FOOTBALL: Former Zebra Skinner experiences heartwarming homecoming in Stillwater
Oct. 17—STILLWATER — Quentin Skinner was truly taken aback.
As his gaze swept across the crowd outside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, the former Claremore Zebra was met with the sight of about 30 individuals — both family and friends — who had gathered specifically to support him.
Witnessing such an outpour of support helped ease the sting of the 39-32 loss that No. 23 Kansas experienced against Oklahoma State at the nearby Boone Pickens Stadium earlier in the day.
"It's great to feel a lot of family," Skinner said. "That's great knowing a lot of people still support and show love from where I come from. I always remember where I come from and everything I started from, so I'm just grateful."
Despite the loss, it marked a memorable day for Skinner.
It was his third game back in Oklahoma since graduating from Claremore in 2020, and it turned out to be his most outstanding performance of the three. Skinner hauled in two passes for 91 yards, securing two crucial touchdowns on plays covering 49 and 42 yards.
In his previous two games in his home state, he faced OSU on Oct. 30, 2021 in a 55-3 loss where he recorded one solo tackle as part of the special teams unit. Then against Oklahoma on Oct. 15, 2022 in a 52-42 loss, he caught one pass for 7 yards and contributed 20 yards rushing.
The Jayhawks also traveled to Norman in 2020, but Skinner did not play in that game.
Kansas may have concluded its games in the Sooner State in 2023, but it is not done facing Oklahoma-based competition.
The No. 6 Sooners are set to visit Lawrence for an 11 a.m. showdown on Oct. 28.
It is a matchup that holds great significance not only because it could be Skinner's final opportunity to play against OU given the Sooners' impending move to the SEC next season, but also because his father Reggie was a running back for OU from 1997 to 1999, adding a familial connection to the game.
"It's always personal because my father played at the university, so that's always going to come with another chip (on the shoulder)," Skinner said. "My ex-wide receiver coach is a coach there now, too, so it's going to be a lot of fun. It's going to be a great environment. We get a bye week to rest our bodies and get our minds right. Let's put ourselves in the best position, and at the end of the day, go play ball and have fun with your boys that you grind with daily."
Indeed, Skinner maintains a strong connection to his roots.
In fact, he has been keeping tabs on the Zebras' historic season, which has seen them achieve a 7-0 record for the first time since 1979.
"It's amazing," Skinner said of Claremore's run. "I know Coach (Jarrett) Hurt got them boys running and their heads down and keeping the chips on their shoulders. Going in with seven-and-zero (7-0), they want to keep that zero and go for the eight. Shoutout to them boys, shoutout to Claremore and shoutout to the 9-1-8."
The Class 5A No. 5 Zebras are gearing up for their most significant challenge of the season as they prepare to face seventh-ranked Bishop Kelley, potentially with a shorthanded roster.
With a game of this magnitude on the horizon, Skinner has an important message for his fellow Claremore brethren.
"Don't forget your goals and don't forget your why," Skinner said. "Keep God in your life and keep doing what y'all are doing. There's no impossibility to what you're able to do."
