Adrian Peterson news archive 2006 August

CNNSI.com Says it all about the Heisman, why Adrian Peterson could get robbed of the trophy
Heisman-o-meter: Peterson showed his considerable toughness against the Ducks, rushing for 145 yards in the fourth quarter alone, but even his heroics could not overcome two highly questionable calls that went against Oklahoma late in the game. Speaking of production and ability only, it would be difficult to find a better player in the country. But many voters consider team success as well.

Adrian Peterson named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, for the 2nd week in a row

Adrian underappreciated?
Wilson feels his star running back, Adrian Peterson, is underappreciated because of the scenario in which he’s playing, with a young offensive line blocking defenses that aren’t worried about the Sooners’ passing attack. “With loaded boxes, I think that running back is playing about as good as you can ask anyone to play,” Wilson said. “He’s playing against a loaded deck every week and he’s playing great.”

Scout.com Oregon board
"As a Duck fan I am shamed we couldnt win fair and square. OU beat us and we half to pay PAC 10 refs to win. Our one win over OU was never actually a win."

"Oregon touched it first, and it didn't go 10 yards", Fouts & Brandt more VIDEO

VIDEO OF OU GETTTING ROBBED IN OREGON Tim Brandt "theres no question in my mind, its gotta be Oklahoma football"

also Dan Fouts calls it RIDICULOUS "the call on the onsides kick is ridiculous" Brandt says "unbelievable"

Adrian Peterson 34 carries for 211 Yards, 1 Touchdown. GIVE HIM THE HEISMAN, he is the best player in college football PERIOD.
4th and 1, Adrian Peterson Touchdown

OU ROBBED IN OREGON: I'll get the video up soon, Oregon touched the ball before 10 yards on their onside kick. Bad Review, should have been OU's ball and game over. BOTH DAN FOUTS (oregon alum) and Tim Brandt said, it should have been OU's ball.
VIDEO REVIEW FAILED. If its not going to be used correctly, DUMP IT.
When you have an OREGON ALUM say it should be OU's ball you know. OU ended up with the ball, yet the refs didn't realize OU had the ball.
Allen Patrick recovered the kick anyway.

Colin Cowterd says "OU might find out they don't have the best running back on the field Saturday" (vs the Ducks)
In reference to the media pitting Adrian vs Jonathan Stewart AD said "That's probably how it's going to be played (in the media), I'm going to go out there and try to take care of my job and let that speak for itself."
Peterson on Stewart: "I want to tell my guys on defense, and they're probably going to find out anyway, ‘He ain't no slouch. This boy can run the ball"
Stewart on Peterson: "He's a workhorse. When he runs, he actually reminds me of a horse because he just keeps going. He's so, like, masculine on the field."

Question: What college player is most ready right now to go to the NFL and have an impact?
Terry Bowden: .Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson. Quarterbacks have a tough time starting as rookies, and he's a guy who could start as a rookie and have a big year.

Bruce Feldman ESPN.com: The old Adrian Peterson vs. the new Adrian Peterson: Oklahoma has looked pretty shaky thus far against inferior competition. Going to Autzen Stadium to face Oregon is a major step up. The Sooners have really struggled against the rush and as a result have made several personnel changes for the slacking D.

They'd better hope it makes a big difference, because Ducks sophomore Jonathan Stewart is probably the closest thing to the Sooners' star tailback as there is in the country. Stewart is a powerhouse 235-pound tailback with, as coach Mike Bellotti describes, freakish talents (sub 4.4 speed and a 40-inch vertical). Stewart was hobbled by a tender right ankle last week against Fresno State, but he assured the coaching staff he wouldn't miss this game.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have their own secondary issues as they cope with life after starting CB Jackie Bates suffered a season-ending broken leg.

Adrian Peterson "...the only thing right now I know for a fact that would keep me back next year is a major injury"
"My goals when I got here were win a national championship first and then have an opportunity to win the Heisman," Peterson said.
"Those are things I want to do, but the only thing right now I know for a fact that would keep me back next year is a major injury. God willing, that won't happen." Thanks to Scout.com for traffic!!! Thanks guys! hahahahaha

Ivan Maisel ESPN Chat: Tuesday September 12
Michael (Denver): Hey Ivan! Finish these two sentences, please. Oregon beats Oklahoma if... And, Oklahoma beats Oregon if... Thanks!

Ivan Maisel: Oregon beats Oklahoma if they can harass Paul Thompson. Oklahoma beats Oregon if they can rediscover interior defense. It's funny that these teams played such a defensive battle in the Holiday Bowl.

Adrian Peterson named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year
Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson has been named the Big 12 Conference's Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in last Saturday's win over Washington.
The junior rushed 32 times for 165 yards and two touchdowns in the 37-20 Sooner triumph.Peterson, currently the nation's No. 6-rusher with 152.0 yards per game, posted strong numbers against a UW defense that has been stingy against the run.
The Huskies allowed just 50 rushing yards in their season opener and last season held down the likes of UCLA's Maurice Drew (14-33) and USC's Reggie Bush (8-51).
With 304 yards thus far, Peterson is off to the best two-game start of his career.
Peterson also caught two passes for six yards last Saturday and currently has three receptions for 75 yards on the season.

