Oklahoma
Oklahoma Asks Some Teachers to Return Their 5-Figure Bonuses
With four young children and a fifth on the way, Kristina Stadelman was ecstatic after qualifying for a $50,000 bonus for taking a hard-to-fill job as a special education teacher in Oklahoma. She used the money to finish home improvements and buy a new car for her growing family. Then a letter arrived from the Oklahoma State Department of Education: It told her she received the money in error and must repay it, quickly. “I don’t obviously have the money to pay it back by the end of February,” Stadelman tells the AP. “I came home the day I found out and just cried for two days straight.”
The errant payments, first reported by Oklahoma Watch, and the repayment demands have Oklahoma’s education agency drawing fierce criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, some of whom say teachers shouldn’t be forced to give the money back. Average teacher pay in Oklahoma is about $54,800, which ranks 38th in the country, according to the National Education Association.
The bonuses were awarded under an Oklahoma program that’s intended to help recruit new teachers for the most difficult jobs to fill. Oklahoma Watch reported that at least nine teachers were asked to return bonuses ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. A total of $185,000 went to teachers who didn’t qualify for the program at all, and $105,000 was overpaid to teachers who qualified for a lesser amount, the outlet reported. Stadelman said the letter she received said she was ineligible because she’d been employed as a full-time special education teacher in another district last year; she said she indicated that on her application.
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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, who implemented the program, suggested in a memo sent Monday to legislative leaders that some of the errant bonuses were because teachers had “misrepresented their experience and qualifications.” He blamed the media for much of the fallout, writing they “exclud[ed] vital details on the contracts and our auditing system. Over 500 teachers were recruited to Oklahoma classrooms through this program.” Still, lawmakers from both parties have leveled fierce criticism at Walters and the agency. “It was up to the State Department of Education to provide proper oversight in the vetting and approval of the bonus recipients,” said state Rep. Rhonda Baker, chair of the House Common Education Committee.
(More teacher stories.)
Oklahoma
SEC Fines OU $200,000 After Fans Storm Field Twice In Win Over Alabama
The Southeastern Conference announced Sunday that the University of Oklahoma has been fined $200,000 for violations of the league’s access to competition area policy during and after its game against Alabama on Nov. 23.
Oklahoma fans stormed the field twice during the Sooners’ stunning 24-3 victory over the No. 7 Crimson Tide. The first violation occurred when fans prematurely entered the field before the game clock expired, causing a delay in the contest. The second violation came when fans fully stormed the field after the final whistle to celebrate the upset win on Senior Night.
The $200,000 fine includes $100,000 for Oklahoma’s first offense under the SEC’s revised policy and an additional $100,000 for the premature on-field entry. Fines collected for these violations are directed to the opposing institution.
The SEC’s access to competition area policy, designed to protect the safety of players, coaches, officials, and fans, prohibits spectators from entering the field at any time before, during, or after games. The policy applies to all sports sponsored by the conference and was last updated at the SEC Spring Meetings in 2023.
“This policy is in place to ensure the safety of everyone involved,” the SEC stated. Penalties for violations range from $100,000 for a first offense to $250,000 for a second and $500,000 for subsequent offenses.
Oklahoma’s historic victory over Alabama marked its first on-field celebration at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in over two decades. Despite the fines, the Sooners’ triumph stands as a defining moment in their inaugural SEC season.
Sunday evening the OU Athletics Department said they did not have a statement regarding the fine.
Oklahoma
Country Music Star Leads Packed Football Stadium In Chilling Toby Keith Tribute: WATCH
Riley Green led Oklahoma fans in a very touching Toby Keith tribute over the weekend.
The Sooners pulled off a shocking 24-3 upset over Alabama in Norman Saturday night, and one of the coolest moments was when Green led the crowd in singing a classic Toby Keith song:
“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
Riley Green leads Oklahoma fans in honoring Toby Keith.
The country music icon was a huge Oklahoma fan, and the football team has been honoring him all season long with fans singing his songs.
The moment from Saturday might have been the best as Riley Green led fans in singing the legendary pro-America song.
Check it out below, and let me know what you think at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
There’s no doubt that’s an awesome and chilling moment. Seeing a packed Oklahoma stadium rocking out to Toby Keith with Riley Green leading the way is epic.
There’s no other way to describe it. Keith is among the most famous country music singers to ever walk the planet, and he passed away at the age of 62 after battling stomach cancer.
His death was nothing short of heartbreaking for country music fans. Yet, his legacy lives on, and that was on display Saturday night in Norman.
Props to the Sooners and Riley Green for honoring Toby Keith. You simply love to see it. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
Oklahoma
PFF notebook: What the numbers say about Alabama's loss to Oklahoma
PFF notebook: What the numbers say about Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma
After defeating LSU on the road in Week 11, Alabama looked like a shoo-in for the College Football Playoff and had the inside track for the SEC Championship. However, two weeks later, the Crimson Tide’s momentum came to a halt as the 5-5 Oklahoma Sooners delivered a shocking 24-3 defeat in Norman, turning a trip to the Palace on the Prairie into a nightmare for Alabama.
Alabama couldn’t find its footing in any way, shape or form. The Crimson Tide’s typically potent rushing attack was suffocated by a strong Oklahoma defense, while Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold carved up Alabama’s defense with his legs, delivering a standout performance that kept the Tide trailing the whole game. Even Alabama’s special teams had their blunders, with typically reliable punter James Burnip having several self-inflicted errors throughout the game.
“Extremely disappointed. Frustrated,” said Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. “We worked extremely hard, I thought, all week putting a plan together all week. Guys had good energy and were excited to come here on the road. We’ve just got to play better. We’ve got to be better.”
