Norman, Okla. ? With four players ahead of him on the depth chart, Allen Patrick figured he’d spend this season learning Oklahoma’s offense after switching from defensive back to running back.

Considering that the man on top of that list was Adrian Peterson, the NCAA’s leader in rushes last season, made it even less likely.

“I wasn’t even expecting to get snaps this year, to tell you the truth, just making the transition, and then you’ve got all the good players over there,” said Patrick, a transfer who played defense at Independence (Kan.) Community College. “I wasn’t looking at having any playing time.”

Then Peterson, his roommate, got hurt and Patrick got into a game. Last week, backup Kejuan Jones was suspended and another reserve, Donta Hickson, got injured. All of a sudden, he was in line to be the No. 2 back for the Sooners (4-3. 3-1 Big 12).

Entering Oklahoma’s game with Baylor, Patrick got some advice from Peterson.

“He was just telling me to go out and slow down, just relax and run downhill. Whenever I see the hole, just hit it hard,” Patrick said.

Peterson’s advice worked. Patrick ran for 49 yards on 15 carries in his most extensive action of the season, and starter Jacob Gutierrez had 173 yards on 30 carries in Oklahoma’s 37-30 win in double overtime.