Friday, September 25, 2026
‘The Code Calls’ OSU’s plan to create a successful academic future
STAFF REPORTS
it hopes to see in the near future. President Jim Hess addressed the importance of students’ future careers “The Code Calls” is Oklahoma State and the plan’s goal being to help University’s $2 billion, 8-goal plan provide necessary services. that is set to ensure students’ success “Every student will have a career in the future. Beginning in June 2026, readiness counselor; every student OSU has raised over $1 billion so far will have an alumni mentor in their with help from numerous donors. discipline to guide them along their According to KFOR, the University journey,” said Hess. provided details for its plan Monday Students are not the only group morning stating the changes and goals OSU hopes to help, while faculty also
fit into the campaign. Hess aims to provide each faculty member with a wage that makes living situations more affordable and comfortable. Melanie Morgan, Dean of the Graduate College at OSU, shared the plan as a long-standing goal for the OSU community, intending to bring every opportunity to the surface. “This eight-goal plan builds on our strengths, addresses emerging opportunities and positions the
OSU system for long-term success through measurable outcomes and institutional accountability,” said Morgan. The campaign follows closely with the land-grant plan as both work toward a future that will lead the University’s students and faculty to success.
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Land-grant: a new and obtainable future Kalina Williams
ASST. NEWS & LIFESTYLE
Oklahoma State University has been a land-grant university since 1890 and celebrates its land-grant mission along with the impact of what land-grant universities do for varying communities. According to the Oklahoma State website, the land-grant, follows the Cowboy Code and “inspires our mission, empowering us to dream big and lead with determinationcreating a positive impact on the world around us.” Launched alongside the Code Calls campaign, OSU’s strategic land-grant plan has eight goals in place to ensure the university’s success along with its students and faculty:
Goal 1: Enhancing Academic Excellence and Life-Changing Opportunities Goal 2: Transforming the OSU Student Experience Goal 3: Powering Discovery for the Public Good Goal 4: Amplifying Statewide Impact Through Extension Goal 5: Championing the Cowboy Family Culture Goal 6: Embracing Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies Goal 7: Elevating One System, Serving All of Oklahoma Goal 8: Advancing OSU’s National and Global Reputation
See LAND on page 2
Trey Creel, The O’Colly
Oklahoma State Hispanic Student Association members hold signs during their protest.
‘HSA’ celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month Zora Sutton
Hispanic Heritage Month is nontraditional in the sense that it’s Located in room 240 in the Student not celebrated in just one month, but rather between September Union, Oklahoma State University and October, starting on Sept. 15 Hispanic Student Association is and ending on Oct. 15. The reason dedicated not only to celebrating Hispanic and Latin culture, but also for this is because many Central American countries celebrate their provide a safe space for students of independence days within these all backgrounds. For Johanna Cruz, weeks. HSA Stillwater’s president, she felt In the U.S., Hispanic and Latin the organization provided a quick culture is an important part of sense of community. our history that often gets left out, “When I heard about HSA, it was even though there are 60 million like my home away from home,” Hispanic people in America. Cruz said. Hispanic Heritage Month aims to The HSA of Oklahoma State celebrate Hispanic and Latin history, University was founded in language, art and cuisine. According 1978 with the intent to foster to Johanna Cruz, “Hispanic heritage community among Hispanic and month is important because it proves Latino students. Today, the HSA all the hard work that Hispanic has a strong community, which provides programs to open doors for people put into the world.” This year to honor Hispanic networking and job opportunities. heritage month the HSA is putting The organization also frequently on several events to celebrate, that engages in activities involving the are free to all: arts. The HSA is also open to all, not Sept. 23: Piñata Making with just students of Hispanic or Latin SHPE and SLB descent with the goal to create a welcoming environment for all who Sept. 30: Fiestas Parade Prep are interested. Jacquline Hernandez, president Oct. 3: Fiestas Parade of the OSU Tulsa’s Hispanic Student Association, makes it her mission Oct. 10: Tailgate with a Banda to broaden the horizons of Hispanic and Latin youth and show them Oct. 14: Noche de Familia, loteria, there are other options after high Karaoke, and jeopardy school besides going straight to the workforce. This year’s theme for Hispanic The HSA also provides information Heritage Month is “Unidos, Somas and resources to students who may Mas” which translates to “together, be struggling with deportations of we are more.” It is no secret that friends and family. All members the Hispanic Student Association share common ground, agreeing that community at Oklahoma State the HSA is a community surrounded University embodies the theme of by support for those grappling this year. When asked about where with the hardships of the current the HSA is heading, President Cruz administration. Hispanic Heritage Month initially said she “sees a bright future.” started as a week-long holiday in 1968 but has since expanded to a full month under President Reagan. news.ed@ocolly.com
O’COLLY CONTRIBUTOR
Dominyk Jones, The O’Colly
OSU is one of the largest Land Grant universities in the state.
A student asking questions at a booth on campus
Lauren Rogers, The O’Colly
Page 2A Friday, September 25, 2026
O’Colly
News
Land
Continued from 1A Brent Marsh, vice president for Student Affairs, spoke alongside OSU President Jim Hess on Sept. 21, stating that the changes being made in society will cause the university to move with it. “As higher education continues to evolve rapidly, we must keep looking ahead to strengthen our position as a leading university,” said Marsh. When it was President Hess’ turn to speak, he stated that the university’s old five-year plan “was a great plan,” but the future of OSU can continue to expand. “It was time for us to set new goals,” Hess said. “It was time for new initiatives and to spark enthusiasm among all of our faculty and staff and our constituents.” The land-grant mission has a large focus on agriculture which has provided several students with opportunities they were already aware of, but also with others that were unknown. Griffin Henry, a senior animal science production major, grew up in a town not surrounded by the agriculture field, but later found it near the end of his high school years. Now nearing the end of his college career, Henry has seen the land-grant’s positive effect on being able to grow his knowledge through the Ferguson College of Agriculture. “Just through the classes, I’m able to learn more and develop my toolbox, if you will,” Henry said. “I’m more confident than I was as a freshman and I’m confident I could go get a job in the ‘ag’ [Agriculture] industry and not be behind my peers. That’s because of what Ferguson has done.” Henry also gave credit to the land-grant for funding clubs he has joined and opportunities such as an internship and being able to attend a conference. Despite his late start in the agriculture world, joining the Ferguson college has made him realize the efforts put into making each student feel at home. “So, because of all the money that comes from land-grant, I’m able to not only network but
build my skills and knowledge of ‘ag’ in general,” Henry said. “That’s a huge testament to people that want to get into ‘ag’ but didn’t necessarily grow up in it. It’s a testament that Ferguson and the land-grant mission wants to invite people into the industry instead of pushing them out.” Allowing students to receive hands-on experience is a large part of what the land-grant mission hopes to provide. With this in mind, OSU’s agriculture classes bring this opportunity to light and show students how to strive in skills varying from taking care of crops to learning how to handle animals in different ways. While some students, like Henry, got into agriculture at a later age, others found their area of interest at an earlier age. Lexi Crawford, sophomore animal science production and
operations major, has been involved in agriculture since the eighth grade where she joined Future Farmers of America (FFA). Originally arriving at OSU as a pre-vet major, Crawford realized through one of her classes and the help of her professors that there were other options available. Her statement confirms why the land-grant mission also focuses on creating the best possible environment for faculty and staff. “Your professors truly care about you,” Crawford said. “I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned. They may have 300 other students, but they will take the time to get to know you.” Outside of her classes, Crawford has also seen the impact that land-grant has had on the community. OSU’s turf research team, which provided
Editorial board Editor-in-Chief Caleson Coon
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Design editor Jose Brito
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Lauren Rogers The O’Colly
Students and volunteers discuss studying abroad at a booth during land-grand week.
News and Lifestyle editor Ashley Yarbrough news.ed@ocolly.com
Photo editor Chance Marick
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turf for Super Bowl LVII, stood out to her along with crops that are grown and given back and off campus research that helps those in need. “I’ve seen a lot of the research we do go to like other universities or even working with some of the other farmers around whether it’s like ‘okay well we’re going to run something on your soil to see why your crops aren’t growing,’” Crawford said. She continued to state that even though OSU’s research is helpful to a large number of people, not letting the “big and better” get to people’s minds is a priority as well. Crawford sees OSU as a special place due to the way the community shows up, whether it’s volunteering or attending conferences and hopes that these things continue as the university grows. For students not in the
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Newsroom 108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 (405)744-6365
Ferguson college, like junior marketing major Addison Dedeluk, the university still provides paths for success. Dedeluk is a part of the Spears School of Business and has seen career fairs, Spears networking and Study of Spears aid students in their job-search journey. Dedeluk’s choice in choosing OSU stemmed from the feeling of finding her people and knowing where she would fit in. “It was a gut feeling,” Dedeluk said. “I toured a lot of schools and this was the only one that felt like home.” Dedeluk’s statement is what OSU hopes to make all members of its community feel. The university’s leaders are driven to make this happen through the land-grant mission and the statement “we aren’t waiting for a better world – we’re building it.”
The O’Colly Staff Sports reporters: Ben Schatzel Logan Cole Marcus Mesis Ryan Ruston Timothy Christensen Will Thorogood
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O’Colly
Friday, September 25, 2026 Page 3A
Lifestyle
New uniforms, new changes Caleson Coon
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
It’s been 12 years since the Cowboy Marching Band (CMB) debuted new uniforms before Saturday, and for Jeremy Black, it’s a representation of positive change. Fundraising began when Professor Goodwin, the band director, arrived three years ago; last February, when the band began designing the uniforms, the debut arrived just in time for the Cowboys’ football season opener. “I think it’s really special that we got to debut the uniforms with upsetting Oregon,” Black said. Black gave credit to donors who helped the CMB achieve this long-awaited goal, as well as helping band members get new instruments. Black is also undergoing change as he steps into an undergraduate intern role for Goodwin in the marching band; he shared his perspective on being a Cowboy in the stands for the past five years. “So, when I got here, we were on our fourth band director in four years, then my sophomore year, we had our fifth band director in five years, and a lot of people would say that’s kind of hard for a marching band to survive like that – no consistency, completely different leadership every year after year,” Black said. Despite the constant change, Black said the culture within the CMB remained great as the members continued to have a
Payton Little, The O’Colly
It has been 12 years since the Cowboy Marching Band debuted new uniforms. lot of fun. But the change came when Goodwin arrived, as he began his third year at OSU. “It’s really changed just having the same staff year after year; it’s really – every year’s gotten a lot better with just how the band operates, how we look, how we sound, so that’s been really fun,” Black shared. As for the uniform change, Black said it’s been something Goodwin has been pushing for along with President Jim Hess as it was time for an upgrade.
In 2019, when OSU changed its logo, they lost the copyright to the formerly used logo, which is why in past years, all official OSU photos of the band have been from the back. Black said that even though he’s not wearing the uniforms, he’s still excited about them and the new upgrades. “The new cowboy hats – the old cowboy hats, they didn’t look like it, but they were supposed to be white, they were just so old, and so many
people in the student section throw beer, so they got stained and all that,” he said. “So, the new ones, we have a deal with Stetson where we got a really good deal, and then the kids, as they come in freshman year, they buy the hat, and then that’s their hat, they get to keep it when they leave, and so that’s kind of special too.” As for the season opener, Black said the atmosphere in Boone Pickens Stadium (BPS) probably hasn’t reached the
height it did on Saturday since the last bedlam. “People were excited, people were loud, it was full, I haven’t seen BPS that full in a while, and that’s what OSU fans are kind of used to is good football in a full stadium,” he said.
