Sooners needing a hero again
With A.D. out, Thompson will have to anchor offense for rest of season

By John Helsley

Published: October 20, 2006

NORMAN — Paul Thompson rescued the Sooners' autumn once this season, returning to quarterback and producing in his team's time of need.

Well, Thompson is needed again.

And this time Oklahoma needs more.

As in main man more.

Adrian Peterson is out, due to miss a month or more with a fractured collarbone. So the offensive focus shifts to Thompson, effectively dumping the season's ultimate measurement of success — wins, losses and bowl bids — on his right shoulder.

The Sooners, who host Colorado on Saturday, vow to maintain balance in their attack.

"We will not get away from the running game," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.

The passing game formerly thrived in part because of the threat of Peterson's rugged running.

"Everything goes through No. 28," Texas defensive end Tim Crowder said before the Red River Shootout.

Further success of the ground game might now rely on the ability of Thompson to make opponents respect his connection with the OU receivers. Pure stats show how well Thompson has managed the passing game.

He's completing 60.5 percent of his throws, with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. Only two OU quarterbacks over the past 45 years — Heisman winner Jason White and Heisman runner-up Josh Heupel — have topped a 60 percent completion mark for a season.

Thompson ranks fourth in the Big 12 and 24th nationally in passing efficiency, an indication of a quarterback's effectiveness in relation to his number of throws.

And Thompson has at least one touchdown pass in five of the six games; multiple TD tosses in four games.

"I keep saying, I think he's playing well," Wilson said. "I think he can keep playing better."

Thompson might have to play better.

The Sooners have no Peterson in waiting, which is why a committee of runners might be used to fill No. 28's void.

Coaches have expressed confidence in the replacement backs. Still, it's an inexperienced group that includes two true freshmen. And this is an offense already marked by youth, leaving Thompson as the only senior in an impact position.

"You know you can lean on Paul," said Jacob Gutierrez, who figures to share some of the running back load. "If you need him, he's there. He's proven that throughout his career here. He's been there through thick and thin."

We'll soon find out whether this is one of those thin moments.

Probing deeper into Thompson's stats reveals warning signs. Wilson pegged him as a "streaky" passer before the season. And that tag has held true.

Against Iowa State last week, Thompson hit on 14 of 17 first-half throws for 186 yards and two touchdowns. In the second half, he went 2-of-10 for nine yards, although a few receiver drops didn't help his numbers.

While other games haven't revealed such a drastic disparity, Thompson's streakiness has been evident.

And on third downs, the Sooners rank eighth among Big 12 teams in conversions with a 37.8 percentage.

Below them: Texas Tech, Kansas, Colorado and Kansas State — teams combining for a 3-9 conference record.

"I know he'll want to play better," Wilson said. "I think he'll play better. But I don't feel again that he or anybody, any coach or anything, needs to be magnified.

"I've been in some situations where certain players you lose would kill you. We've got a bunch of good players. A bunch of good blockers. Some guys who can catch the ball. And a guy who can throw the ball well and deliver it."

Thompson can turn to wideouts Malcolm Kelly, Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson, as well as tight ends Joe Jon Finley and Jermaine Gresham in the passing game. Running backs Allen Patrick and Gutierrez and perhaps a freshman or two will be called on, too.

Yet, collectively, the offense sure seems now to spin toward its quarterback to provide more.

Does Thompson sense an added burden?

"Not really," he said. "I'm going to continue to do what I've been doing, stay relaxed as I have throughout the year. I think that's how I play the best."

Thompson sure doesn't back away from the challenge.

"When I heard the news (about Peterson), I was definitely upset and shocked," Thompson said. "At the same time, ‘Let's go. Let's go. Half the season is over; let's see what we've got the next half.'"

That's now a familiar Thompson refrain, first spoken when he returned to quarterback from wide receiver to replace Rhett Bomar.

"Yeah," Thompson said. "And I'll probably have to say it some more. So, let's go."