Adrian Peterson not feeling added pressure

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma's loss of its starting quarterback would seem to put the burden of carrying the Sooners to success on former Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson. <br/><br/>If so, he isn't

Friday, August 25th 2006, 12:34 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma's loss of its starting quarterback would seem to put the burden of carrying the Sooners to success on former Heisman runner-up Adrian Peterson.

If so, he isn't buying into it.

``I don't put a lot of pressure on myself,'' said Peterson, the punishing back who set an NCAA freshman record for rushing two seasons ago. ``I set my goals and I go after them. That's all there is to it.''

And lofty goals they are. Peterson has set out to rush for 2,200 yards this season _ a total that would surpass Oklahoma's season record and push him past 1978 Heisman winner Billy Sims for the career record.

It would also be the third-best performance in college football history. Coaches are also dreaming up schemes that could put him close to 500 receiving yards. That would give Peterson the most receiving yards ever by a Sooners tailback.

``We've got a few schemes and wrinkles,'' co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin said. ``Obviously, when he's on the field, he's a threat. ... He's become a better receiver and he can put pressure on some guys on the perimeter.''

The plan sounds simple. But so far, it hasn't happened. In two seasons, Peterson has caught 14 passes for 62 yards with no touchdowns. His rushing line, however, is exceptional: 3,033 yards and 29 touchdowns in two seasons, including one limited by injuries.

After running for 1,925 yards in helping the Sooners to the BCS title game in 2004, Peterson had 1,108 yards last season while fighting through an ankle injury that kept him out of one game and severely limited him in three others.

With Peterson and quarterback Rhett Bomar _ who guided Oklahoma to wins in six of its last seven games, including the Holiday Bowl _ voters in the coaches' poll had Oklahoma No. 4 in the nation. After Bomar was kicked off the team Aug. 2 for breaking NCAA rules, the Sooners dropped to 10th in the AP poll.

That might be a compliment to Peterson. The Sooners return most of a sturdy defense, including an overload of talent at defensive end, tackling machine Rufus Alexander at linebacker and an improving secondary. But on offense, there are plenty of question marks.

Paul Thompson, the starter in last year's season-opening loss to TCU, moves back from receiver to quarterback _ a position he hadn't practiced for eight months before Bomar was dismissed. The offensive line returns only one regular from last season, and an unproven receiving corps that's lost four players to the NFL in two years features only one player with more than 20 career receptions.

Another Heisman-caliber year from Peterson could ease a lot of pressure on the rest of the offense.

``We like when he's on the field because most people think you're running it anyway,'' Sumlin said.

If Peterson has his way, opponents will be seeing a lot more of him this season. He's been working to become an ``every down back'' so coaches won't pull him in third-down passing situations, when he was viewed as a blocking liability.

The running he's got down pat.

``He'll surprise you,'' said senior Chris Messner, Oklahoma's most experienced offensive lineman. ``Just some of the stuff that he's able to run through and squeeze out of is pretty amazing. ... There's like three guys around him and somehow he makes a move and he's 80 yards downfield.''

Peterson had been preparing for a big season even before Bomar was booted. A Heisman runner-up in 2004, he found himself watching the award ceremony at home last year instead of in New York.

``It all comes from the offseason and spring, how you work. I've been out there busting my butt trying to be first in everything. ... I can go out there, I can do some more stuff and be able to carry the load,'' Peterson said. ``If they want to give me 50 snaps or whatever, I can do stuff like that.''

The more snaps, the better for Peterson _ and probably for Oklahoma.

``It's not like I'm just focused on `I need to get this many yards each game.' I just go out there and I play,'' Peterson said. ``Whatever Coach has got us lined up to do, it'll take care of itself. Just go out there, just have fun and things will open up for you. You'll have big plays.''