jenni carlson | News OK
Jenni Carlson, a sports columnist at The Oklahoman since 1999, came by her love of sports honestly. She grew up in a sports-loving family in Kansas. Her dad coached baseball and did color commentary on the radio for the high school football games. Her mom kept the scorebook during baseball games and yelled her head off no matter the sport. They passed along that passion to Carlson and her two younger brothers.
Carlson played golf in high school and planned to play in college, but when she started at the University of Kansas, she decided to focus her attention on journalism. It’s a decision that she’s never regretted.
Her first big story was a profile on Kansas basketball coach Roy Williams for the yearbook, and Carlson has enjoyed interviewing sports figures and sharing their stories every since.
Carlson is a 1997 graduate of Kansas. She and her husband, Ryan, were married in 2009 and live in Oklahoma City. They welcomed their first child, Millie, in June 2012. Carlson was the president of the Association for Women in Sports Media from 2008-10 and chair of the board from 2010-12.
How small Christian college in OKC has become a David in NAIA men's basketball
Right by Marcus Moeller’s office hangs a huge picture of Mid-America Christian’s men’s basketball team from 2016. That was the...
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OSU basketball: Eddie Sutton will get into hall once voters get off their high horses
STILLWATER — Asked to make a sales pitch for Eddie Sutton to be voted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Randy...
Why OKC landing even one event in 2022-26 NCAA bid cycle is crucial
Sue Hollenbeck remembers the moment she realized her nose was almost touching her computer screen. Her mother’s long-ago...
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OU football: Why Saturday night might be more than all right for the Red-White Game
NORMAN — Standing behind the microphone, Lincoln Riley had trouble keeping still. Mind you, he isn’t the skittish type....
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OU football: Jamar Cain isn't a splash hire, but new assistant's importance is huge
NORMAN — Every day for the past couple weeks, Jamar Cain has driven Lindsey Street to his new job, and each time, he has found...
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Mother of Moore High School runner Rachel Freeman tells teammates to 'run for Rachel'
MOORE — Stefen Seifried remembers when Rachel Freeman got her letter jacket. The jacket was like all the others at Moore High...
OKC Thunder: Kevin Durant thinks we're fixated on him, but it might be the other way around
Kevin Durant is still talking about Oklahoma City. No surprise there. Last week, he went on the “All The Smoke” podcast hosted...
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Jenni Carlson: Why Moore will carry on after latest tragedy
MOORE — Chad Mashburn was talking to his secretary in his office at Moore High School on Monday afternoon when he heard the...
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Jenni Carlson: Call Kansas City the Super Bowl champs — but not its American Indian nickname
Kansas City gets to call itself Super Bowl champions, which is great. But Oklahoman columnist Jenni Carlson explains why she...
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Moore High School runner Yuridia Martinez was always playing sports and helping others
Growing up, Yuridia Martinez always had her long brown hair pulled back in a braided ponytail. And that braid was always...
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Moore High School runner Rachel Freeman left an impact on coach, team for which she never got to run
Steve Guymon will be at the office early Wednesday, waiting on letters of intent to arrive. He is women’s cross country and...
OSU's Boone Pickens Stadium was part of a Super Bowl commercial. You didn't see it? We have details.
OSU's Boone Pickens Stadium was part of a Super Bowl commercial. You didn't see it? We have details.
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National Signing Day: Hype doesn't always determine success — for better and for worse
Hundreds of students packed into the Casady School gym fell silent as Josh Wariboko-Alali listened to the studio-host voices...
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Why former OU Sooner had bumpy road to Super Bowl and how Damien Williams got there anyway
Some roads to the Super Bowl have twists and turns, ups and downs, even slowdowns and detours. Damien Williams’ road had...
'There’s a lot of magic about Maggie': Why OU gymnast Maggie Nichols' greatness goes beyond records
NORMAN — Kelly Garrison-Funderburk remembers clearly the first time she met Maggie Nichols. Garrison-Funderburk was at OU’s...
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OKC Thunder: Those bruises on Steven Adams' shoulder? It's cupping therapy — and it's not as painful as it looks
Steven Adams has lots of distinctive traits. The long hair. The bushy beard. The intricate tattoos. Still, my eye is always...
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'He changed basketball': Kobe Bryant was this generation's Michael Jordan to Thunder, NBA
Chesapeake Energy Arena fell dark a few minutes before tipoff, and when that familiar face appeared on the big screens, the...
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Jenni Carlson: Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's class, care evident in penultimate trip to OKC
Jenni Carlson: Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's class, care evident in penultimate trip to OKC
Jalen Hurts 'can make your team and culture better,' but the former Sooner's NFL fit is a mystery
Jalen Hurts entered the Senior Bowl to a huge ovation. Clearly, lots of folks made the trek to Mobile, Alabama, to see him....
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Jenni Carlson: KU-K-State brawl forever a memory — and stain — at storied Allen Fieldhouse
Brawl between Kansas and Kansas State will forever be a stain -- that's why the punishments had to be severe.
'We had a dream': Meet the 68-year-old who launched an Oklahoma high school dynasty with Tuttle wrestling
TUTTLE — Holding down his regular spot a couple rows up on the east side of Tuttle High School’s gym, Mike London blends in...
Why OSU football alum Darnell Smith took his first athletic director job at a school with no facilities, no coaches and no athletes
Darnell Smith always wanted to be a college athletic director. Over the past decade or so, he had opportunities to fulfill that...
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Why Mike Leach to SEC, Mississippi State is this year's most interesting coaching move
Driving through the Flint Hills of Kansas, the news came across the car radio. Tennessee had fired its football coach. It was a...
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Top Daug: Why OU mascot's return prompted some detective work
Top Daug's return prompted questions about the OU mascot's retirement in the mid-2000s. Some dauggie detective work ensued
OU basketball: Why Top Daug's return feels like getting back 'a piece of ourselves' for one Oklahoma City woman
Editor's note: This column has been updated to reflect that Top Daug was retired after the 2004-05 basketball season. Prior to...
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OSU football: Why Chuba Hubbard's return a big win for Cowboys — and not just because of his talent
OSU football: Why Chuba Hubbard's return a big win for Cowboys -- and not just because of his talent
The Athletic reports the Houston Astros manager was part of illegally stealing signs during the team's 2017 World Championship season.
The Houston Astros have had their manager and general manager suspended for a year by Major League Baseball.
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NFL Playoffs: George Kittle is football's best tight end and biggest character, and neither surprise his high school buddies from Norman
George Kittle moved to Norman the spring of his sophomore year of high school. Didn’t take him long to start living like a...
OKC Energy FC: 2020 schedule highlighted by nationally televised game against Tulsa
A nationally televised game against an in-state rival highlights Energy FC's 2020 schedule. Released Thursday, the schedule...
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Thunder: Why interview shenanigans, post-game handshakes have replaced arguing calls, walking on eggshells
With sweat still beading on his brow, Chris Paul was talking about what most pleased him in a hard-fought, New-Year’s-Eve...
'I just get a little chill thinking about it': Thunder uniforms honor bombing victims, educate new generation
Ryan Whicher is ecstatic the Thunder-Rockets game will be nationally televised Thursday night. It’s not because he lives in...
OU football: Sooner alum Cody Ford has gone from draft disappointment to playoff prominence with Bills
Leah Ford called to check on her son one day this fall, but he didn't answer. Soon after, he sent a text. "Hey, I'll call you...
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'You’ve got to go get it': How the Thunder has become big-time crunch-time closer
A few nights back, halftime of the Thunder game came at dinnertime in my house. I decided to watch the second half later, doing...
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OU football: Sooners didn't have a rebuilding year, but this was very much a gap year
Inside an emptied hotel ballroom Sunday morning, Lincoln Riley sat at a round table reflecting on his team's just-completed...
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OSU football: Mike Gundy faces offseason uncertainties that have nothing to do with Chuba Hubbard or Tylan Wallace
HOUSTON — Mike Gundy strode off the NRG Stadium turf and into the darkness of the tunnel. The uncertainty of the offseason,...
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OU football: Sooners' blowout loss by the numbers
4: First-half touchdown catches by LSU receiver Justin Jefferson, who ended with that tally. It tied the record for the most...
