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Oklahoma RB Taylor Tatum Showed Why He’s Ready for More Action

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Oklahoma RB Taylor Tatum Showed Why He’s Ready for More Action


NORMAN — Does Oklahoma have a running back controversy?

Of course not. It’s one game into the season. Friday’s opponent, Temple, wasn’t very good. The Sooners face a daunting SEC schedule. Over the next three months, DeMarco Murray is going to need every one of them at different times this year.

But no one can deny that OU freshman Taylor Tatum looked pretty special in his college debut against the Owls.

“Yeah, you can see his explosiveness, and he’s got great power,” coach Brent Venables said Friday night. 

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Murray, Venables’ running backs coach and himself a Sooner gridiron legend, was serving a one-game NCAA suspension for Level II recruiting violations. He wasn’t on the sidelines Friday. But if he was, would he have gotten Tatum a little more work?

Tatum, a freshman from Longview, TX, went into the opener listed fourth on the depth chart. He finished with just four carries. But he led the team with 66 yards rushing as the Sooners rolled to an easy 51-3 win.

“Oh, it felt great,” Tatum said. “And there’s no other place I’d rather do it. Just all the people, the crowd was definitely into it tonight. The stadium felt even bigger when you’re (in) it – better than when you’re a recruit on the sideline looking in. So … you just have a burst of adrenaline. I haven’t been hit since last year, like November. So just getting hit again, getting live-action speed again was definitely a great feeling.”

Tatum sliced off a 4-yard run on his first carry in the first quarter, a sudden, one-cut burst up the middle in which he made a defender miss at the line of scrimmage.

His second carry came midway through the fourth quarter, when he got the offense off the goal line with a 19-yard scamper. 

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“Just be a running back,” Tatum said. “Find the hole, get vertical, make a couple moves and just make as many yards as you can.”

Two plays later, he caught a short pass from Michael Hawkins and gained 3 yards.

On the next play, he took a handoff up the middle, accelerated outside to the right and sprinted upfield for a 35-yard gain, the Sooners’ longest run of the night.

“I’m sure I just saw the hole,” Tatum said. “It was probably designed inside run. Linebacker fit the hole he was supposed to fit. I just – we both did our jobs. Found a hole, made a play. That’s probably what happened.”

Then he finished off that drive by taking a third-down option pitch from Hawkins, cutting upfield and scooting inside the pylon for OU’s only third-down conversion and final touchdown.

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“I feel like on the whole we did pretty good,” Tatum said. “You score that many points, you’re doing something good. But obviously there’s always something to get better. Receivers blocked their butts off, o-line blocked their butts off. We still had some missed assignments. Everybody had something they could improve on tonight. Obviously we’re gonna enjoy the win, we’re gonna look forward and watch the film, but there’s always something to get better. So we’ll probably enjoy the win tonight, watch the film and get better for next week.”

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Tatum didn’t get to OU until he arrived for summer school in June. The presumption was that since he didn’t enroll in January and missed winter workouts and didn’t participate in spring practice, he would be behind.

He certainly didn’t look behind.  

“Runs through trash, and he’s got excellent top-end speed,” Venables said. “Really good natural instincts carrying the ball.”

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Tatum’s last real competition came during the spring, when he played baseball for Longview. 

Even though it’s been while since he’s run with the football, Friday night felt very familiar to him.

“Oh yeah. For sure,” he said. “It took me a little bit on the summer and the fall camp to get my groove, but once I got that groove, I feel like, just keep getting better and better, and enjoy the process also.”

Oklahoma, of course, has a returning starter in third-year sophomore Gavin Sawchuk, who ran for 744 yards and nine touchdowns last year, averaging 6.2 yards per carry as he racked up five straight 100-yard games to finish the season.

The Sooners also have junior Jovantae Barnes, who gained 510 yards and five touchdowns as a true freshman but fought through a foot injury last year.

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Also ahead of Tatum (they’re separated by an “OR” on the depth chart) is fourth-year junior Sam Franklin, a transfer from Tennessee-Martin who broke a 30-yard run on Friday and also showed elite speed. 

Murray will also try to find carries this season for redshirt freshman Kalib Hicks and maybe even true freshman Xavier Robinson.

It’ll be competitive all season, and Tatum will get what he earns. He was a consensus 4-star running back prospect coming out of high school, rated the No. 1 running back in the nation by 247 Sports, Rivals and ESPN and No. 2 by On3. Last year he became Longview’s career leader in rushing touchdowns, with 53, and ran for 1,463 yards and 23 total TDs as a senior, 1,840 yards and 36 scores as a junior. 

