Oklahoma
Oklahoma Kicker Tyler Keltner Has a Big Personality and Bigger Confidence
NORMAN — Oklahoma kicker Tyler Keltner has a boyish face and a slight frame.
But his personality belies his appearance, projecting through and overpowering any preconceived notions that he looks “young” or “small.”
And yet, his confidence, his humility and his right leg are even bigger than any of that.
That became evident on Friday night, when Brent Venables called on Keltner to kick a 50-yard field goal in the first quarter, and Keltner calmly stepped up and drove it right down Main Street. It was the Sooners’ first 50-yarder in three years, but for Keltner, it was no big deal.
“You might not believe me,” Keltner said after practice Monday, “but I get more nervous watching kickers on TV than me when I’m kicking by myself. When it’s me out there in a game, there’s a certain calmness that comes through.
“I think it’s just everybody practicing. I’m just so confident in everybody and confident in what I do. I go out there and it’s just like, pure bliss watching people on TV kick. … I’m like, ‘What are they going to do? How’s their operation? And they’ve been practicing? What are they doing?’ But when it’s us and when it’s me, it’s just the best feeling in the world.”
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Keltner is OU’s first-ever SEC Player of the Week, landing the league’s special teams accolades a perfect night with three field goals and six PATs.
Friday night in front of 80,000 citizens of Sooner Nation was a big, big step for Keltner, who beat out two-year starter Zach Schmit for the job. In four years as the starting kicker at East Tennessee State, he never saw a crowd like the one that watched OU beat Temple 51-3. Even last year, when he kicked one just PAT for Florida State — late in a November home victory over North Alabama — the announced attendance at Doak Campbell Stadium was 79,560, and most of them had cleared out by the time he lined up for the extra point.
“It’s just nice to be playing again through all the waiting, then all the work in the last two years,” Keltner said. “I truly feel like I’ve gotten a little bit better over the last two years. It’s just fun to go out there and just have fun with it again.”
He left a four-time All-Southern Conference career at ETSU to join his hometown Seminoles, but he couldn’t beat out Ryan Fitzgerald. So he hit the transfer portal one more time, landing in Norman with all the confidence in the world.
That confidence only grew once he got to OU. Keltner said a preseason training camp visit from Sooners linebacker legend Teddy Lehman gave everyone a fresh perspective, specifically how all the work they’ve put in starting in January means the 2024 season is already halfway over.
“When I think about how much work we’ve put in, how much running, kicking, all this and that, why wouldn’t I come out and feel some sort of confidence in all of that?” Keltner said. “It’d be disrespectful to the team and the university if I didn’t.”
Keltner was similarly grateful to get to play last year for the Seminoles. He grew up in Tallahassee rooting for FSU, and as the ‘Noles went undefeated last year, he got great joy out of it.
“That was a great team to wait on kicking for,” he said. “So I had a good time. I learned a lot about myself and my routine. I just really learned about my love for the game again. So just to get back and show all that again is such an unreal experience.”
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To listen to Keltner talk about college football, and OU football in particular, is to hear a young man who is is humbled by his good fortune in life.
“Just hearing guys talk about this field has been here for 100 years,” he said. “Seriously, that gives me goosebumps right now because I can’t fathom that. That was when my great-grandparents were being born. Like, come on.
“When you think about how many people stepped on this field and put their best foot forward and represented OU, that humbles me almost instantly. So I can walk out here and feel comfortable knowing that I’m representing them and I’ve got to put my best forward to honor that.”
Keltner beat out Schmit in a competition that was “as close as it can be,” he said. “I think me coming in here helped him and I think seeing how good he was, it helped me out. It really was an iron sharpening iron situation.”
“Just, there’s a body of work, and not just the training camp,” Venables said after the game Friday. “There’s the summer, there’s the spring, it’s a body of work, and he’s shown with his career he’s getting in the games, he made most of them, and so he had a good track record that way. But Zach had a great camp too, and as I said it, we went in, just made a decision, ‘This is what we were going to do.’ And, you know, glad for Tyler stepping up and executing. Really nice job in his debut.”
Keltner also gained an appreciation for Schmit’s ball-striking consistency and the power in Schmit’s right leg, which produced seven touchbacks among his 10 kickoffs.
“I was just telling somebody earlier that I’m not sure if I would have had the night I had if Zach Schmit didn’t have the night that he had,” Keltner said. “I mean talk about 10 kickoffs — we scored 10 times. That doesn’t happen too often. … When you have 10 kickoffs, that’s going to destroy anybody’s leg, especially if you’re doing both. So props to him. He’s such a massive, massive support beam for this team. We’re both just doing what we can to help this team out.”
While Keltner’s 50-yard missile was probably the most fun kick he had last week, the most stressful was a PAT on which the snap was inside and the hold was dropped. But holder Josh Plaster still gathered the ball and got it down just enough for Keltner to slap it through.
“Let’s thank soccer for that one,” Keltner said. “I’ve played soccer for a long time, and in those moments, when you walk out under these lights, your natural instincts coming out. The lights are on, there are fans in the crowd and everybody kinda blacks out a little bit.
“Soccer in my background, that has a lot to do with it.”
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is competing once again in the American Association of State Troopers’ Best Looking Cruiser Contest, this time showcasing the agency’s history alongside its modern fleet.
The entry features OHP’s restored 1937 Ford patrol car paired with a current Chevrolet Tahoe, highlighting nearly nine decades of the agency’s patrol vehicle tradition.