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'The future is bright': OSU optimistic about 2020 vision even awaiting decisions by Chuba Hubbard, Tylan Wallace
HOUSTON — Chuba Hubbard walked past Amen Ogbongbemiga in the hallway outside the Oklahoma State locker room. “Go to the first...
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OSU report card: Trouble with special teams leads to Cowboys' downfall in Texas Bowl loss to A&M
Oklahoma State got out to an early two-score lead in the Texas Bowl, but when Texas A&M got on track, the Cowboys didn’t...
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OSU football: Why now is the time to enjoy Cowboy star Chuba Hubbard
HOUSTON — Chuba Hubbard does lots of things quickly. Run. Juke. Spin. Cut. Just about everything the Oklahoma State running...
OSU football: How Sean Gleeson's granddad helped prepare him for this season
STILLWATER — Bill Gleeson looked down at the projectile that landed in his lap. A piece of toast. Gleeson was sitting in the...
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OU football: Sooners as endearing darlings of the playoffs? Believe it
On the morning the College Football Playoff field was announced, Fox College Football tweeted a short video with the four teams...
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OSU football: Cowboy super fan Olivia Hamilton is grown up, cancer free and still a big fan
Ask Olivia Hamilton about her memories of Oklahoma State's magical football season in 2011, and she goes silent. Where to...
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National Signing Day: Sooners land rare two-sport star — unless pro baseball lures him away
NORMAN — Posing for pictures with family and friends, Cade Horton stationed himself behind a table covered with crimson and...
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OU football: Why Lincoln Riley faces a quarterback quandary on National Signing Day
NORMAN — Oklahoma has a quarterback quandary. Seems odd to think that, much less write it. The Sooners’ last three starting...
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Thunder Buddies Podcast: Shocking Chicago
Welcome to the home of our Thunder Buddies podcast, named, in part, from Universal Studios' comedy 'Ted,' but inspired by our...
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'Nobody’s surprised about that': Chris Paul has his finest hour with Thunder in epic 26-point rally
Chris Paul splashed a three from the top of the key. Then after running down a long rebound, he splashed another deep one....
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Rating college football's 40 bowl games, from the 1-star Bahamas to 5-star playoffs
Just like the movies, we'll rank every bowl game on a five-star scale. We cover it all, from the Bahamas Bowl to the Texas Bowl...
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OU football: Why Jalen Hurts losing the Heisman Trophy will put him in a fraternity of Sooner stars
Jalen Hurts won’t win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. Of that, there is little doubt. Two years ago, I wrote similar...
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OU football: Why Jalen Hurts' durability is underrated aspect of his success
There are two reasons Jalen Hurts is a Heisman Trophy finalist. His feet. Oh, that might be oversimplifying things — his...
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OU football: Why Jalen Hurts is happy living his alternate reality
Jalen Hurts is living an alternate reality. Or at least a vastly different one than he envisioned three years ago. He was...
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OU football: Playoff berth isn't surprising for Sooners but is impressive
NORMAN — Oklahoma is returning to the College Football Playoff. That was no sure thing. I’m not talking about what had to...
2019-20 College Football Bowl schedule, TV listings, odds, playoff matchups
Find out where the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys will play in the college football postseason on Sunday.
OU football: Why Alex Grinch exhaled a bit after Sooners' Big 12 triumph
ARLINGTON, Texas — Alex Grinch spotted his family in the celebratory chaos on JerryWorld field and locked in on them like so...
OU football: Sooners make strong closing argument to College Football Playoff selection committee
ARLINGTON, Texas — Baylor’s last pass fluttered and last gasp fell to the turf incomplete, igniting a Sooner celebration....
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OU football: Why Lincoln Riley may continue to love recruiting, say no to NFL
ARLINGTON, Texas — Lincoln Riley will be on the sideline at JerryWorld this weekend. Some folks think that'll happen a lot more...
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OU football: Baylor wouldn't be waiting in the Big 12 title game without Mack Rhoades
Mack Rhoades was working in his office at Missouri when the sexual assault scandal at Baylor burst into the open. News had been...
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OKPreps football: Why Owasso-Jenks title game not being in Tulsa is exciting not horrible
Bill Blankenship is fired up about the high school football state title games this weekend. That's not super surprising — he's...
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High school football: Fan guide to state championship football games
EDMOND – You have questions about this weekend’s state championship football games at Central Oklahoma.We have answers.The...
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Big 12 football: OU, OSU make hiring coordinators look easy — but Tom Herman may find it isn't
On Nov. 26, 2016, Texas hired Tom Herman to be its football coach, fending off the advances of LSU and snagging the hottest...
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OSU football report card: Cowboys solid in secondary, suspect with ball security in Bedlam
Oklahoma State hung with Oklahoma much of Saturday night, but the Cowboys could never get a play to swing momentum in a 34-16...
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Even without Russell Westbrook, Thunder fashion flourishes
With Russell Westbrook out of OKC, the title race for most fashionable Thunder player has been blown wide open. So far, this...
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Bedlam football: Sooners' defense corrals Chuba Hubbard and the Cowboys
STILLWATER — Chuba Hubbard took the handoff and headed between the tackles like he has so many times this season. Heck, like he...
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Bedlam football: Why high scores of recent years are less likely Saturday
STILLWATER — Looking back on Bedlams past is always fun. Certain scores bring up instant memories. 61-41. Oklahoma’s shootout...
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Bedlam football: Why Chuba Hubbard and CeeDee Lamb aren't just elite but electric
Back in the day, long before games could be played on an electronic devise or even at your local arcade, there was Electric...
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OSU football: Why Jelani Woods is thankful for his older brother every day
STILLWATER — Jelani Woods’ older brother doesn’t mince words. “You missed a ball,” he’ll say. Woods will shake his head. “Be...
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OU football: Why Jalen Hurts is causing some heartburn locally while drawing praise nationally
NORMAN — The grainy video has the feel of a dark back room confessional, but even with the bad lighting and the constant hum,...
OU football: Sooners notch 400th win on Owen Field in program history
2: Coaches in Oklahoma history who have won at least 10 games in each of their first three seasons. With the win against TCU on...
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OU football: These Sooners show some Thunder in beating TCU to advance to Big 12 title game
NORMAN — Brendan Radley-Hiles stepped in front of the TCU tight end, snagged the football and pulled it to his chest....
Recap: OU 28, TCU 24
Follow live coverage from our team as OU takes on TCU. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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OU football: Why Jalen Hurts is having as much fun as any Sooner
Jalen Hurts hustled across the McLane Stadium turf. He did that a lot last Saturday night. But in the moments after Oklahoma’s...
Class 6A-I football: Why Deuce Hishaw and friends have Moore one step from title game
MOORE — Deuce Hishaw tinkered with wires and buttons where a couple of portable speakers were set up just beyond the end zone....
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'We’re brainwashed at OU': Why the Sooners expected to win at Baylor even down 28-3
Watching Baylor build a four-score lead against Oklahoma on Saturday night, Trent Ratterree felt like most Sooner fans. “I was...
Funk Jr. well aware there are more critical projects in MAPS 4 than a multipurpose stadium
Bob Funk Jr. doesn’t want to take money from the needy in Oklahoma City. He’d have to answer for it at home. Funk is married...
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OSU football: Chuba Hubbard belongs in NYC for Heisman Trophy ceremony
STILLWATER — Chuba Hubbard has several American locales on his bucket list. Among them is New York City. “That’s somewhere I...
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OSU football report card: Cowboys deserve high marks for shutting down Kansas in Les Miles' return
Oklahoma State dominated Kansas 31-13 on Saturday, and the grades reflect the Cowboys’ control of this game from start to...
Recap: OSU 31, Kansas 13
Follow live coverage from our team as OSU battles Kansas. Kickoff is at 11 a.m.
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OSU football: Why Les Miles is most divisive character in Cowboy football history
STILLWATER — Ask Oklahoma State fans what they think about Les Miles, and the reactions are as varied as the Cowboys’ uniform...
How family of hospitalized football player found perspective in its darkest hours
Lance Phelps just wants his son to get one more team bus ride. Sure, he’d love if his oldest child could play football again....
'Excited': All of Oklahoma's high school 11-man football state title games are headed to UCO
David Jackson talked for less than two minutes in announcing all of the state's high school 11-man football title games would...
