NEW YORK (AP) - Former Oklahoma star Adrian Peterson ran away with The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting
the same way he surged past opposing tacklers this season.

The Minnesota Vikings running back set the league mark for rushing in a game with 296 yards in a 35-17 victory over San Diego and also had a 224-yard performance in a win against Chicago.

The key to Minnesota's improvement to an 8-8 record this season, he led the NFC with 1,341 yards rushing, second only to San Diego's
LaDainian Tomlinson in the league. His 78 points on 13 touchdowns were second in the conference.

Peterson was not a starter until the sixth game, a week after his big performance against the Bears. While veteran Chester Taylor
opened the first five games and was coming off a strong year, it was clear that Peterson could be a difference-maker.

The seventh selection in the draft, Peterson brought some durability issues with him after suffering several injuries at
Oklahoma. He did miss two games with a knee problem and wasn't particularly effective for much of December when he returned to the
lineup.

Peterson is the fifth Viking to win the award, joining Paul Flatley in 1967, Chuck Foreman in 1973, Sammy White in '76 and
Randy Moss in 1998.

Last year's winner was Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)