting out is the worst thing you can do for yourself,” Schilling said.
Terrarium Night
At 6 p.m. on Sept. 29, PAC hosted Terrarium Night, where Aggies created miniature environments using natural and artificial materials. Each participant received a plastic tank and selected different plants, substrates and decorations arranged in the center of the ballroom. With no required design, students moved between the supply table and their seats, adding materials and personalizing their terrariums throughout the evening. Cameron freshman Chris Hilz built his first terrarium while using the event as an opportunity to meet other students. “They’re kind of fun events to take a break from classes for me, kind of like an escape from work or classes or anything like that,” Hilz said. Hilz said he would like to see more activities like Terrarium Night on campus and encouraged other students to attend.
Casino Night
At 6 p.m. on Oct. 1, PAC hosted Casino Night and the Homecoming dance. PAC worked with Jackpot Casino Parties to bring professional dealers and casino tables to the event. Students moved between craps, blackjack and poker tables as dealers handled cards, dice and guided them through the games. Cameron mascot Ole Kim joined the dealers behind the tables. Students did not wager real money, allowing them to experience casinostyle games without financial stake. Spence said the previous Casino Night drew about 140 students, far more than other PAC events he had seen during his time with the organization.
At 6 p.m. on Sept. 28, PAC opened Homecoming activities with Karaoke Night. Several scheduled performers were absent when the night began, and many students initially hesitated to take the stage. That hesitation lasted only a few minutes. Once the first performers broke the ice, more students signed up, and performances continued without a break until the event ended at 8 p.m. Some students showed off their vocal ability, while others relied on showmanship and enthusiasm. Aggies throughout the ballroom cheered and sang along to familiar songs. Cameron freshman Deven Schilling attended with friends, but initially had no plans to perform. After watching their friend perform twice, Schilling joined her for Paramore’s “Still Into You.” “I’ve been trying to get out of my shell more,” Schilling said. “I used to be really introverted, so to get out there kind of really did help Photos by Devlin Calley
“Casino Night has been my favorite event I’ve hosted,” Spence said. Music played throughout the evening as students moved between the gaming tables and dance floor. As the night continued, students danced with friends before joining conga lines and group dances.
Tailgate and Royalty Crowning
At 12 p.m. on Oct. 3, Cameron University hosted its Homecoming tailgate in the Administration Building parking lot for students, alumni and members of the community. Campus organizations lined the area with tables ahead of the afternoon volleyball match. Fraternities and sororities joined alongside organizations including Business Club’s Aggie Fizzness, Cameron TableTop Society, Baptist Collegiate Ministry and the Criminal Justice Association. Attendees participated in activities including cornhole, drunk-goggle demonstrations, Nerf games, foamthrowing stars, temporary tattoos and a photo booth. Free hot dogs, chips and drinks were also served. The Office of Events and Activities handed out items for attendees to use while cheering on the Aggie volleyball team later that afternoon. At 1 p.m., attention shifted to the stage in Cameron Park for the crowning of Cameron’s 2026 Homecoming Royalty. The nine-member court included seniors Alex Weaver, representing Kappa Sigma; Brock Barr, representing the Health Professions Society; Kassidy Montgomery and Michael Gonzalez, representing the Business Club; juniors Aydriana Riveros, representing Alpha Phi; Ethan Silva, representing Baptist Collegiate Ministry; Glaze Antipuesto, representing the Asian American Student Association; Seth Pleasant, representing Cameron TableTop Society; and graduate student Michelle
Flores, representing Cameron Book Club. The ceremony also marked another change in Cameron’s Homecoming tradition. Instead of selecting a single Homecoming Monarch, the university crowned two students as Homecoming Royalty. Raymond Butac, Cameron’s Spring 2026 Homecoming Monarch, returned to crown Weaver and Riveros as the first pair to receive the title under the new format. For Riveros, the result came as a surprise. “I really was not expecting this for sure,” Riveros said. “I’m very happy about it.” Weaver looked beyond the individual victory to what the election represented for campus involvement. “It just shows that the student body is still active at Cameron,” Weaver said. Riveros encouraged students considering a future run for Homecoming Royalty to take the opportunity. “Don’t be afraid to do those interviews and get on the court,” Riveros said. “It’s honestly such a good opportunity.”
Homecoming Volleyball Game
The Road to Gold concluded at Aggie Gym with Cameron volleyball’s Homecoming match against Midwestern State. Cameron volleyball closed out Homecoming Week on Oct. 3 at Aggie Gym, falling to Midwestern State in straight sets, 25-22, 25-17 and 25-19. Maria Osorio led the Aggies with eight kills, while Caitlyn Cornell and Lillian Carollo added six each. Presleigh Roest recorded four blocks, and Anastasija Andelic and Taylor Silva finished with 10 digs apiece. Despite the loss, Cameron held a 6-3 block advantage and finished with three service aces as the Aggies capped the university’s first fall Homecoming.
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Student Life
October 12, 2026
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HOUSING TAKES ON HALLOWEEN Emma Herring Staff Writer
Fall is in the air. The temperature has finally dropped and the leaves are turning. This new season comes with new events and housing is making sure that students are getting into the spooky spirit this month. Some events have already occurred but there are more opportunities to come with several planned events throughout the month that housing hope to see students attend. The month started off with a door decorating contest for residents in the Shepler Towers and
the Village Apartments. This event will allow students to showcase their creativity while also providing fun decoration to the floors. Each resident is encouraged to make a plan, gather supplies and spread the spirit of the spooky season. A panel of judges will view the doors and two will be chosen as the winners, with one from Shepler and another from the Village. The creators of each winning door will receive a prize and recognition at the Boo Bash. With the arrival of midterms, residents had the opportunity to relieve stress with some down
time. At 7 p.m. on Oct. 6, Housing hosted an event full of snacks, crafts and camaraderie. The night began with a charcuterie of chips, cookies, Capri Suns and Kool-Aid. After fueling up, residents were encouraged to relax, unwind, and let their creativity flow. With music playing in the background, the attendees, including the Director of Housing and all the Resident Advisors, could choose one of many Halloween ornaments and light up decorations. Materials to paint and bedazzle were also provided. By the end of the
night, students had experienced a couple hours of fun without focusing on academic responsibilities. The event helped show that housing personnel recognize the stress that students are under. The opportunity to create Halloween crafts may be over, but housing will continue their fall spirit with another event in the future. Later this month, Housing will be hosting a Boo Bash. This event will
take place from 8 - 10 p.m. on Oct. 28 in the Great Room of the Housing Office Some things to look forward to are food, the DJ and dancing. The event will be catered and feature a chicken wing bar. There
will also be a costume contest, so attendees can start planning their costume and get ready to claim the prize. For more information on upcoming events, please contact the Housing Office.
ACTS GAME NIGHT Billy Shane Peterson Staff Writer
At 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 24, the Association of Computing and Technology Students (ACTS) hosted a game night event in the McCasland Ballroom. Within the event, students were able to play both video and tabletop games while learning about all that ACTS has to offer. ACTS is an organization that plans and hosts events that center around technology in some way or another and is
Photos by Jake Thomas
available to all students, no matter their major. Members are accepted throughout the school year. The group’s most popular event is their yearly game night that encourages people to either bring their own video game consoles or use the ones members of ACTS bring as they are hooked up to large video projectors in the ballroom, allowing for an incredible gaming experience with friends. There is also an array of board games and card games provided by Cameron University’s Events and Activities. At this most recent
game night, a group of friends played Mario Party, and later Mario Kart, on a Nintendo Switch 2 provided by Seth Johnson. In another corner, there was an ever changing array of people battling in the game Mortal Kombat on a Playstation 5 provided by Thomas Gaudio. In the center of the room were many circular tables piled with tabletop games with people playing Magic the Gathering, UNO, Clue and Settlers of Catan throughout the night. All while enjoying their choice of cheese, pepperoni or sausage pizza from Papa Johns and cold sodas were all provided by ACTS. While the purpose of game night is to bring students together and host a fun relaxing event after
a long week of classes, game night also helps ACTS with recruitment though introducing students to the type of events ACTS holds. Brennan Hibdon, ACTS’ co-president, notes that while membership is starting off low, he still considers the event successful. “This year’s game night brought in about twenty five to thirty students,” Hibdon said. “While not the most people game night has brought in … this was definitely a successful game night.” The event was able to catch the interest of students such as Quinevere Rustman. “I loved it,” Rustman said. “I’ve been considering joining the club if it’s like this.” Throughout the years, ACTS hosted events for students of all disciplines to enjoy. Last year the organization
held a hacking and coding themed escape room, a Hear and Hack competition, a computer knowledge trivia night, a Resume & Readiness Events and ended the year with a lively Karaoke night as a send off graduating members. Belinda Foley, one of the advisors of ACTS, wants to share the organization’s goals through events. “Our goal in all the events we do is just like our mission as an organization,” Foley said. “To have fun but also teach our students fundamental skills to prepare them for the workforce.” ACTS will hold more
events throughout the semester and academic year. The organization considered their first event of the year a success and gained new organization members. To get involved in the organization, students are welcomed to attend meetings and can check for upcoming events through their student email. For questions, please contact club president Brennan Hibdon at brennan. hibdon@cameron. edu or advisor Belinda Foley at bfoley@ cameron.edu.
