Peterson part of the Nike Rookie class of 2007: Nike continues its legacy of outstanding football talent with the addition of nine collegiate football All-Americans and top professional prospects to its roster, and the introduction of the players' first advertising and marketing campaign with the Nike brand. Adrian Peterson finished his career with 4,045 yards along with 42 touchdowns. During his four years, Peterson was named to the All-American team as well as rushing for nearly 2,000 yards during his freshman season.
AJC's Early 2007 Top 25: 1. USC 2. West Virginia 3. Oklahoma: The Sooners will likely lose junior tailback Adrian Peterson to the NFL, but Allen Patrick showed this past fall he'll be a fine fill-in. If Oklahoma can find an adequate quarterback to replace Paul Thompson -- Sam Bradford and Keith Nichol are the top contenders -- it should be in the national championship mix. 4. Ohio State 5. Florida Notables 7. Texas 15. Nebraska 22. Texas A&M 25. Oklahoma State Full Atlanta Journal Constitution Top 25.
2007 National Title Odds: USC: 5-2 Michigan: 13-2 Florida; 7-1 Texas: 10-1 West Virginia: 14-1 LSU: 15-1 Oklahoma: 17-1 More at NewsOK.com Odds Source: PinnacleSports.com
Former Oklahoma QB Thompson Trial delayed: A trial for former University of Oklahoma quarterback Charles Thompson on misdemeanor charges of public drunkenness and disturbing the peace was delayed Tuesday at the request of city prosecutors. (NewsOK.com)
Peterson says, "We've just got to see" if its the final OU-Texas: Three years ago, Adrian Peterson said he signed with Oklahoma rather than Texas because the Sooners had a better opportunity to win national championships. On Saturday, he exited the Cotton Bowl with 109 yards rushing and a touchdown, but with his second straight loss to the Longhorns. "I was pumped up, ready to play Texas," said Peterson, moments after getting some consoling words from Longhorns coach Mack Brown. "Any year, anybody would be ready to play this game." If Peterson, a junior, decides to enter the NFL draft after this season, he'll look back at Saturday as the defeat that guaranteed his leaving Oklahoma without a national title. If he goes pro, he'll also conclude his OU career with a 1-2 record against Texas. "We've just got to see, man," he said. "We've got a long season to go." (Dallas Morning News)
Sooners' D-Line overmatched by Texas' OL? One perceived mismatch entering the game was Texas' offensive line over OU's defensive line. The perception held true early as the Longhorns compiled nearly half (56) of their 127 total rushing yards in the first quarter. Defensive end Larry Birdine says the Sooners weren't caught off guard by much of what Texas did on the offensive line. "Their running backs were able to make plays and their linemen were staying on blocks." (NewsOK.com)
Peterson praises UT's kick coverage: Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson praised the directional kickoffs of Texas' Greg Johnson. After Texas' first touchdown, Peterson returned the kickoff a career-long 59 yards, although an OU penalty negated 15 yards of it. But on his ensuing three returns, Peterson totaled 35 yards. "Every time I caught it, they were almost there in my face," he said. (Dallas Morning News)
Kelly disappointed with execution: OU receiver Malcolm Kelly was frustrated, but not by the fact that Texas limited him to two receptions for 31 yards. "Our execution was poor," he said. "I'm disappointed because no one really knows our potential like I feel our team does, and we definitely didn't show it." (Star-Telegram)
Lack of pressure costly to Sooners defensive: OU defensive end C.J. Ah You had a team-high eight tackles against UT, and Calvin Thibodeaux had three tackles for loss. But defensive end Larry Birdine said the line didn't put enough pressure on quarterback Colt McCoy, and when OU blitzed, the secondary became vulnerable. "I'm very disappointed, especially since I was a non-factor in the second half," said Birdine, who had only one tackle. (Dallas Morning News)
