OU Sports
Peterson's return
• A.D. back on the field, but things don’t go as planned
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Even though Adrian Peterson was only 151 yards shy of surpassing the all-time rushing record at Oklahoma, he looked almost as rusty as Billy Sims’ 27-year old mark during most of the 36th annual Fiesta Bowl Monday night.
Fortunately for Sooner fans, the Adrian Peterson they’ve grown to know and love resurfaced in overtime of the Sooners’ 43-42 loss to Boise State, but it ultimately proved to be too little and too late.
But what a sendoff it could have been.
Peterson’s 25-yard scamper during the first play of the overtime period blasted through the Boise State bench like a shockwave. It silenced the orange and blue clad followers of all things Bronco like few other events on the night.
Peterson struggled to get on track all night. Before his overtime fireworks, he had only accounted for 52 yards on 19 carries. Those numbers paled in comparison to teammate Allen Patrick who rushed for 61 yards on just 11 carries.
But for a brief moment during overtime Sooner fans saw Peterson sweep to the outside, cut through a field full of would-be tacklers and race into the end zone. The rust had faded and No. 28 was on top of the college football world once again.
And briefly, so too was OU. But Boise State answered OU’s thoroughbred with a bit of magic and misdirection. While everyone else was standing in amazement, Boise State made the final move.
Just as soon as Peterson re-emerged, Boise State pulled its own rabbit out of a hat, a statuesque quarterback delivered a misdirection handoff to running back Ian Johnson. And just like that, Peterson’s moment was gone.
“My head is just spinnin’ right now,” Peterson said. “I don’t know, the play they ended it with. It was a crazy play. I don’t know.”
Peterson’s sendoff, his victory, was not to be. Now he’s left perhaps with the biggest decision of his young life. The rushing record remains in the hands of Sims, unless Peterson does something nobody expects from and comes back for a senior season.
“I’ve got a little time,” Peterson said. “Basically I’ll just sit back, you know, find some time to relax and think over everything. You know, then I’ll make my decision. No rush.”
Peterson finished the final game of the season with 77 yards rushing, barely half of what he needed in order to break Sims’ mark.
If his lone touchdown in overtime could have propelled the Sooners to victory, it’s likely no one would care.
Not about the rust and not about the decision ahead.
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