Adjustments help UT match Peterson's ferocity

Adjustments help UT match Peterson's ferocity
Oklahoma tailback meets forceful resistance in second half.
By Mark Rosner
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, October 08, 2006


DALLAS — Blessed with impressive stamina, Adrian Peterson is renowned for finishing games at least as strongly as he starts them.

But Peterson, the Oklahoma tailback, met forceful resistance from the Texas Longhorns in the second half on Saturday.

Peterson rushed 12 times for 71 yards in the first half, including a 29-yard touchdown. He lost a fumble, too.

In the second half, Peterson carried 13 times for just 38 yards, and the game's pivotal third quarter was particularly vexing for him. Handed the ball eight times, he managed a mere 20 yards.

"The Texas defense is really fast," Peterson said. "They run to the ball well."

Longhorns co-defensive coordinator Gene Chizik said adjustments were made at halftime, although he did not elaborate.

Perhaps his most important instruction, Chizik said, was demanding that the Longhorns match Peterson's ferocity.

"He always gets stronger as the game does on," Chizik said. "We have to be more physical to win."

Kevin Wilson, Oklahoma's offensive coordinator, said the Longhorns played sound, risk-free defense, putting pressure on Sooners quarterback Paul Thompson without having to blitz. Despite that strategy, Oklahoma committed five turnovers, including four in the fourth quarter.

"We weren't going to take any chances," Chizik said. "Our kids were very aggressive, though, very physical. Eventually, the ball's gonna come on the ground if you are physical."

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