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Here are some events happening across campus next week: Caleson Coon
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Tuesday •
Sept. 28 - Oct. 2 Monday •
•
•
Hot Takes and Hot Chips, Freshman Action Team / Classroom Building, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Event for freshmen to socialize and express their opinions. OSU Mexico Panel Discussion, Center for Global Learning / Willard 108, 1 - 2 p.m. A panel conversation on the experiences of students and faculty members in Mexico. Ethics/Community Service Night with SCPT & BAP, Student Center for The Public Trust, co-hosted by Beta Alpha Psi - Chi Chapter / Business Building 175, 5:30 - 7 p.m. An evening of community service to give back while connecting with fellow students for a positive impact and commitment to ethical and social responsibilities.
•
•
Fall 2026 Renter’s Fair, OffCampus Student Association (OCSA) / Student Union Plaza, noon - 2 p.m. The Renter’s Fair allows all who join easy access to a variety of apartment complexes and housing options still available in Stillwater for the upcoming school year, along with a chance to win prizes. CAS T-Shirt Tuesday, College of Arts and Sciences / 213 Life Sciences East, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Every Tuesday serves as CAS-T-Shirt Tuesday as students can stop by while wearing a College of Arts and Sciences tee and spin a prize wheel, or if yet to have gotten one, can pick one up for free. HRMA Speaker: Pearl Sumathi (Professor at OSU) + Activity, Human Resources Management Association / Business Building 040, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. HRMA is hosting a dinner and conversation with Sumathi Pearl, assistant professor of Professional Practice in Management at OSU, who will share lessons from her professional journey for interested students.
Wednesday •
Coffee on Campus, The Table / Library sidewalk, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. The Table welcomes students to grab a free coffee on Library Lawn.
•
Kits of Kindness, Student Volunteer Center (SVC) / SU Oklahoma Room 450, 6 - 8 p.m. The SVC is welcoming students to join in on making necessity kits for new and expecting mothers in partnership with Birthright Stillwater.
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Large Group, Reformed University Fellowship / ANSI 124, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Join Reformed University Fellowship for praise, worship and fellowship.
Thursday •
•
Paint-A-Pumpkin, Residence Hall Association / Stout Hall, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Pumpkins and paint will be provided along with pumpkin spice treats and apple cider for students.
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Grease: Live, Student Union Activities Board / SU Theater, 7 - 11 p.m. A shadow cast production of Grease: Live is being hosted by the Student Union Activities Board for all to dress up in one’s best ‘50s attire and do the hand jive.
Friday •
Dungeons and Dragons One Shot Night, Oklahoma State Dungeons and Dragons Club / CLB 108, 7 - 10 p.m. Join the Dungeons and Dragons Club to play DnD at their one-shot night.
Cheap Lunch, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Student Council / ATRC SEC, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. For students who would like a filling, cheap lunch with company. news.ed@ocolly.com
Page 4A Friday, September 25, 2026
O’Colly
News
Concern grows for rural community members as development of a data center in Noble County progresses Annie Ross
STAFF REPORTER
Talk of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) data center is stirring in the small town of Morrison, Oklahoma, and surrounding communities as residents grapple with the fear of the unknown. “We don’t know what kind of energy these things are going to put out to the people who live around it,” said Adam Ingram, a former resident of Noble County. “We don’t know what kind of bad transmissions go outside of the building and what it does to nature.” Comstock Holdings Companies Inc. announced a joint venture with Jericho Energy Ventures Inc. for the development of “large-scale data center campuses in Oklahoma’s Pawnee and Noble counties” on June 6. With little to no public information, city and county residents are expressing concerns online about the Black Bear data center campus’ location and what changes it will bring to the rural community Neither Jericho nor Comstock responded in time for comment before publication. Ingram, who no longer lives in Noble County, but owns 160 acres of land and has family in the area, wonders what the environmental impacts will be. Additionally, Ingram worries the expected light and noise pollution could result in a lifestyle change for the rural community. “It would be a total environmental change for just the way of life out there if you can’t go outside and see the stars and really be in the country,” Ingram said. “That would be really upsetting to me personally. “Maybe that doesn’t affect the environmental [pollution] side of things… but if you light that [data center] up all night, that will be like a city right in your backyard.” Ingram said he supports the right to purchase, sell and develop land as an individual desires. However, he questions the ethics of those developments and the potential impact the surrounding land and people. In 2025, rep. Amanda Clinton of Tulsa, Oklahoma, ordered an interim study on the impact of data center expansion on Oklahoma’s water resources and power grid in front of the
Courtesy Cleanview
The map is a picture shows planned and current running data centers in the state. Utilities Committee. Ingram said he would like the results of this study to be analyzed and released before Oklahoma legislators and leaders allow large-scale developments of data centers. Additionally, he thinks the federal government should step in to lead these studies and leave it up to the states for interpretation and decision making. Although Ingram is worrisome of the environmental impacts, he said he understands the financial gain communities with data centers see. With a proper understanding of data centers, the impacts and solutions to known issues, he believes he could support the development of one. “[The tax revenue] could be a huge benefit to the local community,” Ingram said. “If it’s done right, and I’m talking correctly because then there’s nothing to protest. It’s like putting in a blue-collar factory.” Similar to Ingram, Sarah Mautino, a long-time resident of Pawnee County, believes the development of data centers without understanding the impacts is worrisome. Mautino, who inherited her family’s farm and home in Pawnee County, said she cares deeply about preserving the land for herself and future family members. For Mautino, the unknown
impacts on local bodies of water are her biggest concerns. “People in rural Oklahoma understand how precious water is and how quickly a drought can change everything,” Mautino said. “I want to know where the water will come from, how much will actually be used and what that could mean for our wells, farms, livestock, creeks and families.” Additionally, Mautino is concerned about the environmental impacts such as air, noise and light pollution; wildlife disruption; and the loss of agricultural and hunting land. The 44-year-old said she understands why the development of Black Bear data center campus is enticing to both local and state leaders, noting the job opportunities and potential tax revenue. However, Mautino wants to see numbers, facts and data showing the benefits. “How many permanent jobs will there be,” Mautino said. “Will they go to local people? What incentives are being offered? Who will pay for road repairs, expanded utilities and additional fire and emergency services? “The community deserves to know whether the benefits truly match what we’re being asked to give up.” Like Ingram, Mautino believes local and state leaders should slow down
development until more long- Jericho or Comstock own land, term effects of data centers are a filing from the U.S. Security understood. and Exchange Commission A public records request indicates Jericho has secured from both Noble and Pawnee at least 20 lease agreements County clerks showed no sign with residents in North of land purchases by either Central Oklahoma. The total Jericho or Comstock. However, acreage among these lease on Monday a user by the agreements surpasses 6,000. name Dylan James, emailed Additionally, Jericho both Noble and Pawnee projects the facility to operate County commissioners offices with a 20-mw grid capacity requesting full transparency on in phase one. However, the the Black Bear Campus Data power usage is expected to Center before any governing reach a 2,646-mw capacity decisions are made. by 2032. Jericho states it will An excerpt from the have a 345 kV transmission email reads, “Before Noble for onsite power operations. County takes any additional However, it is unclear how zoning, land-use, road, much of the estimated power infrastructure, incentive or consumption will come from other discretionary action the transmission or the grid. concerning this project, I am Jericho also states it will asking the Board to ensure that provide on-site natural gas residents receive a complete generation. accounting of what is proposed If completed, the Black and what approvals remain Bear Campus would have the outstanding.” highest power consumption The Black Bear campus of all campuses planned, in Although a map of the construction or running in location has not been released, Oklahoma, according to the Jericho referred to the campus U.S. Data Center Map. as being “strategically placed” Jericho references surface 20 minutes west of the Google water access from the Data Center in Stillwater and Cimarron watershed in its 45 Minutes east of Meta’s in presentation. The exact usage Tulsa – strongly believed to be is unknown, but Jericho notes located in the countryside of a 71,000-liter one-time fill, Morrison. with “near zero” ongoing Phase one of the hyperscale consumption. Bodies of water project would include a in the area include Sooner 400-acre platform, expected Lake and the Arkansas River. to expand to 10,000 acres. Although no records were pulled indicating either news.ed@ocolly.com
SMSC faculty members newly endowed professorships O’Colly Staff
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Journalism.
STAFF REPORT
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news.ed@ocolly.com
O’Colly
Friday, September 25, 2026 Page 5A
News
When foreign policy isn’t foreign anymore Zane Abouzahr
That was felt as the room Katie Leigh explains how grew quiet. Salasbeel political pressure has Bilquees, a biochemistry accumulated since and has The Students for Justice student and SJP officer, left administrative hurdles in Palestine (SJP) held said some Arab and such as the 10-day room a campus discussion Arab American students booking requirement for regarding arrests and previously involved with events. She explained how reported deaths involving the organization are now it is a simple, logistical U.S. Immigration and hesitant to attend or speak hurdle other groups Customs Enforcement at its events. routinely bypass. (ICE) agents nationwide. “We had some Arab “Whenever that thing Throughout the students that were in happened with Governor presentation, members the association, but they Stitt, they literally exchanged dialogue on feared for themselves and canceled our week of alleged parallels between their families because of rage over it,” Leigh said. ICE and the Israeli everything happening with “They informed us that military (IDF), arguing ICE,” Bilquees said. we couldn’t do any of that American tax dollars Bilquees also described our activities for Week of are funding identical an activism fatigue [Rage], and we just got tactics of control in the amongst some students. creative with it. United States similar to “I’ve seen a lot of Middle Despite administrative the ongoing displacement Eastern people become hurdles, SJP’s organizers of Palestinians in the West sort of jaded to these acknowledged throughout Bank and Gaza. issues, and they don’t the presentation what “Students on campus really believe that showing they argue are alarming must know how their tax up to events like this domestic patterns. During dollars are being spent, would make much of a the presentation, speakers and we think it’s very change,” Bilquees said. “So argued the connection important to explain the it’s sort of like a, ‘What’s between the IDF and ICE relationship between the point of this?’” was no longer an issue the U.S. and Israeli Almost two years have miles away from the U. S. government clearly,” said passed since Oklahoma and is now increasingly Abigail Norris, SJP chapter Governor Kevin Stitt relevant to discussions of vice president. publicly criticized OSU’s U.S. domestic policy. For some students, Students for Justice in Katie Leigh, who is speaking openly about Palestine over its 2024 not Palestinian herself, such political issues with “Week of Rage” events on exsplained why bringing other students is polarized. his X account. SJP officer attention to these issues O’COLLY CONTRIBUTOR
“If I felt like I was okay to just watch this play out and do nothing within my community to reach out to other people... I just couldn’t live with myself,”
Katie Leigh | STUDENT
makes their advocacy so urgent, specifically, as U.S. law enforcement agencies are currently adopting facial recognition technology and crowd control tactics initially developed and tested by Israeli forces on Palestinians. “If I felt like I was okay to just watch this play out and do nothing within my community to reach out to other people... I just couldn’t live with myself,” Leigh said. For other students, keeping up with the news goes beyond political activism and becomes a stance for their very own existence.
