Texas
Letters to the Editor — Domestic violence, contraceptives, judges, NTTA, cricket
Expose abusive environments
Re: “Raised voices are better than closed fists — To stop domestic violence, all of us must speak up,” by John McCaa, June 2 Opinion.
As someone who has researched and written about domestic violence, I appreciate McCaa’s timely column. Despite the many books, articles and other means of educating the public, domestic violence not only remains a scourge, but is rising to new heights, putting partners, ex-partners and children at high risk for injury or death.
McCaa rightfully demonstrates the complexities and fear that victims and at-risk partners face every single day as they negotiate their daily lives and strategize to escape. Sadly, and ironically, the most dangerous time for an abused partner is when they leave or are caught trying to leave the relationship.
If an abusive partner is capable of murder, it is at this time that their abuse will most likely escalate to that point. Therefore, it is crucial that we, as a society, are vigilant, that we refuse to blame the victim and that we expose abusive environments as early as possible. Domestic violence is an indicator.
Marsha Prior, McKinney
Fight for birth control
Being a person of child-bearing age in Texas has become dangerous, thanks to the overturning of Roe. Justice Clarence Thomas remarked after this reversal that the landmark case Griswold vs. Connecticut (ensuring access to contraceptives) should also be revisited.
The Senate GOP just blocked the Right to Contraception Act, which aims to codify an essential human right. Yet the fight must continue. Everyone should contact his or her legislators or else watch our state suffer irreparable damage.
Not only can birth control medications and devices assist with family planning, but they also provide critical health care to patients with any number of diagnoses.
Griswold vs. Connecticut was at its core about the right to privacy between a woman and her doctor when talking about birth control. Privacy around family planning is a core fundamental human right, especially in light of the reduced options women now have for care. Without access to safe, effective birth control, Texans will drop out of the workforce in record numbers, and the number of Texans living in poverty will skyrocket.
Samantha Mitchell, North Dallas
Activist judges are back
It’s been many years since I’ve heard the term “activist judges” in the news. Must have only been used by conservatives referring to liberal justices. In our post-Obama period, perhaps it’s time to resurrect this term because decisions from the Texas Supreme Court, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court continually leave me incredulous.
Dwight Bartholomew, Northeast Dallas
Today’s Republicans
I have been a Republican voter, party member, precinct worker in two states and campaign contributor since 1956. I have suffered through Richard “I am not a crook” Nixon, Vice President Dan “Potatoe” Quayle and watched while our national “brain trust” saddled one of the most honorable men to serve our country with “Miz you betcha” from Alaska as his running mate, who (in my opinion) killed John McCain’s chance to be elected president.
Now, as I prepare to celebrate my 90th year on planet Earth next month, I contemplate (in awe and wonder) what this loyalty has wrought. I am being served by a governor who has, seemingly, declared war on women, whom he apparently considers too inept to determine for themselves what the best course of action is for their own well being.
The governor also appears to want our educational system to be accommodating for privileged white children. Don’t get me started on his solutions to foster care.
I am also blessed to be served by a chief law enforcer who is blameless and innocent of any wrongdoing. His cronies have voted on it, and assured me that it is so. There is a third member of this triumvirate, but I have no idea how he fits in.
Russell Marlett, Melissa
Still so few vote
Each election, whether local, state or national, brings a fresh sense of disheartenment. A small fraction of citizens is determining the fate of all of us. Most people simply don’t care. Writing letters to this paper encouraging these individuals to engage in the electoral process is like spitting into the wind.
These folks remain focused on their social media and the number of “likes” they receive for a recent post, while rule by minority becomes more and more entrenched in every area of our nation. Oh, well, I suppose one can say, “We’ve had a good run…”
Scott Kimball, McKinney
These are anxious times
So my doctor asked me if I was depressed or anxious during a wellness exam. I said, “Heck, yes. Take a look around.”
