milesl
7/27/2006, 12:17 PM
OKLAHOMA
Time to turn Peterson loose at OU
Running back is healthy again and the focal point of the Sooners’ offense.
By BLAIR KERKHOFF
The Kansas City Star
Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson is so good, linebacker Rufus Alexander measures the Sooners’ defense by him.
“If we can contain him in practice, we know we have one of the best defenses in the country,” Alexander said.
How often is Peterson contained?
“He’s tough,” Alexander said. “Very tough.”
And fast, powerful, shifty and every other attribute in the football dictionary to compliment a back. Oh, and he’s healthy.
“Feeling pretty good,” said Peterson, who got the rap-star treatment during Big 12 Media Days — reporters followed him everywhere, and Peterson drew the largest gathering of any player over the three days and 12 teams during a roundtable session.
Oklahoma’s success this season could turn on the healed ankle Peterson hurt during a bummer of a 2005 season.
Oh, to have relived the freshman year. Peterson wowed the nation in 2004 by rushing for 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns and became the first freshman to finish second in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
Peterson followed it up with an injury-riddled sophomore season. The high ankle sprain and a nagging Achilles’ problem forced him to miss all or parts of four games.
Add to the mix a rookie quarterback in Rhett Bomar to replace former Heisman winner Jason White, and Peterson’s drop to 1,108 rushing yards — on 119 fewer attempts — is easily explained.
So was the Sooners’ 8-4 record and first non-first-place finish in the South Division since 2001. The season was difficult to swallow for a program that has played in three Bowl Championship Series title games over the previous six seasons.
But it was especially bitter for Peterson, whose movements were limited even when he appeared in games.
“I thought the season was especially tough for him,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said.
Not because he wasn’t at full strength, but he saw how much the offense struggled without his complete game.
“That was the hardest part,” Peterson said. “Not being able to help the way I could.”
Cutting and changing direction, abilities that accounted for much of his freshman success, were out of question. Last year was mostly about plowing into the pile and budging it.
Oklahoma averaged 27 points and 363 yards per game last year, 35 points and 462 yards the year before.
Clearly, a healthier Peterson and a more experienced Bomar are the cornerstones for an improved offense. But make no mistake, it will run through Peterson.
“That’s the focal point,” Stoops said. “That’s where it all begins.”
Peterson wants it to end at least 2,200 rushing yards later.
That’s the goal he’s set for himself, and he would join some elite company. Barry Sanders set the NCAA record with 2,628 yards for Oklahoma State in 1988. The only other player to reach that milestone was Marcus Allen, who rushed for 2,342 for Southern California in 1981.
“My dad told me to reach for the moon, and if you fall short you’ll still be among the stars. I’m going after my goals,” Peterson said.
Peterson’s father, Nelson, could be there to see some of it. Nelson Peterson is scheduled to be released from an Oklahoma City halfway house in early October. He’ll have finished serving a nine-year sentence for laundering money acquired from the distribution of crack cocaine.
Adrian Peterson was 11 when his dad went to jail.
“It was crazy. I didn’t understand, and it was very hard,” Peterson said.
Nelson has followed his son’s career closely, from his record-setting days at Palestine High in Texas through two years with the Sooners. This one could be the best.
“I’m not overconfident,” Peterson said. “I set my goals high.”
Time to turn Peterson loose at OU
Running back is healthy again and the focal point of the Sooners’ offense.
By BLAIR KERKHOFF
The Kansas City Star
Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson is so good, linebacker Rufus Alexander measures the Sooners’ defense by him.
“If we can contain him in practice, we know we have one of the best defenses in the country,” Alexander said.
How often is Peterson contained?
“He’s tough,” Alexander said. “Very tough.”
And fast, powerful, shifty and every other attribute in the football dictionary to compliment a back. Oh, and he’s healthy.
“Feeling pretty good,” said Peterson, who got the rap-star treatment during Big 12 Media Days — reporters followed him everywhere, and Peterson drew the largest gathering of any player over the three days and 12 teams during a roundtable session.
Oklahoma’s success this season could turn on the healed ankle Peterson hurt during a bummer of a 2005 season.
Oh, to have relived the freshman year. Peterson wowed the nation in 2004 by rushing for 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns and became the first freshman to finish second in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
Peterson followed it up with an injury-riddled sophomore season. The high ankle sprain and a nagging Achilles’ problem forced him to miss all or parts of four games.
Add to the mix a rookie quarterback in Rhett Bomar to replace former Heisman winner Jason White, and Peterson’s drop to 1,108 rushing yards — on 119 fewer attempts — is easily explained.
So was the Sooners’ 8-4 record and first non-first-place finish in the South Division since 2001. The season was difficult to swallow for a program that has played in three Bowl Championship Series title games over the previous six seasons.
But it was especially bitter for Peterson, whose movements were limited even when he appeared in games.
“I thought the season was especially tough for him,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said.
Not because he wasn’t at full strength, but he saw how much the offense struggled without his complete game.
“That was the hardest part,” Peterson said. “Not being able to help the way I could.”
Cutting and changing direction, abilities that accounted for much of his freshman success, were out of question. Last year was mostly about plowing into the pile and budging it.
Oklahoma averaged 27 points and 363 yards per game last year, 35 points and 462 yards the year before.
Clearly, a healthier Peterson and a more experienced Bomar are the cornerstones for an improved offense. But make no mistake, it will run through Peterson.
“That’s the focal point,” Stoops said. “That’s where it all begins.”
Peterson wants it to end at least 2,200 rushing yards later.
That’s the goal he’s set for himself, and he would join some elite company. Barry Sanders set the NCAA record with 2,628 yards for Oklahoma State in 1988. The only other player to reach that milestone was Marcus Allen, who rushed for 2,342 for Southern California in 1981.
“My dad told me to reach for the moon, and if you fall short you’ll still be among the stars. I’m going after my goals,” Peterson said.
Peterson’s father, Nelson, could be there to see some of it. Nelson Peterson is scheduled to be released from an Oklahoma City halfway house in early October. He’ll have finished serving a nine-year sentence for laundering money acquired from the distribution of crack cocaine.
Adrian Peterson was 11 when his dad went to jail.
“It was crazy. I didn’t understand, and it was very hard,” Peterson said.
Nelson has followed his son’s career closely, from his record-setting days at Palestine High in Texas through two years with the Sooners. This one could be the best.
“I’m not overconfident,” Peterson said. “I set my goals high.”