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OU football: A look at the Sooners' 42-41 win against Iowa State by the numbers
0: Turnovers forced by the Oklahoma defense, which has now gone five games without a takeaway. But the Sooners did intercept...
OU football: Sooners forced to survive furious rally from Iowa State
NORMAN — So much for style points. Or a big rebound. Or a statement. Saturday became about survival for Oklahoma. Two weeks...
Recap: OU 42, Iowa State 41
Follow live updates from our team during OU's game against Iowa State. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
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OSU basketball: Why Cade Cunningham's impact on the Cowboys might last much longer than his college career
The last time Oklahoma State got a basketball recruit of Cade Cunningham's ilk, things worked out smashingly. Marcus Smart...
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Baker Mayfield is among Cleveland's biggest problems — and it has nothing to do with his off-field antics
Just when you thought the Cleveland Browns couldn’t look any worse, Baker Mayfield walked into his postgame press conference...
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OSU football: Chuba Hubbard is the most electric player in college football, the most important player for the Cowboys
STILLWATER — With the victory won and the alma mater sung, the Oklahoma State student section broke into one last serenade...
While Christian Arenivar runs for his school, his family and his unborn daughter, he is really running for his life
Christian Arenivar loves the pain of running. The burning lungs. The throbbing legs. The aching muscles. He relishes the hurt...
How Oklahoma City boxer Alex Saucedo found positives after losing a world title bout in his hometown
Last we saw Alex Saucedo, he was bloodied and battered. Worse, he was beaten. It’s been almost a year since the Oklahoma City...
Camille Herron, Oklahoma native, sets new world record and wins another world title
Camille Herron, Oklahoma native, sets new world record and wins another world title
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OU football: Sooners' grades reflect poor performance
A disappointing day for Oklahoma. Bad defense. Faltering offense. The result was equally awful as Kansas State scored a 48-41...
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OU football: Loss to K-State could crush Sooners' national title, Heisman hopes
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The stout metal door separating the Oklahoma locker room and the interview room was no match for Lincoln...
Recap: Kansas State 48, OU 41
Follow live updates from our team during OU’s game against Kansas State. Kickoff is at 11 a.m.
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OU football: How Kenneth Murray goes from terrorizing Sooner linebacker to caring big brother
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kenneth Murray emerged from the stadium tunnel on a mission. He had to get his guy. Sure enough, soon as...
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Thunder fans will have to get used to life without Russell Westbrook
Susan Clark cried for days after Russell Westbrook was traded. She shed tears that Thursday night in July when the point guard...
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What Russell Westbrook routines Thunder fans will miss during games
Russell Westbrook is a creature of habit, and his routines extended to Thunder games. That created a culture, an expectation...
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In their words: OKC Thunder superfans on life post-Westbrook
IN THEIR WORDS Garrett Haviland and Rob Shahan are big-time Thunder fans. Most people know Haviland as Thundor, who wears a...
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Do you use Dish Network or Sling TV? Then you don't have Thunder games on Fox Sports Oklahoma
You might not be able to watch the Thunder on your TV. I feel like that needs to be bolded and all-caps. YOU MIGHT NOT BE...
Why the reporter who exposed the NFL's concussion problem believes football can't be fixed but can be made safer
He was the New York Times reporter who exposed just how serious a problem the effect of concussions was among NFL players. He...
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OSU football: Cowboys' grades reflect poor fourth-quarter play
Early in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma State led Baylor, and it looked like we were in for a nail-biter of a finish. But the...
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OSU football: Turnover numbers once again tell the story
Here is a look at Oklahoma State's 45-27 loss to Baylor by the numbers: -2: Turnover margin for Oklahoma State as the Cowboys...
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OSU football: Cowboys at a crossroads after 4th-quarter debacle
STILLWATER — Baylor defenders jumped and chestbumped and celebrated one final turnover Saturday afternoon before sprinting...
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OSU football: Why the Cowboys are more disciplined this season but still not disciplined enough
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State has a practice uniform for everyone not in football gear. Players wear their jerseys and pads, of...
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You may not know Thunder hopeful DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell's name, but you should know his story
DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell used to sneak away during his college days at Eastern Oklahoma State, pile in a car with some basketball...
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OSU football: How Baylor went from one win to the top 25 in less than two years
Walking off the field after the last game of his first season at Baylor, Matt Rhule had an epiphany. “It’ll never be this bad...
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OSU football: Why Shane Illingworth is going from a cowboy to a Cowboy
NORCO, Calif. — The man flipping hamburgers at the booster club fundraiser sported a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, a handle-bar...
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OU football: Kennedy Brooks not the only Sooner posting big numbers against Texas
2: 100-yard rushers for Oklahoma, the first time has done so against Texas since James Allen (159) and De'Mond Paker (107) in...
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OU football: Sooners, Longhorns remind us of the grandeur of this rivalry
DALLAS – Jalen Hurts planted a victorious knee on the Cotton Bowl turf, popped up and turned toward the crimson-clad end of the...
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OU football: Kenneth Murray wants to win the Butkus Award, and at least one former winner believes he deserves it
DALLAS — Kenneth Murray visited his new position coach last winter and noticed a change in the office's decor. On the wall hung...
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OU football: TV cameraman had front-row seat for Curtis Bolton's bolt from halftime locker room
Anthony West just wanted a place to rest and eat his barbecue sandwich. Instead, he got a seat to one of the wildest sideshows...
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OU football: Trash Sam Ehlinger at your own peril because evidence shows he's vastly improved
The other day at practice, Tom Herman gave his quarterback an assessment of his play last Saturday against West Virginia. Not a...
Thunder Buddies: What we liked and didn't like from preseason Game 1
Welcome to the home of our Thunder Buddies podcast, named, in part, from Universal Studios' comedy 'Ted,' but inspired by our...
2020 Olympics: Cat Osterman, Monica Abbott go from role models to teammates
Bubba Nickles hung a Cat Osterman poster on her bedroom wall when she was little. Better known these days as a...
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OU football: Now comes the real test for Alex Grinch and the Sooner defense — Texas
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Neville Gallimore walked off the field toward the locker room pumping his fist up and down over his head. He...
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OU football: Trey Sermon hits 2,000-yard mark in Sooners' 45-20 win at Kansas
1: First-quarter score given up by the Oklahoma defense this season. Kansas scored a touchdown on a 22-yard pass with 3:35 left...
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OU football report card: Sooners' grades vs. Kansas reflect weird start
After a weird start, partly because of the weather and partly because of the Sooners, Oklahoma did what everyone expected...
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OU football: Les Miles was a Sooner antagonist before — and hopes to be one again some day
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Les Miles became known for his quirky quotes and his wacky witticisms, even prompting a website dedicated...
Meet the Oklahoma City woman who rows a single even though she can't see a thing
Audrey Farnum tapped her long white cane along the dock toward the Oklahoma River. She couldn’t see the water, but she could...
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OSU football: Shuffled offensive line, solidifying linebackers get high marks
Oklahoma State dominated Kansas State 26-13 on Saturday night, and to have a result like that against a disciplined, hard-nosed...
2020 Olympics: Cat Osterman is a wife, a stepmom, a pitching coach and a 36-year-old who hopes to add another job this week — Olympian
Cat Osterman remembers marveling at some of her U.S. Olympic softball teammates back in 2004 and 2008. She was a youngster on...
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OSU football: Chuba Hubbard dominates the stat sheet in 26-13 win over Kansas State
1: OSU running back to have three games of at least 200 rushing yards in the first five games of a season, after Chuba Hubbard...
Bryce Cornet has a heart for racing, but a racing heart? That nearly ended his career
NORMAN — Bryce Cornet never expected to be sitting still the first time he feared for his life. He is a race car driver. Has...
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OSU football: Cowboys' defense, yes defense, leads the way vs. K-State
STILLWATER — Mike Scott had Skylar Thompson in his grasp until the Kansas State quarterback made like Houdini and escaped not...
Recap: OSU 26, Kansas State 13
Follow live developments from today's Kansas State-OSU game. The game starts at 6 p.m.
OSU football: Sean Gleeson needs the green light in the red zone
STILLWATER — The quarterback in orange and black took the shotgun snap, and with his offensive line surging left, he stuck the...
