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Less than a month ago, the running back told The Oklahoman that only a major injury would keep him at OU for a fourth season. Counting Saturday’s game, Peterson has 1,030 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2006. He currently sits 150 yards shy of Billy Sims’ all-time rushing record at Oklahoma.
"I'm still not even trying to think about an offense without him, but I guess it is reality," receiver Malcolm Kelly said. "We're going to have to come out and play, man. Everybody came here to play football, and that's what we're going to have to do. We're going to have to do it to a higher level than we've been doing."
Peterson has been somewhat injury-prone during his three years in Norman. He missed most or all of four games last season with a high-ankle sprain, and was slowed for a few games during his freshman year after suffering a dislocated shoulder.
“You don’t plan on this and he’s a tough guy,” Thompson said. “It was a freak accident. We will need some help from the other guys.”
For the time being, Patrick will likely replace Peterson in the starting lineup. The junior from Conway, S.C. has 18 carries for 62 yards and two fumbles in limited action this season. Junior Jacob Gutierrez could also see some time.
“As talented as Adrian is — he’s the best player I’ve ever seen, best offensive player I’ve been around — it’s still about a group and it’s about how that group plays,” said offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. “As soon as we heard, we said, ‘OK. It is what it is. Let’s get them going and let’s be positive.’
“We will continue to find ways to make sure we have a running game after this.”
Wilson said that if the Sooners were to pull one of their promising freshman running backs out of redshirt, it would likely be former Norman standout Mossis Madu. Freshman DeMarco Murray is still nursing a turf-toe injury he suffered during fall camp.
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