Oklahoma
No. 21 Oklahoma State faces BYU with possible Big 12 title game berth on the line
BYU (5-6, 2-6 Big 12) at No. 21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 6-2, No. 20 CFP), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Line: Oklahoma State by 16 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Oklahoma State leads 2-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Oklahoma State is well positioned to compete for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game after rallying for a 43-30 win over Houston last week. Depending on what happens in Friday’s games, a win over BYU on Saturday could clinch the berth. The Cowboys are tied with Oklahoma and Kansas State for second place, and they already have defeated both. They have won six of their past seven games under longtime coach Mike Gundy. BYU could become bowl eligible in its first season in the Big 12. The Cougars have qualified for bowl games for five straight years.
KEY MATCHUP
Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II vs. BYU run defense. Gordon is tied for the national rushing lead with 1,414 yards. He had a rough game against UCF before getting back on track with a 164-yard, three-touchdown performance against Houston last week. BYU is among the nation’s worst teams against the run.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BYU: RB Aidan Robbins had a breakout game against Oklahoma last week. He ran for 182 yards on 22 carries and caught two passes for 45 yards in the 31-24 loss. He could provide stability since BYU isn’t sure who will start at quarterback between Kedon Slovis, who has been fighting shoulder and elbow injuries, and Jake Retzlaff.
Oklahoma State: WR Brennan Presley. He leads the conference with 67 receptions. He had 15 catches for 189 yards at Houston — both highs for a Big 12 player this season. He was the top target for Alan Bowman, who passed for a season-high 348 yards against the Cougars.
FACTS & FIGURES
This is the first regular-season game between the programs. Oklahoma State beat BYU 49-21 in the 1976 Tangerine Bowl and 16-6 in the 1974 Fiesta Bowl. … Oklahoma State ranks second nationally in fourth down defense. … Gordon ranks third nationally in all-purpose yards. … Oklahoma State LB Nickolas Martin leads all Big 12 players and ranks 13th in the FBS with 10.2 tackles per game. … Oklahoma State K Alex Hale leads the nation with 24 made field goals. … Retzlaff passed for 173 yards and rushed for 29 in last week’s 31-24 loss to Oklahoma.
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A late-night text from Brent Venables changed the trajectory of Carson Kent’s football career.
Kent, a tight end who played at Kennesaw State in 2024, entered the transfer portal after the season. On a December night, he had his bags packed to visit an unnamed university the next day — but then he received a message from OU’s head coach.
“Coach Venables, he texted me really late at night and asked me to hop on a plane,” Kent said.
A native of Georgia, Kent has long admired the Southeastern Conference and its football prowess. That made his spontaneous decision to visit Norman easier.
“I was honestly kind of speechless when I saw that text,” Kent said. “I was like, ‘Yes, I want to check out that culture.’ Honestly, I should’ve probably been in bed at that time. I probably would’ve missed his text if I went to bed when I should’ve.”
Once Kent arrived in Norman, he knew it was the right spot for him.
“The number one thing was just looking for a genuine team,” Kent said. “I was looking for that. I was visiting a few places. When I got here and met Coach Venables and saw the environment that he’s built, I was sold on it. It seemed like he had a great group of players and coaches that share the mindset.”
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Kent, listed at 6-4 and 244 pounds, played three seasons at Kennesaw State.
In 2022, he appeared in just one game and redshirted. Then, as a redshirt freshman in 2023, he was second on the team with 14 catches. And in his final year at KSU, Kent played in 11 games, finishing the year with 217 yards and three touchdowns on 18 receptions.
In only a few months at OU, Kent has gotten the impression that he’ll play a major role in the Sooners’ offense.
The leadership and knowledge from offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley was another key selling point for Kent.
“Coach Finley, he’s a great guy,” Kent said. “He’s been the same kind of guy since my visit. I’ve loved him, loved how he approaches the game. He was telling me that I’m a good player but I can be a great player.
“(Arbuckle’s) a genius when it comes to offensive philosophy. I’m excited to be in his offense and see what I can do.”
Kent is one of several tight end newcomers on OU’s roster.
The Sooners picked up two others — Will Huggins (Pittsburg State), John Locke Jr. — from the transfer portal. They also signed Trynae Washington, a tight end from Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, in their 2025 recruiting class. OU’s only tight ends returning from 2024 are Kaden Helms, Kade McIntyre and Jaren Kanak, all of whom played minimal roles in 2024.
Offensive lineman Troy Everett believes that Kent will stand out in the new-look tight end room.
“The one that’s really impressed me the most is Carson Kent,” Everett said. “I love all the guys, but Carson Kent, he’s out there catching everything. Ball gets thrown up to him, he’s coming down with it nine out of 10 times.”
After a few months of learning OU’s offense during spring ball, Kent feels prepared to be a key contributor in 2025.
“It’s been great getting to know the offense,” Kent said. “The number one thing is (Arbuckle) knows how to use his personnel. He knows where to put them to go win. Once I finally got in the offense, I was like wow, this can really help my game from route running and blocking.”
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City’s towel tornado tradition explained – How the Thunder soak their reporter in the NBA’s weirdest celebration | NBA News – Times of India
The Oklahoma City Thunder have become one of the NBA’s most exciting teams, not just for their dominant play but for their quirky postgame celebrations. Their latest tradition—drowning sideline reporter Nick Gallo in a cascade of towels—has taken social media by storm, showcasing the team’s youthful energy and camaraderie.
How the OKC Thunder towel celebration works
After a win, Thunder players gather around during postgame interviews with FanDuel Sports Network’s Nick Gallo. As the interview wraps up, players bombard Gallo with towels, piling them on until he’s nearly buried under the fabric. The chaotic yet lighthearted moment has become a signature celebration for the team.The tradition’s exact origins are unclear, but Gallo has been a good sport, often playing along with the team’s antics. Last season, he was part of their barking ritual, and now, the towel shower has become the new viral trend.
The players behind the OKC Thunder’s towel celebration
The entire team gets involved, but key contributors include Aaron Wiggins, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams, and Luguentz Dort. Even MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined in, though he once jokingly scolded his teammates for going too far. After one particularly aggressive towel dump, Gilgeous-Alexander stepped in, saying, “Y’all, you got to chill. I’m sorry Nick. The children, I’m so sorry” (H/t: Sporting News). Gallo, for his part, takes it in stride. He told ESPN’s Malika Andrews that he stays focused on the interview, acknowledging how rare it is to win an NBA game.
Why the OKC Thunder’s towel celebration resonates with fans
The Thunder’s success has made the tradition even more fun to watch. With 68 regular-season wins—tying them for the fifth-most in NBA history—and a deep playoff run, the team has given fans plenty of reasons to celebrate. Their chemistry and playful nature make them one of the league’s most likable squads. As long as the Thunder keep winning, expect more towel showers for Gallo—and more viral moments for fans to enjoy.Also read: Minnesota Timberwolves vs OKC Thunder final injury report for Western Conference Finals Game 4 – Is Julius Randle playing tonight? (May 26, 2025)The Thunder’s towel celebration is more than just a silly postgame ritual—it’s a reflection of a team that’s winning, having fun, and embracing the moment. Whether they’re burying Nick Gallo in towels or cracking jokes mid-interview, Oklahoma City’s chemistry is undeniable. And with a roster this talented and this entertaining, the NBA world can’t look away. So keep an eye on those postgame interviews—because as long as the Thunder keep piling up wins, the towel showers (and the laughs) aren’t stopping anytime soon. Who knows? Maybe Gallo should start bringing a raincoat.
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