October 12, 2026
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Community Outreach
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The Making of a Logo Angelica Martinez Managing Editor
Cameron University Academic Festival XIII: “Being Human in the Age of AI” has now held three main speaker events, with a Cameron student’s design serving as the visual representation of the festival. Ashley Slatten, a senior studying elementary education, created the logo and won the logo contest held during the spring semester of the previous academic year. The contest was open to Cameron students, employees and alumni, and the winner received a $350 cash prize. Logos that took a specific stance on artificial intelliegence were not permitted to enter the competition. The use of AI in the design creation process was permitted as long as contestants disclosed its use in their submissions. When developing her design, Slatten chose to focus on the relationship between humanity’s beginnings and its technological future. “When I first saw the theme ‘Being Human in the Age of AI,’ I didn’t want to focus only on AI for technology,” Slatten said. “I wanted to go back to the roots of humanity first. Before we look at where
technology is taking us, I think it’s important to remember where we came from.” Slatten’s Christian faith also influenced the development of one half of the design. “As a Christian, my faith played a big role in that,” Slatten said. “So before AI, before technology, and before anything humans had created, there was God. That belief inspired me. The humans and the nature elements on the left side of my design. They represent creation, life, growth and the roots of humanity.” The other half of the logo represents the development of technology and the direction humanity is moving. “I wanted the other side to show how far humanity has came,” Slatten said. “So the circle, the digital elements and the AI inspired profile represents technology, and the world we’re living in now, and moving forward. So, I placed the two profiles intentionall. To me they represent humanity coming face to face with technology.” The Academic Festival has so far addressed topics including the use of AI in state governments, the ethical implications of the technology and the effect of AI on human creativity. While developing the logo, Slatten focused on a broader question of how humanity can be maintained as technology continues
to develop. “AI is advancing quickly,” Slatten said. “But I think the bigger question is how we continue moving forward without losing the values, relationships, creativity, faith and experiences that make us human.” Cameron University was also incorporated into the design through its colors and campus imagery. “Cameron University was also very important to me when I created the design,” Slatten said. “Cameron has become my educational home, where I’m preparing my future as an educator. So I wanted Cameron to be part of the story. That’s why they incorporated the university’s colors, recognizable campus, imagery, and Cameron’s identity into the design.” For Slatten, she hopes its message will remain relevant as technology continues to change. “Technology may change the way we learn, work, communicate and create, but it should never cause us to lose sight of our humanity, our faith, our relationships, our compassion, for our purpose. I hope future Cameron students see that this was created by a student who considered Cameron her educational home. Years from now, technology will probably look completely different, but I hope this message still connects.” Her design can be found on nearly all academic festival promotional materials including, but definitely not limited to, tickets, programs and yard signs. For more information on the academic festival, please visit the Office of Public Affairs section of the Cameron University website.