Thunder roundtable: Discussing Chris Paul's future, OKC's most indispensable and pressure on Billy Donovan
The Thunder preseason is officially here, kicking off with general manager Sam Presti’s press conference Thursday. The...
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Why Boone Pickens was more than a mega booster to Oklahoma State AD Mike Holder
STILLWATER — Mike Holder has known for a couple years he’d be speaking at Boone Pickens’ memorial service. Didn’t mean Holder...
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Why Jalen Hurts and Spencer Sanders aren't likely to slide — and why their coaches are OK with that
Spencer Sanders can slide. That doesn’t mean he will. “I’ve slid one time in my entire life,” he said. The memorable moment...
Southwest Covenant football player Peter Webb remembered, mourned by thousands
YUKON — The white activity bus with blue and red decals rumbled up to the gate. The Southwest Covenant Patriots had arrived....
How parents are finding hope amid pain of son's death from football injury
YUKON — Jim and Stacy Webb are trying to embrace the pain. They wish they didn’t have to. They would give anything to go back...
Why Wesleyan Christian is more than an opponent after death of Southwest Covenant football player Peter Webb
The message reached Rocky Clark's desk early Monday afternoon. An elementary principal from Southwest Covenant asked if he had...
Linebacker Henry takes advantage of opportunity
STILLWATER -- Oklahoma State linebacker Kevin Henry made the most of a big opportunity. After missing the season opener with an...
OU football: A look inside the numbers from a 48-14 victory over UCLA
2: Turnovers caused by the Oklahoma defense, both coming on interceptions. That increases the Sooners’ season total to five...
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OU report card: Rave reviews as Sooners take their act on the road to UCLA
Oklahoma dominated UCLA in every way Saturday, winning 48-14. The grades tell the story of how the Sooners were superstars in...
OU football: Why early marks are good for defense — but biggest tests remain
PASADENA, Calif. — Dorian Thompson-Robinson rolled right and spied one of UCLA’s long and tall tight ends. A big dude. A big...
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OSU football: QB commit Shane Illingworth has a huge night
Oklahoma State's quarterback in the 2020 recruiting class is showing why he's one of the top-rated pro-style quarterbacks in...
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OU football: Jalen Hurts has become robotic — just like Nick Saban programmed him
PASADENA, Calif. — Jalen Hurts’ weekly press conference was slogging along Monday. Questions were longer than answers. Answers...
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Boone Pickens: How the Oklahoma State megabooster changed his alma mater for generations to come
STILLWATER — Larry Reece drives through the Oklahoma State campus almost every day. Even though he’s known to most Cowboy fans...
OU football: Why Marquise Brown was the feel-good story of the NFL's opening weekend
NORMAN — Lincoln Riley was in his office Sunday afternoon talking to a recruit when he heard hooting and hollering coming from...
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OSU football: Tylan Wallace keeps making the impossible routine
STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State offense was sleepwalking. Through most of the first quarter Saturday, the Cowboys were doing a...
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OSU football: Go inside the numbers in Cowboys' dominating victory over McNeese State
2: Turnovers for the OSU defense on Saturday, both coming on interceptions. The Cowboys only had two multi-turnover games last...
OSU report card: Reserves, defense get high marks in rout of McNeese
Oklahoma State defeated McNeese State 56-14 on Saturday in Stillwater, but on a night the outcome was never in doubt, many of...
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NFL: Why local TV stations know they'll hear from some fans about 'their team' not being on
Houston Hunt's email will have lots of new messages Monday morning. Ditto for his voicemail. Griffin Communication's vice...
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OSU football: Time at Tulsa and Texas was shortlived, but McNeese State coach Sterlin Gilbert regrets nothing
STILLWATER — Sterlin Gilbert moved to Tulsa with every intention of staying awhile. "Bought a house and all that stuff," he...
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OU football: Meet the Alabama fan who drove 24 hours round trip for Jalen Hurts' Sooners debut
NORMAN — Toni House has been an Alabama fan all her life. Born in Mobile, raised in Decatur, she had to pick between Alabama...
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OU football: Why the defense looked different — and it was definitely different good
NORMAN — Marquez Stevenson caught the short pass, turned and headed up field. He didn’t get far. Kenneth Murray hit the...
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OU football: Hot start, efficient offense evident in the numbers
1: Punt for Oklahoma. The Sooners weren’t forced to do so until 4:01 left in the game, the first possession without Jalen Hurts...
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OU football: Why Jalen Hurts will have fans in Houston even as the Sooners play the Cougars
NORMAN — Jon Kay has coached some splendid teams and outstanding players over the past couple decades at North Shore High...
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OU football: Why the Sooners playing on Sunday combines two religions — football and faith
NORMAN — Joe Castiglione knew playing a home football game on a Sunday might cause a crimson and cream kerfuffle. He...
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OU football: How a 2016 loss to Houston provides a blueprint for avoiding upset Sunday
NORMAN — Oklahoma had a game to forget last it faced Houston. Truth be told, Cougar coach Dana Holgorsen was kind of hoping...
Meet the three men who graduated high school together, then did something that might never be done again
Steve Largent remembers the high expectations that came with being a Putnam City Pirate. When he started there in the late...
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OU football: Lincoln Riley is certain of one thing about Sooner defense — it's sure to cause an overreaction
NORMAN — Lincoln Riley doesn’t know how the defense will play in Oklahoma’s opener. Will it be remarkable, stirring the ghosts...
Hate Skip Bayless? Meet the woman who not only loves him but also married him
Ernestine Sclafani has had dreams about Chris Bosh. LeBron James, too. Most of her life, she couldn’t have even picked either...
CFB150: What does the future of college football look like?
The Journal of the American Medical Association had a strong warning about kids playing tackle football, condemning...
OSU football: Would you rather inexperience in secondary or up front? Easy answer for Jim Knowles
STILLWATER — Jim Knowles had a defense that got to the quarterback almost as well as any team in the country a year ago. A lot...
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OU football: Why Jalen Hurts will do more than start for the Sooners — he will soar
NORMAN — Jalen Hurts is the starting quarterback at Oklahoma. No surprise there. The Sooners made official Monday what we've...
Why Mickey Tettleton's life changed with one suggestion from his Oklahoma State coaches
Tom Holliday says Mickey Tettleton argued about playing catcher instead of outfielder. Tettleton isn’t so sure. “I don’t...
OU football: Why Baker Mayfield is the best Sooner of them all
NORMAN — Baker Mayfield held the football in his hands, Barry Switzer a couple yards behind him, Billy Sims a couple more yards...
Thunder roundtable: Four questions ahead of the NBA schedule release
The NBA schedule will be released on Monday, setting the table for what projects to be a competitive race to the league title....
Writer's Block: Big 12 Quarterbacks
The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson and The Austin American-Statesman's Cedric Golden discuss Big 12 Quarterbacks, both current...
How Will Shields' greatness in Nebraska and Kansas City began with roots in Lawton
Will Shields is often associated with Nebraska and Kansas City. Easy to see why. Nebraska is where he played his college ball,...
Cowboy Chronicles podcast: First-half schedule breakdown and mailbag questions answered
The Oklahoman's Scott Wright and Jenni Carlson take a look at the first half of OSU's schedule and answer listener questions
OKC Thunder: Why Chris Paul's story of tragedy, triumph and 61 points still resonates
Editor's note: This column originally ran January 25, 2006, during Chris Paul's rookie season when the Hornets split time...
Why are fields at the new schools in OKCPS important? Let one of the principals explain
The start of the school year is just around the corner, and in Oklahoma City Public Schools, the new year brings lots of...
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Meet the man moving heaven and lots of earth to rebuild fields in Oklahoma City schools
Tommy Noble hates sitting still. He’s a construction man who regularly wakes at 5 a.m. and heads to a site, hops on a tractor...
Why a coach who once upset Duke feels lucky to be at Central Oklahoma
EDMOND — Bob Hoffman’s new boss began his introductory press conference by ticking off the highlights on his basketball resume....
OSU football: Why Mike Gundy doesn't want to play two quarterbacks and why he might have to
STILLWATER — Mike Gundy wants to name a quarterback. He would love to proclaim Spencer Sanders or Dru Brown as the starter. It...