For Bilquees, whenever the same aggressive tactics used by the IDF on Palestinian people are parallel to ICE in the U.S., her advocacy is simply no longer a political position on foreign policy. Instead, it has shaped how she understands and connects with her identity. “Being Palestinian as an identity means that I am from a place; I am from a land called Palestine,” Salasbeel said. “Saying that there is no Palestine or that Palestine doesn’t exist simply [erases] my identity as a person.”
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Earliest FAFSA launch in program history by Department of Education for 2027-28 applications Caleson Coon
families to receive financial aid quicker than ever before for the The 2027-28 Free 2027-2028 school year. Application for Federal It will be the second Student Aid (FAFSA) year in a row that the is available – the agency has launched earliest for program the forms before Oct. 1; history, the Education last year’s application Department announced opened on Sept. on Wednesday. 24, and the Trump The department’s early administration has set a enrollment welcomes new record for the year. millions of American EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Education Secretary Linda McMahon, according to FSA, applauded the early launch in a shared statement. “We are incredibly proud to launch the earliest FAFSA form in our nation’s history, which ensures American students and families have access to
the critical resources their schools of choice they need on their and utilizing a state-ofpostsecondary education the-art fraud detection journey,” McMahon said system to safeguard in a statement. “The taxpayer dollars.” Trump Administration Students are normally redesigned and encouraged to submit streamlined the form the form as soon as with American students possible as the deadline and families in mind, for all is 11:59 p.m. CST while also helping on June 30, 2028. applicants see potential earnings outcomes for
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Greenwood School of Music celebrates 5 years Delaney Watterman STAFF REPORTER
Oklahoma State University is nearing 136 years in age, but the Greenwood School of Music is still in single digits. The Greenwood School of Music serves not only as a newer addition to OSU’s campus, but also as an extension. For decades, students involved in music or theatre called the Seretean Center home. Yet, with rising enrollment numbers, the center could not hold everyone comfortably. With the support of many generous donors and an action plan, the Greenwood School of Music came to be. The process began in 2017, when Michael and Anne Greenwood, after whom the building is named donated the lead gift. It was not until September 2021 that the building was ready for students. The school opened on Sept. 11, 2021 and is the hub for musical learning at OSU. Across four floors, the facility features 25 practice rooms, 34 instructional studios, three large ensemble rooms, a recording studio and a media lab. The 100,000-squarefoot building was built specifically with sound in mind. Beck Design, the company behind the project, tailored the space to each of future user. The rehearsal
halls are acoustically tailored, and practice rooms are sound-isolated, giving students the opportunity to hone their skills in the right environment. With a new facility comes new technology, and the Greenwood School of Music is no exception. The stateof-the-art facilities, such as the Dick and Malinda Berry Fischer recording studio, house a wide range of tools and software that students can utilize through coursework or session recording. On Sept. 20, the school hosted the 5th Anniversary Prism concert. Band members in full uniform performed OSU’s alma mater, and the ABC (Anything But Classical) ensemble performed “Bennie and the Jets,” Michael Greenwood’s favorite song. The wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, jazz orchestra, choirs and music industry were all present to showcase their talents in honor of the Greenwood School of Music that afternoon. Lucia Unrau, director of the Greenwood School of Music, has watched students grow in many ways since taking her position in 2023. “I had kids in my piano class who were music industry majors, and now they’re seniors,” Unrau said. “And so, I’ve watched how
they, too, have become, from these freshmen who are a little bit scared, to leaders.” Unrau describes her time at OSU as unlike anything else she has ever been a part of, admiring the community the Greenwood School of Music offers. “Every day, I come in, and when I get here, and I see the students, [I know] that’s why we’re here. And the faculty and staff are so committed,” Matthew Miner, The O’Colly Greenwood School of Music in 2021. Unrau said. LeQuincia Brown, a fifthyear senior double majoring Music. Johnson is a soprano involved in it.” in the vocal studio and Since its opening, the in music performance previously played clarinet Greenwood School of and music education, has in the marching band, Music has been named to experienced firsthand how drastically improving her Billboard’s unranked Top much a student can grow Music Business Schools within the programs offered skills since coming to OSU. “I like to come in and list, being placed alongside at the school. practice in the middle of schools like the Berklee “The biggest thing for me the night,” Johnson said. “I College of Music and New has been just, like, those York University’s Tisch moments where I’ll be in the think, honestly, my voice is completely different than School of the Arts. This orchestra suite, hanging out when I came in [to college].” accomplishment displays just with the graduate students or Like Brown, Johnson has how much the Greenwood our conductor,” Brown said. made lasting connections School of Music has grown in “And it’s fun, it’s silly, but and has been introduced such a short time. I’m also making connections to different kinds of music The Greenwood School with these people. I’m during her time here that of Music has just begun to learning something, and then see students graduate from I’m developing relationships weren’t accessible before arriving in Stillwater. its programs, and it is still with people that I need in “I’ve made a lot of blossoming, letting OSU’s the future. That rapport is friendships here,” Johnson future within the music so important. Being able to said. “I’ve been able to see sector burn brighter than develop that with so many how all different kinds of ever. people throughout my 5 years music organizations work, has been the best part of because I only had choir and being here.” band at my high school, so Another fifth-year senior, Mykaela Johnson, has spent it’s kind of nice to see how orchestra and jazz works, most of her time at OSU in because I’ve never been the Greenwood School of news.ed@ocolly.com
Page 6A Friday, September 25, 2026
O’Colly
news/Lifestyle
‘Dancing with the Stars’: Week 2 recap with their emotional foxtrot to “What Was I Made For.” Several performances landed in the middle of the leaderboard after As the competition progresses, delivering high scores last week, such as “Dancing with the Stars” paid homage the Savannah Bananas Jackson Olson to viral hits and moments of the last few and Emma Slater; “Grey’s Anatomy” years. star Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson; This week marks the third episode “The Bachelorette’s” Tyler Cameron and of Season 35 and the first week of both Sharna Burgess; singer Taylor Hanson male and female performances after last and Britt Stewart; comedian Connor week’s two-night premiere. Wood and Rylee Arnold; and actor Julia Actress Jenna Dewan and partner Stiles and Ezra Sosa. Val Chmerkovskiy kicked off viral hits Following a fan-favorite performance night with a jive to Katseye’s “Animal,” last week, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” star scoring an early lead of 21 out of 30 Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson points, setting the bar high. “Summer performed a paso doble to “Where House” star Ciara Miller and Brandon Have You Been” and scored 12 out Armstrong followed behind with 18 out of 30 points. Although adored by the of 30 in their tango to “No Broke Boys.” audience, it’s hard to know how much Paralympian Ezra Frech and longer Rodriguez will be dancing in the Daniella Karagach tied Dewan and ballroom. Chmerkovskiy’s score of 21 out of 30 in However, the judges’ votes alone their high-energy Cha-Cha to “Low.” do not decide who is sent home. Host However, the episode ended in a threeAlfonso Ribeiro announced that way tie as figure skater Amber Glenn tonight’s episode of “Dancing with the and Pasha Pashkov also scored a 21 out Stars” has received more fan votes than of 30 in their tango to “All the Things both premieres. At the end of the night, She Said.” it was revealed that more votes were Although Glenn is used to performing received than the Season 34 finale. on ice, her progress on the ballroom floor This week, celebrity chef Giada De has gained the judges’ attention. Laurentiis’ salsa fell short, earning only “Best tango of the night. Period,” said 12 out of 30 points, causing her and her Bruno Tonioli, “Dancing with the Stars” partner Alan Bersten to be sent home. judge. “I tried my best, and it wasn’t best After finishing at the top of last week’s enough,” De Laurentiis said after her leaderboard, “Traitors” star Maura elimination. Higgins and Mark Ballas’ Cha-Cha to “Dancing with the Stars” will return “September” landed them in fourth next Tuesday as the pairs take on a new place, scoring 19-30 points. style for Yacht Rock Week. “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik bounced back from scoring 12 out of 30 points in the first news.ed@ocolly.com week to now scoring 18 out of 30 points Ashley Yarbrough
NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Concern for humanity:
Executives of AI address warnings to The United Nations Security Council
you all and try our hardest to figure out the path forward; we are at a crossroads. One path leads to a world where power is concentrated, decisions are opaque, America’s leading American and people feel that the most important Intelligence (AI) companies executives have sounded the alarm and have taken technology of their lifetime is something being done to them, the other path leads their call for regulation of the systems to a world where AI works for people to global leaders, saying it is now a because people through democratic “concern for all of humanity.” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic institutions help decide how it should develop and guide it.” CEO Dario Amodei and Hugging Face The U.N. Security Council is an co-founder Clement Delangue, took international organization focused on their pleas for global intervention to the the maintenance of global peace and United Nations (UN) Security Council security. During the meeting, country on Wednesday to address the dangers of representatives to the council were able AI, citing systems breaching protocol, to listen and share their concerns on AI acting autonomously and developing at a as well. rapid pace. But this new level of plea for global “As AI systems become more capable intervention was one the AI company and more autonomous, they can move executives hoped did not fall on deaf faster than our institutions, concentrate ears. power in too-few hands, or make “We believe this type of application decisions that people can no longer will accelerate rapidly in the years ahead, understand or control,” Altman said and that we can make profound progress in his plea to the UN Security Council in the near future that have plagued members. humanity for millennia, but these “We will all be better off if we can remarkable capabilities also come with agree on what good evidence, good risks that must be managed,” Amodei safeguards and good oversight look like said as he admitted Anthropic’s own on the global stage.” internal issues with AI, citing hacking Altman added “We do not have all incidents. the answers, and we’re very open to any better ideas, we’re ready to work with news.ed@ocolly.com
Caleson Coon
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
On This day 1964. 62 years ago.
Temperatures ‘fall’ as the new season rises Some students have found that they go to class more often and enjoy their days more when the weather is cooler, providing an easier atmosphere to travel Although the Autumnal Equinox has outdoors in. This is the case for freshman occurred, marking officially the start psychology student Nolan O’Daniel. of fall, the crisp feeling is still being “I don’t know if it’s just me, but every awaited. Temperatures have slowly been single time I’d be out with people and I’d declining, leaving the high temperatures walk out in the heat, I’d get really upset,” behind, which has led some students to O’Daniel said. “But I’m getting a little prepare for fall festivities despite how it happier when it’s cooling down.” may feel outside. Similar to O’Daniel, freshman Sydney With midterms approaching and Robinson also finds the walks through assignments becoming more difficult, campus to be more enjoyable and finds the season of fall allows for several herself to be more comfortable after aspects that all have one common factor: getting back from her classes. comfort. Comfortable clothes, comfort Robinson described the walks as a movies and activities that bring comfort “night and day difference,” and pointed are all things students can enjoy once out the physical difference when she this season appears. arrives home as well. For Corinne Mills, a sophomore “Even in the morning, it’s so much creative writing major, the weather nicer just to be outside,” Robinson said. has allowed her to wear sweaters and “I feel like I’m just way less exhausted at fuzzy socks again along with watching the end of the day.” different titles that remind her of the Fall drinks such as chai lattes, fall season such as ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider can ‘Hocus Pocus’, and ‘Beauty and the also bring comfort on a cooler day. Being Beast.’ located in a college town provides several During this season, Mills also finds accessible locations for these drinks, comfort in spending time with her such as Starbucks, 7 Brew, Dutch Bros, family. Whether it’s a pumpkin patch or Aspen Coffee Company and The Coffee a football field, she is always able to find House. comfort in their company. If activities appeal more than a sweet “I love going to a pumpkin patch in beverage, Stillwater Pumpkin Patch Arcadia with my family,” Mills said. “My opened on Sept. 19 and presents weekly dad is also a football coach, so, like when events until it closes on Oct. 31. The it gets cold and you walk out there with entry is free of charge, along with live your blanket, it’s nice.” entertainment most Sunday afternoons. Students often struggle to find comfort Even if fall doesn’t rank at the top of while walking to class in the summer your list, there are plenty of options this heat, but when temperatures lessen, the season brings to help you find a sense of comfort level rises along with the mood comfort and calmness. of the students. news.ed@ocolly.com Kalina Williams
ASST. NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
The Daily O’Collegian, 1964 Frank Bell, pressman, gets set to start the 45-minute, 13,ooo copy run.