Adrian Peterson had 165 yards rushing on 32 carries, with 2 rushing touchdowns vs Washington

Huskies 'Contain' Peterson, yeah right (Washington News Paper, heraldnet.com)
Washington's defensive players were pleased with their performance after Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson rushes for 165 yards on 32 carries and scores two touchdowns. "We had to put some points on the board and make some big plays," Peterson said of his play in the second half, when he had 107 of his yards. "We had to run it down their throats."

Peterson is moving his way up OU’s all-time rushing record list.
After Saturday’s game, Peterson moved past Stanley Wilson for sixth in Sooner history. He needs 781 yards to pass Billy Sims for first.

Stat that tells the story
OU's offensive line (302.6 pounds) could push around UW's defensive line (271.3) and control the clock with the ground game.

Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com on OU vs Washington: No. 15 Oklahoma 38, Washington 10: Adrian Peterson has been called out by his coach Kevin Wilson. Meanwhile, the Sooner D also got chewed out by their coaches since OU was awful trying to tackle UAB. Husky QB Isaiah Stanback is faster and more elusive than what OU faced last week, but I don't think this is a good time to get the Sooners. Washington also struggled last week with conditioning against San Jose State. It'll probably be a lot more humid and a lot more physical against the Sooners. Not good.
Thing that has me sold: An angry Adrian Peterson.

Lenn Robbins of the NY Post reports on Cold Pizza that Adrian Peterson has had a great week of practice and Lenna expects a big game from AD this Saturday

After UAB coach Watson Brown watched Peterson account for 208 yards and take a swing pass for a highlight-reel 69-yard touchdown last week in a 24-17 Sooner win, Brown said Peterson was the best he'd ever competed against in his 12 years of coaching and maybe the best he's ever seen.

Jackie Sherrill has OU #3 on his BIg 12 Power Rankings
"A lot is also being made out of Adrian Peterson being an 'I' formation running back and Paul Thompson a "shotgun" quarterback. Let me say as a coach, as well as an analyst, he (Adrian Peterson) can play out of any formation they want. He is that good. He is simply the best in the country."

Sooners' Peterson a handful The Herald, Everett Washington
" After surviving a middling San Jose State team, mostly by limiting the Spartans running game to 50 yards, the Huskies will get a close look at greatness Saturday. Maybe the greatest ever. "

Peterson draws criticism after Sooners' opening win
Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson walked into Oklahoma's locker room and sat down with Adrian Peterson. The talented tailback had just run for 139 yards and scored two second-half touchdowns to help lift the Sooners to a 24-17 win in their opener against UAB. Wilson had a message for the 2004 Heisman runner-up. "I said, 'Hey, that ain't close to what you need to play,'" Wilson said Tuesday. "He goes, 'I know.'" Link

UW Prepping for Peterson
Of Sooners running back Adrian Peterson, Willingham said, "I don't think there are other superlatives that someone else can say." Willingham described how the Oklahoma tailback finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting his freshman year and then led the Big 12 in rushing despite missing half of last season.
"This young man is pretty good, and that is probably an understatement just saying that," he said.
The Huskies had not broken down Oklahoma's game tape Monday morning. When they do, they will see Peterson run 23 times for 139 yards and a TD. Said linebacker Chris Stevens: "We have to run to the ball and make good tackles." When asked if there is any additional physics involved in taking down a back like Peterson, Stevens said, "Hit him hard."

While being interviewed after the game, AD mentioned when he was in the zone, by saying, he was "blinking like on the NCAA video game"

Adrian Peterson ran for 139 yards and scored twice in the second half, saving No. 10 Oklahoma from the embarrassment of losing a second consecutive home opener with a 24-17 win against UAB on Saturday night. Peterson got the ball only nine times in the first half, but the Sooners (1-0) went to him on 11 straight plays after halftime. His sixth carry in a row resulted in a 4-yard touchdown run for a 14-7 Sooners lead.

The 2004 Heisman runner-up later atoned for a fumble on his eighth consecutive rush by taking a screen pass from Thompson 69 yards down the right sideline for a score that gave Oklahoma the lead for good at 21-17. Joe Jon Finely threw a vicious block on that play, Joe Jon was only in position, because he ran the wrong route! hee hee

When the string of 11 straight Peterson touches finally ended, so did the Sooners' offensive success. Juaquin Iglesias dropped a potential touchdown pass in the front of the end zone, and Oklahoma had to settle for a 30-yard Garrett Hartley field goal.

The Playmaker Adrian Peterson DFW.com article August 31
The only way to stop Peterson is to load the box and hope the second and third defenders get there soon after the first. The ultimate package of speed, size, ability and determination.

