The Norman Transcript

OU Sports

September 6, 2006

Peterson has met his match

Commentary

Coaches do this sort of thing from time to time, calling out their best player or just one they need to light a fire under, perhaps figuring it serves the greater good of all involved.

Because the coach wants to reach the player, the player wants to get better and the media’s always looking for a story. Kevin Wilson’s not above that sort of thing, thank goodness. Last spring, he made it oh, so clear he had yet to be impressed by Rhett Bomar.

But here’s the thing about the Sooner offensive coordinator. Though not above that sort of thing, it’s not entirely clear when he’s engaging in that sort of thing. Because, really, he’s just about that way all the time.

Blunt.

In your face.

Or better, blunt and in your face about how he was blunt and in the face of one of his players. Listen to him long enough and two thoughts come to mind.

One, there was a time he considered being one of those coachspeak coaches who only succeed in becoming insomnia’s next cure, before quickly deciding he had no time to decide what he didn’t want to say before he didn’t say it. Two, maybe it’s exactly the precision of his communication that had him looked upon as one of the best offensive minds in the college game before he ever ascended into the coordinator’s role at OU.

And if you were standing there Tuesday afternoon when he came strolling into the stadium club, you might have had a third.

Adrian Peterson has met his match.

“He really didn’t come close to playing a good game,” was only one of the things Wilson had to say about Peterson as everybody gathered round. “He made a couple good plays, but he missed some things.”

He missed one blitz that led to a sack and another that led to an interception.

No question Wilson enjoyed the little outlet pass Peterson turned into a 69-yard score, but you kind of get the feeling he knows Peterson will always provide the spectacular. Picking up a blitz or running hard to the hole even when it doesn’t look too promising are different matters entirely.

“He’s got the talent. He’s close, but it’s getting him to be more consistent and that’s what we’re striving for him to do.” Wilson said. “That’s the challenge when you’re a guy like Adrian, to push yourself to be that kind of a player. He’s a great talent, but there’s a difference between talent and truly being a productive, great, great player.

“He can be one, but he’s not that guy yet.”

Though he carried the title of run-game coordinator last season, Wilson was still just another layer in the Sooner bureaucracy. Bob Stoops was the head coach, Chuck Long ran the offense, Cale Gundy coached running backs. Despite the title, Wilson and Peterson were not having frequent heart-to-hearts.

“You just don’t want to cross your bounds,” Wilson said.

But now, Peterson’s third year as the golden child and Wilson’s first to run the offense, the success of each relies tremendously on the other.

Does Peterson see Wilson as something more than a grumpy middle-aged coach?

“I think so,” Wilson said. “My thing with him is, since he’s been here, ‘You’re awfully good, but how good do you want to be?’ … It’s not how much weight can he carry and jump on a deal, because there’s not 84,000 people watching him jump up with weights. They’re watching him play. That means if you see a blitz, you step in front and pick it up.”

After the Sooners knocked the Blazers off 24-17, Wilson sought Peterson out. He had just turned in 208 yards of total offense and the game’s biggest play. Wilson told him he could have been better. Peterson was ready with an answer.

“I know.”

Clay Horning366-3526cfhorning@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