But high school accolades mean nothing to Murray when it comes to playing time.

Like Venables said, Tatum is a smooth, natural athlete, an asset in the passing game, an elite baseball player (he’ll head down to L. Dale Mitchell Park to help Skip Johnson’s squad next spring) who also excelled at track in high school (he anchored Longview’s 4×100 and 4×200 relays and won the district title with a 21.70 in the 2000).

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Alabama wanted Tatum. So did Ohio State, Oregon, USC and just about everyone else. But OU won out because of the way Venables and Johnson worked together in recruiting him.

Oklahoma’s running back carries may be spread out among the group, like they were early last season. But it’s also likely that Murray finds his go-to guy and rides the hot hand — like he did late last season.

“I feel like we all know our role,” Tatum said. “I feel like we all push each other to a certain limit. I feel like we all have certain things that we do good. Everybody has their own little critiques and everything, but I don’t really (think) you have to get in and make a play. You just be yourself and run and do your job and be a good running back. Everybody’s here for a reason. It’s RBU. So we all just push each other.”



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Oklahoma teacher turns PB&J’s into a lifeline for students

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Oklahoma teacher turns PB&J’s into a lifeline for students


OKLAHOMA CITY –

Teaching is easily one of the most challenging and rewarding professions anywhere. And while most deserve to be recognized, when we heard about Deanne Strothers, we had to come meet her.

The Harding Charter Prep teacher has been teaching life through math for 30 years.

“My goal is to make them understand that they can get through tough stuff,” said Strothers.

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But seven years ago, there was some tough stuff put on her plate that was really tough to swallow.

“I had kids that would come in, and they didn’t have any. They didn’t have a lunch card, so they couldn’t eat,” said Strothers.

She recalls one student in particular, at a previous school.

“She came in, and she’s like, I’m hungry,” said Strothers.

After giving the student the peanut butter and jelly sandwich she had brought for lunch, Strothers made a decision: as long as she was teaching, no child would go hungry.

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“And so, I’m like, I’ve got to get something that is universal, and we landed on peanut butter and jelly,” said Strothers.

So, for the past seven years, each night she and her husband have prepared peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, totaling over 30,000 sandwiches.

It’s always grape jelly, you don’t have to be in any of her classes and the sandwiches are typically gone before 9 a.m.

“I would rather have a well-fed child than a child sitting here, not having the capability to really pay attention because they are hungry,” said Strothers.

As word spread of her personal feeding program, it prompted a visit from Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education, Dan Hamlin, who didn’t come empty-handed.

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“Well, we wanted to give you a check for supplies,” said Hamlin.

“I think it’s incredibly important that we recognize the great work that our teachers are doing across the state,” said Hamlin.

“I’ll keep doing this as long as I am teaching,” said Strothers.

As expected, Mrs. Strothers says she will use the check for more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The $250.00 donation will paY for about one semester of sandwiches.

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Sponsored Content: The Spotlight – Winter Park

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Sponsored Content: The Spotlight – Winter Park


Today on the Spotlight, our crew explored why Winter Park Resort is so much more than a snowy winter destination. Nestled in Colorado’s breathtaking Fraser Valley along the Continental Divide, this mountain escape transforms into an outdoor paradise once the snow melts—offering cool temperatures, endless sunshine, and adventures for every kind of traveler.

Just 70 minutes from Denver and one of the closest major mountain resorts to Denver International Airport, Winter Park makes it easy to trade city life for alpine views. Surrounded by towering 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks, the resort delivers postcard-worthy scenery with summer temperatures that rarely climb above 80 degrees. Add in more than 300 days of sunshine each year, and it’s easy to see why so many visitors are discovering Winter Park as a perfect warm-weather getaway.

The resort village itself offers plenty of charm, with lodging, dining, shopping, and activities all conveniently located in one walkable area. Whether you’re looking for high-energy thrills or a laid-back mountain retreat, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the outdoors.

One of the most popular summer attractions is the scenic gondola ride, which carries guests up to 10,700 feet for unforgettable panoramic views of the Continental Divide, colorful wildflowers, and towering aspen groves. Adventure seekers can race down Colorado’s longest alpine slide or hit the trails to explore more than 3,000 acres of scenic hiking terrain. For those wanting to relax, Sunspot Mountain Lodge offers mountaintop dining with incredible views.

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As the sun begins to set, the mountain comes alive with happy hour gatherings and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind after a day of adventure.