OHP highlights historic patrol car
According to OHP, the contest entry celebrates the agency’s original 1937 Ford patrol car and its connection to the modern Chevrolet Tahoe used by troopers today.
The agency says the iconic black-and-white “dovetail” paint scheme debuted on the 1937 Ford, with the white paint wrapping over the rear wheel wells. OHP says that design became the foundation for the look that continues to represent the agency today.
How voting works
The Best Looking Cruiser Contest is decided by public vote here.
OHP says each device is allowed one vote, and every vote is important as the agency competes against perennial favorites for a chance to earn a spot in the 2027 American Association of State Troopers calendar.
Looking to improve on last year
Oklahoma finished eighth in the nation in last year’s Best Looking Cruiser Contest.
The agency is hoping this year’s entry featuring both its historic 1937 Ford and modern Chevrolet Tahoe will help improve its finish and secure a place in the 2027 calendar.
“As Route 66 celebrates its 100th birthday, we wanted to honor the most iconic highway in America and the Oklahoma Troopers who have patrolled it for generations,” OHP said. “Since 1937, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers have traveled its pavement, assisted stranded motorists, investigated crashes, enforced traffic laws, and answered calls for service along the Mother Road. Route 66 isn’t just a historic highway to us—it’s part of our history.”
In this week’s Your Vote Counts, Oklahoma’s Own Scott Mitchell leads Jason Dunnington and Sen. Paul Rosino in a discussion about new Oklahoma laws, including those addressing data centers. Other topics include inflation and the ongoing impact of the war in Iran.
Looking for the perfect spot to celebrate Independence Day in Oklahoma this year? From massive fireworks displays over Grand Lake to food truck festivals and live music across the OKC metro, communities are pulling out all the stops to celebrate the Declaration of Independence. Grab your lawn chairs, round up the family, and get ready for an unforgettable week of summer fun. Here is your ultimate guide to the best Fourth of July events happening right in your backyard!
Key takeaways
- The bigger picture: Oklahoma communities are going all out for Independence Day in 2026, with celebrations spanning from Norman’s four-day Fourth Fest to major fireworks displays in Edmond, Tulsa, and on Grand Lake — giving families across the state plenty of options close to home.
- More details: Highlights include Liberty Fest in Edmond, one of the largest fireworks displays in the metro area, the Duck Creek Fireworks on Grand Lake featuring a War Bird flyover tribute synchronized to patriotic music, and Tribute to Liberty in Midwest City, which combines live music, a laser show, and fireworks in honor of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary.
- Why this matters: This year’s celebrations carry extra weight as part of America’s semiquincentennial, with several events — including Tribute to Liberty and the Duck Creek Fireworks — built around honoring both the nation’s founding and the service members who’ve defended it.
- Date: 9:45 p.m. July 1-4
- Location: Reaves Park; 2501 S Jenkins Ave., Norman
This year’s Fourth Fest is bigger than ever before, spanning four days. The city has added additional programming across multiple parks. Before the fireworks, enjoy a wide range of attractions including bouncy houses, local vendors, food trucks, pony rides, and a petting zoo. The fireworks show begins at 9:45 p.m. on July 4.
- Date: 8:30 p.m. July 3
- Location: Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7th St., Oklahoma City
OKCPHIL’s Red, White, and Boom concert is a high-energy celebration that brings the community together for an unforgettable summer evening of music. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic performs a vibrant program of American classics, fan favorites, and patriotic anthems.
- Date: 6-10 p.m. July 3
- Location: Boomer Lake Park; 2310 E Lakeview Road, Stillwater
This Independence Day celebration will include area vendors, food trucks, hometown hospitality, and a fireworks show. Free parking will be available at Stillwater High School’s Pioneer Stadium.
- Date: July 3-4
- Location: Yukon City Park & Chisholm Trail Park, 2200 S Holly Ave., Yukon
Bring the whole family to Freedom Fest in Yukon! Experience a lineup of live outdoor concerts, peruse the food trucks on site, and enjoy the activities for kids.
- Date: 2-10 p.m. July 4
- Location: Buck Thomas Park, 1903 NE 12th St., Moore
Enjoy one of the largest fireworks shows in the state with food trucks, vendors, and activities throughout the day. Admission is free. Fireworks will begin around 9:45 p.m.
- Date: 7-10 p.m. July 4
- Location: Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave., Midwest City
Bring your chairs and join Midwest City in its celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Enjoy food trucks, games, The Wise Guys performing live on stage, a huge fireworks display, and a laser show.
- Date: 9:30 p.m. July 4
- Location: University of Central Oklahoma; 100 N University Drive, Edmond
Liberty Fest’s grand finale is one of the largest fireworks displays in the metro area. Bring your entire family to witness the spectacular show. Parking is available in lots on campus.
- Date: July 4
- Location: Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, 32888 S 4507 Road, No. 8123, Afton
Duck Creek Fireworks is the longest-running tradition on Grand Lake. Keep an eye out for the highly anticipated War Bird flyover, a tribute to the men and women serving overseas. The fireworks, beginning at sunset, will be synchronized to patriotic music.
- Date: July 4
- Location: River West Festival Park, 2100 S Jackson Ave., Tulsa
Celebrate America’s independence at Tulsa’s annual FreedomFest celebration. This celebration includes all-ages entertainment and a variety of activities and tasty concessions. FreedomFest features one of the largest free fireworks displays in Oklahoma.
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