PASADENA, Calif. — Adrian Peterson came to Oklahoma with a nickname already in place.

“All Day.”

During his childhood, friends and family came up with the secondary name because that’s how long the youngster could run and play with no apparent loss of energy.

Now in his sophomore season, the Sooners appear willing to allow the running back to live up to the moniker all over again.

Through two games, the Heisman Trophy contender has already carried the ball 54 times.

When his four receptions are counted, he has touched the ball on 43 percent of the Sooners’ offensive snaps.

OU coach Bob Stoops doesn’t believe it’s a problem. In fact, he thinks Peterson can handle the ball even more.

“Each game will depend,” Stoops said. “Whatever he’s able to handle. He’s a special player and he’s strong guy. As long as he’s able to hold up we’ll give it to him even more.”

But how long can Peterson hold up?

Peterson carried the ball 32 times against Tulsa and turned those carries into 220 much-needed yards. He also found the end zone three times.

It continued a trend that began last season. Peterson has averaged 26.2 carries during his 15-game career and has logged 30 or more carries in five of those games.

Offensive lineman Davin Joseph helped open holes for Peterson last season and is doing it again this year. He doesn’t believe there’s a breaking point when it comes to giving Peterson the ball.

“Once you get him rolling, you only need about two or three plays and you know you’re going to get a big game,” Joseph said. “That’s how he runs. Once you get him rolling like that, it’s pretty hard to stop him.”

That’s been especially true following halftime. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, Peterson has an ability to wear down defenses as the game goes along. Defenders appear to tire while he seems to get stronger. Peterson’s performance against Tulsa featured 180 second-half rushing yards.

The Golden Hurricane quit spinning. Peterson spun out of Tulsa defenders’ grasp.