If you haven’t noticed, this paper’s picked up a new look lately. You’re looking at it. The Daily O’Collegian, OSU’s 70-year-old student daily, is now printed offset. Using reserve funds and a loan or two, The O‘Collegian Publishing Co. bought a $58,000 Goss Suburban offset printing press last December. Total bill for the changeover, with camera and auxiliary equip-ment, was $75,000. The “O’Colly,” with some 13,000 students, faculty and sub-seriber readers, was formerly printed on a turn-of-the-century Duplex web perfecting press. Purchased in 1927, this press cranked out an erratic 2,500 copies hourly. Hard-luck runs often saw the first rays of dawn before completion. With the new press and its home in the Communications Building basement, 20,000 16page papers can now be delivered in an hour. O’COLLY STAFF | 1964
O’Colly
Friday, September 25, 2026 Page 7A
News
Oklahoma state trooper pulled from ICE nomination Marcus Mesis
Class rings: Are they worth the purchase?
STAFF REPORTER
Amanda Nagode
Oklahoma was set to have both the leader of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but that won’t happen now. A former Oklahoma senator has been leading DHS since March 2026, but Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma State trooper, was nominated to lead ICE. The president Courtesy Creative Commons announced his nomination in June Schroyer’s nomination was pulled thursday. 2026. a major with Oklahoma Department The White House announced of Public Safety where he oversaw last Thursday that it was pulling its emergency management services. nomination for Schroyer to lead ICE. He currently serves as an advisor Schroyer had no immigration to Secretary of Homeland Security enforcement experience before being Markwayne Mullin, a former nominated to lead ICE; however, he did work on partnerships between ICE Oklahoma senator. The removal of his nomination and Oklahoma law enforcement. DHS comes as ICE is under scrutiny for said that his experience includes interagency coordination, tactical planning how it has been handling immigration cases. Sen. Rand Paul, who is the and policy implementation involving chairman of the Senate Homeland constitutional safeguards. President Trump announced his nomination in a Security and Governmental Affairs post to Truth Social back in June where Committee, had not held a hearing over the nomination until DHS had he praised his work as an Oklahoma provided information about civilian State Trooper. deaths in ICE custody. “I am very pleased to announce “I don’t have a concern with who that I have nominated Lance Schroyer the nominee was. I had asked them to be our next ICE Director,” Trump to give me an update on the internal said. “Lance has over 29 YEARS investigation into civilian deaths,” Paul of Law Enforcement experience in Oklahoma — A State where I WON all told The Associated Press. “And I’m still waiting.” 77 Counties in 2016, 2020, and 2024! ICE has been without a SenateLance is a former Oklahoma State appointed leader since the Obama Trooper and United States Marine. He administration. David Venturella, a is a PATRIOT with real operational former executive at a private prison experience, and proven leader with operator, has returned to lead the DECADES of experience locking agency after Todd Lyons resigned up the worst of the worst, including earlier in the year. spearheading 287g Law Enforcement partnerships with ICE!” Schroyer served 29 years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He news.ed@ocolly.com
Class rings have been a charming tradition for college students since first introduced by the Alumni Association at Oklahoma State University in 2000. Akin to a letterman jacket or maybe an ostentatious yearbook, class rings are intended to commemorate academic achievement and lifelong memories created at the university. Despite being a time-honored tradition at many universities across the South, some say student interest in class rings appears to be declining. “I have not heard anything about class rings at OSU, to be perfectly honest,” said Maggie Rinder, a junior psychology pre-law student. “The only reason I am even aware that they exist is because of this big setup in the Student Union. “I do not know anyone who has bought one, has thought about buying one, or talked about buying one. It has never been brought up in conversation.” This past week, Jonstens and its collection of custom class rings visited the Student Union to give future alumni the chance to order their very own official class ring. Students who choose to invest in the tradition are invited to the Class Ring Ceremony. Each semester during pre-finals week, the OSU Alumni Association hosts an official Ring Ceremony where students receive their class ring directly from Pistol Pete. The presentation concludes with the special “Orange Splash” tradition, an event where recipients immerse their hands in orange dye to symbolize the lasting impact they will leave as OSU graduates. Student ambassador Mia Gallegos disagrees with the idea that class rings have lost popularity; rather, she’s noticed the opposite compared
O’COLLY CONTRIBUTOR
to previous years. “I feel like a lot of people are getting in on it early this year,” Gallegos said. “We’ve had a lot of juniors too. In the spring, it was only seniors, but this semester we’ve had a lot of younger classes be interested in rings as well.” Gallegos also mentioned the appeal of purchasing a ring and the conversations that could be brought up while wearing one. “It’s eye-catching,” Gallegos said. “It is a great conversation starter. It’s something that’s like ‘Oh my gosh, you went to OSU, tell me all about it’. It’s just a great way to remember those four years you put in for yourself. It’s not about selling the ring. It’s about showcasing all the hard work and memories. It’s supposed to embody your experience at OSU.” Kamber Henry, a senior in science communications and disorders at OSU who received her own class ring last semester, agrees with Gallegos about the value of class rings. “While not everyone gets a class ring, it is a nice physical reminder to have,” Henry said. It’s a small achievement that you can wear on a daily basis throughout your life that you can look at and be proud of.” After receiving her ring, Henry said she was able to look back on her accomplishments and view the ring as a reminder of her success and hard work put into her major. “I got my class ring to symbolize my time spent here at OSU,” Henry said. “They are also a visual representation of everything you’ve accomplished in your three to four years of schooling. I wanted something to remind me of all the hours, effort, and friendships I put into achieving my degree. It is a keepsake I will wear for a long time.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
How increasing gas prices affect OSU students Peyton Richards
with friends. Increasing gas prices make budgeting these expenses more difficult. As of last week, Oklahoma Despite Stillwater being a has officially hit the $4 per college town and Oklahoma gallon mark for regular gas. As State University being a the semester goes on, college walkable campus, students students have watched prices still have to drive to places off rise and wondered how they campus like work, the grocery will afford it. store and even home. According to AAA Fuel These might sound like Prices, unleaded gas averaged small trips to some, but it all $2.68 throughout Oklahoma adds up, especially for students last year. That means gas who live far from home. Many prices have increased by 51% of those students are out of in just a year. This leaves state, with a large percentage college students adjusting coming from Texas. to the increase as they try to Out-of-state psychology work gas into their monthly sophomore Ivery House had budget. to put in extra work just to College students already make it home in Texas for the have to worry about paying weekend. for school, food, rent and “It’s my grandma’s 80th bills as young adults. On birthday, and I’m having to top of that, they still want take up extra shifts just to pay to have money to spend on for gas to get home. It cost experiences such as joining about $120 for a round trip,” greek life or studying abroad House said. while still being able to go out Other students are still STAFF REPORTER
affected by gas prices to the point that some don’t drive at all. OSU offers other transportation options like the Big Orange Bus (BOB) or rental scooters. Students can also be seen riding their personal bikes, skateboards and scooters all around Stillwater. English freshman Heather Schaub currently doesn’t have a car due to the gas prices and now walks everywhere. “I feel like the gas prices are important because they are going up from everything we got going on outside of the country, with the war in Iran,” Schaub said. “With the war going on over there, it is driving up prices of all kinds of things, gas, food and everything. I really think that it’s kinda ridiculous.” With gas prices increasing, many students have also become more vocal about where they stand on the war.
Gas prices at the Sinclair on 6th Street. While they have voiced their concerns, students thought about alternatives. Electrical and Computer Engineering senior Brady Summers shared his thoughts on the gas issues. “I think it is getting out of hand. It needs to stop,” Summers said. “I mean, at this point we need to find different places to find gas.
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Ben Schatzel, The O’Colly
Any sort of war and things that are trying to get us more gas are just increasing the gas prices, and we should also be looking for alternatives to oil and gas, maybe electric, maybe some other kind of renewable resource that is not this fossil fuel.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Page 8 Tuesday, March 22, 2022
O’Colly
Lifestyle B:11.25" T:11"
S:10.5"
Friday, September 25, 2026
Ben Schatzel, The O’Colly
Oklahoma State football enters Big 12 play with back-to-back wins and looks to keep the consistency going.
Cowboy football searches for consistency in Big 12
Timothy Christensen STAFF REPORTER
Oklahoma State football will seek its first Big 12 win since 2023 as the team travels to Morgantown, West Virginia, for Saturday’s matchup against West Virginia.
Over the last two seasons, OSU is 0-18 in Big 12 play. The results were abrupt for a team that had made the Big 12 Championship the year before the drought started. Despite previous struggles in the conference, OSU still
has plenty of hope to compete at a high level in the Big 12 this year. With a revamped 2026 roster, head coach Eric Morris’ team has already ended the Cowboys’ Football Bowl Subdivision losing streak by beating No. 6 Oregon and followed up with a
59-0 win over Murray State. Wide receiver Miles Coleman has been a key contributor to OSU’s early success, and he doesn’t think the team needs to change much as they gear up for conference play. “[The mindset] kind
of stays the same,” Coleman said. “I mean, we obviously know the Big 12 is different, and these games matter a lot more than the other games. But I think just staying consistent each and every week will help us compete really well in the Big 12.” See CONSISTENCY on page 2B
OSU’s wide receivers look to carry momentum into conference play Will Thorogood
pieces of the room. Young has more than 100 receiving yards in six of his last 11 games and at Oklahoma State begins conference play Saturday against least one catch in each of his past 18 games, while Coleman has West Virginia in Morgantown, at least one catch in each of his West Virginia, and it has some momentum entering the game, past 22 games. Other players, like Chris Barnes, have also made with the wide receiver room themselves known early. excelling early. Cowboys head coach Eric OSU’s wide receivers have Morris gave his thoughts on the shown out in the first three games of the season, with Justin group entering the game against WVU. Bowick, Miles Coleman and Wyatt Young as the three main See MOMENTUM on page 3B
STAFF REPORTER
Andon Freitas, The O’Colly
OSU is ranked No. 1 in the FBS in third down conversion percentage defense.
Cowboys’ defense shining on third downs
Cayden Cox
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Chance Marick, The O’Colly
OSU’s receivers have emerged as a strength through three games.
Skyler Cassity has been a defensive coordinator for less than three years, but has learned a top value for a good defense. Getting your offense back on the field. Oklahoma State showcased this trait early in its Week 2 game against Oregon. The Cowboys’ defense forced three-and-outs on
three of the Ducks’ first four drives, and by the end of the first quarter, OSU had run 20 plays while Oregon ran only 12. The Cowboys kept Oregon’s explosive offense off the field, holding the Ducks to a 29.4 conversion percentage on third and fourth downs. OSU also doubled up the Ducks with first downs (25 to 12) and ran 24 more plays than UO.