How Oklahoma Christian University's Abi Rigsby went from being denied entry into a golf tournament to making history
Abi Rigsby didn't set out to make history. Being a trailblazer? Not her intention either. But when she tees it up in a couple...
OU football: Why Alex Grinch won't sugarcoat things and why the result could be sweet for the Sooners
NORMAN — Offseason workouts for the Oklahoma defense always ended with the same number this summer. One hundred twenty-nine....
OSU football: Why Kasey Dunn stayed after being bypassed for offensive coordinator job again
STILLWATER — Kasey Dunn could’ve gone. Oregon was interested in hiring him away from Oklahoma State. North Texas might have...
OU football: Why Adrian Peterson carries some blame for his financial difficulties
The house was tidy and cozy but small. Very small. Fifteen years ago, I traveled to Palestine, Texas, to write about Adrian...
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Big 12 football: Why Texas Tech coach Matt Wells takes his hometown of Sallisaw everywhere he goes
ARLINGTON, Texas – Matt Wells stood behind a podium emblazoned with Texas Tech’s logo when he was introduced as the Red...
Big 12 football: Why Kansas State coach Chris Klieman gave up being a made man to replace a legend
ARLINGTON, Texas — Chris Klieman always wanted to coach major-college football. He grew up in Iowa when Hayden Fry was coaching...
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Thunder roundtable: Who's starting for OKC this season?
The Thunder’s offseason has been turned upside down in less than two weeks. Now what? Some possible predictions (record, finish...
OU football: Why Big 12's nuanced stance on Horns Down gets thumbs up
ARLINGTON, Texas — Go ahead and throw those Horns down. If you’re a Sooner, you can use the hand gesture. If you’re a Cowboy,...
Big 12 football: Les Miles spent Saturdays running room to room watching games
Les Miles was first up on the main stage at Big 12 football media days. Seemed appropriate. Even though he now coaches the team...
OSU football: Why Spencer Sanders winning QB battle would be best for Cowboys
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Mike Gundy made no surprise proclamations about his starting quarterback Monday. A year after casually...
The 2019 Kansas football team vs. the 2001 Oklahoma State football team. Who you got?
Les Miles made his return to Big 12 football media days on Monday and certainly didn't disappoint.
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OKC Thunder: Chris Paul has helped usher in a new day in OKC before
Chris Paul was there for Oklahoma City at the beginning. Now, he’ll be here for a new beginning. Thursday evening came the...
Best of OKC Metro All-City Preps: Why SW Covenant's Christian Brown has heart of a champion
Christian Brown ran toward his catcher, then leapt in celebration. Moments later, Brown was at the bottom of a...
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OKC Thunder: Russell Westbrook leaving doesn't seem so unlikely anymore
The Thunder traded away its best player in the wee hours of Saturday morning. No two ways around that. Paul George was a Most...
OU football: Jalen Hurts' rave reviews should thrill Sooner Nation
The stands were nearly empty and a defense was nowhere to be seen. Nevertheless, what Jalen Hurts did last weekend was...
American Dream: How golf kept OKC native Rayshon Payton on course for success
Rayshon Payton took piano lessons growing up on the northeast side of Oklahoma City, but it wasn’t really his thing. Neither...
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OKC Thunder: Western Conference doesn't have a big dog anymore, but the pack is strong as ever
A funny thing happened on the first full day of NBA free agency — winning the Western Conference got easier while winning in...
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Trading away Steven Adams is most painful yet most effective way for Thunder to acquire a shooter
The Thunder needs shooting but lacks salary cap space. While there may be bargain bin shooters available in free agency, the...
How a jiu-jitsu world champ from OKC named Rafael Lovato Jr. became a rising star in MMA
Rafael Lovato Jr. always encourages the students at his martial arts school to challenge themselves. He wants them to leave...
Why the NCAA changed guidelines for transfer waivers and why they ignore athlete well-being
The NCAA had a chance to help athletes. It went the other way instead. On Wednesday morning, the NCAA Division I Council...
College Football Playoff: Expansion is coming if you believe all the beefed up non-conference slates
Spent a few days in Atlanta last week at the Associated Press Sports Editors convention, a gathering of sports department...
OKCPS athletic director Keith Sinor to become Tuttle Public Schools superintendent
Oklahoma City Public Schools athletic director Keith Sinor has accepted the job as superintendent of Tuttle Public Schools.
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OKC Thunder: Why free agency could be more of a slow burn in Oklahoma City
Buckle up, basketball fans. NBA free agency begins in less than a week, and it promises to be a crazy ride. The league’s...
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How Nick Nurse went from driving vans and washing uniforms in small-town Oklahoma to winning an NBA title
ENID — Folks around town sometimes ask Tom Nelson what he remembers about the man who just coached the Toronto Raptors to the...
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NBA Draft: How Trae Young went from criticized OU product to critical Atlanta leader in only a year
Trae Young wanted so badly to be the first to welcome his newest teammate to Atlanta that he didn’t take time to put on a...
Thunder Buddies podcast: Who is Darius Bazley and what's OKC up to?
Welcome to the home of our Thunder Buddies podcast, named, in part, from Universal Studios' comedy 'Ted,' but inspired by our...
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OKC Thunder: Even on draft night, Russell Westbrook is still the key to the team's future
The Thunder used a first-round draft pick Thursday night on a five-star recruit who signed with Syracuse a year ago, then...
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OU football: Roy Manning took over Sooner cornerbacks for the same reason he excelled as a player — he's isn't intimidated
Lloyd Carr realized the kid from nearby Saginaw, Michigan, had the potential to play on offense or defense. The youngster was...
OSU runner Sinclaire Johnson went from last to first, from watcher to winner in only a year
Sinclaire Johnson was there for the finals of the 1,500 meters at last year’s NCAA track and field championships. Not on the...
Our city should be grateful for Keith Sinor — and excited about what the OKC Public Schools athletic visionary will do next
Eight years ago, Phil Ingersoll retired as the Oklahoma City Public Schools athletic director. He had coached in the city for...
OKCPS superintendent Sean McDaniel's letter explains changes to athletic leadership
A MESSAGE FROM SEAN McDANIEL Tuesday afternoon, Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendent Sean McDaniel sent a letter via...
World Cup 2019: Former OSU goalie AD Franch living her dream with U.S. national soccer team
Adrianna Franch hung up the phone and immediately dialed it again. She had to talk to her mom. Only moments before, she'd...
OSU baseball: Carson McCusker plays outfield, swings a mean bat and stands 6-foot-8 -- and that's no tall tale
Oklahoma State center fielder Trevor Boone hears the same thing pretty much every time the Cowboys have a game on TV. "You look...
OU softball: Disappointing end to extraordinary season is a relish-the-moment reminder to us all
On the opening night of the Women's College World Series -- seems like a million years ago instead of last week, doesn't it? --...
'We Are Section 3': WCWS turned fans into family in seats down left-field line
They don't have the best seats at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. Or the greatest view. Or the ideal angle. But for five...
Cancer can't keep the man everyone knows as Taco from the WCWS
Spend any time at the Women’s College World Series with the man everyone calls Taco, and you realize that aside from the...
WCWS notebook: UCLA pinch hitter Malia Quarles hits clutch homer
UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez told sophomore Malia Quarles at the beginning of the season that this moment would happen. It was...
Biggest Bedlam ever? Sooners, Cowgirls take rivalry to new level
No matter the sport – football, basketball, tiddlywinks – it’s bound to be compelling when Oklahoma and Oklahoma State play. In...
OSU softball: Samantha Show's bat makes people flip, but her arm is huge, too
Samantha Show was in trouble. Everyone in Cowgirl orange was. Leading by a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, Oklahoma...
OU softball: Sooner ace Giselle Juarez has two signature moves — winning games, wearing goggles
NORMAN — One day earlier this spring, Shannon Saile noticed something interesting about newbie teammate Giselle Juarez — she...
Matthew Wolff helps cap a big week for Oklahoma State athletics with national championship
Matthew Wolff says before he could start winning college golf tournaments, he had to get consistent. Even though he won as a...
Legendary miler Jim Ryun didn't want Olympic glory — he just wanted to make his high school team
Back in the 1960s, there weren’t many athletes who were a bigger deal in our neck of the woods than Jim Ryun. His exploits on...
