Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Wednesday night in his final communication of the week with media that he still didn’t know if running back Allen Patrick would be able to play Saturday against Baylor.

Patrick, who took over the starting running back chores after Adrian Peterson suffered a broken collarbone, has been nursing an injured ankle and missed last week’s game against Texas Tech. Stoops said Patrick is improving.

“We’re trying to work him up to the mode he’ll (be able to play),” he said. “He’s getting better and improving all the time.”

Stoops said ankle injuries are difficult to gauge, recalling how Peterson dealt with a similar injury last season.

“He’ll eventually get over the hump like (Peterson) did,” Stoops said. “I’m not saying it’s just like that, but it’s one of those things. I’m not trying to be elusive. It’s hard to say.”

Stoops said Peterson definitely would not play against Baylor earlier in the week. If Patrick can’t go, either Jacob Gutierrez or true freshman Chris Brown will start.

Still up for Walker

Peterson has missed the last four games, but is hardly forgotten. He was one of 10 semifinalists announced Thursday for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented annually to college football’s top running back. 

The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors oversees the honor. The 166 members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes over the next week to determine the 2006 finalists.

Three finalists will be named Tuesday, and a second vote will determine the recipient. The recipient of the 2006 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN’s The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 7.

Pendleton a scholar

Sooner defensive tackle Carl Pendleton has been named an All-District VI Academic and is now a candidate for Academic All-America honors. ESPN The Magazine Sponsors the academic recognition.

Pendleton is a junior in eligibility but has announced he will forgo his senior season of football to enter graduate school. He has already received the National Football Foundation’s Post-Graduate Scholarship.

Pendleton carries a 3.86 grade point average in sociology with a minor in religious studies. He has been nominated for numerous other awards including the FCA’s Bobby Bowden Award, the FWAA’s Courage Award, the Wuerffel Trophy and the John Wooden Citizenship Cup, presented by Athletes for a Better World.

On the field, Pendleton has 20 careers starts, 32 tackles and four sacks.