Before we turn the page to the now No. 13 Alabama’s matchup with Auburn in the Iron Bowl here’s a look at the Tide’s Week 13 performance through the lens of Pro Football Focus.
TOP PERFORMERS
Offense
(Player, position — offensive grade)
Parker Brailsford, C — 70.5
The Washington transfer finished as the highest-graded offensive player in Alabama’s 21-point loss to Oklahoma. Among each offensive lineman who took at least one pass-blocking snap against the Sooners, Brailsford was the only one not to allow a pressure, although he did chart one penalty for the Crimson Tide.
Josh Cuevas, TE — 69.2
Cuevas finished with 40 receiving yards on two receptions, his second straight game hauling in two catches for at least 40 yards, helping him finish with a 71.6 receiving grade against Oklahoma. Unfortunately for the hybrid offensive piece, Cuevas allowed his first pressure of the season as a QB hit.
Jalen Milroe, QB — 67.7
Although Milroe cracks into the top three, his placement here shows how abysmal Alabama’s offense was against the Sooners. Milroe’s grade was the second lowest of the season for the junior quarterback while simultaneously finishing with his lowest-graded rushing performance this year. In the passing attack, Milroe only charted one turnover-worthy play despite the career-high three interceptions.
Defense
(Player, position — defensive grade)
Tim Smith, DT — 82.5
The fifth-year defensive lineman was Alabama’s most consistent defender in the 24-3 loss to the Sooners, finishing with Alabama’s second-highest run defense grade, 78.0, and charting a lone pressure. Smith finished the day with four tackles on 38 snaps.
DeVonta Smith — 74.1
Smith had a good game against the Sooners, totaling eight tackles and finishing with Alabama’s third-highest tackle rating (83.1). The defensive back allowed one reception for five yards in coverage,
Malachi Moore — 73.9
Alabama’s defensive leader, Moore, is set to play in his final regular season game for the Crimson Tide in the upcoming Iron Bowl, but had a solid performance in his final SEC road game. Moore finished the day with 10 tackles and a team-leading 74.7 grade in coverage.
Qua Russaw, OLB – 73.5
Russaw lands in the top four with a consistent performance across the board. The redshirt freshman finished with four tackles and above a 70.0 grade in each overall defense, run defense tackling and coverage.
TOP BLOCKERS
Pass blocking
Jam Miller — 85.5 (10-pass-blocking-snaps)
Tyler Booker — 83.0 (34-pass-blocking-snaps)
Jaeden Roberts — 78.5 (24-pass-blocking-snaps)
Parker Brailsford — 74.1 (24-pass-blocking-snaps)
Geno VnDeMark — 70.3 (10-pass-blocking-snaps)
Outlook: Alabama’s pass blocking finished with its second-lowest overall grade of the season, 59.0, only behind Alabama’s Week 8 loss to Tennesee. The Crimson Tide blockers allowed 12 pressures in total, with Elijah Pritchett allowing five; this was his fifth time of the season allowing at least three pressures in a game. The unit also totaled four penalties against the Sooners.
Run blocking
Kadyn Proctor — 67.7 (29-run-blocking-snaps)
Parker Brailsford — 66.8 (29-run-blocking-snaps)
Jam Miller — 64.3 (12-run-blocking-snaps)
Outlook: Alabama’s run blocking also turned in its second-lowest grade of the season, 53.9. The Crimson Tide’s run game was abysmal against Oklahoma, only rushing for 70 yards on 30 attempts (2.3 yards per carry)
PASSING DEPTH
Jalen Milroe
Deep (20+ yards past LOS): 2 of 5 for 62 yards, 1 interception
Medium (10-19 yards past LOS): 1 of 3 for 15 yards
Short (0-9 yards past LOS): 6 of 12 for 73 yards, 1 interception
Behind LOS: 2 of 4 for 14 yards, 1 interception
Ty Simpson
Behind LOS: 0 of 1
Outlook: Jalen Milroe delivered his least efficient passing performance of the season against Oklahoma, finishing with an adjusted completion rate of 62.5% and recording his first turnover-worthy play in four games. Despite the interception, Milroe showed flashes in his deep passing game, logging two big-time throws and nearly a third, which was taken away by an illegal touching penalty on Alabama after Ryan Williams caught a fourth-quarter touchdown. Milroe’s passing in the short game was abysmal, finishing with a 50.2 grade on those passes, but three drops from his receivers also impacted his play in the range of the field.
TRUE FRESHMAN SNAP COUNTS
Players with Snaps:
Zabien Brown — 66 snaps (58 wide, 5 FG/XP block, 3 box) — Starter
Ryan Williams — 66 snaps (46 wide, 17 slot, 3 punt return) — Starter
Caleb Odom — 27 snaps (10 wide, 9 slot, 5 kick return, 3 punt return)
Justin Okoronkwo — 14 snaps (5 kick return, 4 punt coverage, 3 punt return, 2 kick coverage)
Zavier Mincey — 13 snaps (5 kick return, 4 kick coverage, 2 punt coverage, 2 kick coverage)
Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. — 10 snaps (5 kick return, 3 punt return, 2 kick coverage)
Red Morgan — 7 snaps (5 kick return, 2 kick coverage)
Jaylen Mbakwe — 7 snaps (4 punt coverage, 3 punt return)
Isaia Faga — 4 snaps (3 d-line, 1 FG/XP block)
Cayden Jones — 3 snaps (3 punt return)
Daniel Hill — 3 snaps (3 punt return)
Players with No Snaps (Alphabetical):
Amari Jefferson
Bubba Hampton
Casey Poe
Jay Lindsey
Jayshawn Ross
Jeremiah Beaman
Joseph Ionata
Kevin Riley
Noah Carter
QB Reese
Rico Scott
Sterling Dixon
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