Samaje Perine’s keys to avoiding sophomore slump with Oklahoma Sooners

Nov 22, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) runs for a touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

More Carries, Please

Here’s another striking statistic: in games where Perine had less than twenty carries, he averaged 62 yards per game and a little over five yards per carry. In games where he carried the rock more than twenty times, Perine averaged 192 yards per game and seven yards per carry. The more Perine carried the ball, the more productive he was.

Any coaching staff worth its salt knows that putting the ball in the hands of the team’s best playmaker maximizes the chances for victory. And headed into 2015, Samaje Perine is the Sooners’ best player.

No matter who emerges as the starter at quarterback in 2015, there should be no question that the focal point of the Sooner offense will be Samaje Perine. As he gets more carries, expect even better statistics in 2015.

Next: The reasons he could have a sophomore slump