OSU golf: Chemo? Radiation? Stage 3 cancer? Can't keep assistant coach Donnie Darr from Cowboys
There was a moment during each round when Donnie Darr went from the supporter to the supported. The Oklahoma State assistant...
OU softball: Giselle Juarez breaths deep, stays calm, leads Sooners to victory
NORMAN -- Giselle Juarez took a deep breath. Several of them, actually. Controlling her breathing in big situations is...
OSU softball: The bat flips? The attitude? Samatha Show brings it, and the Cowgirls are better for it
The video opens with Samantha Show and a couple of teams watching a softball game in the coach’s office. After a moment, she...
Warriors didn't need Kevin Durant, but they needed him out of OKC
As the final seconds ticked off the clock Saturday night in Portland, Draymond Green approached Steph Curry. Green didn’t just...
Monica Abbott embodies softball's growth while hoping to be part of its next surge
To see how far softball has come in the past decade, look at the career of Monica Abbott. You likely remember her as the...
College softball: Oklahoma building strong case for greatest Sooner team ever
Kelli Braitsch is planning for her wedding later this year. Saving money for it, too. An officer with the Tulsa Police...
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OU softball: How 2019 team compares to past Sooner national champions
Patty Gasso, minutes after Oklahoma’s final regular-season home game, stood on Marita Hynes Field and addressed a record...
Class of his own: Why John Prichard was a hero long before becoming an OKCPS hall of famer
His given name was John Lee Prichard. Family and friends called him Johnny while Navy buddies went with Prich. Tuesday night,...
Look out, golf world — Oklahoma State phenom Matthew Wolff has the swing and the swagger
Walk around a golf tournament these days with Matthew Wolff, and you’ll hear lots of encouraging words. “You got this, Matt!”...
College golf: Matthew Wolff's move to start his swing — in his words
Oklahoma State sophomore Matthew Wolff embraces the quirks in his swing. Here, in his words, he explains the origins of the...
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OU football: Expanding beer sales all about luring, keeping new fans
Before voting to expand the sale of alcoholic beverages to all sporting events, the Oklahoma Board of Regents had a question...
Northeast's last days produce one last state champion
Leslie James Jr. reached into his backpack, rifling around textbooks, digging to the bottom and eventually pulling out a blue...
College softball: Looking for WCWS tickets? Deposits soon to be taken for 2020
The Women's College World Series has become a hot ticket in the past decade, selling out months before the event. But starting...
College softball: USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium past, present and future
THE PAST: WHAT’S BEEN USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium is undergoing big changes, but this isn’t the first time that upgrades...
College softball: Going to the WCWS? Bring your sunscreen, water and patience
John Miller has a message for fans soon to return to USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. Be patient. “It’s not finished,” he...
College softball has never been better in Oklahoma than it is right now
Jadyn Wallis has been part of the softball scene in this state for nearly three decades, starring at Newcastle High, pitching...
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OKC Thunder: Sam Presti's steady measured approach might be driving Thunder fans mad
I’m finally getting around to reading “Boom Town.” Sam Anderson’s book about Oklahoma City, its creation, its growth and its...
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Being reactionary? No, but Thunder must respond after another crash and burn
Sam Presti preached a measured approach the other day. When the Thunder general manager had his end-of-the-season press...
OKC Memorial Marathon: He only has one lung but three marathon finishes
Greg Gerardy looked pretty much like every other runner in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Brightly colored shirt. Running...
OKC Memorial Marathon: Schedule of events throughout race weekend
OKC MEMORIAL MARATHON SCHEDULE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS SATURDAY 7:30 a.m.: Run with "The Mayor of Running" Bart Yasso; ultramathoner...
Whit Raymond has become an OKC Memorial Marathon fixture
Whit Raymond has been coming to the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon for more than a decade, and after each race, he feels the...
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NFL Draft: Kyler Murray going No. 1 makes history, boosts Sooner brand
ESPN opened its coverage of the NFL Draft with a hype video. You know the type. Striking music. Slick images. Dramatic...
OKC Memorial Marathon: Schedule of events throughout race weekend
OKC MEMORIAL MARATHON SCHEDULE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Health and Fitness Expo, Cox Convention Center 11...
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What did the Thunder big man have to say about this season and his future in OKC?
Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams met with the media Thursday as part of the team's string of exit interviews before...
OKC Memorial Marathon: Don't worry about bringing up the rear -- the Last Place Unicorns have that covered
Finish last. They want no one in the half-marathon field to cross the finish line after them. They intend to bring up the rear,...
OKC Memorial Marathon: 2011 was a year like no other for one runner
Dressed as a unicorn, Leslie Driskill made lots of memories during the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon last year. Still, 2018...
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OKC Thunder: Report card reflects a close-call loss to Blazers
The Thunder faced elimination Tuesday night. Then, things got tougher — Damian Lillard went nuclear on Oklahoma City. The...
OKC Marathon: Age is just a number, not a barrier, for first-time half-marathoner
Susan Russell-Stewart has crossed lots of things off her bucket list. Visiting Alaska. Going soaring. Running in Canada. "But...
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OKC Thunder report card: Game 4 grades reflect Thunder on the brink of elimination
The Thunder faced a potentially series-defining game on Sunday. Hold serve at home, and things would look up. Lose Game 4,...
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OSU football: Spencer Sanders or Dru Brown? Cowboys may not be much closer to knowing
STILLWATER — Spencer Sanders stood on the Boone Pickens Stadium turf signing autographs Saturday afternoon. Never more than a...
OKC Memorial Marathon: Top finishes are norm for these training partners
They have no group name. No matching shirts or secret handshakes, either. And yet, Oklahoma City-area distance runners Kristen...
Recap: 2019 Oklahoma State spring game
Follow our live coverage of the 2019 Oklahoma State spring game at 1 p.m.
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OKC Thunder report card: Game 3 energy was high from Thunder, The Peake
The Thunder faced a must-win situation in Game 3. Never before has an NBA team come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff...
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OKC Thunder: Blazers series has become a referendum on entire franchise
Steven Adams is ticked off. Thunder fans know the feeling. Asked after practice Thursday about the team's mental state heading...
Thunder coach Billy Donovan says third quarter had OKC 'playing up hill'
Thunder coach Billy Donovan and his team find themselves in a 2-0 hole in this first-round playoff series against the Blazers....
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CJ McCollum says Russell Westbrook and Damian Lillard are 'two pitbulls'
Portland shooting guard CJ McCollum scored a game-high 33 points in Game 2, only his fourth game back since suffering an injury...
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Thunder report card: Third quarter dooms OKC as it falls to 0-2 in series
The Thunder got off to a much better start in Game 2 than it did in the opening game of this first-round playoff series, but by...
Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts praises guard play in Portland's Game 2 win vs. Thunder
Portland coach Terry Stotts had praise for his superstars, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, as well as the Blazers' defense...
OKC Marathon: Why big course changes will ripple in lots of areas
Changes to marathon courses are rare, and when they happen, they are usually small. Oklahoma City is going big. Major portions...
OU football: Lincoln Riley has turned the spring game into an event
NORMAN — Lincoln Riley has been Oklahoma’s football coach for 22 months, and over that time, he’s maintained lots of things....
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OKC Thunder: The three best wins and three worst losses of the 2018-19 regular season
Oklahoman columnist Jenni Carlson picks the Thunder's three best wins and three worst losses of the season: Best 1. April 9 vs....
OKC Thunder: Favored in the series vs. Blazers? Uh-oh
The basketball podcast turned NBATV show “The Starters” did a poll asking Thunder or Blazers in a playoff series. A whopping 84...
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Thunder roundtable: What's the biggest question facing OKC against the Blazers?
The Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers will meet for the first time ever in the playoffs this weekend. The Oklahoman’s Thunder...
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OSU football: Sean Gleeson and Co. are the talk, but the Cowboy defense is most important this spring
STILLWATER — If you're talking Oklahoma State football this spring, you're probably opining on offense. For good reason, too....
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OSU Cowboys: Eddie Sutton's exclusion sheds light on hoop hall's lacking transparency
The note came from a heartsick Cowboy. When news spread last week that Eddie Sutton wasn’t getting into the Naismith Basketball...
