Notebook: Bob's thoughts on Bo

Published: November 20, 2006

Oklahoma tailback Adrian Peterson has missed five games, but remains on the watch list for some postseason awards, including the Doak Walker Award for the nation's best running back.

Coach Bob Stoops was asked Sunday if Peterson should still be considered for postseason honors such as All-Big 12 and All-America.

"I would think so," he said. "You can't deny the special player he is."

Peterson's rushing total of 935 yards still ranks second in the Big 12, and his 155.8 yards per game is first.

His rushing average would be third nationally, but Peterson no longer qualifies to be counted among the nation's leaders because he hasn't played 75 percent of his team's games.

• Giving thanks: Football coaches are used to working on Thanksgiving, and this year is no different for the Sooners.

"Thursday is still a work day," OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. "But it's a good work day. You're thankful for a lot of things, and one of the things you're thankful for is a chance to play this game, coach this game.

"My high school coach used to say in the playoffs all the great teams get to eat a little turkey and practice a little football on Thanksgiving. How many kids grew up always talking about the Turkey Bowl in their backyard? And we get to do it out here for real."

• Bob on Bo: Stoops expressed his sadness Sunday about the loss of former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, who died Friday at age 77.

Stoops, who grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, said he always watched the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.

"I had a cousin who played for Michigan way back when, so I kind of favored Michigan growing up because of that association."

Stoops said he met Schembechler once at a coaching convention.

"(He was a) special guy," Stoops said. "You respect and admire everything you read and know about him, what he stood for and how his teams always played."

By Scott Wright