By John Shinn
Adrian Peterson rushed for 1,925 yards and topped the 100-yard barrier 11 times last season. Those totals were the reason Peterson had one of best freshman seasons in the history of college football.
But as Oklahoma prepares to face Texas A&M; at 11 Saturday morning at Owen Field, one carry against the Aggies still sticks out.
The Sooners rallied from a trio of two-touchdown deficits for a thrilling 42-35 victory over Texas A&M.; Most remember Jason White’s 39-yard touchdown pass to Mark Bradley as the play of the game. It gave OU the lead for good.
But offensive coordinator Chuck Long remembers another play vividly. On the same drive that ended with Bradley’s touchdown, Peterson dislocated his shoulder and was taken to the locker room. He didn’t even see the go-ahead score.
But OU got the ball back minutes later and was trying to run out the clock, Peterson was on the field as the Sooners faced a third-and-3 from the A&M; 37.
Peterson, separated shoulder and all, spun and fought his way for 4 yards and a first down.
“I was just trying to get that first down,” Peterson said. “Whatever it was going to to take to get that first down, I was going to do it. We had to keep the drive going and run some clock.”
“It was like a blur at the time,” Long said. “You don’t know what all happened and how he did it. Then you watch on film the next day and you go, ‘My gosh, what a great run.’”
The run helped cement Peterson’s status as the guy who could carry the load, even when hurt. Everyone knew he was talented. That day against the Aggies, he proved he was tough, too
“Here’s a guy that popped out his shoulder and came back in the game and made that run,” Long added. “I know it upped the respect from us for him as a coaching staff. I know it did for the players, too.”
Peterson has continued to fight injuries. The ankle sprain he suffered Oct. 1 against Kansas State limited him to a combined eight carries against Texas and Kansas. He didn’t play a down against Baylor.
“It’s been an experience that you learn from,” Peterson said. “You learn that anything can happen, so when you’re out there you better make the best of it.”
He did when he returned to the lineup at “90 percent” at Nebraska. That was still good enough for 146 yards on 24 and two touchdowns.
He’s gotten plenty of rest since, and Peterson says the injured ankle is feeling better every day.
“I don’t know that he’s 100 (percent), but his 95 is as good as most peoples’ 100,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “He’s closer and closer and looks really good practicing.”
Whether or not Peterson has another career-defining carry Saturday is anyone’s guess. But after what happened last year against Texas A&M;, anything is possible.
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