See DEFENSE on page 3B
Page 2B Friday, September 25, 2026
O’Colly
sports
Mo Horn finds a fresh start at OSU after returning home
made the Big 12 Consistency that championship game in
Continued from 1B
2023, and was clear in what he wanted coming Coleman is one of 19 into the year. North Texas transfers “The standard for us is Morris brought to a Big 12 Championship,” Stillwater, and the group Johnson said at Big 12 hopes to keep producing Media Day on July 7. as it adjusts to Power “Winning just a couple Four competition. games isn’t gonna show. Morris has had We want to put, we want experience in the Big our team to be on top, so 12 from his time at obviously we struggled Texas Tech, and he said this past few years, these before the season that guys care… We care he is ready to put OSU about each other, and I football back on the really feel like we have a map. great chance of bringing “I’ve been in the Big that trophy home.” 12 as a player and a OSU’s Big 12 coach, and Oklahoma journey starts against State was so good in my an undefeated West memories,” Morris said. Virginia team that beat “They were a bunch No. 25 Virginia last of eight-, nine-, 10-win week. The game will teams, and won the Big be OSU’s first road trip 12 in 2011, so I didn’t outside Oklahoma and have any of these bad could provide an early memories. When I got indication of where the there, I had to sit back Cowboys stand in a deep and realize that there Big 12 race. have been kids in this Despite opening the program that have been season with a loss at there for two years that Tulsa, the Cowboys have hadn’t experienced rebounded with wins walking in that locker in their last two games room after winning the and are playing their conference game.” best football. They will While Morris have to continue that mentioned trying to momentum as they try win a single conference to compete in the Big 12. game, some players went further. Defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson was on the OSU team sports.ed@ocolly.com
Ryan Ruston
STAFF REPORTER
Mo Horn chose Oklahoma State the second time around and hasn’t looked back. OSU offered the highly touted prospect from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, on May 23, 2019; he committed to OSU on Jan. 6, 2026. Seven years after the initial offer, Horn found his way home for a fresh start. Horn was a four-star two-way star for Broken Arrow High School, and excelled as a running back and defensive back. He committed to Texas Tech out of high school and played his first four years in the secondary. Horn played three seasons for the Red Raiders and redshirted his first year there. After playing sparingly at cornerback in his freshman season, he broke out and became a regular starter during his sophomore season. Horn started all 13 games for TTU, led the team with 56 total tackles, and ranked second with 806 defensive snaps. Horn dealt with injuries his junior year and played in only seven games. After that, he entered the transfer portal and was highly sought after just as he was out of high school. He chose to return to his home-state school. “It’s great, man,” Horn said at OSU Media Day on Aug. 8. “It’s definitely great. Good thing I had already had a relationship with my cornerbacks coach before, so it wasn’t too hard. And I also knew a lot of these players coming in, just being from Oklahoma. That made it much easier for me to come in here,
Chance Marick, The O’Colly
Mo Horn has emerged as a veteran leader in the OSU secondary but having a fresh start, it definitely is a great thing.” OSU head coach Eric Morris had high praise talking about Horn before the season started. “He’s a really savvy, veteran guy from right down the street in Tulsa,” Morris said. “Played a ton two years ago at Texas Tech. Had an injury or two here or there, but we like where Mo is. He’s kind of the old veteran of the group.” Horn has emerged as that veteran in the secondary and is one of the defense’s senior leaders. In the Cowboys’ 59-0 win over Murray State this past Saturday, Horn was one of the best players on the field. Before the game, he had only had 3 tackles-for-loss in his career; he had the same amount in the first half alone against the Racers.
“Oh, it’s everything, man,” Horn said. “Cause shoot, I was that young kid, man, just itching to get out there on the field. So, being able to see them get out there and play, man, it’s amazing. That’s what we go in and do all that work for, so we can see them go out there and play and put a smile on their face as well.” Horn, one of the senior leaders on the defense, is focused on making sure they stay on task. “You know we got West Virginia,” Horn said. “It’s the first conference game, and it won’t be easy to go; it’s hard to win, as everybody says. So, we just got to go be prepared. Be on all 10 like we’ve been; come practice hard. Make sure everybody’s on point, and we should be good.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Four things to know of OSU’s Big 12 opener at West Virginia
Weston Wertzberger
for 4.1 yards per attempt. The duo has accounted for 75.7% of the team’s rushing yards and 69.9% of its carries while scoring nine of Three games into the first season of head coach Eric Morris’ 10 touchdowns. Hawkins has proven to be era, Oklahoma State is about to one of the best dual-threat find out how much progress it quarterbacks, ranking No. has made. 1 nationally in QB rushing The Cowboys (2-1) wrapped yards (322) and QB rushing up nonconference play last touchdowns (6). week and will start Big 12 play OSU’s rushing defense has in Morgantown, West Virginia, been solid through three games, against the West Virginia allowing 100 yards per game, Mountaineers (3-0) on Saturday which is tied for 35th in the at 6 p.m. country. But it will take a lot of Here are a few things to know communication for the coaches before the game: and players to face one of the WVU’s run game gives OSU best rushing offenses in college football. a lot to account for “We’re going to have to do a The Mountaineers’ rushing nice job of communication, and offense has been deadly against whenever we do get a chance to opposing defenses and has get [Hawkins] on the ground, several legitimate ways to hurt missed tackles will kill you when OSU. you’re fitting this run game West Virginia ranks No. 6 in up,” Morris said. “It’s not just the Football Bowl Subdivision Hawkins. Cook is a really, really with 281.3 rushing yards per dynamic back back there that will game and has scored 10 rushing punish you as well. So we’ve got touchdowns in three games this to communicate, we got to tackle, season. The Mountaineers have been explosive on the ground for we got to all be on the same page, all 11 of us.” years, surpassing 140 rushing yards in 43 of their last 53 games. OSU’s first Big 12 game will Against No.25 Virginia last test how far the team has week, quarterback Michael actually come Hawkins ran for 123 yards and The Cowboys’ coaching staff three touchdowns on 18 carries has shown positive signs in for 6.8 yards per attempt, and running back Cam Cook also had Morris’ first season at OSU and even acknowledged that it has set 123 rushing yards on 30 carries the standard for the program.
SPORTS EDITOR
“We’ve put some really good stuff on tape this year through three games,” Morris said. “Once we did set the standard, anything less than that in the way we practice and the way we handle our details.” After a disappointing 24-10 loss to Tulsa in Week 1, the Cowboys responded with a massive upset win over No. 6 Oregon and an impressive 59-0 shutout over Murray State. Entering their first conference game on the road in a hostile environment, the Cowboys will be tested. Morris highlighted special teams, including explosive returns, penalty cleanup and the kicking game. Both kickers remain accurate so far this season: OSU’s Sam Keltner is 6-for-6 on field goals and 12-for12 on extra points, while West Virginia’s Jack Cassidy is 3-for-3 on field goals and 15-for-15 on extra points. He also mentioned that distractions can change the Cowboys’ mindset if they happen. “I think going on the road and just handling the distractions will be big for us,” Morris said. “First time we’ve gotten on a plane together across the country. You don’t stay close to the stadium there; stay outside of West Virginia, you’ve got to travel in there. So, there’s so many things that I think can be distractions, and hopefully we’ll do a nice job of eliminating those.”
Can WVU make Mestemaker hold the ball? Quarterback Drew Mestemaker is averaging roughly 1.8 seconds to get the ball out, according to West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez and defensive coordinator Zac Alley. Mestemaker has also passed for at least 200 yards in 18 straight games, the longest active streak in the FBS, and has thrown at least one touchdown in 17 of his past 18 games. Rodriguez and the WVU defense know the matchup against Mestemaker won’t be easy. “Yeah, he is an NFL quarterback,” Rodriguez said. “He gets rid of the ball so quick and right around two seconds on every snap. He is not going to take sacks.” OSU ranks No. 18 in the country in passing offense, averaging 306.3 yards per game through three games. Still, the Mountaineers are strong defensively in several areas: tied for No. 10 nationally with 10 sacks, tied for No. 18 with 22.0 tackles for loss, and tied for fourth with a 55.6 red zone defense percentage. Morris knows OSU will need more than its passing game to move the ball consistently against West Virginia. “We can’t go out there and drop back 72 times against these guys,” Morris said. “We got to
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understand and establish the run game and throw some quick game and RPOs and make them cover the whole field, and so it’ll be a little bit of some Yin and Yang back and forth of them trying to come after us. And they call it aggressive. That’s their personality, how they do things, and they do a nice job of it.” Tempo could come down to winning first and second down Both teams are comfortable playing at a fast pace, meaning neither offense should catch the other completely off guard Saturday. Alley said OSU’s tempo is only about three seconds slower than West Virginia’s, while Rodriguez said the Cowboys are “right behind” the Mountaineers in tempo. The similarity could make winning first and second down even more important. If either team consistently gets behind the chains, its tempo could become less effective. “We’re used to the tempo, we’re used to the pace, but also it’s big about winning on first and second down because if you can get them behind the sticks, the tempo kind of slows down,” OSU linebacker Mose Phillips III said.