OSU alum and Texas Tech play-by-play man Geoff Haxton had unlikely road to NCAA title game
Geoff Haxton popped the cassette into the console of his truck. What he heard changed his life. He was only 19, a graduate of...
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NCAA gymnastics: OU's Yul Moldauer soon to close college career almost as amazing as his personal journey
NORMAN — Peter and Orsa Moldauer’s young son would scream so loudly the folks next door could hear him. Those neighbors lived a...
Texas Tech's Final Four appearance the latest success for former Oklahoma State coach Sean Sutton
As Texas Tech players climbed the ladder and clipped the net Saturday afternoon, a photographer from the school’s athletic...
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Thunder Buddies podcast: Swept away by Denver
Welcome to the home of our Thunder Buddies podcast, named, in part, from Universal Studios' comedy 'Ted,' but inspired by our...
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Denver made the big plays to complete season sweep of Thunder
Russell Westbrook drove the lane and spun home one of those baskets like he has so many times, and you thought maybe the...
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OU football: Jalen Hurts' maturity looks, sounds different than other college athletes
NORMAN — Jalen Hurts opened his press conference earlier this week with a statement. Not something written down, but things he...
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Could current scandals in college hoops hurt Eddie's hall chances?
Eddie Sutton sat in his wheelchair in the bowels of the BOK Center, a black stocking cap on his head, an animal-print blanket...
NFL Draft: Mock if you will, but unknown Joel Blumenthal might just get draft weekend call
Joel Blumenthal wanted to block out every distraction. A solid plan on the biggest day of his life. But a couple times when a...
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Nick Collison's jersey retirement big news back in Iowa
Nick Collison smiled at the mention of his Iowa hometown, Iowa Falls. “Five stoplights,” he said, still grinning. Marissa...
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Want to know why Nick Collison's number is being retired? It's the Thunder Way
The first time Sam Presti spoke publicly in Oklahoma City, the basketball bunch he oversaw didn’t even have a name. But there...
If police finds Tyreek Hill broke 3-year-old's arm, NFL must consider ban
His name is Zev. He is 3 years old. That means he’s probably learning his ABCs and playing make believe and getting potty...
Why Oklahoma high school hoops needs to add a third state weekend
Sometime after the first couple gold balls had been handed out last Saturday, my good fortune dawned on me. Norman and Norman...
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OU football: Kyler Murray's Pro Day is telling that he should be NFL's No. 1 pick
Not doing the speed drills or the strength tests on Wednesday is yet another sign Murray is in line to be the No. 1 pick in the...
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OU Pro Day recap: Kyler Murray and other Sooners perform in front of NFL scouts
The Oklahoman's OU beat writers and others follow developments at OU Pro Day.
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Russell Westbrook's exchange with Jazz fan a reminder of lack of human decency
I am not sure what Shane Keisel intended. “Get down on your knees like you’re used to!” When the Utah Jazz fan allegedly...
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OSU football: Sean Gleeson has blue bloods on his resume, blue collar in his background
STILLWATER — Sean Gleeson is a self-proclaimed New Jersey boy. He was born there. Raised there. He lived nearly his entire life...
Playing for a title and bragging rights? Norman-Norman North made for weird, wonderful Class 6A title game
TULSA — Moments before tipoff, a chant went up from Norman High’s student section. “Nor-man Ti-gers!” Clap. Clap. Clap clap...
Big 12 women's basketball is leaving Oklahoma City — might absence make hearts grow fonder?
Sometime on Monday night, after the confetti has fallen and the trophy has been awarded and the nets have been cut at The...
A year like no other ends with Millwood boys, girls at state basketball
Walk into the field house at Millwood High School any afternoon in early March, a time when most basketball teams have already...
Why Putnam City district is best in show before state even starts
Gathering his players in the middle of the basketball court, Daniel Cunningham tried to tell them what to expect during a week...
Katelyn Ohashi's perfect 10 has provided perfect platform
Katelyn Ohashi usually leaves people in awe, what with her flipping, flying, bobbing, bouncing, splitting, smiling floor...
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Why state's biggest shot came at the end of a blowout
Christian Patterson pulled off his sweatshirt, rubbed his palms and bounced his legs. He knew it was his time. From his seat at...
OSU football: How Mike Gundy took a risk hiring Sean Gleeson as offensive coordinator
Mike Gundy took a risk when he hired Sean Gleeson. It’s not about Gleeson’s lack of major-college coaching experience. Or his...
OSU football: Former Cowboy Andrew McGee hopes to pay it forward with new company
Andrew McGee felt many emotions as he attended tech workshops and met at-risk students and saw tangible results of his work...
Perfect 10: The Gymternet is real — and so is college gymnastics' growing fanbase
Lindsey Morrison knew what to do with the big news on social media — go all caps. IT’S BRENNA DOWELL ON BEAM TIME. Morrison...
21 and (not) over: Southwestern Oklahoma State women's basketball win streak keeps growing
WEATHERFORD — When her coach started talking about implementing a full-court press this season, Hailey Tucker had questions....
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Thunder Buddies podcast: Assessing a record-setting night against the Blazers
Welcome to the home of our Thunder Buddies podcast, named, in part, from Universal Studios' comedy 'Ted,' but inspired by our...
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Thunder cements status as contender after 120-111 win vs. Trail Blazers
Frankly, lots of problems seem that way these days. On a night the Thunder went without two vital pieces – Jerami Grant was out...
Being Pistol Pete: All have big boots to fill, but for one, he simply wanted to be like his dad
The father and son were sitting in the stands above what was then Lewis Field, watching an Oklahoma State football game when...
Pistol Pete at 60: Facts behind the Face of OSU
Pistol Pete is among most iconic mascots in all of college sports. As we celebrate Pete, who became Oklahoma State's official...
Pistol Pete at 60: Unmasking the 89 young men who wore the head
For Pete’s Sake The first Pistol Pete made his appearance during the 1958-59 academic year. In the six decades since, more than...
OU football: Bob Stoops' interest in coaching means more teams will have interest in him
Maybe a few. Maybe a bunch. But rest assured one of the most successful college football coaches of all time has gotten a ring...
National Signing Day: Rowing in OKC making waves on college scene
EDMOND Kate O’Keefe’s sport of choice isn’t offered by her high school, but when her school of choice was announced during the...
Rickie Fowler isn't the only guy with Oklahoma ties who rocked the Phoenix Open
Walk outside and hop on a golf cart, and he could’ve been on the 18th green in minutes. Cozby, a native of Bartlesville and...
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Three quick takeaways from the Thunder's 134-129 loss to the Celtics
Three quick takeaways from the Thunder's 134-129 loss to the Celtics
Sherri Coale and her Sooners facing harsh reality, brutal season — what gives?
On the day the Oklahoma women’s basketball team hosts Texas, a harsh reality has set in. These Sooners could well be headed for...
OU basketball: A look at the Sooners' outgoing transfers since the 2015 season
A look at the players who have transferred from the Oklahoma women's basketball team since the end of the 2015 season:
Super Bowl: Time to pick a team to cheer? Good luck
Even with all the firepower of the Patriots and the Rams, we have no one to cheer. The problem is, neither of these teams is...
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Autographs, selfies new normal for OU gymnast turned hero
Stardom normally reserved on college campuses for the quarterback or the point guard has come to Oklahoma gymnast Maggie...
OU football: How will Alex Grinch fix the Sooner defense? The foundation is turnovers
No coach is going to reveal all his methods and means, but new Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and the position...
OU women's basketball: Ana Llanusa says Sooners must 'play like us'
Oklahoma has lost its last five games, four of which have been on the road, a tough place for a team starting three freshmen...
OU softball: Sydney Romero chasing Olympic dream even if it wasn't how she had planned
Even though Sydney Romero and her older sister, Sierra, have played for USA Softball over the years, they are making the move...
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Thunder Buddies podcast: Burning the Blazers
Welcome to the home of our Thunder Buddies podcast, named, in part, from Universal Studios' comedy 'Ted,' but inspired by our...
Paul George, Thunder put defensive woes behind them
Only seconds into the fourth quarter, Paul George snagged the ball from C.J. McCollum and raced to the other end of the court....
Three things to know about OKC's 123-114 win over Portland
A look at the Thunder's 123-111 win against the Blazers.
