For those wanting to see more of Paul Thompson in the running game, be patient.
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Through three games, Thompson has 13 carries for 23 net yards, including sacks and losses. Only a handful of those attempts were called running plays.
But quarterback runs are in the Oklahoma game plan.
Thompson had options Saturday at Oregon, but he chose to feed Adrian Peterson instead.
"I definitely enjoy running the ball, feel comfortable running the ball," Thompson said. "It puts more pressure on the defense. Oregon had a plan for that. A lot of the reads, I handed it off instead of running it. There were definitely more opportunities I had to run the ball, but they played it well.
"I don't think our game plan is for me running the ball 10, 11 times a game or something like that."
• Tickets remain: The OU ticket office has received another shipment of returned tickets from Middle Tennessee.
Those seats are on sale for $57, available online at SoonerSports.com, on the phone at 1-800-456-4668 or from the office located on the west side of Memorial Stadium.
To date, Middle Tennessee has returned nearly all of its 2,000-seat allotment.
• Noticing Nic: OU nickel back Nic Harris might be remembered at Oregon for getting beat on the game-winning touchdown pass.
But before that fateful final defensive play, Harris had put together one of his best games as a Sooner.
Harris picked off the first two passes of his career and finished with eight tackles, including one for a loss.
"Nic really had a strong game, except for that one play," said OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables. "He graded out really well, better than a lot of guys."
• Raiders missing lineman: Middle Tennessee will be without its best offensive lineman Saturday, as senior tackle Germayle Franklin will miss the game to attend his mother's funeral.
Franklin's mom, Jacqueline Thomas, died of cancer over the weekend. Her funeral is set for Saturday.
"Germayle is one of our leaders on this football team," Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill told the Daily News Journal of Murfreesboro, Tenn. "Everybody has known about his mom's sickness, and a lot of guys are close to Germayle."
Middle Tennessee will be forced to shuffle an already thin offensive line.
Franklin is an All-Sun Belt performer who had started a team-best 31 consecutive games.
• Turn it up: One week after the Sooners prepared to handle the noise of Oregon's Autzen Stadium, Middle Tennessee is doing the same in anticipation of its trip to Owen Field.
Practices in Murfreesboro have been filled with piped-in crowd noise over speakers.
"It's annoying, but it's great preparation," said Raiders defensive tackle Trevor Jenkins. "It's a challenge, it's been a little difficult and that's what we need."
By John Helsley
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