Questions & Answers

Published: October 16, 2006

How are the rest of the players handling the loss of Adrian Peterson to a broken collarbone?

They're not handling it as well as they did Rhett Bomar's loss when he was kicked off the team in August.

After Bomar's departure, the unified theme from the players was a confident, "We'll be OK."

After Peterson's injury, their response has been, "This is bad... but we'll be OK."

Part of that is because the players like Peterson as a person, and he didn't do anything to hurt the team. He simply suffered an unfortunate accident.

Also, the players know how much Peterson means to the team, whether it's in a game, in practice or in the locker room. His work ethic is contagious, his attitude positive.

Bomar's attitude and personality weren't always endearing to his teammates.

With Peterson out, who's in line for the most carries at running back?

Allen Patrick gets the first shot and might be used in tandem with Jacob Gutierrez.

Patrick hasn't done much in his limited action this season to have earned the full-time job, with two lost fumbles and a dropped pass the only time they've thrown to him.

Gutierrez is a shifty runner, but he's 10 months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered in last December's Holiday Bowl.

Both backs played well last season, while Peterson was hampered by an ankle sprain.

The Sooners also have three freshmen, and the coaches have said they will look at the possibility of bringing one or more of them out of redshirt.

Norman product Mossis Madu has been the best of the group so far this season, handling all facets of the game. Chris Brown is a talented I-formation-style back, and DeMarco Murray came in with the most hype. Murray was slowed by a turf toe injury during August and hasn't caught up yet.

Another factor in the decision will be special teams play. Patrick and Gutierrez are on several special teams, and if they're getting the bulk of the carries, someone will have to help out on special teams.

Is there any chance of Peterson returning during the regular season?

It's possible, but not likely.

OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Sunday he has been told that under perfect circumstances, a player could return from a broken collarbone in four weeks, which would have Peterson back in the lineup Nov. 18.

"But that's a perfect scenario," Wilson said. "Typically, it's a six- to eight-week deal."

Does Peterson's absence affect the defense or its approach?

No. Nor did his presence, said defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

"We don't worry about turnovers, don't worry about bad field position, don't worry about anything other than what we can control," Venables said. "So if all of the sudden we're worried about that, that would be contradicting ourselves."

Is Lendy Holmes the answer at cornerback?

For now. Venables and Bobby Jack Wright felt Holmes showed the best understanding throughout last week's practices of what Iowa State would do offensively.

And Venables believes Holmes is still learning the position after switching from wide receiver last spring.

"I think he's just beginning to really, truly understand all the elements and intricacies of playing that position," Venables said.

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