An Unexpected Path Matthew Hasley Sports Editor
Kelley Hall always wanted to be an artist. Her father had a different idea for her. Growing up in Lawton, Oklahoma, Kelley recalls always wanting to make art way before she knew where her career would go. However, her father told her that artists do not make money and instead encouraged her to go into the nursing field. When Kelley began college, she tried to follow her father’s advice. It didn’t last. “I always wanted to be an artist, and my dad told me that artists don’t make money, and I needed to be a nurse,” Kelley said. She started her college journey at the University of Oklahoma (OU) as a nursing major before eventually moving over to psychology. Then, tragedy struck in her third semester, her father unexpectedly passed from leukemia. His death changed the direction of her life. Feeling the need to come home, Kelley moved back to Lawton, eventually transferring to Cameron University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology. Getting back to Lawton gave Kelley more than just a new university; Cameron offered a place that allowed her to dive into her education at a time when she was needing it the most. At OU, Kelley sat in classes full of hundreds of students. At Cameron, she found smaller classrooms and professors who knew when she attended class, understood when she was struggling, and showed recognition when she had success. “When I transferred a year and a half into my college career to Cameron, I was being taught, not by TAs or GAs,” Kelley said, “I was being taught by deans of the college, full professors, people that have knowledge and experience.” For Kelley, that difference mattered. “I’m really grateful that I had Cameron to come home to,” she said. But Kelley didn’t leave Cameron with a perfect career plan constructed. In fact, she said she never had a defining moment in college where everything suddenly became clear. To Kelley, finishing college carried more meaning. She said her father once gave her what she described as about a “30% chance” of finishing college. After he passed, finishing her education became
about proving his prediction wrong. “I was really going through the motions so I could prove to my dad that I was more than 30%,” Kelley said. Her drive to prove her dad wrong followed her into graduate school. After graduating from Cameron, Kelley moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, and started work at the University of Tennessee. Her job offered employee benefits, allowing her to take courses while she worked full time, so she started her journey to get her master’s degree in public health. However, she did not know where that degree would take her. She chose that program largely because she could work during the day and attend her classes at night. “I didn’t really know until my last semester that I was going to be doing what I was going to be doing in public health,” she said. Her career continued to creep away from what she studied. But the degrees still mattered. Kelley said her education opened opportunities even though she never built a traditional career in either Human Ecology or public health. “The degree helped a great deal in opening doors,” she said. “But not in my field. That’s the weird part about it.” Her introduction to graphic design didn’t begin in the classroom. It came from an internship assignment. During her final semester of her master’s program, Kelley had to complete an internship. A personal connection helped connect her back to Lawton, where she started work with Marie Detty Youth and Family Services. During her internship, she was tasked with designing a brochure, but Kelley never made one before. Instead of being discouraged, she opened Microsoft Publisher and started figuring things out. “They liked it enough to where they’re like, ‘Well, we’re just going to have you do all of our stuff,” Kelley said. That assignment turned things into much more than just one brochure. Kelley stayed with Marie Detty for 10 years and even moved into an administrative director’s position. Her job responsibilities changed over the years, but graphic design always found its way into her work. She is purely self-taught. “I’m not trained,” Kelley said. “It’s all self-taught. I never have taken a class for it.” Over the years, she improved and moved into more advanced software.
The career her father once steered her away from was quietly beginning to take shape. Kelley’s journey eventually led her back to Cameron in a professional role where she became director of the Area Health Education Center. Her journey didn’t stop there, though.. A friend working at the hospital invited her to lunch with her and her supervisor. What felt like a casual lunch with a friend turned into a job offer. They needed a graphic designer; Kelley accepted. For the first time, the word she linked with herself since childhood appeared officially in her professional identity. “For the first time I had artist in my title,” Kelley said. “I’m like, I have made what I know what was in my soul that I was supposed to be.” She made her way to the career she imagined as a child, and she did it without studying graphic design or following a straight path to it. Kelley said her work gives her variety every day, which she values heavily. She might be working on branded materials, advertisements, bags, flags or another project she has never designed before. At the same time, she continues her work with grants and policy work, giving her technical responsibilities too. She describes the two differences in responsibilities as the two sides of her