OU football notebook

With Middle Tennessee next, Bob Stoops found himself Monday still talking about Saturday's controversial loss at Oregon and its impact on the season.

Still, Stoops said his team is fully focused on the season ahead and what it can bring.

"Our players understand there's a lot in front of us," Stoops said. "The season's young. We've got a ton to get better at, improve at and that's what we're focusing on. I have to deal with this because I'm the head coach. There's too many questions about it.

"We're on to Middle Tennessee. We had a great practice. Our players are upbeat. They understand the potential that's on the football team, and we're going to continue working to get better."

• Marking Marcus: The revolving door at the cornerback slot opposite Reggie Smith might next turn to Marcus Walker.

Lendy Holmes replaced D.J. Wolfe as the starter against Oregon, yet gave up a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ducks wideout Jaison Williams.

Walker, who split reps with Holmes, was strong in coverage most of the game and finished with a game-high four pass breakups. Walker was the team's Defensive Player of the Game.

"I thought Marcus came in and competed and did a really nice job," said Sooners defensive coordinator Brent Venables. "He played well. Timing was great. He was physical out there.

"He had the right attitude, the right chip on his shoulder."

Walker is likely to start against Middle Tennessee.

"I think he's earned that right," Venables said.

• Adrian's world: For the second straight week, Adrian Peterson has been named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week.

Peterson ran 34 times for 211 yards and a touchdown at Oregon. Of his total, 145 came in the fourth quarter.

With 515 yards for the season, Peterson is off to the best three-game start of his career. And his 171.1 yards per game rank No. 2 among the national rushing leaders.

Oregon outlook: All the fuss over Saturday's controversial calls hasn't gone unnoticed in Eugene.

Ducks coach Mike Bellotti told The Oregonian that he wouldn't allow outside focus on the controversy to taint his team's win.

"We ignore it and move on," Bellotti told the newspaper.

Bellotti did say that if the call