The Norman Transcript

OU Sports

August 27, 2005

On the run

Peterson’s ability helps fuel OU’s expectations

By John Shinn



Transcript Sports Writer



It’s hard for Oklahoma to surprise those who pay attention to college football.



Each season, brings expectations of competing for a national title. Anything else is deemed a down year.



The Sooners enter the 2005 season needing to find new stars to replace old ones. But the main reason the Sooners are still projected to be a player in the national title race is running back Adrian Peterson.



He highlights a running game OU will lean on even more while its quarterbacks, receivers and offensive line round into shape.



Peterson set a school and NCAA freshman record with 1,925 rushing yards.



What can he possibly do for an encore? Last season’s numbers were staggering and will be harder to duplicate as he becomes the focal point of OU’s offense.



He believes he’s capable of more. He missed spring practice due to shoulder surgery and said having to miss the workouts made an impression on him.



“I came in with a different attitude, after the shoulder injury and everything,” Peterson said. “I’ve been working hard to get my shoulder back together and get better for the season.”



OU hopes that translates into a better-rounded running back.



Peterson caught only five passes for 12 yards last year.



Offensive coordinator Chuck Long knows Peterson’s presence opens up things in the passing game. But Long would also like him to get his hands on a few more passes.



“When you have a back like Adrian, and the other backs we have as well, you’d like to work with play action and take some shots down the field,” Long said. “From there, we’d like to get him more involved in our passing game and get the ball to him a little more. He needs a lot of work in that department as far as with his hands.”



It’s a lot of pressure for a guy who has only played one season of college football.



“Whatever he does throughout this year is going to depend on what our offense does,” running backs coach Cale Gundy said. “We’re not going to put it all on his shoulders.”



The Sooners didn’t last season and don’t think that will change because of the people with him in the backfield.



Kejuan Jones went from starter to backup last season with Peterson’s emergence. He’ll still play a big part in OU’s offense though. His hands are a big reason why.



The senior from Jenks caught 22 passes for 196 yards last year. Add in his 513 rushing yards and Jones put together a productive season in Peterson’s shadow.



Junior Jacob Gutierrez and senior Donta Hickson could also see spot action in the backfield.



However, the running game will revolve around Peterson, and he knows it. He knows he must protect himself against the rigors that await.



“I’ve just got to be smarter about different situations I put myself in,” he said. “I can’t always initiate the contact. I have to save my body. That’s something I know now.”



He’ll leave the contact for fullback J.D. Runnels.



The senior from Midwest City is entering his fourth season as a starter.



OU coach Bob Stoops calls him OU’s most valuable player. The fact he’s only carried the ball once in three seasons doesn’t do much to support the coach’s opinion, but Runnels has opened holes for 1,000-yard rushers the last three years.



He’s the best fullback in college football, and when you team him with Peterson, it makes for a lethal backfield.



John Shinn

366-3536

jshinn@normantranscript.com

Text Only
OU Sports
  • Sooners did not show up to play

    Texas had something to play for. So there’s that. If the Longhorns are to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, this was just the kind of game they absolutely had to win....

    February 15, 2012

  • With W.V. set free by Big East, Big 12 schedule’s out and it’s backloaded for Sooners

    With West Virginia finally receiving its release from the Big East Conference on Tuesday, the Big 12 Conference was finally able to release its conference football schedule for the 2012 season....

    February 15, 2012

  • Oklahoma Texas Basket_John.jpg Red River rut

    The rut Oklahoma has been trying to escape for the last two weeks continued to grow deeper with a 69-58 loss to Texas Tuesday night at Lloyd Noble Center....

    February 15, 2012 1 Photo

  • OU gearing up for Texas’ Brown

    If Oklahoma guard Steven Pledger had his way, tonight’s meeting with Texas will come down to two players: himself and Longhorn guard J’Covan Brown....

    February 14, 2012

  • Sooners will have a dramatically new look up and down the order, on the mound

    The clubhouse at L. Dale Mitchell Park hasn’t changed over the last year. Just about everything else has since the 2011 baseball season ended. The locker stalls have 20 new nameplates. The coaches’ locker room has two new ones as well. ...

    February 14, 2012

  • Despite hard fight, UConn wins big

    By its own standards, the Connecticut team that took the floor Monday night at Lloyd Noble Center was not in the same class as its previous incarnations. But a down year for the seven-time national champions is still better than just ...

    February 14, 2012

  • Connecticut Oklahoma _John.jpg Believe it or not, OU women are progressing

    Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma appeared plenty willing to embarrass Oklahoma for a third time in seven games....

    February 14, 2012 1 Photo

  • OU reeling from stunning loss to Texas Tech

    As Oklahoma’s players headed toward the exit at United Spirit Arena on Saturday night, most had dazed looks on their faces. The 65-47 loss to Texas Tech was something they didn’t see coming....

    February 13, 2012

  • Rutgers-Connecticut Women's Basketball Husky challenge

    No time might seem like a good time to face Connecticut. The Huskies are always terrific and this season will enter Lloyd Noble Center likely ranked No. 2 following Notre Dame’s Sunday loss to West Virginia....

    February 13, 2012 1 Photo

  • Sooners put finishing touches on perfect opener

    Oklahoma capped off a perfect opening weekend of softball on Sunday with an 11-1 victory over Kent State. The Sooners were led by another strong outing from pitcher Keilani Rickets and an offensive explosion by Allee Allen....

    February 13, 2012

The Business Marquee
Facebook