Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022
Trojan Horse: What OU’s coordinators said about the Cowboys
Ben Hutchens Assistant Sports Editor All eyes in Oklahoma turn to Bedlam. Even in a down year with Oklahoma barely treading water at 5-5 and the Cowboys on the outside looking in at the Big 12 Championship game, Saturday’s Bedlam matchup is still important. Here’s what Jeff Lebby, OU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach said Monday about the Cowboys. On OSU’s defensive front: “The biggest thing that stands out is they’re leagueleading in third down. They’ve been great in third down. Obviously with the way we played third down on Saturday that’ll be a huge deal
for us Saturday.” “So that’s the thing that sticks out initially and then creating some turnovers, they’ve done a great job of that, creating five turnovers last week versus Iowa State. So we got to be great situationally and then take care of the rock.” On what makes OSU’s defensive line unique: “I think the biggest thing is just effort and not staying on blocks. These guys do an unbelievable job of getting off of blocks and getting to the football. So, when you see that on tape you understand exactly what the game is going to be like Saturday. These guys are going to play tough, they’re going to play hard, they don’t stay blocked so we got to match and surpass that effort.” On OSU’s
secondary: “They’ve been solid. Again, they’ve created turnovers. I think that’s the biggest thing that sticks out is they’ve made plays on the ball, they’ve got a bunch of eyes on the football and they’ve made plays.” Sooner defensive coordinator Ted Roof also fielded questions from the media. Here is what he had to say about the Cowboys on Monday. On Spencer Sanders: “He’s a really really dynamic football player. I think we figured it up yesterday going back to his high school days he’s had 90-something career starts as either a high school quarterback or a college quarterback. And that’s a lot of snaps when you’re starting 90-something ball games.” SeeTrojan on 2
Chris Becker Mike Boynton met with students to discuss some basketball.
Notebook: Cowboys talk beach, bouncing back
Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter Mike Boynton is a self-proclaimed terrible vacationer. Not that OSU’s trip to the
Bahamas to play in the Baha Mar Hoops tournament is a vacation. But Boynton, OSU’s coach, said he will not go to the beach if the team gets some down time. He is not a beach guy. Instead, he said he’ll watch film. “I won’t be out there,” Boynton said. “I don’t really like the sun, to be honest.” The Cowboys play UCF, a future Big 12 university, on Friday. OSU then plays DePaul or
Santa Clara on Saturday. If OSU wins two in a row, the Cowboys will win the 2022 Bahamas Championship. Boynton said his team is keeping work at the forefront. He does, though, anticipates some free time for relaxation. “Sunday on the beach after that championship? Sounds like a plan to me,” senior guard Chris Harris Jr. said. See Notebook on 4
Portion of 51 dedicated to OSU philanthropist T. Boone Pickens Kennedy Thomason Staff Reporter
Mackenzie Janish Photo description
Stillwater’s portion of State Highway 51 was recently named after T. Boone Pickens, a notable alumnus, philanthropist and captain of industry. On Friday, Nov. 11, the Karsten Creek Golf Club dedicated the section of Highway 51 running from the intersection of Country Club Road westward to
the intersection of Karsten Creek Road in Payne County. Senator Tom Dugger coauthored the bill that included the renaming of Stillwater’s section of Highway 51. Tim Gatz, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation secretary, along with Dugger revealed the replica highway sign on Friday. Mike Holder, OSU director of athletics emeritus, and longtime friend of Pickens said
Pickens’ impact on OSU remains incomparable. He reflected on his time knowing Pickens, when they met at a fundraiser in 1973 during Holder’s time as OSU’s men’s golf coach. “When I think of Boone, I think of the ultimate friend, the greatest teammate of all time,” Holder said. “You couldn’t have a better leader, you couldn’t have a better promoter. See Highway on 6