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O’Colly
Friday, September 25, 2026 Page 3B
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Momentum
touchdown, which brought the Cowboys’ lead back up to Continued from 1B double digits in the second quarter. He also caught a 33yard pass on the opening play “Excited to get Chris Barnes of the drive that saw Caleb back this week,” Morris said. Hawkins muscle his way in for a “I think [he] just adds some 5-yard rushing touchdown. explosiveness out there. With Bowick had a 34-yard catch that being said, I think Terrence to the Ducks’ 15-yard line, but Lewis has been phenomenal OSU turned it over. He later for us this year. And so really, caught a 24-yard pass that there’s five guys we feel really led to points, as Sam Keltner comfortable with, and with a converted a 24-yard field goal rotation. early in the third quarter, “Kam Powell’s a guy that kind of stepped up and played really expanding the lead to 10. Barnes’ biggest reception so fast, and did some really nice far this year was two plays after things, so I think he’ll continue Bowick’s 24-yard reception. He to earn a role. I think [Israel caught a pass from Mestemaker Polk] did a couple of things here that turned into 26 yards after and there. He’s playing some the catch, putting the Cowboys special teams for us, getting down at the 9-yard line before a chance to get out there and Keltner’s field goal. provide some depth for our In the nonconference finale team, and show us what he can against Murray State, Coleman, do in that regard.” Young and Bowick continued to The home opener against highlight the receiver room with Oregon was when the wide three first-half touchdowns. receivers first shone, with Coleman tallied a 2-yard score several explosive plays. on a jet touch pass, Young dove Young caught a 52-yard and hauled in his only pass of pass from Mestemaker for a
Defense
conversion late in the fourth quarter. In their season opener Continued from 1B against Tulsa, the Cowboys only allowed one third-down conversion in 11 attempts. Cassity’s favorite play from After its first three games, that game came on one of those OSU’s defense has held teams to “money downs” when Jaleel 6-for-37 (16.2%) on third downs, Johnson sacked Dante Moore. and is currently tied with Penn “I think it was the fourth State for the No. 1 third-down down stop where Jaleel defense in the FBS. [Johnson] ended up sacking Early on, the Cowboys have the quarterback,” Cassity said. faced the 17th most attempts “One of the best parts about on fourth down (six) and have that whole play is actually as only allowed two conversions, the guys are coming on the around the number Cassity is sideline and all seven defensive aiming for on money downs. ends are hugging each other. I “I think there’s always room mean, it didn’t even matter who for improvement,” Cassity said. made the sack at the time. It “There’s a couple we would like was about competing with your to have back that we thought brothers and just going out there we could get off the field, and and executing.” we’re in advantageous situations Against Murray State, the for us defensively. But we have Cowboys were nearly flawless at getting off the field on money a goal as a defense. We’re trying to get off the field basically two downs. They held the Racers out of every three downs. Like, to 0-for-12 on third down, but that’s our season goal, and so MSU did have a fourth-down right now we’re executing pretty
the game with one hand in the back right corner of the end zone and Bowick found paydirt on a slant route for 24 yards and a crossing route for 36 yards. Coleman talked about what kind of receiver Bowick is. “He’s huge, he’s got crazy speed,” Coleman said. “He works extremely hard in practice; he’s got great hands. I think just learning from him, as a veteran guy, has helped me a lot.” Coleman’s touchdown was his first at OSU. He discussed what that was like for him. “It was awesome,” Coleman said. “The fans were electric, but it was good to get that first touchdown in. It was a fun play I had.” Lewis added his name to the stat sheet when he created separation from MSU defensive back Terry Lewis II and caught a high-arching ball from Mestemaker for a touchdown to begin the second half. Alongside Morris, the offensive line and defensive units have praised the wide
receivers. Right tackle Ashton Lepo discussed what he has seen from the unit. “They’ve been great,” Lepo said. “We just gotta do our job, give them time. I’m seeing Justin go down there; I’m watching the ball go up; it’s a great feeling knowing that they’re out there doing their job. They’re doing phenomenal.” On the defensive side of the ball, safety Mose Phillips III and defensive tackle Enai White gave two different perspectives on the receiver room when facing them in practice. Phillips gave an in-depth look at facing the receivers while in the secondary. “It’s super fun; it’s challenging, but it also makes sure that you’re sharp,” Phillips said. “Your technique gotta be sharp against those guys because they’re pro, so they’re gonna embarrass you if it’s not. We make sure that we keep our eye on them, but also, it keeps you honest because you can’t just lean to J-Bo because you got
Miles, you got Wyatt, you got different guys.” White shared his perspective on the receivers. “I really don’t get to go up against them, but I see them a lot, and I know our receiver corps is nasty,” White said. “I get to see it more than I see it in practice on Saturday; I get to see it way more [on Saturday].” Now with Big 12 play approaching, the games get tougher and mean a lot more. Coleman talked about whether he has to change his mindset in those games compared to nonconference games. “It kind of stays the same,” Coleman said. “We obviously know [the] Big 12 is different, and these games matter a lot more than the other games. I think just staying consistent each and every week will help us compete really well in the Big 12.”
close to that number. But there’s always room to grow, and as we continue to go through the season, we’ll continue to expand that package and get better and better there.” With Drew Mestemaker and the explosive Cowboy offense on the sideline, James Williams knows the importance of the OSU defense getting off the field and giving the ball back to the offense. OSU has forced 14 three-andouts this season; on the ensuing possessions, Mestemaker and the Cowboy offense have scored 44 points. “That’s what we pride ourselves on,” Williams said. “He’s legit; I’ve known that since day two in practice. It’s always awesome knowing you have that behind you. I’ve played at other places where the offense scores 10 points max, and you have to bow down, and you have to do that the entire game. That’s just not realistic.
That’s the nice thing about having a safety blanket like Drew; you know he’s going to go out there and deliver strikes.” Williams also echoed that OSU’s success on third downs begins on first and second downs. OSU has generated 38 quarterback pressures and has been able to hold teams on the early downs and put them in dire situations on the money downs, which allows more flexibility for Cassity’s playcalling. “I think our pass rush from our front four is very elite,” Williams said. “That’s where the new trend in college football is going. Instead of the two-high safety look, it’s drop eight, rush three, make the quarterback make good decisions. With how smart coach [Cassity] is and how well we disguise different stuff, I’m confident in everything we do.” Third-down stops are familiar to Mose Phillips III. In both
seasons he’s been a starter, his defenses have ranked inside the top half on getting off the field. In 2024, at Virginia Tech, the Hokies allowed 39.15% of thirddown conversions. Last season, his defense, at Missouri, was the 44th-best third-down defense (36.78%). Now, Phillips and the Cowboys have the No. 1 thirddown defense and said it’s something they strive for. “That’s something we take pride in,” Phillips said. “We feel like it should be that way with how we practice and how we prepare. And I feel like when you play in Cassity’s defense, you learn how important situational football is, and knowing the sticks and knowing what calls to make with certain situations. So I think that’s been huge for us, and we’re gonna try to keep that going for sure.”
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Page 4B Friday, September 25, 2026
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Megan Gibson, The O’Colly
Emmy Hedden has thrived adter moving from midfield to wide back Oklahoma State.
How a position change helped Emmy Hedden Ryan Ruston
a deep-lying No. 6 to an attacking No. 10. In her freshman year, she was named the Big 12 Co-Freshman of the Week and scored and assisted in her Oklahoma State star wide back first-ever match. Emmy Hedden is growing into her “I really enjoyed [the switch],” new position every game. Hedden said. “I feel like it’s simplified In the spring, the Cowgirl coaching the game in a way and just allows me staff moved Hedden from midfield to play to my strengths, and I’ve really to wide back, where she can play enjoyed it. Honestly, as long as I’m both left and right back — giving the on the field, I’m happy, and I do like Cowgirls a more attacking option in midfield as well, but I really enjoy the their backline. switch and just being able to drive “She’s been really good,” head coach and just be able to get into the play Colin Carmichael said. “We moved offensively and make so defensive, her there in the spring just to get a look at it, and she killed it. And so, we big, defensive tackles and just be thought, ‘OK, this is a position for her.’ physical. I just really enjoy those parts I think Emmy is better when the game of it.” The Cowgirls have relied on both is in front of her, and she’s able to run sides of the wide players to get up the with the ball; that’s one of Emmy’s pitch and join the attack, and that has best strengths. And in the midfield, led to most of their goals so far this you don’t always get that.” season. Hedden, a sophomore from “She’ll get endline and serve the Goddard, Kansas, played her entire box, and then she’s also served some freshman season in midfield. She early crosses in,” Carmichael said. played anywhere in the midfield from STAFF REPORTER
‘Mr. Oklahoma State’
Cowboys have high praise for Parsa Fallah
Marcus Mesis
going to do treatment. He’s going to do weight training at kind of a different Mr. Oklahoma State. time than the team, but That’s what Parsa now, I mean, once the Fallah’s teammates think doctor released him last about him. Even after week, he’s around every tearing his ACL last practice.” season, people speak Despite him being highly of him. cleared to workout, he is “You know, he’s not cleared for basketball Mr. Oklahoma State,” but for more rehab and Guard Kanye Clary said. straight-line movements. “Honestly, in my eyes, This follows knee surgery everywhere he goes, people he had this summer in gravitate towards him. He Dallas. just has a good personality. “He went and saw the Overall, he’s a good person, doctor last week, and the so you know he’s working doctor said that the knee is hard. He’s actually honest. fine,” Lutz said. ‘Let’s start I think he’s working too progressing you forward. hard sometimes, but he’s So you’re fully cleared trying to get his body right to start progressing.’ as best he can, and he’s a We’re hoping that early worker. So hopefully, I’ll November is when he’ll be see him back on the court released by the doctor. But soon.” then let’s just say that they Fallah has been all over release him at 100%. Well, campus even after the he hasn’t played basketball injury that he suffered last in six months, so now season. He was spotted at we’ve got to incorporate a football game wearing him back into practice, a banana suit, a newer into movements, into game tradition of OSU football. speed, and so that’s going He has tried to stay to take time.” around the team over the Fallah’s presence around offseason, and head coach the team is important, Steve Lutz has appreciated and Lutz would have him having him around. around any team that he “It’s good to have him coaches. around,” Lutz said. “We “But I also think that had him around in the it’s good to have him and summer, but we didn’t his presence and his voice really have him around. and his sense of being, you He’s going to yoga. He’s know, around our team,” STAFF REPORTER
Lutz said. “It’d be good for any team. I’d love to have him around forever.” His injury means he’s not as in tune with the team and its culture as he normally would be. Lutz is confident he’ll be able to handle that and integrate into the team. “You see him,” Lutz said. “He did a couple sprints the other day with the guys. He’s indoctrinating himself back into this team, and that’s the biggest hurdle for him and for our team. Is that those guys have been here in June and July, and they’ve had to deal with me all summer. He hasn’t had to deal with me, right? And so their sweat factor and their equity factor are a little different than his, and he understands that. And I think that he’ll embrace it and handle it the right way.” Lutz and the coaching staff don’t have an answer for when Fallah will be back in the lineup, but getting him back into the lineup will help the team no matter what. “I mean, I don’t know the best-case scenario or worst-case scenario, but him getting healthy and being back in practice and moving forward is obviously a positive for the program.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
“… I think defensively she’s still learning the position a little bit, like when to tuck in, when to go wide, when to connect with the center back, when to not. So, I think that’s kind of been a work in progress, but yeah, she’s been really good.” OSU started its first four games in a 4-3-3 formation, with Hedden playing either left or right back. In the previous four matches, they’ve switched to a 3-5-2 or even a 5-4-1. Those switches have meant Hedden moves to left or right wingback; this lets her get higher up the pitch and cover any defensive insecurities. “I think having the three center backs, when you’ve got the center back behind you, it gives you just more license to go forward without having to worry as much about the defensive responsibility,” Carmichael said. “I think that really is one of the reasons we did it. It suits Emmy for sure, and potentially on the other side, if we could get someone else flying
up and down the flank, it would help, but it definitely allows Emmy to go higher without worrying about what’s happening behind her.” After only having one goal and one assist in her freshman year, Hedden already has one goal and leads the team with four assists. Hedden also leads the team with 664 minutes played across nine starts. Hedden scored her first goal of the year in the Big 12 conference opener and earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors when the Cowgirls upset No. 20 TCU. She put an exclamation mark on the game when she struck it past the Horned Frogs goalkeeper Olivia Gelleroff the volley to put them up 3-0 late in the match. “I love having assists, but man, especially that moment against that team,” Hedden said. “That did just feel really good.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Cowboy baseball releases 2027 schedule Feb. 19-21 — at USC Feb. 24 — vs. Texas State (Frisco,
March 30 — vs. Missouri State
Texas)
April 1-3 — vs. BYU
Feb. 26-28 — Amergy Bank College
April 6 — at Dallas Baptist
Baseball Series Feb. 26 — vs. Iowa (Arlington, Texas) Feb. 27 — vs. Oregon (Arlington, Texas) Feb. 28 — vs. Oregon State (Arlington, Texas) March 2-3 — vs. Central Arkansas March 5-7 — vs. Kent State March 9 — at Missouri State March 12-14 — vs. Grand Canyon March 16 — vs. Dallas Baptist March 17 — vs. South Dakota State March 19-21 — vs. Kansas State March 23 — vs. Oklahoma March 25-27 — at TCU
April 9-11 — at Utah April 13-14 — vs. North Alabama April 16-18 — vs. UCF April 20 — at Wichita State April 23-25 — at Arizona April 27 — at Oral Roberts April 30-May 2 — vs. Texas Tech May 7-9 — at Kansas May 11 — vs. Oral Roberts May 14-16 — at West Virginia May 20-22 — vs. Houston May 25-29 — Big 12 Tournament (Surprise, Ariz.)
