NORMAN – The 2022 season has been an arduous and difficult one for Oklahoma.
The Sooners, who enter each season with a minimum of convention title aspirations, had been largely anticipated to be contenders as soon as once more regardless of all of the turnover from a 12 months in the past beneath first-year head coach Brent Venables.
However, after a 3-0 begin, issues started to slide away as Oklahoma stumbled into three straight losses and an eventual 6-6 end to the common season – their worst mark in over 20 years.
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Now, all that continues to be is the postseason and the Cheez-It Bowl towards No. 13 Florida State on Thursday in Orlando, FL – one final probability to attempt to finish the 12 months on a excessive observe.
The Sooners definitely acknowledge that actuality, and are decided to shut 2022 the correct approach.
“We’ve been attacking observe each day,” working again Jovantae Barnes stated. “Even once we didn’t know who we had been taking part in, we had been getting in and ensuring we had been watching movie. We knew we needed to step up. Taking issues in our personal arms and ensuring we might step up with out coaches. That was one of many largest issues we did. We had our personal conferences. That was a giant accomplishment to do all that with out the coaches.”
A part of what makes that simpler, in a way, is the quantity of contemporary faces who’re getting thrust into bigger roles and thus see this as their alternative to make an impression.
Working again Eric Grey, offensive linemen Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris and defensive sort out Jalen Redmond have all chosen to forgo the sport and start preparation for the NFL Draft, which means that the remaining gamers should step as much as fill the void left by the important thing guys lacking.
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Eric Grey
NATHAN J FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
Whereas OU will surely reasonably have these vital items, transferring ahead with out them helps drive residence a giant promoting level on the sport: the bowl sport is each bit as a lot a leap on subsequent season as it’s a closing on this one.
“Bowl season is a season of it’s personal,” defensive finish Reggie Grimes stated. “Not solely are you getting again to fundamentals, however your roster is a bit bit totally different. You’ve obtained guys opting out, you’ve obtained guys gone who had been contributors, so your roster’s a bit bit totally different. However on the similar time, it provides different guys alternatives to shine and that’s the principle factor. I obtained my first significant begin within the Alamo Bowl final 12 months. So once more, bowl season is a season of its personal, it’s a time to essentially mirror and understand what you’ve obtained coming again, what you’ve misplaced, stuff like that.”
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Matching up with the No. 13-ranked and nine-win Seminoles has most anticipating Oklahoma to undergo one other loss to shut out the season.
That is one thing not misplaced on the workforce as they appear to springboard their approach into the offseason and end issues on a optimistic observe for those taking part in their remaining sport in an OU uniform.
“It’ll set us up nice for Workforce 129,” defensive finish Ethan Downs stated. “We’re not trying too far forward, although. Now we have to manage at the moment and what we will do at the moment. Our final aim is to win that sport and to show everyone mistaken. To present motivation and inspiration to Sooner followers and other people all all over the world that depend out any individual who’s gone via the tough of it. Overcome adversity each time everybody has wager towards them. And persevered and actually been at their finest once they wanted to.
“That’s what it means for us, greater than only a win. Extra than simply being 7-6 as a result of it appears to be like so much higher than 6-7. However, actually assembly considered one of our workforce objectives: Win the final one and exit with a bang. Making it occur for the seniors which might be right here.”
For a program like Oklahoma, the underdog function isn’t one which will get to return up usually, given the Sooners’ dominance within the Massive 12 and standing as a perennial powerhouse over the historical past of this system.
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However, being doubted is exactly what is occurring nationally heading into the matchup, with Florida State presently sitting as a strong 9-point favourite.
For OU, although, that simply makes it even simpler to return to work every day able to make a press release.
“We like it (being doubted),” Downs stated. “We’re feeding off of it. Not that we wanted any gasoline to develop our hearth. However it undoubtedly contributed to how onerous we’re working. We’ve obtained one thing to show. Acquired one thing to show to lots of people, and we’re fired as much as do it.”
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Americans now have telehealth as an option and they like it! Buzz60’s Keri Lumm shares the results of a new study conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Kaiser Permanente.
Buzz60
Oklahomans living in areas with limited internet access soon will be able to receive help with virtual doctor’s appointments at their local library.
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An initiative from Arkansas-based Heartland Forward, a “policy think-and-do tank,” and a grant from the James M. Cox Foundation is making this possible.
Here’s what we know.
Librarians receiving training on supporting telehealth visits
With the help of a $25,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation, the nonprofit and philanthropic arm of Cox Enterprises, Oklahoma librarians will be trained on accessing and preparing for a telehealth appointment using the Telehealth DigitalLearn module, according to a news release.
Librarians can then use the module, which was funded by the Ford Foundation, to help community members learn more about telehealth.
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Why Heartland Forward is targeting Oklahoma, Arkansas for telehealth access
According to the latest benchmark from the Federal Communications Commission, broadband or high-speed internet is defined as receiving 100/20 mbps download and upload speeds.
The latest FCC broadband map shows just over 91% of Oklahoma homes and businesses are covered by broadband, not including satellite technology, which Engagement Director Nicholas Camper, with the Oklahoma Broadband Office, said amounts to about 450,000 Oklahomans without high-speed internet access.
