Oklahoma won’t have to deal with a streak of season-opening losses in 2006. But it does have a have streak of lackluster season-opening play to contend with.

The 10th-ranked Sooners committed four turnovers, but still managed to top Alabama-Birmingham 24-17 Saturday night at Owen Field.

OU has Adrian Peterson to thank for that.

The junior Heisman Trophy candidate scored a pair touchdowns, rushing for 139 yards and added a dazzling 69-yard touchdown reception on a swing pass from Paul Thompson.

“We have to get him the ball,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “There’s no question about that.”

Eventually, the Sooners (1-0) did.

After a first-half performance that appeared eerily similar to last season’s 17-10 loss to TCU, OU turned to Peterson almost exclusively.

“We played the first half a little too tight,” Peterson said. “I had to come in the second half and get something done.”

Peterson got the ball only nine times in the first half, but OU fed him the ball 11 straight times after the half. His sixth straight carry resulted in a 4-yard touchdown run for a 14-7 Sooner lead.

However, OU was a long way from perfect.

Paul Thompson, who made his first start at quarterback since being benched after the 2005 opener, threw for 227 yards and was 14-for-24 through the air. But he also threw a pair of first-half interceptions, killing a pair of scoring opportunities.

“The turnovers were the issue in the first half,” Stoops said. “When you turn the ball over in the red zone, you’re just cutting your foot off. We’re right there for points and we throw two interceptions. Those hurt … When we’re in the end zone we have to get points.”

OU didn’t and the Blazers hung around until the end because of them.

UAB pulled starting quarterback Chris Williams after two series without a first down, and junior Sam Hunt proved to be an effective replacement.

Hunt rushed for 65 yards and threw for another 149, including a 24-yard touchdown pass to Corey White.