Oklahoma
Five Most Impactful Players During Oklahoma’s ‘Red November’
NORMAN — Before the season, Oklahoma’s November schedule looked daunting.
And though a couple of the games had a bit less bite than they might’ve appeared early in the season, it was still as tough of a closing stretch as there was in college football.
The Sooners rose to the occasion, with road wins over Tennessee and Alabama and home victories over Missouri and LSU.
With the victories, OU is almost certainly heading to the College Football Playoff when the field is announced Sunday.
Here’s a look at the Sooners’ five most impactful players during their November run (in alphabetical order):
Read More Oklahoma Football
Eli Bowen, Cornerback
Bowen and his brother came up huge during the closing run.
The younger of the two had the flashiest play, an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown against Alabama that put the Sooners up 10-0 late in the first quarter.
Bowen also had an interception against Missouri, sealing the game with his pick in the final minute.
Peyton Bowen, Safety
Bowen had interceptions against Tennessee and LSU.
Against the Volunteers, he picked off Joey Aguilar late in the second quarter and returned it 37 yards to the OU 41, helping set up Tate Sandell’s 51-yard field goal that put the Sooners ahead 13-10.
His interception against LSU might’ve been even bigger.
Just after John Mateer was intercepted in the first quarter, then made a touchdown-saving tackle at the OU 4, Bowen picked off Michael Van Buren Jr. in the end zone.
The Sooners wound up having to punt the ball away on the drive but keeping the Tigers without a score there was huge.
Bowen also blocked a field goal in the second quarter against Missouri, with OU trailing 3-0.
Moments later, Isaiah Sategna’s 87-yard touchdown reception but the Sooners on top.
Gracen Halton, Defensive Tackle
There were plenty of candidates among the defensive line — R Mason Thomas had the incredible fumble return against Tennessee, but was hurt on the play and didn’t play again the rest of the regular season, and Taylor Wein was excellent during the month helping the Sooners not skip a beat without Thomas. But Halton’s disruption stood out among the group.
The stats don’t do justice to how good Halton was during the month, but his 82.8 PFF grade against LSU gives plenty of insight into his value during the month.
Tate Sandell, Kicker
Sandell might be the Sooners’ Most Valuable Player for the season, and certainly showed his worth during November.
He went 9 for 9 on field goals and 9 for 9 on extra points. Four of Sandell’s field goals during the month came from more than 50 yards.
Sandell was particular impactful against Tennessee, when he hit three second-quarter field goals — two longer than 50 yards — to send OU into the half with a 16-10 lead.
At this point, it would be a surprise if Sandell didn’t become the Sooners’ first Lou Groza Award winner after making 23 consecutive field-goal tries after his first try of the season missed and going 32 of 32 on extra points.
Isaiah Sategna, Wide Receiver
Sategna separated himself as the Sooners’ top receiver well before November, with big games against Auburn and Ole Miss in particular.
But Sategna took things to another level in the season’s final month, with a combined 22 catches for 324 yards and two touchdowns during the month.
Sategna’s 87-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against Missouri was huge, as was his 42-yard punt return against Alabama.
Other Candidates
Owen Heinecke, Grayson Miller, Febechi Nwaiwu, Eddy Pierre-Louis, Robert Spears-Jennings, Taylor Wein
Oklahoma
Person dies after jumping from bridge near I-40 and I-35 in Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) says a person died Tuesday after jumping from a bridge near the I-40 and I-35 interchange in Oklahoma City, prompting an ongoing law enforcement investigation.
Troopers say the response created traffic delays in the area as law enforcement worked the scene.
Drivers should expect delays and consider alternate routes until the scene is cleared, officials said.
OHP says more information will be released as the investigation continues.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Contemporary to host free ‘Polar Party’ event with winter activities
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center is inviting families, children and community members to participate in its monthly Second Saturday program.
Organizers say Second Saturday is a free afternoon of hands-on art-making and gallery exploration held on the second Saturday of each month.
Families can enjoy guided activities, family-friendly gallery chats and take-home art experiences designed for all ages. Materials are provided at no cost, and no advance registration is required.
Periodically, the center expands the event into Second Saturday XL, which is a larger celebration featuring multiple art stations, performances and seasonal programming across the Oklahoma Contemporary campus.
The upcoming Second Saturday XL: Polar Party is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, from 1 p.m. 5 p.m.
Guests can take part in winter-themed projects, including wreath making, cookie decorating and snow-globe crafting, along with music, treats and additional family activities throughout the center.
See the full lineup of activities here.
All programming is free and open to the public.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair resigns due to personal reasons
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA (KOKH) — The Oklahoma Democratic Party has announced a new Chair following Representative John Waldron’s resignation due to personal reasons.
Waldron serves as the Representative for Oklahoma House District 77 and announced his resignation on Monday.
“It is with sincere consideration that I announce my resignation as Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party for personal reasons,” Waldron said. “With the legislative session coming up and pressing family commitments, I am handing over the reins to my capable partners on the executive committee. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in revitalizing our party statewide over the past six months and I’m confident that work will continue under Erin Brewer’s leadership. Put simply, I’ve been pushing myself too hard, working four jobs very intensively this year. I lost my mother in October and my son is a junior in high school. I need to focus on my family and my own health. Thanks for understanding.”
The Oklahoma Democratic Party Vice Chair Erin Brewer has assumed the role of Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. According to the Oklahoma Democrats, Brewer is hitting the ground running and continuing to bring her strong track record of relentless organizing, policy expertise, and ability to mobilize resources and voters to the table.
Brewer said she is ready to continue Waldron’s work and keep up the momentum.
“Over the last six months, Oklahoma Democrats have knocked thousands of doors, cheered as 100 candidates have stepped up to run for office, rebuilt our county party operations, earned the trust of donors large and small, and elevated our visibility and brand statewide,” Chair Erin Brewer said. “We are ready to maintain and expand this momentum into 2026. I am beyond grateful to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters.”
The Oklahoma Democratic Party said it is confident in the ongoing partnership of its elected officials, staff, local Democratic organizations, and State Central Committee, stating:
“We will continue to make progress toward our goal of flipping seats in 2026. It is as important as ever that we remain singularly focused on our mission to engage, connect, and organize in order to elect more Democrats across Oklahoma.”
The party said it is thankful for Waldron and what he did for the party during his time as chair:
“We are beyond grateful for his service to our state and party, particularly his commitment to building a strong slate of candidates for 2026.
For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.
-
Alaska3 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Politics1 week agoTrump rips Somali community as federal agents reportedly eye Minnesota enforcement sweep
-
Ohio6 days ago
Who do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
News1 week agoTrump threatens strikes on any country he claims makes drugs for US
-
World1 week agoHonduras election council member accuses colleague of ‘intimidation’
-
Texas4 days agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Iowa2 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Miami, FL3 days agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion