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Former Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield

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Former Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield


Facing the NFL’s No. 1-ranked scoring defense was no big deal for Baker Mayfield.

The former Oklahoma star roasted the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at LA’s SoFi Stadium, leading Tampa Bay to a massive 40-17 victory.

Mayfield completed 22-of-27 passes and threw for 288 yards and four touchdowns as the Buccaneers won their fourth game in a row, improved to 8-6 overall and seized control of the NFC South standings.

Mayfield hooked up with Mike Evans nine times for 159 yards and third-quarter touchdowns of 57 yards and 35 yards as the Bucs overcame a three-point halftime deficit with a 17-0 outburst in the third quarter.

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It was a big day for Evans — who missed three games earlier this season with a hamstring injury — as the future Hall of Famer now has 103 career receiving TDs.

For Mayfield, his four passing TDs give him a career-high 32 on the season. That total ranks third in the NFL.

The Chargers (8-6) got two touchdown throws from Justin Herbert — one in the first quarter and one in the second — as LA took a 17-10 lead. But in the third quarter, the Bucs defense came down with Herbert’s second interception of the season, ending a streak of 357 consecutive passes without a pick, and Mayfield and the Bucs offense poured it on.

Rookie Jalen McMillan began things with a 26-yard touchdown grab from Mayfield on the game’s opening drive. It was the Bucs’ seventh touchdown on an opening drive this season — tied with Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals for the most in the NFL.

After Mayfield found Evans twice for scores in the third quarter — the first one a long catch and run down the left sideline, the second a deep ball over the top to Evans in the end zone — Mayfield then dropped a check down throw to Rachaad White, who sliced through traffic for an 11-yard touchdown that put the Bucs up 37-17.

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While the Tampa defense was holding the Chargers to just 207 total yards, Mayfield and the Bucs offense was compiling 505 yards and coasting to a comfortable victory.

With Atlanta’s four consecutive losses, Tampa has surged to a two-game lead in the NFC South with just three games to play — at Dallas, home versus Carolina and home versus New Orleans — and all three currently have a losing record. The Bucs have won three straight NFC South titles.

Mayfield also came into the week ranked seventh in the NFL with 3,329 passing yards. His performance Sunday gives him 3,617 this season, which stands as the fourth-best total of his career with three games still to play.



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Oklahoma Offensive Lineman Says He’ll Enter Transfer Portal

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Oklahoma Offensive Lineman Says He’ll Enter Transfer Portal


Another offensive lineman from Oklahoma’s heralded 2024 group of freshman has decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Third-year sophomore tackle Isaiah Autry-Dent announced Monday on social media that he’ll be entering the portal when it opens on Jan. 2.

“I’m truly grateful for the incredible, life-changing experience I’ve had at the University of Oklahoma,” he wrote. “The dedication of the staff, the camaraderie with my teammates, and the unwavering support from the fans have made this journey unforgettable. I’ve learned lessons on and off the field that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I’m thankful for every moment, every challenge and every triumph along the way.”

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Dent added that he’s “given it a great deal of thought and prayed for guidance” but intends to leave OU with 3-4 years of eligibility remaining and is “excited about exploring new opportunities to continue growing as a player and as a person.”

Dent was one of five offensive linemen signed in the 2024 class, and he’s the third one to leave, joining Eugene Brooks and Josh Aisosa. After just two seasons, only Eddy Pierre-Louis and Daniel Akinkunmi remain.

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Dent was listed at 304 pounds as a true freshman but in July checked in at 317 pounds — the biggest overall weight gain of any offensive player, which was a reflection of his hard work and dedication as the OU offensive line made an offseason mandate to get bigger and stronger.

Last spring, senior center Troy Everett was asked to assess Dent’s progress following his freshman season.

“Isaiah works hard,” Everett said. “Isaiah’s going to be great. Isaiah, right now, he’s just got to get comfortable when he’s out there, but that goes for every young guy.” 


Read More Transfer Portal News

OU Transfer Portal Tracker
Oklahoma LB to Enter Portal
What Positions Must Oklahoma Address in the Portal?


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Dent played in just one game — against Maine — and logged just 26 snaps on offense and nine snaps on special teams during the 2024 season, then didn’t get on the field at all in 2025.  

The former 3-star prospect from Fulton, MS, is a second cousin to former OU running back Marcus Dupree. His mother, Pashen Dent-Autry, was a two-time national champion basketball player for Tennessee legend Pat Summitt.

Autry was a consensus 3-star prospect coming out as a high school All-American at Itawamba Agricultural High School, where he was a 6-foot-7, 300-pound standout.

Autry picked the Sooners over Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Ole Miss, among others, and could have plenty of options.

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Alabama may not be done after capitalizing on clean slate of College Football Playoff

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Alabama may not be done after capitalizing on clean slate of College Football Playoff


Sometimes, all that matters is getting in.

Then, anything can happen.

The postseason is unique in that way, no matter the sport. It can have a cleansing effect, providing a clean slate.

Maybe that’s what is happening with Alabama. I stand by my column the weekend the College Football Playoff pairings were announced, that Notre Dame deserved a spot over the Crimson Tide, that how a team finishes should matter. Alabama hadn’t been very good to close the regular season. It nearly lost to mediocre SEC opponents South Carolina, LSU and Auburn, fell to Oklahoma and was crushed by Georgia in the SEC championship game.

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Rising insurance premiums strain Oklahoma families as Congress stalls

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Rising insurance premiums strain Oklahoma families as Congress stalls


OKLAHOMA CITY –

Insurance affordability is becoming a growing concern for Oklahoma families as premiums rise across health, homeowners and auto coverage, with little action from Congress to slow the increases.

Lawmakers and policy advocates say insurance costs are rising faster than many households can afford, forcing families to choose between keeping coverage, accepting higher deductibles or dropping insurance altogether.

Health insurance premiums remain a particular concern as Oklahoma continues to rank near the bottom nationally for overall health outcomes, increasing the stakes for families who rely on consistent coverage.

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Frustration with federal inaction

During recent discussions on Your Vote Counts, state leaders expressed frustration that Congress left Washington for the holiday recess without advancing legislation aimed at stabilizing insurance markets or easing premium increases.

Federal officials had previously discussed proposals to offset rising costs, including direct payments to consumers, but no agreement was reached before the recess.

Rising costs across all coverage types

Rising costs are not limited to health coverage. Homeowners and auto insurance premiums have also climbed sharply, driven by inflation, higher repair costs and an increase in insurance claims nationwide.

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Some lawmakers fear the cumulative impact could push more Oklahomans out of the insurance market entirely, particularly younger adults who may choose to go without coverage.

Watch part 2 of Your Vote Counts in the player below





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