GLENDALE, Ariz. — Oklahoma star running back Adrian Peterson played in Monday night's Fiesta Bowl, but found yards hard to find against a gritty Boise State run defense.
Peterson, who missed the past six games with a broken collarbone, carried 20 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns in the Sooners' 43-42 overtime loss to BSU.
The junior carried the ball on OU's first three plays of the game and also was involved in the passing game, as he caught two passes for nine yards.
Boise State, which allowed only one 100-yard rusher this season and that was in a blowout win over Nevada, never let the All-American back get loose. His longest carry was 10 yards, though he did have an 8-yard touchdown run in the second half. Several times he was bottled up for no gain or losses.
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Peterson got the bulk of the carries for the Sooners, but he did share time with backup Allen Patrick. Patrick had 11 carries for 61 yards.
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said he expected to play multiple backs, and he kept his word. Third-stringer Chris Brown, who had a 100-yard game when Peterson and Patrick were out with injuries, did not carry the ball Monday night.
Peterson was hoping to reach two milestones Monday — he needed 65 yards to reach 1,000 this season and 151 yards to become Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher.
Billy Sims holds the school record with 4,118 yards, set between 1975 and 1979. He failed to break Sims' record.
The Fiesta Bowl is expected to be the final collegiate game for Peterson, who is considered to be a lock as a first-round selection in this year's NFL Draft.
The Sooners had won every game that Peterson missed this season. The loss Monday night also was the third straight BCS Bowl game that Oklahoma had lost.
To offer story ideas or comments, contact reporter Nick Jezierny at njezierny@idahostatesman.com or 377-6420.
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