O’Colly
Friday, September 25, 2026 Page 5B
sports
OSU Football Roundtable Our Staff’s Big 12 Predictions
O’Colly Staff
STAFF REPORT
Chance Marick, The O’Colly
Four running back have split carries behind Caleb Hawkins.
OSU’s crowded running back room takes shape behind Caleb Hawkins Logan Cole
been Tarleton phenom KD Jones State transfer Tre entered the picture. Page III. Page Jones’ first carry It’s three weeks dominated in as a Cowboy was a into the season, and limited carries last 6-yard touchdown, Oklahoma State season, averaging 9 trucking a Racer head coach Eric yards per carry and defender on his way Morris still has a getting almost 1,000 into the end zone. decision to make. yards in just nine “It was pretty The Cowboys games. awesome,” Morris have an obvious Page was the said. “… It was just top dog at running designated RB2 cool to see that back, with Caleb heading into the kinda came true for Hawkins getting the season opener him today. I mean, brunt of the carries against Tulsa, but a he hit it. He was on a weekly basis costly fumble would running behind The powerhouse be his downfall. his pads today, runner has been Page is still listed at and obviously a focal point in RB2 on the team’s that’s a moment Morris’ offense official depth chart he’ll remember through three and did rush for for the rest of his weeks, but Hawkins a touchdown in life, getting his can’t take every OSU’s beatdown first touchdown in carry, and that’s of Murray State. Boone Pickens.” where the issues lie. However, Adeyi Jones made the “We gotta has gotten more most of his seven figure out who’s reps in the past two touches, running [Hawkins’] weeks. After the for 54 yards along backup,” Morris Cowboys’ victory with the score. said after OSU’s over the Racers last He rattled off a Week 1 loss to Saturday, Morris 25-yard run for Tulsa. “This whole threw another hat the Cowboys’ last run game, it all into the ring. real play of the works together. It’s “William Mason game, and though collectively what might’ve pushed he’s only a true we’re doing up for a little bit more freshman, a loud front, how much playing time today,” group of fans will movement we’re Morris said after the clamor to see more able to get on some Murray State win. of “Batman” in of our zone stuff.” “Just because of action. The second slot the way he played Morris gave a on the depth chart when he got his rundown ahead of has been in doubt reps. William has Saturday’s game. long before the been phenomenal “Ayo had a season began, as on special teams for phenomenal game Morris brought in us; he’s been locked [against Murray a crew of capable in and continues State],” Morris said. backs. A familiar to grow as a player. “I think he had face in the Morris So yeah, I wouldn’t almost 100 yards, system is Ayo be surprised if really close to a Adeyi, who’s gotten after watching the touchdown on one the most carries tape we give No. of those. [Ayo is] a besides Hawkins 22 a couple more seasoned vet, a guy so far this season. chances.” we can count on Adeyi played Mason, a transfer in a lot of different under Morris for from Division II ways. Mason, as I one season at Central Oklahoma, said, did a nice job North Texas before played sparingly and Tre is kind of a transferring to in the Cowboys’ switch-up in pace James Madison. first two games and with his speed and “I think Ayo’s didn’t really get his electricity. He’s got gotta stay healthy,” touches until the to stay on his feet Morris said on Aug. Murray State win. a little bit better 5. “He knows that. Mason took five through contact. He’s somebody carries for 47 yards, He’s been really that’s been banged showing bursts good outside the up the last couple of the speed that tackles, not as good of years.” earned him Allas the other guys in Adeyi has MIAA second-team between the tackles. 115 yards on 18 honors last season “I would assume carries so far this for the Bronchos. you’ll see all four season, getting the With Adeyi, Page of them at some majority of the and Mason all point.” run through the vying for the spot previous two games behind Hawkins, in nonconference the room already play. His main feels a bit crowded. competition for Then, in-state the RB2 spot has sports.ed@ocolly.com STAFF REPORTER
Big 12 conference play is here, and Oklahoma State is looking for its first conference win in more than two years. As the Cowboys began conference play with a road contest against West Virginia, our staff gives their predictions for OSU in the Big 12. Weston Wertzberger: OSU has proven to be a challenger at home after stunning No. 6 Oregon and playing nearly perfectly against Murray State to go 2-1, but I still wonder what it might look like on the road. All five Big 12 games away from Stillwater won’t be easy as well. If OSU beats West Virginia on Saturday, I believe this team can be one of the best in the conference and be titled a ‘dark horse’ for the championship, with my prediction for a 9-3 season. But if the Cowboys leave Morgantown with a loss, my guess is they will finish with four or five conference wins for a 6-6 or 7-5 season. But make no mistake, the Cowboys have already surprised me after bouncing back from the Tulsa loss, so it wouldn’t shock me if they make noise in the Big 12. Cayden Cox: OSU’s nonconference results raised several questions about the Cowboys. Many expected OSU to finish 2-1 in its first three games, but not the way the Cowboys did it. OSU’s conference schedule is relatively favorable, as OSU avoided trips to Lubbock and Provo. But the Cowboys didn’t look good at Tulsa, and they still have challenging road trips to Morgantown, Houston and Tempe left on the schedule. I can see the Cowboys floating around the 6-3 and 5-4 mark in conference play, but this weekend’s test at WVU will show how well OSU can compete in tough atmospheres. Will Thorogood: OSU enters conference play with a lot of momentum after a 3931 upset win over No. 6 Oregon and a 59-0 blowout win against Murray State, but the Cowboys’ 19-game losing streak against the Big 12 remains.
Playing West Virginia, Houston, Kansas State Marcus Mesis: and Arizona State on OSU is fifth in receiving the road isn’t ideal, but votes in the AP Top 25; if barring any chaos, Iowa the teams were ranked, State should most likely that would put them at be a win for the Cowboys. 30th nationally. There are The teams coming to three teams in the Big 12 Boone Pickens Stadium ranked ahead. This week’s are UCF, Colorado, Texas opponent, West Virginia, Tech and Kansas. That is third in receiving votes. could be three wins for That puts OSU at the the Cowboys, but it is too top end of the Big 12, early to tell. which is a little higher I believe this team’s than what was predicted ceiling is six or seven coming into the season. conference wins, while The upset win over the floor is three. They Oregon has propelled are capable of making a OSU up in the rankings, bowl game, assuming they which could lead to play nothing like they disappointment if the did against Tulsa in the hot start doesn’t continue majority of conference for the rest of the year. games. OSU likely cools down from the top five in the Timothy Christensen: conference and finishes OSU’s conference closer to the middle of the schedule looks tougher pack in the Big 12. today than it did before the season began. Logan Cole: West Virginia This team is so quarterback Michael unpredictable; it’s hard Hawkins Jr. has led an to guess how Big 12 play explosive Mountaineers could go. offense. Iowa State’s What I do know is newly constructed that this team shouldn’t roster has been more continue the long competitive than the conference winless streak media originally believed. that has dominated Even the defending Big the OSU discourse the 12 champion, Texas Tech, previous two seasons. has survived without This team could easily its former quarterback go 6-3 in the conference Brendan Sorsby. and be a contender; it Fortunately for the could also go 3-6 and miss Cowboys, TTU will have a bowl game completely, to come to Stillwater, a and with the Big 12 place that Oregon learned looking to be more of a is a tough atmosphere for gauntlet than previously opponents. thought, it seems OSU is The real question for angling towards that 4-5 the Cowboys is whether conference record that, they can compete on the while disappointing, it road. The team looked is a breath of fresh air completely different compared to 0-9. in Tulsa than it has in Stillwater, and the West Ben Schatzel: Virginia game will give After nonconference a lot of information on play, many expected OSU what to expect for the rest to be 2-1. However, no of conference play. For one expected a rough loss now, I see OSU going 6-3 at Tulsa followed by an in the Big 12. all-time upset over the No. 6 Oregon Ducks. Ryan Ruston: The Cowboys have I think OSU’s regained their place in nonconference results the national spotlight, but show the Cowboys have I am in a wait-and-see a higher ceiling than position for Big 12 play. most thought, but a lower Remember, the Cowboys floor. I think this team haven’t won a conference will struggle in road game since the 2023 conference matchups but regular-season finale over look much better at home. BYU. This upcoming game If OSU leaves against West Virginia will Morgantown with be a big tell for me on this their first Big 12 win season’s outlook. in almost three years, I If the Cowboys can go can see them winning on the road and look good 6-8 conference games and win against a tough and becoming a darkWVU team, then I think horse title contender. If this is a team that can the team that took the compete for a conference field in Tulsa shows up, championship, but if they things could get dicey go out and falter on the with upcoming road trips road, that would be a sign to Houston, K-State and of a first-year team that Arizona State. will struggle to win games sports.ed@ocolly.com on the road.
West Virginia presents a tough road test for OSU.
Chance Marick, The O’Colly
Page 6B Friday, September 25, 2026
O’Colly
sports
Catherine Dzanski, The O’Colly
Oklahoma State has played games like mahjong and Fortnite to help the team bond.
