Gutierrez makes the most of unexpected opportunity

NORMAN - He woke up Sunday aching in spots he'd forgotten could be sore. What a great morning.

Down year not getting to Stoops
Notes

"You don't think you miss a feeling like that, Jacob Gutierrez said. "But you really do.

Gutierrez's 30-carry, 173-yard performance last Saturday helped propel Oklahoma to a win over Baylor. And if it whetted fans' appetites for more "GUUUUUUT, as they chanted during the game, it did the same for Gutierrez.

But the tailback knows he might soon be back on the sidelines.

The small sophomore's big chance came because of Adrian Peterson's and Donta Hickson's injured ankles, and because of Kejuan Jones' curfew violation. Even though Gutierrez created a buzz with his darts and dashes, much attention remains focused on Peterson's right ankle.

When the Heisman runner-up is healthy, he'll return to the role of primary ball carrier.

"That's football, said Gutierrez, wearing a smile and shrugging his shoulders, if ever so slightly. "Adrian is a tremendous player, and the coaches are gonna do what's best for the football team. If it's him doing what he's been doing, that's fine with me. As long as we keep winning games.

"I'll keep doing what I've been doing. If I have to wait longer or play a more minor role, that's fine with me.

If that sounds like so much coachspeak, maybe it isn't. Coaches and teammates say in three years on campus, Gutierrez has never given them a hint of anything other than a team-first attitude.

Gutierrez, you'll remember, was one of the very last additions to OU's recruiting class in 2003. Bob Stoops and Bobby Jack Wright were intrigued by the back's resemblance to Quentin Griffin. It didn't hurt that he wore No. 22 for San Antonio's Madison High School.

Turns out, Gutierrez is a shade faster than Griffin, according to Stoops. But his running style is very similar, as is his work ethic; as Griffin did, Gutierrez routinely spends extra time before and after practices with strength coaches, trying to gain speed and power.

He has packed 185 pounds on a 5-foot-6 frame and is probably the strongest Sooner, pound-for-pound.

"You think you've got Jacob, but he's like Superman strong, senior defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek said. "He's hard to take down. He's so little, but he'll run right through an arm tackle. And he's so quick and elusive.

But once he arrived, Gutierrez learned about life on the lower portion of the depth chart. He was assigned No. 22. But when highly touted cornerback Chijioke Onyenegecha arrived just before school started, Gutierrez was suddenly No. 21.

"They just switched us out, said Gutierrez, laughing. "I thought I was 22. But I'm happy with 21.

More important was Gutierrez's position on the depth chart. He was buried beneath other scholarship tailbacks - all of whom were bigger. Gutierrez wowed the varsity defense with his work on the scout team in 2003.

When that didn't translate into playing time, Gutierrez pondered a transfer. He decided to remain because of his off-field pursuits, including his volunteer work with Norman's Cleveland Elementary School. He spends several hours a week with the grade-school children. Last spring, he was awarded the Youth Citizen award, given by the United Way of Norman and the Junior League of Norman.

"I did a lot of praying and soul-searching, what I wanted out of my life and my (football) career, Gutierrez said. "I figured maybe I was here for another reason, not football. If football comes, then it comes. If it doesn't, then I had a great time, a great experience.

Don't think Gutierrez had a nonchalant attitude about football, though. His extra work - another similarity to Griffin - became a staple. And a few weeks back, OU began to implement more of a Spread offense, which fits Gutierrez's skills.

He began playing in various roles, including as a slot receiver-turned-option halfback.

"He creates a lot out of the (shotgun), no question, Stoops said. "Just with his lateral movement and even backwards movement. He just has that knack, and a totally different style (than OU's other backs).

Still, Gutierrez remained down the pecking order. Until last Saturday. And that brings us to this week. What's next for Gutierrez?

"He'll have a major and strong role once again, Stoops said.

Still, no one is making any promises. Peterson remains the undisputed go-to back. Perhaps as early as Saturday at Nebraska, Gutierrez will return to a subsidiary role. But his performance has given the coaches plenty to ponder.

"I think you'll see Jake' now and you'll see him in the future, offensive coordinator Chuck Long said. "He's not gonna go away. There might be times he may not get as many (carries) as last week. He's gonna get more touches, he's gonna get his touches