brain working. “This fulfills the creative part,” Kelley said. “That fulfills the technical part of the way I think. And I think for me personally, I have to have them both.” Professional success for her has become less about a special title or an individual accomplishment. “I guess my accomplishment is that I love what I do,” Kelley said. She said she loves going to work, enjoys the people she is around and to her, her career isn’t simply a job. “It’s what makes me settled and happy,” she said. Looking back, Kelley’s life was less about careful planning and more about the opportunities that she could not have seen coming. She has experienced loss throughout her journey, beginning with her father while she was in college and later with the deaths of those close to her, including her late husband. Those experiences influenced the way she thinks, the way she makes decisions, her relationships and the pressure people place on themselves to follow one path. “If a door opens, I’m going to walk through it, because I feel that’s what
I’m meant to do,” Kelley said. “If the door closes, I’m not supposed to be there anymore.” Her advice to her younger self follows that same philosophy. “Life is not as big as what you’re making it to be,” Kelley said. “It’s all gonna work out in a way that it’s supposed to, and you just need to take a chill pill and relax, because it’s gonna be okay.” She remembers the anxiety she carried about her future and trying to figure out how it would unfold. Now though, she wishes she would have spent more time enjoying where she already was. “Those moments go by fast,” Kelley said. Kelley’s connection to Cameron didn’t end with her graduation from the university or even when she returned as an employee. Her late husband also went to Cameron, earning his bachelor’s degree before returning to the university as a staff accountant, eventually working his way up to controller. After his death, the family established a memorial bench near the Bentley Gardens bearing his name. For years, Kelley said she and her children would stop by the bench on birthdays, anniversaries, and other significant days. They’d bring food, and her children would ride their scooters around the gardens while they spent their time near the place that honored their father. “We have a bench by the Bentley Gardens with his name on it,” Kelley said. “So my kids could always come and sit and feel close to him.” Now another chapter in the family’s relationship with Cameron is beginning because next year, Kelley’s son Brady plans to attend Cameron for his freshman year. She doesn’t know how often he will stop by his father’s bench once he begins walking the same campus where his parents studied and worked, but she wonders about it. “I’d be curious to know if my son Brady will stop on the bench when he’s there next year,” Kelley said. Years ago, Kelley came to Cameron during one of the hardest moments in her life. She came home unsure of where her education would take her, what career she would build or how deeply the university would become connected to her family. The plan she had for herself changed more than once. But the artist remained.
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Sports
Matthew Hasley Sports Editor
The Cameron University Pickaxes Overwatch team secured a 3-0 victory over the Georgia Southern Eagle Esports B Team on Wednesday, overcoming an early setback in the first map and adjusting their lineup that led to winning all three maps. The Pickaxes entered map one without their starting tank, Justin Osuna, forcing newcomer Devyn Newkirk to step in the starting role for the opening map Lijian Tower. Despite the unexpected start, the Pickaxes found their footing, leading to wins on Lijiang Tower, Numbani, and Esperança, completing the sweep. “I’m proud of how well the team adapted to unfamiliar lineups and maps,” Cameron damage per second player Brady Magrath said. Cameron’s opening round did not go according to plan. Eagle Esports B Team claimed control of the objective early, eliminating Newkirk on Sigma and Magrath on Bastion. Cameron attempted to regroup, making several hero changes throughout the round, including a switch from Sigma to Junker Queen and Bastion to Pharah. However, Eagle Esports B Team continued to dominate the team fights, repeatedly eliminating the Pickaxes’ players and securing the first round. Trailing 1–0, the team knew they needed to win the next two rounds to take the map. Cameron responded in the second round when support player Matthew Hasley, playing Kiriko, secured the opening elimination against Eagle Esports B Team Team’s Sojourn. The Pickaxes followed up by eliminating the opposing tank and capturing the objective. Although Eagle Esports B Team briefly regained control, the Pickaxes fought back to reclaim the point and maintain its advantage. One of the round’s defining moments came when damage player Wyatt McClure used Reaper’s ultimate ability to disrupt the opposing team, eliminating a support player and helping Cameron win a prolonged team
Alex Weaver Staff Writer
