Season maker/breaker for OSU

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Sep 22, 2000 by Greg Barton

Big-time football comes to Stillwater when 22nd ranked Southern Mississippi (1-1) faces Oklahoma State (2-0) at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Lewis Field. Southern Miss is fresh off a stunning 21-0 beating of Alabama and a 19-15 loss to Tennessee two weeks ago. The Pokes will put a 17-game non-conference winning streak on the line in a game that could be a season maker or breaker.

"A lot of people are questioning how good we are, playing Tulsa and playing Southwest Texas State," defensive tackle Zac Akin said. "Southern Miss will be a good measuring stick."

OSU's last win over a ranked opponent came on Sept. 19, 1998, in a 42-23 win over No. 25 Mississippi State at Lewis Field.

Tickets are still available. The game will not be televised.

Another cakewalk

The Rice Owls (1-2) come to Norman at 11:30 a.m. Saturday as they hook up with the 16th ranked University of Oklahoma (2-0) for the first time since 1979. The game will be telecast by Fox Sports Syndication on Channel 10 in metro Oklahoma City. The Owls are 0-6 all-time verse the Sooners and have scored just 40 total points in those games. Even though OU has demolished their first two opponents, head coach Bob Stoops still thinks they need to get better.

"We've got a lot to improve on," Stoops said, "what we need to do, what's been good and bad and really emphasize improvement. We need to make some improvement this week in many areas, really."

Rice lost to Tulsa last week 23-16, and to Michigan 38-7 on Sept. 9, but hopes to draw from their experience against OU.

"Our kids know the way we played in the last three quarters at Michigan, so it should boost their confidence playing Oklahoma," Rice coach Ken Hatfield said.

Tee time

* Edmond AMBUCS Charity Golf Tournament -- Kickingbird Golf Club, Sept. 29. Proceeds will benefit Edmond AMBUCS, an organization that helps create independence for people with disabilities. Entry fee is $75. For more information contact Cathy Williams at 341-4344.

* Christmas In April Golf Classic -- Oak Tree Golf Club, Oct. 2. Proceeds will benefit Christmas in April OKC, a nonprofit organization that helps improve the living conditions of disadvantaged residents in the metro area by making repairs and improvements to the homes of low-income elderly homeowners and to facilities used by community organizations. Individual entry fee is $200 and a corporate team is $1,100. For more information contact Nicole Stone at 947-5876.

* Fifth Annual Charity Golf Scramble -- Silverhorn Golf Club, Oct. 6. The event will also stage a hole-in-one contest on the eighth hole, with the prize being an all-expense paid trip to St. Andrews Golf Course in Scotland. Proceeds will benefit The Kid's Place in providing free support group services to families whose children are mourning the death of a family member or friend. For more information or to donate prizes for golfers contact Danny Mize at 844-5437.

* Hummel Eye Associates Fall Golf Tournament -- Kickingbird Golf Course, Oct 12. Entry fee is $75 per player. For more information call 341-2808.

* WEOKIE Credit Union Hole-In-One Shootout -- WEOKIE Credit Union Main Office, 8100 W. Reno Ave., Oct 11-13. Cost is $5 per shot or five shots for $20. All proceeds will benefit the Children's Miracle Network. The grand prize is a 2001 Ford Explorer XLT. Hole's--In-One made in the qualifying rounds will earn $500. For rules and/or more information call 235-3030.

* The OKC Postal Customer First Annual Golf Tournament -- Silverhorn Golf Club, Oct. 13. Cost is $50 per golfer, $25 for non- golfers. For more information contact Steve Jackson at 553-6190.

* "A Day At The Greens" Golf Tournament -- The Greens Country Club, Oct. 16. Cost for individual players is $100. For more information call Tracy Zinn at 495-6750.

This week's prize

goes to the National Broadcasting Co. They thought they would score a coup having the Olympics broadcast on NBC, CNBC and MSNBC everyday, but the audience doesn't quite agree. Viewership is way down from previous games due to the 16-hour time difference, lack of spectacular American performances and people being just plain bored with the Olympic Games. NBC's decision to not air events live is also a big mistake.

If people watch the news or listen to the radio, they already know who wins or loses. Who wants to watch something when they already know the outcome? Due to the dismal ratings and promises to advertisers, NBC has started airing a minute more an hour of commercials to repay those advertising investments. Just what we need, more commercials. For NBC's lack of thought and planning for their Olympic coverage, they receive "The Journal Record Media Organization of the Week Award". Their prize will be a one-week trial subscription.

By reading our wonderful paper, maybe they can better see how to run a successful company, and not just one who says anything just to make an advertising dollar.

Production and Circulation Distribution Manager Greg Barton welcomes all comments and contributions. You may reach him by phone at 278-2853, by fax at 278-2890, or by e-mail, greg.barton