The Oklahoma Sooners open with one of the most-anticipated games of the 2016 college football season when they visit the Houston Cougars at NRG Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, at noon ET on ABC. The first full week of the season, however, kicks off two days earlier, on a Thursday night featuring 16 FBS games. That Thursday night is now just 28 days away.
The number 28 is significant to Oklahoma fans. One of the greatest running backs to ever play for the Sooners, Adrian Peterson, wore No. 28 for three seasons in Norman. Peterson totaled 4,041 career rushing yards and scored 42 touchdowns for the Sooners. His freshman season, 2004, stood out as the best of his college career. He rushed for a Big 12 single-season record 1,925 yards, averaging 5.7 per carry and reaching the end zone 15 times. His 339 rushing attempts in 2004 broke the NCAA record. He finished second to Matt Leinart in Heisman voting that year.
Peterson wasn't as durable in the next two seasons, appearing in 11 games in 2005 and just seven games in 2006. The Sooners were a combined 31-8 during Peterson's career, capturing the 2004 and 2006 Big 12 titles. The Minnesota Vikings selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft.
In case you missed the start of our countdown:
29 days: Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium opened in 1929
30 days: Vinny Testaverde won the Heisman 30 years ago