Oklahoma punter proposes to softball star girlfriend after career night at Bedlam

Michael Turk had a Saturday night to remember, in more ways than one.

The Oklahoma punter first had a great game in a 28-13 win in Bedlam over Oklahoma State. Because the Sooners went 1-of-14 on third down, Turk had the busiest game of his college career, the Tulsa World reported.

His 11 punts — the most by a Sooners punter since Jeff Ferguson in 2001 — marked a career-high for Turk, who averaged 49.0 yards per kick. Four of those punts went 50 yards or longer. Three were pinned inside the OSU 20-yard line. The longest, a third-quarter bomb, went 67 yards.

Then, after he helped the Sooners achieve a bowl berth, he proposed to his girlfriend, softball star Grace Lyons, in front of very supportive teammates. Lyons is quite an athlete in her own right, and the All-American infielder has helped the Sooners to back-to-back national championships. She said yes.

“I’ve been planning that for a few weeks now,” Turk told reporters late Saturday night. “I’m so thankful to know Grace and to have met her at OU. I get to marry the woman of my dreams and that’s by the grace of God, for sure.”

Along with the proposal, Lyons will also remember the game because the Arizona transfer was honored among 32 fellow upperclassmen during OU’s Senior Night ceremonies prior to kick off.

A night to remember. She said yes! ?

Congrats to @HangtimeYT and @grace_lyons5! #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/JIypKoCRiD

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 20, 2022

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.