According to the Oklahoma Broadband Office’s interactive map, there are more than 100,000 locations in Oklahoma that could receive broadband that have not, and more than 80,000 locations that are underserved.
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In addition, a Heartland Forward study found that 25% of counties surveyed in the region had a population-to-primary care physician ratio more than double the U.S. average. Telehealth can help bridge this gap, but only for those with access to the internet.
The new initiative will allow libraries to connect Oklahomans to “critical health services,” Education Secretary Nellie Sanders said in the news release.
“Libraries are often the first place community members turn to for resources and support, especially in areas where healthcare access can be limited,” Natalie Currie, director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, said in the release. “By training librarians to help Oklahomans navigate telehealth technology, we’re opening doors to essential healthcare services and enhancing the well-being of our communities.”
Injuries have plagued the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2024 season. It’s been an unfortunate reality for Brent Venables and his staff, particularly on the offensive side of the football.
With a pivotal game coming this week in Norman against the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Sooners are hoping for any sort of positive news on the injury front. Oklahoma looks like they’ll get one of their key offensive linemen back this week, Michael Tarquin. That should help provide better protection for quarterback Jackson Arnold.
Here’s a look at Wednesday’s initial injury report.
Oklahoma injury report
Player
Position
Status 11/20
Jayden Gibson
WR
OUT
Gentry Williams
DB
OUT
Geirean Hatchett
OL
OUT
Nic Anderson
WR
OUT
Kendel Dolby
DB
OUT
Andrel Anthony
WR
OUT
Jacob Sexton
OL
OUT
Jake Taylor
OL
OUT
Deion Burks
WR
Doubtful
Jovantae Barnes
RB
Questionable
Joshua Bates
OL
Questionable
Alabama injury report
Player
Position
Status 11/20
Keon Sabb
DB
OUT
Cole Adams
WR
OUT
Quandarrius Robinson
LB
OUT
Michael Tarquin injury update
After missing Oklahoma’s last two games against Maine and Missouri, it looks like starting tackle Michael Tarquin will be back in action this week after not landing on the initial injury report. Now, the question becomes, does he take over at right or left tackle?
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Deion Burks injury update
Deion Burks was concussed late in the Sooners’ loss to Missouri. He had been out of action since the Tennessee game and looks like he’ll be unavailable this week against Alabama.
Jovantae Barnes injury update
Jovantae Barnes sprained his ankle during his 200-yard effort against Maine and was forced to miss the game against Missouri. Though listed as questionable for this week, he’s had two weeks to rest. Depending on how severe the initial injury was, he could be back in action this week.
Gavin Sawchuk injury update
Running back Gavin Sawchuk was off the injury report for Oklahoma’s game against Missouri but didn’t play. Instead it was Taylor Tatum, Xavier Robinson, and Sam Franklin getting the running back snaps. Could Sawchuk be available this week to help the Sooners rushing attack?
Joshua Bates injury update
Joshua Bates missed the game against Missouri with an undisclosed injury. Troy Everett has solidified the center position for the Sooners but you would like to have some depth available.
The newly elected and reelected members of the Oklahoma House are sworn into office Wednesday at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)
OKLAHOMA CITY — Members of the Oklahoma House were sworn into office Wednesday in the House chambers at the Capitol.
Both newly elected and reelected members took time to recognize their family, friends and constituents who elected them to serve.
The Oklahoma House Republican caucus elected Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, Tuesday as Speaker-Elect of the House for the 60th Legislature.
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“Together, we must rise to the occasion of the urgent challenges facing Oklahomans, including the ongoing pinch of inflation, a widening workforce skills gap and much-needed investment in our public infrastructure system including transportation, water, wastewater and broadband connectivity,” he said in a statement Tuesday. “Our caucus is ready to make the tough decisions needed to move Oklahoma forward.”
The House will formally vote for the next Speaker of the House on its organizational day in January. If elected, Hilbert, 30, will be the youngest House speaker in Oklahoma history.
Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, was in attendance with her mother, Anastasia Pittman, who previously served in the Oklahoma House and Senate.
“I stand before you today as the new chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus,” she said. “And I’m just so humbled to the constituents of House District 99 and the voters for allowing me to come back here for my fourth term and continue the legacy of leadership.”
Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, thanked his constituents and colleagues as he offered advice to the freshman lawmakers.
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I would like to thank the constituents in House District 16 for electing the unelectable for the past eight years,” he said. “Going into my ninth year … I’m looking forward to serving with everybody in this room. If you’re a freshman the one thing that I would like to impart to you is that if I yell at you while we’re on the floor, it’s not personal.”
Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, welcomed new members of the House in a statement Wednesday.
“I am excited to work with these incredible individuals and look forward to serving the State of Oklahoma alongside my House Democratic colleagues returning to the state Capitol,” Munson said in a statement. “House Democrats will remain focused on lowering costs for working Oklahoma families, keeping public dollars in public schools, pushing back against harmful rhetoric and actions from our state superintendent, and ensuring Oklahomans have access to the health care they need.”
The 101 members of the House will convene for an organizational day Jan. 7 ahead of the upcoming legislative session on Feb. 3.
The Oklahoma Senate was sworn in Nov. 13.
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