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Shut up and tackle? Not if OU wants to remedy racism
On the day our country commemorated civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Oklahoma President Jim Gallogly announced that...
OSU football: Cowboys have top offensive coordinator candidate already on campus
Oklahoma State wide receivers coach Kasey Dunn is bright and talented. He should be at the top of the list of candidates to be...
Today's 3-point craze knows no bounds — just like small-college sharpshooter Addy Clift
Earlier this week, Addy Clift became the all-time leading scorer in the Heartland Conference. Even though the Oklahoma...
OU football: Jalen Hurts' transfer both a boon and a challenge for Lincoln Riley
Lincoln Riley's offensive system is built around accuracy and timing. The past four years, the Sooners hummed along at a...
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Steven Adams' journey to NBA stardom started with unexpected scholarship offer
In the final days of fan voting for the NBA All-Star Game, Steven Adams can strengthen his case for inclusion, starting Tuesday...
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OU football: Kyler Murray faces tough decision because no option is bad
Kyler Murray is getting advice from everyone. But the truth is, the Oklahoma quarterback can't make a bad choice about his...
110-year-old man lived a life of 'uncommon grace'
Delmar Hopkins worked as a janitor on Remington Park's housekeeping staff well into his 100s. Anyone who crossed his path knows...
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OU football: Sooner defense somewhere between top shelf and barrel bottom would be cause for optimism
On the morning after the national title game — another one without the Oklahoma — there is regret among Sooners everywhere. OU...
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OU football: Alex Grinch's hiring raises question about other defensive changes
Oklahoma's new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch is going to need help fixing this defense, so what changes are coming on the...
Texas football: Sam Ehlinger didn't have to say what Longhorns already proved
Texas football has been giving indications that its creamy-center days were over. The Longhorns' physicality wore down Oklahoma...
Mike Gundy offers little on Mike Yurcich's future as Oklahoma State's offensive coordinator
OSU coach Mike Gundy reverted to his famous fart-noise response to a report that Mike Yurich’s office in Stillwater was already...
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Liberty Bowl: Taylor Cornelius joins elite company
MEMPHIS, TENN. Taylor Cornelius held tight to the wings of the giant golden eagle atop the Liberty Bowl's most valuable player...
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Mike Gundy may be in prime but six-win seasons won't prove it
This Oklahoma State team was capable of better this season. The fault for why it wasn't is shared. But ultimately, the buck...
OSU football: Cowboy Justice Hill's absence unfortunate for us, good for him
Oklahoma State running back Justice Hill is part of a growing trend in college football, players who are opting into the NFL...
Find out who made the grade in the Sooners' Orange Bowl loss to Alabama
The Sooners grades mostly reflect the first-half meltdown that saw OU fall behind 28-0. There were some bright spots, though,...
OU vs. Alabama: What it's like being a Tide fan in Sooner land
On the day Alabama and OU meet in the Orange Bowl with a trip to the national championship game on the line, millions of folks...
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Nick Saban stopped lamenting spread offenses and started running one
On the eve of the national semifinal, Nick Saban and Alabama are preparing to face one of the most high-flying, death-defying...
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College Football Playoff expansion must add more than teams
The College Football Playoff has everyone buzzing, but they're not just talking about OU and the other teams in the field....
Oklahoma State football: How Tylan Wallace made a great season out of a tough situation
Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace has a chance to add to an already spectacular season in the Liberty Bowl. As good as...
OU vs. Alabama: The story behind college football's most unlikely star
No player in college football has a more unlikely story than Alabama running back Josh Jacobs. The Tulsa native went from...
No signing on Signing Day? It didn't bring down De'Mariyon Houston
De'Mariyon Houston, one of the best wide receivers in the country, was an observer on Signing Day. He was committed to Texas up...
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Why OU recruiting remains strong despite defensive uncertainty
Signing Day arrives Wednesday, so all of the OU football assistants have been on the recruiting trail in recent weeks. But with...
How an Oklahoma quarterback helped lead North Texas' resurgence
On the day the bowl season kicks off, North Texas will face Utah State in the New Mexico Bowl with a chance to win its 10th...
How keeping coaches has changed Northwest Classen
On a night coaches from Northwest Classen High School will be honored during Fields & Future's annual Bowtie Ball, the case...
Thunder Buddies podcast:Thunder Buddies podcast: OKC plays a different note for the Jazz
Welcome to the home of our Thunder Buddies podcast, named, in part, from Universal Studios' comedy 'Ted,' but inspired by our...
Thunder shows improvement despite Westbrook's misses
On a night when Paul George continued to show why he is in the way-too-early conversation for the league’s MVP, the Thunder...
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Star ratings for all 39 bowl games, from the Cure Bowl to the Orange Bowl
Nearly three weeks of college football gluttony awaits us starting Saturday as the first of 39 FBS-level bowl games kick off....
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Get to know OU's six Heisman winners prior to Kyler Murray
Jenni Carlson breaks down OU's six Heisman winners prior to Kyler Murray
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Fifteen years after Heisman, Jason White hopes Kyler Murray does what he didn't
Even though Jason White won the first in a recent string of Heismans for Oklahoma, Kyler Murray is trying do something White...
Why White won't be at Heisman again
As a former Heisman Trophy winner, Jason White has an open invitation to attend the annual ceremony, but he'll opt out again...
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How David Tenison shepherded Beggs through grief to high school football state finals
On the eve of Beggs' improbable appearance in the Class 2A title game, there are many reasons for this team's success after the...
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My name is Jenni, and I was a Kyler Murray doubter
After Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray was announced Monday as a Heisman Trophy finalist, Oklahoman columnist Jenni Carlson...
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Why bowl season will provide some serious southern exposure for OU and OSU
When Sunday began, neither Oklahoma nor Oklahoma State knew where they were heading for bowl season. It turns out that both...
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2018-19 College Football Bowl schedule: Times, TV, matchups
Check out the bowl destinations for the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Sooners state their case — for the playoff and the Heisman
ARLINGTON, TEXAS Caitlin Riley fell in step with her husband as soon as he walked off the stage after his postgame press...
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Sooners claim Big 12 title No. 12, stake claim on playoff spot
On the day the Sooners won their 12th Big 12 title, secured an unprecedented fourth consecutive conference crown and staked a...
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Why no player is more valuable than Kyler Murray
On a weekend Kyler Murray could carry Oklahoma to a College Football Playoff berth and stake a claim to the Heisman Trophy, he...
Kyler Murray's 5 best moments in 2018
Kyler Murray has made critical plays in crucial times for Oklahoma all season. Oklahoman columnist Jenni Carlson takes a look...
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Why OU-Texas for the Big 12 title will be as weird as it is intense
Oklahoma and Texas will play a football game Saturday somewhere other than the Cotton Bowl. That hasn't happened since 1923...
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Could Big 12 title game be JerryWorld warm-up for OU-Texas move?
The Red River Rivalry and the Cotton Bowl stand on hallowed ground and is under contract through 2025.
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Why style points matter in playoff selection — and why it matters for OU
The College Football Playoff selection committee won't talk about style points. But the committee members are human, so how a...
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OSU at TCU: By the Numbers
A look at the numbers that made the difference in OSU's 31-24 loss at TCU.
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Cowboys are now left to grin and bear their bowl selection
Oklahoma State's offense was dreadful Saturday vs. TCU and now the Cowboys have left their bowl fate in the others' hands.
Why OSU's Tylan Wallace is the best receiver in college football despite the drops
On the day Tylan Wallace will make his closing argument to All-American and Biletinkoff Award voters in Oklahoma State's...
Even after his death, Kayson Toliver is still part of the football team in Beggs
As the teams and the intrigue in the high school football playoffs get better, none can top Beggs. Only three weeks ago, the...
Why OU running back Trey Sermon never had to look far to see how to persevere
On a day when we stop to give thanks, there is no one for whom Oklahoma running back Sermon is more grateful than his mom....
Why college football should celebrate Les Miles’ return to sidelines as Kansas coach
Les Miles is the new football coach at Kansas. The Big 12 just got a lot more fun. Heck, all of college football did. The sport...
OU's win over Kansas was unnecessarily close and it was because of the Sooners' defense
Even though no one should be surprised by how inept this Oklahoma defense is, it continues to do things that shock our...