At 11 a.m. on Sept. 12 at The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Oklahoma University (OU) faced off against the Michigan Wolverines in what would become the beginning of the end for OU. In the preseason, the ESPN power rankings ranked OU 12th overall. Now, at week five of the college football season, OU has fallen to 21 in the ESPN power rankings. OU’s season started off with high expectations for Oklahoma’s greatness. OU won its season-opener at home 51-0 over the University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) Miners in week one. This astounding win was thanks to OU’s dominating defense and offence. John Mateer, OU’s quarterback, finished 11-17 completed passes for 225 yards while only playing for three quarters. Lloyd Avant, OU’s running back, rushed 15 times for 79 yards and a touchdown. The OU defense kept UTEP to only 198 yards. Exceptional as this may be, OU still had to prove themselves in week two against the Michigan Wolverines. Going into week two, OU was favored to win +5.5 points vs. Michigan. Michigan had a rocky first week, winning 1312 against Western Michigan
fight on point. The Pickaxes captured the second round, tying the map at 1–1. In the final round, Cameron’s Magrath eliminated both opposing supports during an early engagement, helping the Pickaxes secure control of the objective. Eagle Esports B Team managed to retake the point after Cameron reached 82% capture progress, but the Pickaxes responded with a combination of Sigma and Reaper ultimates on point to kill their team and capture the point. The Pickaxes reclaimed control and closed out Lijiang Tower 2–1, completing the comeback. “I think we adapted very well like whenever something wasn’t going well, we switched up nicely,” Cameron support player Jamenia Lauder said. With Osuna returning to the tank position for the second map, the Pickaxes opened Numbani on defense. They immediately established control, eliminating the entire opposing team during each of the first two team fights. Eagle Esports B Team eventually broke through Cameron’s defense with just 16 seconds remaining, eliminating Hasley and both Pickaxe’s damage players to capture the first objective. However, Cameron prevented the opposing team from making significant progress afterward. Following another successful team fight, Osuna helped pressure Eagle Esports B Team near its spawn, limiting the team’s ability to reset with stagger kills and fight for the point. With approximately 30 seconds remaining, the Pickaxes engaged the opposing team near its spawn and prevented another meaningful push, pushing them back into their own spawn. Switching to offense, the team attempted an unfamiliar strategy by approaching the objective from the farleft side of the map. The adjustment paid off. Cameron eliminated the opposing team in the first fight and captured the first objective with 2:46 remaining on the clock. They continued their momentum around the first corner, eliminating Eagle Esports B Team’s tank Ramattra
Broncos. All the analytics were pointing to an OU win in week two. In front of a crowd of 111,240, the largest crowd to ever watch an Oklahoma football game, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood scored a touchdown with 47 seconds left in the first quarter. Trey Butkowski kicked a 40-yard field goal with 2:28 remaining in the second quarter, giving Michigan a 10-0 lead going into halftime. Into the second half, John Mateer drove 90 yards to Mackenzie Alleyne, which resulted in a 22-yard touchdown reception, making the score 10-7. Tate Sandell, OU kicker, tied the game 10-10 with a 34-yard field goal. With 8:49 remaining, Mateer was intercepted by Jyaire Hill, who returned it 24 yards to the Oklahoma 6-yard line. Then Jordan Marshall pushed through for a touchdown, making the final score Michigan 17 to OU 10. This game showed that the OU offense is not as good as predicted. After the loss, OU fans started questioning Head Coach Brent Venables, the offensive coordinator, play calls and Mateer’s performance. Mateer only completed 52% of his passes and was off target on several throws in the fourth quarter. It was clear to see that the OU fans were not happy. On social media, Mateer was
October 12, 2026
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and the remaining players before pushing beyond the opposing team’s 49.18-meter mark to secure the second map. Pickaxe Captain Frank Rabel Santos credited the Pickaxe’s coordination for the team’s success. “It went a lot better than expected, I thought these guys would be more challenging, but ultimately we had better coordination and that led to us winning,” Rabel Santos said. He continued, emphasizing the team’s preparation. “Coordinate and communicate, we’ve drilled this into our players’ heads from the moment they join,” Rabel Santos said. Cameron entered the third map needing one more victory to complete the sweep. The Pickaxes made another lineup adjustment, replacing Hasley with support player Jones Baskett, who took over on Juno. Eagle Esports B Team again struck first, eliminating Baskett in the opening engagement and gaining control of the robot. The opposing team continued its early pressure, eliminating both of Pickaxe’s supports during the next fight and advancing the robot to unlock their forward spawn. However, the Pickaxes regrouped. Damage player McClure, playing Tracer, eliminated the opposing Juno before the Pickaxes defeated Eagle Esports B Team’s tank and took control of the robot. The Pickaxes built momentum through several engagements, eventually taking the distance lead and unlocking their own forward spawn. Eagle Esports B Team refused to surrender, reclaiming the robot and pushing to within striking distance of the Pickaxe’s lead. With approximately three and a half minutes remaining, Cameron held a narrow 65.72-meter advantage to Eagle Esports B Team’s 63.40 meters. Osuna, playing Ramattra, helped stop the opposing push before Eagle Esports B Team could overtake Cameron. “The match went well and we played well as a team,” Osuna said. “We did a good job at pushing advantage and
