October 2, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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S ports October 2, 2021 Four downs: Can the Cowboys get their offense rolling against Baylor? Hallie Hart, Stillwater Based on how the season tra yards, picking up where he points for granted, especially Whatever the case, War- stepping into a starting role to NewsPress has unfolded so far, his pre- left off against Boise State. Re- when facing a squad with a ren ended up fine, accumulat- fill in for Martin. No one ever diction seems accurate, but ceiver Tay Martin revitalized guy like Ebner who could flip ing 123 yards on 27 carries wants to see a starter side- For the second weekend in it partially depends on which the passing game in his return the entire script of the game against K-State. Before the lined, but fortunately for the a row, two undefeated Big 12 version of OSU's offense shows from an ankle injury. Spencer with one long kickoff return. season started, Gundy said if a Cowboys, Gundy said Martin's Conference teams will square up. Will it be the dynamic, Sanders lived up to his identity For maximum security, the running back gets on a roll, the injury shouldn’t be season- off in Boone Pickens Stadium. versatile unit that thundered as a dual-threat quarterback, Cowboys have to figure out the Cowboys will likely stick with ending and is mostly a matter No. 19 Oklahoma State through the first half against scoring on one rushing play key to maintaining their high- him instead of dividing carries takes on Baylor at 6 p.m. Sat- Kansas State, or will it be the to go with his two touchdown powered offense through four among four rushers, though in of pain management. urday, and coach Mike Gundy Cowboy offense that scored no passes and 344 yards through quarters. an ideal world, they would rely ‘As Martin recovers, expect said the Bears are the best points after halftime? Or will the air. Minimizing penalties could on even distribution. to see continued growth from team the Cowboys have pre- we see both again? The early spark disap- be one solution. After the ‘There's no question War- Oliver. pared to face at this point in Here are four questions peared in the second half. The Kansas State game, offensive ren is a driving force for this Fourth down: Who will the season. OSU will need to answer Sat- Cowboys added all 31 points coordinator Kasey Dunn said offense, so it makes sense to show up for the 2011 team re- No. 21 Baylor entered urday. before halftime and 21 in the penalties held OSU back in the keep handing the ball to him. union? the rankings this week after First down: Can the Cow- first quarter alone. With help second half, sometimes leaving At the same time, a star OK, this might not bear any squeaking past Iowa State, 31- boys extend their first-half from a stout defense — includ- the Cowboys stuck in reverse if rusher needs some backup. weight on the outcome of the 29, with a boost from Trestan productivity through four ing Malcolm Rodriguez, who they couldn’t make up for the Warren had to be exhausted af- game, unless the Cowboys de- Ebner’s 98-yard kickoff re- quarters? scored on a fumble return — yardage they lost. ter rolling, sliding and throw- cide to throw mysterious new turn touchdown in the second During the past weekend, OSU did enough to fend off the One of these infractions re- ing his body around to gain quarterback Wrandon Beeden half. The Bears are carrying as the Cowboys opened confer- Wildcats. But what will happen sulted from a chippy exchange yardage. Injuries to LD Brown into the game for a thrilling fi- that momentum into Stillwa- ence play with a 31-20 victory when the Cowboys face a Bay- — K-State linebacker Ryan and Dezmon Jackson reduced ter, and it’s time to buckle up, against Kansas State, every- lor team that averages 42.75 Henington attempted to bring the Cowboys’ options at run- nal touchdown pass. Cowboy fans — Gundy said he thing suddenly gelled for the points per game, more than Sanders down after a play, and ning back, though Dominic Inall seriousness, it should anticipates another game that offense in the first half. ‘OSU has scored in any match- offensive lineman Cole Bir- Richardson played. be exciting to see which Cow- will be decided in the fourth Running back Jaylen War- up this season? mingham was called for un- Richardson's involvement boy football alumni gather in quarter. ren was zooming ahead for ex- The Cowboys can't take any sportsmanlike conduct when is important to this team. So is Boone Pickens Stadium as the he came to his quarterback’s a strong passing game, which 2011 Big 12 champions are defense, though there was no can keep Warren from getting honored. It’s time to relive the ‘He’s on a historical run’: call on Henington fora late hit. fatigued. The Cowboys need to era of #Weeden2Blackmon, Moments like this happen protect Warren while making the 44-10 Bedlam victory, the from time to time, but when sure he has opportunities to consistent special teams con- penalties stack up, it's tough do what he does best, soa bal- Gabe Brkic making a case tributions from Quinn Sharp for a team to score. If the Cow- anced offensive attack is key. boys want to ensure a victory Third down: How will the and more. OSU has already against Baylor, they'll need all confirmed Brandon Weeden defensive line adjust without the positive yardage they can Brock Martin? will be there to lead the “Or- among best kickers in get. Brock Martin left the K- ange Power” chant. Second down: How will the State game with an injury and With members of the 2011 offense make sure Jaylen War- returned on the sideline for team in the stadium, will the ren gets some rest? Sooners’ history the fourth quarter with his left current Cowboys have extra Warren received an IV to arm in asling, motivation to replicate the help him play through the end ‘This is the latest depth is- high-scoring, explosive offen- of OSU’s matchup against K- sue fora defensive line that has sive performances from that State.already lost Trace Ford for the year? Gundy said the way the Initially, Gundy was con- season because of ACL inju- Cowboys played in the first Ryan Aber, The Oklaho- onds left to beat TCU, 10-9. learned not to get complacent cerned Warren was sweating ries. It’s no question the D-line man Sept. 3, 1994: OU led Syra- and make sure I'm locked in too much. Later, he realized will have to make adjustments, half of the K-State game re- cuse 24-0 at halftime but that and engaged with every situ- perspiration wasn’t necessar- but the road shouldn’t be too minded him of his teams from NORMAN — OU coach lead evaporated before Scott ation,” Brkic said earlier this ily the issue, and it might have rough, thanks to a standout the past 15 years, so they have Lincoln Riley did a bit of a Blanton hit a 48-yarder with season about the lessons he been sheer adrenaline instead. freshman. potential to do it. double take when he was told 11 seconds left to lift the No. took from that miss, which On Monday, Gundy said, Defensive end Collin Oli- If they can, that could be of the rarity of Gabe Brkic’s 16 Sooners to a 30-29 win in was at the time just his second couldn't get him calmed down, ver has already shown he can the icing on top of a celebra- accomplishment in last week’s upstate New York. collegiate miss after missing a so we hydrated him some.” make big plays, and now, he’s tion for former Cowboy stars. 