Sports Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

FOOTBALL
PETERSON’S RECORD 296 YARDS
LIFT VIKINGS
Minutes after Adrian Peterson lost a fourth-quarter fumble at the San Diego 20-yard line, the ball was back in his hands.
He rumbled around right end, paused to set up his blocks, and sprinted 46 yards up the sideline for Minnesota’s game-clinching touchdown.
This rookie doesn’t make many mistakes. He simply sets a lot of records. Racing to the NFL’s single-game rushing record of 296 yards at the midpoint of his first pro season, Peterson carried the Vikings to a 35-17 victory over the Chargers yesterday.
He didn’t realize the significance of his performance until his benign 3-yard carry took the clock under 60 seconds and sent him past Jamal Lewis’ 295-yard performance against Cleveland in 2003 for the best game a running back has ever had in this league. “Oh, no. I was out playing ball,” Peterson said. “I wasn’t thinking about the record at all.”
On 30 carries, Peterson topped 200 yards rushing for the second time in one season, a feat no other rookie has accomplished.
CHAD JOHNSON, LARRY JOHNSON
AMONG INJURED STARS
Chad Johnson of Cincinnati and Larry Johnson of Kansas City were among star players who were hurt yesterday.
Chad Johnson’s injury was potentially the most severe, but he flew home with his teammates after medical tests showed he sustained no damage to his neck after being hit late in Cincinnati’s 33-21 loss to Buffalo. Team spokesman Jack Brennan said Johnson joined the team for its scheduled flight to Cincinnati after having a CT scan of his neck at a Buffalo-area hospital. Brennan said test results were normal. Johnson was hurt when he was sandwiched by Bills defenders Donte Whitner and Coy Wire while attempting a diving catch over the middle with 1:53 left in the game. Johnson dropped the ball and was face-down on the field at the Bills 37 while the game was delayed for about 10 minutes. Larry Johnson was helped off the field at Arrowhead Stadium after injuring his right ankle midway through the fourth quarter against the Packers. He was dragged down from behind by linebacker A.J. Hawk, catching his toe in the turf.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
ARIZONA’S OLSON TO TAKE
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Arizona coach Lute Olson is taking a leave of absence for unspecified personal reasons.
In a statement issued by his public relations firm yesterday, the 73-year-old Hall of Famer said the matter was not health related.
“For the past 25 years, I have always given 110 percent to the team and this job,” Olson said. “In light of this personal matter, I feel it is in the best interest of the team and the University of Arizona to take a leave of absence.”
Associated Press