OSU’s off-the-field bonding leading to on-field results Marcus Mesis
STAFF REPORTER
No conference wins aren’t a good sign for retaining a roster in today’s college sports. Oklahoma State didn’t win a conference game last season, going 0-10-1. It was one of the worst seasons that Cowgirl soccer has had. After that, head coach Colin Carmicheal spent the offseason rebuilding the roster after losing several players to the transfer portal or graduation. The new roster that he built clicked almost instantly, as a group of players that got along and wanted to win. The returning players accepted the transfers, and everyone’s goal was to get the program back to its historical standard. “We added a lot of these new freshmen and transfers in January, and the feedback I got from the new players was that everyone was so welcoming,” Carmichael said. “They felt at home quickly, so I think it’s a real credit to our returning group. They did a really good job of welcoming the new players. It wasn’t threatening. It wasn’t, ‘Oh my gosh, they’re coming in to take my spot.’ It was very much like, ‘We want you to come here and help us build this thing back up.’” It wasn’t just the coaching staff that noticed how the team has come together; the players have noticed it too, both returners and newcomers alike. OSU defender Katelyn Hoppers has seen the team come together as a unit on and off the field. “Being a returner, getting to know a lot of new faces this year has been so much fun,” Hoppers said. “I think that off the field we’re just as good friends as we are on the field. We’ve had a lot of fun travel trips. Again, we also have all of preseason. We’d wake up, we’d go to practice, and then we’d have all day to just play mahjong, play Fortnite. “We get together, we do all this random stuff, and I really do think it helps on the field because I’m gonna play hard for Avery [Bass] because you know she’s a good friend and vice versa.” The team has done different things to build up off-the-field chemistry during the short time that they have been on the same roster. Different groups of players play mahjong, Fortnite or hang
out at cookouts together. Forward Sonora DeFini doesn’t play mahjong, but seeing her teammates play, she still sees its importance. “We [Defini and Emmy Hedden] were just talking about how neither of us knows how to play mahjong, so we were just enjoying watching him trying to figure it out,” Defini said. “But I just think it shows that there’s no one on this team that someone doesn’t like, and that’s really awesome. Like we all get along, and that’s really cool to see. I think a lot of programs, they do have some conflict, which doesn’t help sometimes. So I think it’s really cool that we all really like each other.” The team hasn’t been all bright spots this season. Carmichael called the team out after a 4-1 loss to Mississippi State, where Laudan Wilson was kicked multiple times, and the team didn’t respond. No single voice dominated that meeting; multiple players spoke up about how they could be better. “It wasn’t just one or two people that were like, ‘This is my fault,’ or something happened,” Wilson said. “I think there were a lot of different voices, which I think shows that we’re getting a lot of
[Stein] had a big cookout at his house. We went to the Hub, and I know they hang out. Like some of them went to the football game and stuff. So it’s been neat to see them bonding. “And I think every team [has] certain groups of kids that hang out a little bit more, but I don’t see cliques. Like I do see different groups hanging out, speaking to each other, and that’s always a nice thing because it’s not always like that on a team.” On the team’s one road trip so far this season, they had a five-hour delay in Starkville, Mississippi, and the team tried to teach Carmicheal how to play mahjong. He couldn’t fully grasp mahjong, but the attempt showed the team’s trust in him. “Bella, you know I was partnered with her in the game, and she’s like teaching me, and I couldn’t understand it,” Carmichael said. “She’s looking at me like I have two heads. She’s like, ‘What are you doing, man?’ And so, yeah, it’s really nice. This group is very, very fun and they seem to like us. I certainly love being around them, and kind of looking forward to this next road trip. “Maybe I can actually play the game
welcome immediately,” Bass said. “I don’t think this is a hard team to come into. I think the trips definitely helped. Starkville was a good bonding point for us, and I think just the way the coaches help us compete in practice, it’s like we know that we want to work hard for each other.” The team’s bonding has also extended online; a group of players plays Fortnite together. It hasn’t just been a way for the team to unwind; it’s also helped them grow closer. “First of all, Fortnite, you’re a team,” Hoppers said. “You’re literally playing to the death, and I kind of just remind them that, like, every game, let’s just play together, and we lose together, just like we lose in Fortnite together, and we win together, And I think that we joke around, but ultimately, it has made me closer with my roommates because I know they’re going to go into battle for me, and I know they’re going to go into battle for me in the game.” Even in Fortnite, the team avoids cliques and tries to include as many people as they can. “I can’t play video games to save my life, but mahjong is fun together,” Bass said. “I wasn’t super savvy with it coming in, but I also think that, as small as it is, they take the time to teach each of us, like they just have the patience, and they want everybody to be included. But “I kind of just remind them that, like, every game, let’s just yeah, I think aspect of a team, it gives play together, and we lose together, just like we lose in us a place to be a team and have fun and compete, but like outside of soccer. Fortnite together, and we win together.” So it’s just another thing that brings us together.” KATELYN HOPPERS The bonding the team has done makes them closer and makes them want to play harder for the people different leaders on the team, which is so again and learn how to play it. I mean, as they’re playing next to. important. But yeah, it wasn’t just one or I said, it’s just who I am as a person; you “I think that all this off-season bonding two people. I would say it was multiple can give me grief, and I’ll laugh. I won’t has just really helped us know how much people saying, ‘Hey, I can do better at this,’ get upset with you, and then I’ll give you a we care about each other, and how I’m or ‘Hey, this can change, and we need to little bit of grief, and we’ll hug it out, stuff gonna work my butt off for someone, work together.’ So yeah, it was really cool.” like that. That’s just the way it’s always and they’re gonna work their butt off for The team has used those moments been with us. And this group really enjoys me, and also like it all comes from love,” to grow closer, and no cliques have that. As they give me so much grief, and I Hoppers said. formed. Off-the-field bonding has spread just laugh.” throughout the team, led by different The layover wasn’t just for mahjong; players. it was also a time for the team to “I know during preseason, Logan come together and hang out. Cowgirl Marks cooked a big pasta dinner, a goalkeeper Avery Bass found the trip to lasagna dinner for everybody, which Starkville to be a good bonding point. was amazing,” Carmichael said. “Dustin “I think coming in the spring, I felt sports.ed@ocolly.com
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Friday, September 25, 2026 Page 7B
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Carson Kolb celebrates a touchdown with the Oklahoma State hockey team.
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Justin Bowick stiff-arms a defender.
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Page 8B Friday, September 25, 2026
sports A look back at the last five times OSU started Big 12 play on the road
Ben Schatzel
2023 at Iowa State: 34-27 Loss Something about Ames, Road conference games Iowa, seems always to make the Cowboys uncomfortable. make or break a college In 2023, when OSU made the football team’s seasons. Big 12 championship game, the The Oklahoma State Cowboys opened conference Cowboys will get their first play with a close loss at Iowa taste of road Big 12 play in State. OSU running back Ollie Morgantown, West Virginia, Gordon II was the featured back as they face the West Virginia for the first time all season, Mountaineers on Saturday. rushing for 121 yards and OSU holds a 2-1 record beginning his 2023 Doak Walker entering conference play, Award-winning campaign. Cowboy’s quarterback with impressive wins over Alan Bowman threw two No. 6 Oregon and Murray interceptions and was outplayed State, but dropped its lone by Cyclone’s quarterback road game so far at Tulsa. Rocco Becht, who completed Big 12 play will be much 27 passes for 348 yards and different than facing an three touchdowns. Bowman’s American Conference second interception sealed the opponent, and OSU jumps Cowboys’ fate late in the fourth into the fire with this early quarter. trip to Morgantown. 2022 at No. 16 Baylor: 36-25 Here is how the Cowboys Win A rematch of the 2021 Big 12 have fared the last five times championship game pitted the they have opened conference No. 9 Cowboys against No. 16 play on the road: STAFF REPORTER
Baylor. After the Bears knocked OSU out of the College Football Playoff picture in 2021, OSU traveled to Waco, Texas, ready to play. A 16-3 halftime lead ballooned to 23-3 after Cowboys running back Jaden Nixon returned the opening secondhalf kickoff 98 yards to the house. From there on, the Cowboys kept the Bears at bay and eventually sealed the deal when safety Jason Taylor II picked off Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen in the final minutes. 2019 at No. 12 Texas: 36-30 Loss The Cowboys had won five straight in Austin, Texas, before dropping this 2019 battle with Texas. Quarterback Spencer Sanders (19 completions for 268 yards and a rushing touchdown) started his first career Big 12 game and kept the Cowboys in a blow-for-blow battle with the Longhorns for 60 minutes.
Running back Chuba Hubbard helped, carrying the ball 37 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Ammendola’s field goal to begin the second half gave OSU a 23-21 lead, but the Longhorns proved too much, scoring the next 15 points to stifle the Cowboys’ upset bid in Austin. 2016 at No. 16 Baylor: 35-24 Loss Another ranked Baylor Bears squad and another conference opening loss for the Cowboys. Two weeks prior, OSU had been on the wrong end of college football history when Central Michigan upset the Cowboys on an untimed down hail mary. In a weather-delayed contest with the Bears, OSU turned the ball over four times, averaged 3.9 yards per rush and could not contain Baylor quarterback Seth Russell who threw for 387 yards and four touchdowns. However, this game was a turning point for OSU’s season
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as the Cowboys won eight of their last nine games, ending with an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. 2015 at Texas: 30-27 Win The Longhorns lacked a true starting quarterback and played a wide receiver at the position for most of the game. However, three OSU turnovers, two of which led to defensive scores, helped keep Texas in the game. Trailing 27-24 inside of two minutes to play, Ben Grogan hit from 41 yards out to tie the game, then hit again from 40 yards with 6 seconds remaining to avoid a major upset to the Longhorns. The win was part of a 10-0 start for the Cowboys in 2015 and was their third straight in Austin. The Cowboys will look to take down the Mountaineers this Saturday and start conference play off with a road win.
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THE O’COLLY SPORTS PICKS - COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 4 TEAM 1
TEAM 2
Chance Marick
Kalina Williams
OSU 37-31
OSU 28-24
OSU 21-17
Clemson 24-21
Cal 21-16
Clemson 21-15
Cal 35-31
Texas 34-28
Texas 31-21
Texas 38-27
Texas 35-21
Tennessee 28-17
Baylor 27-13
Baylor 24-21
Baylor 24-21
Baylor 31-17
Baylor 28-24
Baylor 35-28
Georgia 30-14
Georgia 38-13
Georgia 38-14
Georgia 41-7
Georgia 27-13
Georgia 35-10
Georgia 42-21
Ole Miss 30-27
Ole Miss 35-30
Florida 38-35
Florida 35-28
Ole Miss 28-20
Ole Miss 38-21
Ole Miss 31-28
Ole Miss 35-28
Michigan 20-12
Iowa 15-10
Iowa 13-10
Michigan 21-14
Michigan 17-14
Michigan 17-9
Iowa 17-13
Michigan 28-24
GAMES
Weston Wertzberger
Cayden Cox
Will Thorogood
Timothy Christensen
Ryan Ruston
Marcus Mesis
Logan Cole
Ben Schatzel
Oklahoma State vs West Virginia
OSU 33-30
OSU 35-27
OSU 33-30
OSU 35-32
OSU 38-28
WVU 38-31
WVU 41-38
Clemson vs Cal
Cal 27-21
Cal 31-20
Cal 28-17
Cal 27-21
Clemson 28-10
Clemson 28-7
#1 Texas vs #14 Tennessee
Texas 37-14
Tennessee
37-30
Texas 30-20
Tennessee
28-21
Texas 42-28
Baylor 34-17
Baylor 23-12
Baylor 14-10
Baylor 35-20
Oklahoma vs #2 Georgia
Georgia 35-0
Georgia 37-10
Georgia 42-17
#4 Ole Miss vs #21 Florida
Ole Miss 28-24
Ole Miss 34-16
Michigan 17-14
Iowa 20-16
LSU
LSU
Colorado vs Baylor
#17 Iowa vs #18 Michigan #23 Texas A&M vs #10 LSU
LSU
40-30
38-21
LSU
LSU 31-14
31-17
31-21
LSU
LSU 31-24
28-24
LSU
LSU
LSU
31-20
27-17
45-32
#20 Oregon vs #12 USC
Oregon 31-28
Oregon 43-38
Oregon 44-27
Oregon 32-29
Oregon 48-24
Oregon 38-25
USC 28-21
Oregon 45-34
Oregon 41-24
USC 35-31
Tulsa vs Arkansas
Tulsa 24-17
Tulsa 21-17
Tulsa 20-13
Arkansas 27-20
Tulsa 27-13
Arkansas 17-14
Arkansas 34-21
Arkansas 24-23
Arkansas 14-12
Tulsa 24-21
EDITOR BOARD TEAMS
STANDINGS:
Timothy — 33-7 Ben — 32-8 Marcus — 31-9 Will — 29-11
GUEST TEAM 1: 30-10
Logan — 28-12 Weston — 27-13 Ryan — 26-14 Cayden — 25-15
Jose — 8-2 Chance — 8-2 Caleson — 7-3 Kaitlyn — 7-3 B:10.25" T:10" S:9.75"
GUEST TEAM 2: 25-15
Kalina — 7-3 Ashley — 7-3 Megan — 6-4 Andon — 5-5