OU notebook

Oklahoma coaches turned players loose after practice Dec. 20, allowing time off for Christmas.

The team gathered in Phoenix on Christmas night and returned to a routine Tuesday, with their first Fiesta Bowl practice in Arizona at local Pinnacle High School.

"It went really well,” said Sooners coach Bob Stoops. "We were really pleased with it. Full pads. We got after it in a physical way with a lot of good on good. Guys ran well afterwards. It looked good.”

The weather was clear and warm, with temperatures in the low 70s. The forecast is for more of the same.

•Back at home: No Sooner was happy about the Fiesta Bowl berth than punter Mike Knall, who played tailback and punted for Chaparral High in Scottsdale.

"It's the best thing ever,” Knall said. "I haven't been home since May. It's fun. I get to come home for Christmas, see family, a lot of my friends.”

The bowl tie comes with a bonus, for Knall's father Phil Knall is a life member of the Fiesta Bowl committee.

"My dad gets to attend all functions,” Knall said. "It couldn't be better.”

While home, Knall has planned some travel agent duties to show around his teammates.

"My mom's going to make some home-cooked meals and stuff,” he said. "I've learned that a lot of guys like the home-cooked meals. And I want to show the guys the night life, show them how we do it here in Arizona.”

•Beyond the buzz: The return of Adrian Peterson to OU's lineup has created a buzz for both the Sooners and