16-13 win over West Virginia. Nov. 22, 1986: The No. 3 54-yarder against Iowa State “Really?” Riley said incred- Sooners trailed No. 5 Nebras- the week before. “I can’t have a ulously when informed Brkic’s ka 17-10 with just more than 30-yard field goal as time ex- four minutes remaining before lack of focus at any time.” But the elevation of Brkic’s Providing comfort and Supportfor End of Life cholces pired was the first walk-off, OU embarked on a drive that place among Sooners all-time game-winning field goal in ended when Jamelle Holieway kickers goes far beyond the cir- school history. found Keith Jackson for a 17- cumstance of a single victory. Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spi tual re- In 2019, Brkic didn’t even yard touchdown with 1:22 left. He's currently atop the sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer earn the Sooners’ kicking job OU got the ball back with 50 Sooners’ all-time career chart coming out of preseason camp. seconds remaining, then a 41- for field-goal percentage at or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical Now, almost exactly two years yard catch by Jackson set up 849 (45 of 53) and has made details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. after he moved into the spot, Tim Lashar's game-winning, nine career field goals of 50 Brkic is making his case as the 31-yard field goal with six sec- yards or more. No other Soon- top kicker in Sooners’ history. onds left. ers kicker has made more than For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: And with OU's offense not Sept. 24, 1977: Pethaps the four. Brkic has made 15 field as high-powered as it has been most famous made field goal goals or 40 or more yards, Carrie Perry, RN/ Adminsistrato. in recent years, at least so in Sooners’ history, Uwe von something no other OU player Schamann joined in on the far, having a kicker like Brkic could help the Sooners squeeze Ohio State crowd’s “block that has done. Sooners punter Michael Pat Welsh, RN/ Coordinator of Patient Care through more tight ones as it kick” chant then drilled a 41- Turk, who has grown close to has already this season. yard field goal with three sec “I know what we're going to onds left to lift the No. 3 Soon- Brkic, said Brkic’s dedication in the weight room was an anom- Some of the most common conditions are: get out of him so I don’t have ers to a 29-28 win over the No. aly among kickers, * Cancer * Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) ‘to go put my arm around him,” 4 Buckeyes. Elvis Peacock had “I know some kickers and * End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) * End Stage Amyotrophic Riley said. “He knows that scored with 1:29 left, then von punters don't like to lift that when we need him, I know that Schamann executed a success- much,” Turk said. “I think we Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) he'll be ready and he does, too.” ful onside kick to get the ball realize that as long as you stay + End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV OU plays at Kansas State back for the Sooners. flexible, it helps to stay strong. at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. On the Nov. 24, 1966: Mike Va- And he’s really strong. He * End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer’s Sooners’ last trip there, Brkic chon had missed two field squats a lot.” was a big reason OU was in goals earlier in the game, but Turk said he’s seen Brkic hit the game until the end. He hit his 21-yarder with 48 seconds a 67-yard field goal in practice carrle field goals of 44, 25, 50 and 39 left lifted the Sooners to a 10-9 “pretty easy.” Perry, RN Professional, Passionate yards — the last with 1:45 re- win over No. 4 Nebraska in In the _ seasor ener maining — but the comeback Norman after the Cornhusk- against Tulane, Brkic tied a Advance, Attentive... attempt fell just short and OU ers had taken a 9-7 lead with a Football Bowl Subdivision re- lost 48-41. Chances to kick a game- third-quarter touchdown. cord with three field goals of Oct. 5, 1946: Perhaps the 50 or more yards in a game. Our Difference Is Our Care winning or go-ahead field goal one most like Brkic’s kick. The He's hit all 116 of his extra- in the final minute of regula- Sooners drove 84 yards late, point tries in his career. If he’s tion or in the second posses- with plenty of production from able to remain perfect, he'd be- Have you ever considered becoming sion of an overtime don’t come Darrell Royal, before Dave come the first kicker in school around often. Wallace hit a 25-yard field goal history with a minimum of 50 a hospice volunteer? Brkic’s was just the 13th with 40 seconds remaining to tries to accomplish the feat, such try in school history, the lift the Sooners to a 10-7 home breaking the record of von A fulfilling experience in the spirit first made since way back in win over Texas A&M. Schamann, who went 149 of 1998, and the first at home in In the 1992 Bedlam game, 150 during his career. of giving and receiving. nearly 55 years. Scott Blanton hit a 27-yarder That steadiness helped Here’s a quick look at each as the clock struck zero to send keep the Sooners afloat at of the six such made tries the game toa 15-15 tie. times when things could’ve before Brkic’s kick over the Brkic had a chance at a been sinking. Mountaineers: game-winning kick a year ago, “He's delivered us multiple Sept. 12, 1998: The Soon- when his 31-yarder on the sec- times,” safety Pat Fields said. ers scored 10 points in the final ond possession of triple over- “I mean, we've seen what he's 2:20, including Jeff Ferguson's time missed against Texas. done this year. He's on a his- 40-yard field goal with five sec- “After that, I kind of torical run.”