being ripped a new one. On Twitter, Eddie Radosevich, Correspondent for @On3Sports, said, “It just ain’t good enough. Oklahoma is going to lose in Ann Arbor, and there’ll be plenty of questions about the direction of 2026. Starts at QB.” On the Twitter thread, there were 157 replies, most agreeing with Radosevich. In week three, Oklahoma University hosted the New Mexico Lobos for the saddest home win of the season. On the very first throw of the game, Mateer threw an interception. In the beginning of the second quarter, Mateer threw a 29-yard pass to tight end Hayden Hansen in the end zone for a touchdown, making the score 7-0. The Lobos retaliated with back-to-back field goals, making the score a close 7-6. In the third quarter, Mateer had a 70-yard drive, putting OU deep into the Lobos’ territory. Then Matter threw a 53yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Sategna to make the score 14-6. This would be the only point in the game where OU was truly comfortable. In the first half, the Lobos forced three turnovers and two of which were picked off Mateer. If not for the OU defense forcing the Lobos into two field goals early in the half, the outcome of the game would have been a lot grimmer. It seems like the OU offense has their heads somewhere
abusing numbers advantage.” The closing minutes featured multiple changes in robot control as both teams traded eliminations. With approximately one-minute remaining, the Pickaxes coordinated ultimates from Genji, Juno and Cassidy to win another crucial team fight. Eagle Esports B Team fought back and regained control with 30 seconds remaining, setting up one final engagement near the middle of the map. Osuna delivered the play of the game, activating Ramattra’s ultimate ability and securing a triple elimination to help the Pickaxes win the final fight. The Pickaxes finished with 84.66 meters of progress compared with Eagle Esports B Team’s 63.40 meters, securing the map and completing the 3–0 sweep. Throughout the series, Cameron’s ability to adjust its lineup, deny opportunities to the opposing players and capitalize on their team fights proved instrumental in the victory. Magrath said limiting the impact of Eagle Esports B Team’s strongest players contributed to the Pickaxes’ success. “They had good players who found very little value simply because we didn’t let them, holding them to a lower level of output than they would otherwise have,” Magrath said. With the victory behind them, several of the Pickaxes players expressed confidence heading into their upcoming matches. When looking ahead at the rest of their season, Baskett offered a straightforward response. “More wins for our undefeated win streak,” Baskett said. Magrath was even more ambitious, predicting a series of 3–0 victories extending into the playoffs. “We aren’t dropping a single map, mark my words,” Magrath said. Although the Pickaxes completed the sweep, Rabel Santos expects stronger competition as the season progresses. “More evenly matched games, since the league has sorted out better performing teams from the rest so I believe we will have to be at our best to win,” Rabel Santos said.
else as the next two games are against #2 Georgia and #1 Texas Longhorns. In week four, OU faced off against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. Georgia started off strong, making their way up the field for Chauncey Bowens to make a 2-yard rush into the end zone for a touchdown, making the score 0-7. But Georgia did not stop there. They kept the momentum in the second quarter. Gunner Stockton threw a 35-yard pass to Talyn Taylor for the touchdown, making the score 0-14. OU advanced 60 yards down the field nearing the end zone, then Mateer dropped the ball while trying to pass. The fumbled ball was then picked up by Chris Cole for an 85-yard return touchdown, making the score 0-21. Just 1:22 later, Mateer threw a pass that was intercepted by KJ Bolden. Mateer then got sacked, fumbling the ball in OU territory. The ball was recovered again by Chris Cole. This eventually led to a 6-yard run into the end zone for a touchdown by Chauncey Bowens, making the score 0-28. Going into the second half of the game, Georgia’s quarterback, Gunner Stockton, threw a pass intercepted by Omarion Robinson. OU took advantage of this and, in a few plays, drove 18 yards down the field
until Mateer finally passed it to Rocky Beers, scoring a touchdown. However, after a failed 2-point conversion, the score was 6-28. Georgia scored a field goal, making the score 6-31. OU missed a field goal. In the beginning of the fourth quarter, Dwight Phillips Jr. scored a 54-yard touchdown run to make the score 6-38. Georgia then scored a field goal to make the score 6-41. Mateer completed a 16-yard pass to Manny Choice for a touchdown, making the final score 13-41. “To compete and win the game, obviously the number one priority is taking care of the football, and certainly we failed miserably in doing that,” Venables said. “We’ve got to get out of our own way and give ourselves an opportunity without being careless with the football at the end of the day.” This has been OU’s offense’s greatest hurdle these last four weeks. If OU wants to stand a chance against the number one team, the Texas Longhorns, then their offense is going to have to step up. Ever since the week two game against Michigan, OU has been fumbling. With eight games left in the regular season, OU still has a chance to prove that it is a top ten school in the Southeastern Conference. But until Mateer and the rest of the offense can get it together, the future does not look so bright.