OU notebook

Published: October 11, 2006

Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson knows he can run the football, and he thought last Saturday's game against Texas might be his chance to show it.

"Coming into the game, we had some more of that implemented in the game plan and didn't get to it as much," Thompson said Tuesday at the Sooners' weekly media luncheon.

Thompson said he likes to run the ball, but Texas had prepared for him to keep it in certain situations Saturday.

Thompson's fumble in the first quarter, which he recovered, was a result of Texas defending the quarterback run game.

"I almost kept it, then I kind of gave it (to Adrian Peterson) at the end," he said. "Texas had prepared for that play. It had been called more than one time, but I just gave it, because they had a guy just sitting out there waiting for me."

Late in the game, Thompson kept the ball on a third-down play for a 27-yard gain, his longest rush since 2003.

"The game plan that they have in, week-in and week-out, I'm comfortable with and I believe they're doing the right thing for this offense."

• No breaks: Sometimes, the difference between a win and a loss can be a little luck, a good bounce of the ball, a needed break at the right time.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops feels he and his team are mired in a stretch of games where the breaks haven't gone their way.

"Obviously not," he said. "That's the way it goes. You've got to keep playing and eventually you do get some. I'm sure through those other years, we've had our share of them.

"I'm a positive enough person and I believe in time the whole thing runs its course and we'll get our share, too."

• More Lofton: Sophomore Curtis Lofton might be in line for more playing time at linebacker, according to Stoops and defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

The Kingfisher product has played mostly on special teams in his first two seasons, but coaches say he has earned the opportunity to play in some meaningful situations.

"He is playing better and better in practice and more consistent, so we're feeling more confident to get him more snaps," Stoops said.

Lofton can play both the strongside and middle linebacker positions.

"I need to get him on the field in some meaningful reps," Venables said. "He's earned the right to get out there and see what he can do when it's live bullets."

• Flashback: Thompson said he can see this year's team putting together a similar run to what last year's squad did after the loss to Texas, winning six of its final seven games.

"After that (Texas) game, I think we knew what kind of team we had and after this game, we know what kind of team we have and how close we are," Thompson said.

"If you look at it correctly and look at the mistakes we made, it can be a confidence-builder for us, letting us know we've got a good team and we're going in the right direction."

By Scott Wright