Winter Park is also home to the legendary Trestle Bike Park, one of the top downhill mountain biking destinations in the country. Opening Memorial Weekend, the park features more than 40 miles of gravity-fed downhill trails designed for riders of all skill levels. Advanced bikers can tackle technical terrain, while beginners can ease into the sport with mellow trails, rental gear, and lessons available onsite. Visitors who prefer a more relaxed ride can explore the area with e-bike rentals and guided mountain tours.

Beyond the resort, Winter Park serves as an ideal base camp for exploring some of Colorado’s most iconic outdoor destinations. The quieter west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park is only about 35 minutes away, offering fewer crowds and incredible opportunities to spot wildlife like moose and elk.

And for travelers wanting to spend time on the water, Grand Lake, Lake Granby, and Shadow Mountain Lake are all within about an hour of the resort, offering boating, fishing, paddling, and even more mountain recreation opportunities.

From scenic gondola rides and alpine slides to mountain biking, hiking, lakeside escapes, and national park adventures, Winter Park truly lives up to its reputation as Colorado’s gateway to summer fun. Visitors looking to plan their next mountain getaway can find lodging deals, trailside stays, and a full calendar of summer events at Winter Park Resort.

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Two state senators are stalling Clemishire bill in Oklahoma; victims are asking why

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Two state senators are stalling Clemishire bill in Oklahoma; victims are asking why


Convicted felon Robert Morris — a megachurch pastor who abused 12-year-old Cindy Clemishire in 1982 — walked out of an Oklahoma prison in the early hours of March 31.

But time is running out to get legislation aimed at helping abuse victims such as Clemishire — and a bill named for her unanimously passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives— to Gov. Kevin Stritt’s desk.

The Cindy Clemishire Act, HB 4227 would eliminate Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for prosecuting child sexual abuse and prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in related settlement cases.

The NDA provision is also known as “Trey’s Law” in remembrance of Trey Carlock, who was sexually abused at Camp Kanakuk, a Christian retreat in the Ozarks. Part of his legal settlement included a restrictive NDA that prohibited him from speaking about his abuse or Kanakuk’s role.

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Carlock died by suicide, aged 28, after having told a therapist, “they will always control me, and I’ll never be free.”

Your tax-deductible gift supports our mission of reporting the truth and restoring the church. Donate $50 or more to The Roys Report, and you can elect to receive our featured offer, “Kiss and Tell: The Innocent Moment That Shattered Mark Driscoll’s Cult” by Vince Manuele – click here.

Cindy Clemishire, pictured in 2024. (Courtesy Photo)

Yet for unknown reasons, the Oklahoma Senate’s leadership hasn’t yet brought the measure to the floor, and the legislative session is slated to end this Thursday (May 14).

“I’ve just been told they’re not going to hear it. No reason,” Oklahoma state Sen. Darrell Weaver (R-Moore) told online news outlet NonDoc.com on May 5. “I am baffled. Disappointed and baffled.”

Apparently standing in the way are state Sens. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, the Senate floor leader, and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, Senate pro tempore. Daniels, according to the NonDoc.com report, won’t schedule a hearing for the bill, and Paxton reportedly is deferring to her on the matter.

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The Roys Report (TRR) has contacted Daniels and Paxton for comment, as well as state Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore. None immediately responded.

In a statement, Clemishire admonished Oklahoma lawmakers to get the bill passed.

robert morris court
On Sept. 4, 2025, Robert Morris enters his vehicle as he leaves the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. (Photo: Sheila Stogsdill

“For decades, predators like Robert Morris have hidden behind outdated laws to evade justice, but the time for silence is over. To the members of the Oklahoma Senate: you have the power to ensure no other child is forced into the shadows, but your work is not done until these protections are sent to the governor,” she said.

Elizabeth Phillips, sister of Trey Carlock and founder of No More Victims, was also emphatic about the need for passage.

“Predators rely on silence and time–the law shouldn’t reward either,” said Phillips. “We are calling on Oklahoma Senate leadership to stand with survivors by ending the forced silence imposed on them by NDAs, like the one that silenced my brother to his grave, and remove the criminal statute of limitations for child sex crimes just as 44 other U.S. states have done. Please, don’t let the clock run out on survivors.”

Oklahoma is one of six states — along with the U.S. House of Representatives — where measures aiding victims of clergy sexual abuse have been filed. Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, and West Virginia are the others where legislation has been introduced.

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In 2025, similar legislation was enacted in Texas, Missouri, California, and Tennessee, while Alabama and Georgia did so this year.

Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.





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