Barbara Bradford, Plano
Toll fees just a tax
Re: “NTTA overly harsh on drivers,” by Dave Lieber, June 2 Metro column.
I agree with Lieber’s column on the North Texas Tollway Authority. It is a great follow-up to The Dallas Morning News investigative series on the out-of-control toll roads in Texas.
I see that Lieber agrees with me that toll fees are a tax just by another name, as I mentioned in my letter to the editor that was published on May 22.
It is great to see Lieber has all North Texans backs as the Watchdog. Keep up the good work.
Richard Bach, Garland
Now for cricket rules
Re: “World Cup cricket comes to D-FW,” Wednesday Metro & Business photo package.
So, we are joining the World Stage for cricket. How about something in the SportsDay pages explaining the rules? Nice to know what I’m watching!
John Eggen, Wilmer
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
After a big win in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the No. 5 Oregon Ducks are on to the quarterfinals. Oregon coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks will take on the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
How To Watch
When: Thursday, Jan. 1, at 9 a.m. PT.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Radio Call: Oregon Sports Network, KUJZ-FM 95.3 (Eugene), KRSK-105.1 FM/1080 AM (Portland)
Betting Odds
The Oregon Ducks are 2.5-point favorites against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on FanDuel Sportsbook. The moneyline for Oregon is -130, and the point total is set at 52.5.
Injury Update
The Oregon Ducks’ wide receiver unit is getting healthy at the right time. Wide receivers Gary Bryant Jr. and Dakorien Moore were both seen at practice on Saturday ahead of the game against Texas Tech.
Running back Jordon Davison has been a player to monitor, but was also seen back at practice, another positive sign for the Ducks.
The one player who was not seen during the open portion of practice by the media was wide receiver Evan Stewart. Stewart has yet to play in a game this season, and he will continue to be a player to monitor.
Oregon’s Explosive Offense To Play Key Role
The Oregon Ducks offense has been tough to stop, with its immense depth and explosive plays. The Ducks played well throughout the season despite injuries, but with players returning, Oregon will be tough to stop.
The Ducks lead the FBS with plays going for over 20 yards and are No. 2 in yards per rush, proving the team’s explosiveness. The Ducks total 217.08 rushing yards per game and 251.8 passing yards per game.
The Oregon offense is led by quarterback Dante Moore, who is having a breakout year. Moore totals 3,046 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. He threw four touchdowns against James Madison, but he will have to be careful against the Red Raiders after also throwing two interceptions. Moore also totals 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
MORE: Oregon Ducks Injury Update From Practice Highlights One Major Absence
MORE: Texas Tech Defensive Coordinator Shares Blunt Assessment of Dante Moore
MORE: Oregon Quarterback Austin Novosad’s Likely Landing Spot After Transfer Portal Entry
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Wide receiver Malik Benson has been a role player amid injuries to the offense. Benson leads the team with 645 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq leads the team with eight touchdown receptions and has 509 receiving yards.
Moore does well at spreading the ball around to his several receiving targets, making Oregon a tough team to defend against the pass.
Oregon’s talented running back room has been one of the many highlights of the offense. Running back Noah Whittington leads the team with 798 rushing yards and has six touchdowns. True freshman running back Jordon Davison leads the team with 13 rushing touchdowns and has 625 rushing yards.
While Whittington and Davison may be leading the team, running back Dierre Hill Jr. is coming off a massive game against the Dukes, with one rushing touchdown and a 40-yard reception.
The Oregon Ducks have playmakers on offense that will help lead to a win against the Red Raiders.
Ducks’ Defense Must Stay Consistent
Oregon has one of the most dominant defenses in college football, but the Ducks must play all four quarters against Texas Tech. Oregon’s defense allowed the Dukes to score four touchdowns in the second half, and that cannot happen against a tougher opponent.
Oregon has allowed 16.3 points per game this season and is No. 4 in the nation in a three-and-out rate of 31.11 percent. The defense ranks No. 1 in the FBS for passes broken up (67), and will be a tough team to throw against.
