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
OU Sports
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