Newsok.com "Body by Adrian: The OU trainers stood on the sideline, eyes fixed on Adrian Peterson, not his running style but his biceps. “Look at Adrian’s arms,“ one said. “Guns,“ said the other. There’s plenty to marvel at with Peterson. Since arriving at OU as a freshman in 2004, a sight even then, Peterson has padded his frame with about 15 pounds to get to his current weight of 218. Every sight line reveals muscle. “His whole body is ridiculous for a human,” quarterback Paul Thompson said. Peterson said, “I take a lot of pride in that. The weight room is one of my favorite places to be. That’s where all the hard work comes in. I go in there and get myself prepared. “It’s something I really dedicate myself to do.”

Warning shot: After sizing up UAB on film, Adrian Peterson offered his take on the Blazers' defense. Peterson noted the size of the defensive line and linebackers.
Then he took note with the UAB secondary.
"Just looking at the secondary, they're a little shady with their tackling," Peterson said. "They like to hit low. I don't know if they'll be able to hear this, but they better wrap up." "I'm going to see if I can't make those guys pay for going low." (Look for AD to rush for 180 yards, MINIMUM Saturday)

CFN lists top 200 players. Adrian Peterson is ranked #1
1. RB Adrian Peterson, Jr. Oklahoma
The best player in college football and the likely number one pick in the draft if/when he decides to come out next season, the franchise back has to stay healthy for a full season. He had problems with an ankle injury during the middle part of last year carrying it a mere 16 times over a four-game span, and then got healthy and ripped up the back half of the season with four straight 100-yard days highlighted by a breathtaking 237-yard performance against Oklahoma State. He's a tremendous mix of 6-2 size, warp speed, and a warrior's mentality. His running style is a bit too upright and he takes a few too many big shots, but that's nitpicking for the NFL types to worry about. Expect him to be used more in the passing game this year.

After seeing both Oklahoma and Texas practice this fall, which team do you think is going to have the better year, and what's your early prediction for the Red River Rivalry game?
-- Isaiah Bowers, San Diego

You know, one of the main observations I took away from last week's trip was how eerily similar both squads are. Both are going to have phenomenal running games. Both have an overabundance of veteran pass-rushers. Both have extremely fast linebackers. Both have big-time playmakers in the secondary. And both have gigantic question marks at quarterback.

So I hate to cop out, but I don't really see where one has any significant edge over the other. The 'Horns obviously have more proven commodities coming back -- they did win the national championship -- but the Sooners are every bit as talented. I don't know who will win the Red River game, but you can expect both teams to blitz the tar out of each other and for the final score to be something like 13-10.

Middle Tennessee game set for 6 pm, and will be on "pay per view"
Oklahoma's Sept. 23 game against Middle Tennessee has been set for a 6 p.m., kickoff. The game will be televised on a pay-per-view basis, although details for that telecast are not yet finalized. More information will be released at a later date.

"Even the best backs in college football can’t do it all by themselves. Oklahoma’s terrific Adrian Peterson saw his production cut in half last year after rushing for nearly 2,000 yards as a freshman. An inexperienced offensive line and a new quarterback were the primary reasons."

You forgot a big primary reason. High ankle sprain? Causing him to miss most or all of 4 games.

Stewart Mandel of CNNSI writes: "I didn't get to see much of Peterson in action Wednesday (he was largely held out of the scrimmage) but I did get to see him without a uniform or pads on afterward, and honestly, it's like someone chiseled him out of stone.
After two years of work under renowned strength coach Jerry Schmidt, the 6-foot-2 Peterson has gone from 208 pounds as a freshman to 222, and if there's an ounce of fat on his body, you wouldn't know it. "I think I'm a lot more powerful [than as a freshman]," said Peterson. "I'm healthy and I'm feeling stronger."
After Peterson slipped from 1,925 yards as a freshman to 1,104 during an injury-marred sophomore campaign, most are expecting huge things from the former Heisman runner-up this season -- no one more so than Peterson himself.
"One of my goals is to go for 2,500 yards," he said. When told that only one player in Division I-A history, Barry Sanders, has run for that many yards, Peterson smiled and replied, "If you prepare yourself, you know what you're capable of doing."

Mel Kiper on if Adrian Peterson comes out after this season for the draft, will he top Mel's Big Board, "He needs to have a big year. He needs to stay injury free. Also the QB situation and the o-line. They are going to impact Peterson immensely. He needs to stay healthy. He's only a junior."

Adrian Peterson has been spared the "hands-off" blue jersey. That's bad news for defenders. Peterson bolted through the line on one run Saturday, then lowered his head and the boom on safety Keenan Clayton for a helmet-to-helmet blow. Peterson enjoyed it so much, he hung around a moment to make sure Clayton knew who'd hit him.

CARRYING THE LOAD - Stoops mentioned he might like to see Adrian Peterson carry 30-35 times in some games. He carried 32 times for 220 yards last year against Tulsa.

"Thirty-five carries sounds pretty good," said Peterson, who has said he'd like to gain about 2,200 yards and have more than 500 receiving.

Newest Adrian Peterson on YouTube, AD TD in the Army All American game, announcing OU