Safety Dillon Thieneman is proving to be a massive transfer portal addition and is a big reason Oregon does well defending the pass. Thieneman totals 71 tackles, one sack, five passes defended, and two interceptions.
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher has been a difference-maker with the Ducks throughout the season. He leads the team with 113 total tackles, and has one sack, four passes defended, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Linebacker Teitum Tuioti is another role player on the team, leading the Ducks with 7.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Oregon has a talented unit on defense, and the Ducks will have to be on top of their game to defeat Texas Tech.
Texas Tech To Pose Challenge
The Texas Tech Red Raiders enter the matchup with a 12-1 record and as Big 12 champions. With also coming off a bye, the Red Raiders should not be counted out.
Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton has passed for 2,643 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has thrown just four interceptions this season, proving he can make smart decisions and is an accurate thrower.
Texas Tech wide receiver Caleb Douglas leads the team with 846 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. The Red Raiders’ run game has been highly successful this season and will test Oregon’s defense. Running back Cameron Dickey leads the team with 1,095 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Two players on the Red Raiders’ defense who may play a critical role will be linebackers Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey. Bailey leads the team with 13.5 sacks, going against a tough Oregon offensive line. Rodriguez leads the Red Raiders with 117 tackles and has four interceptions, seven forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Oregon vs. Texas Tech Prediction
The Oregon Ducks will defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 27-24.
If Oregon defeats Texas Tech, the Ducks will face the winner of No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana in the playoff semifinals.
- Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
- If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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The Houston Cougars defeated the LSU Tigers 38-35 in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl on Saturday night inside NRG Stadium.
The Cougars collected their first 10-win season since 2021, and they won their first bowl game since 2022.
With the win, Houston finished with a 10-3 record, and the Cougars have a lot to be excited about with their success in head coach Willie Fritz’s second season.
Kinder’s Texas Bowl Game Recap
Coach Fritz has preached a simple message all season: “The Coogs don’t beat the Coogs.”
However, the team beat themselves early in the game and the Cougars allowed LSU to jump out to a 14-0 lead with over 12 minutes left in the first quarter.
Disaster struck as the Tigers’ senior kickoff returner Barion Brown took the first return of the game 99 yards to the house to begin the scoring.
On the following LSU possession, sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. capped off a four-play 60-yard drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Trey’dez Green.
With their backs against the wall, junior quarterback Conner Weigman stepped up and had a lights out first half.
Weigman led a seven-play 75-yard drive that resulted in an eight-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Amare Thomas.
Thomas evened up the score with another touchdown reception on the following drive on a 4-yard pass from Weigman.
After giving up two early touchdowns, the Cougars’ defense held strong, and they didn’t allow another point in the first half.
Houston’s offense kept rolling with a late touchdown by senior tight end Tanner Koziol to score 21 unanswered points and hold a 21-14 half-time lead.
Both teams continued the shoot-out in the second half, and the Cougars found themselves tied at 28 early in the fourth quarter.
With the game on the line, Weigman led a 13-play 72-yard drive and senior Kicker Ethan Sanchez drilled a 25-yard field goal to go ahead 31-28.
The Cougars’ defense forced LSU to punt, and they had the ball with a chance to seal the game.
Senior running back Dean Connors quieted the LSU crowd with a 20-yard touchdown rush to put Houston up 10 points late in the game.
The star transfer helped lead Houston to victory as he rushed 16 times for 126 yards and a touchdown.
The Tigers didn’t go down without a fight. Van Burren Jr. led his team down the field to cut the lead to three points with 1:15 left in the game.
It all came down to an onside kick, one that LSU nearly recovered, but the Cougars bounced on the ball to win the game.
Houston outlasted LSU to even the all-time series at 2-2. Fritz also picked up his fourth bowl win, and he has the Cougars rolling as his squad rolls into the offseason.
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