Peterson Named Freshman of the Year

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson was selected as Freshman of the Year by The Sporting News on Wednesday. The magazine annually honors one offensive, defensive and freshman player and a Coach of the Year.

Peterson, a true freshman from Palestine, Texas, has rushed for 1,860 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

Peterson rushed for more than 100 yards in 11 of OU's 12 games and helped lead the undefeated Sooners to the BCS National Championship Game in the 2005 FedEx Orange Bowl.

Adrian Peterson Bio & Stats | Sporting News Article

The following is an excerpt from the publication:

Freshman of the Year - Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
Let fullback J.D. Runnels explain the difference between Oklahoma's offenses in 2003 and '04: "Sometimes, we'll run play-action (passes), and we don't even have to block anyone. Everybody is so worried about him."

Him. That's tailback Adrian Peterson, Freshman of the Year.

Almost 25 years ago, we were introduced to tailback Herschel Walker, who should have won the Heisman Trophy that season. Walker became arguably the greatest player in the game's history.

Now Peterson is being compared to Walker and has just as much of a claim to the trophy as anyone. Only once this season did he fail to reach 100 rushing yards -- and he admittedly still doesn't fully comprehend where to run in OU's zone blocking schemes. Maybe once he figures it out, we can hand him the bronze trophy.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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