Norman, Okla. ? With its offense sputtering and Texas A&M closing in, Oklahoma turned to its workhorse tailback to provide a spark.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns and propelled Oklahoma’s stalling offense to a crucial late score in a 36-30 victory Saturday against Texas A&M.

After the Aggies (5-5 overall, 3-4 Big 12 Conference) had rallied from 21 points down to get within 30-24, the Sooners (6-3, 5-1) gave the ball to Peterson on five straight plays on their way to the clinching score.

“We were all just determined to get down there and score again when they got kind of close,” Peterson said.

Peterson ran for 47 yards on seven carries on the drive, which Rhett Bomar capped with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Travis Wilson.

“We’re trying to run the clock out and pound it and get the game iced, and fortunately we were able to do it,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said.

Todd Pegram kicked field goals of 34 and 27 yards to bring the Aggies within 36-30 with 3:30 left. A&M stuffed Peterson for a seven-yard loss on second down, but Bomar connected with Juaquin Iglesias for a 34-yard gain on a third-and-12 play, and the Sooners ran out the clock.

Bomar threw for a career-high 298 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and Malcolm Kelly caught five passes for 118 yards for Oklahoma, which is bowl-eligible for the seventh straight season after winning its last four games.

Texas A&M failed in its third attempt to qualify for a bowl. The Aggies’ last chance comes against No. 2 Texas on Nov. 25.

Reggie McNeal threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns and set Texas A&M’s record for career yards passing before leaving in the third quarter because of an injury. He finished with 6,992 yards passing, breaking Corey Pullig’s mark of 6,846 yards set from 1992-95.

McNeal had to be helped off the field after being sacked for a safety in the third quarter.

McNeal said he thought the ankle was sprained, and Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione said it wouldn’t be a season-ending injury.