Oklahoma running back Peterson declares himself '100%' ready

Oklahoma running back Peterson declares himself '100%' ready

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Adrian Peterson didn't hesitate when asked if he was ready to rejoin the Oklahoma Sooners for Monday's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl date with Boise State.
"I'm back to 100%," said Adrian Peterson, who went to the sideline with a broken left collarbone Oct. 14 and missed seven games.

But the bigger question — will the running back who is only 151 yards shy of breaking Billy Sims' school rushing record rejoin the Sooners next fall? — went unanswered Thursday.

"It'll be a big decision," said the 6-2, 215-pound junior, who is seriously considering declaring for the NFL Draft.

He said he won't make a decision until after the game. It won't be an easy one.

With potentially 17 starters, including nine on offense, back from an eighth-ranked team that overcame one obstacle after another to finish 11-2, Peterson has visions of a run at a national championship.

On the other hand?

"You have the money part, obviously," he said, "and the dream of playing in the NFL since I was 7."

Sooners swan song or not, Adrian Peterson is eager to test a Boise State defense ranked seventh against the run. The Broncos, 12-0 and winners of the Western Athletic Conference, are playing in their first Bowl Championship Series game.

"They're proven," Adrian Peterson said. "It's a good challenge."

After he was cleared medically to play three weeks ago, Adrian Peterson declined to wear a blue, non-contact jersey in practice.

"He's not like that," said co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin. "He sets the tone in practice. He has one speed — full out."

Like Wednesday, when Peterson won every sprint in practice.

The speedy Texan — who finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting, the highest ever for a freshman, after rushing for 1,925 yards in 2004 — was on his way to smashing Sims' record and was second in the nation in rushing and all-purpose yards when he broke his collarbone against Iowa State.

It was just one of the hurdles the Sooners faced this season. In early August, two key offensive players were dismissed for violating NCAA rules. In September, an acknowledged officiating error played a pivotal role in a 34-33 loss at Oregon. Then came a rash of injuries, starting with Adrian Peterson's.

"When Adrian got hurt, you started to think, 'Jeez, what else could happen here?' " said Sooners coach Bob Stoops.

What else happened were injuries to Allen Patrick, who replaced Adrian Peterson, and right tackle Branndon Braxton.

Patrick returned from an ankle injury after missing two games but will give way to Adrian Peterson. He goes into the Fiesta Bowl with 3,968 career rushing yards and needs only 65 to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the third consecutive season.

The big prize is Sims' record of 4,118 career rushing yards, set from 1975 to 1979.

"It means a lot," Adrian Peterson said. "Hopefully, it'll happen this game."

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