NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Tailback Allen Patrick went through about half of Okla-homa’s practice on Wednesday and may be able to start Satur-day when the eighth-ranked Sooners play North Texas.

Patrick missed more than two weeks of practice and had been wearing a protective boot on his right foot while recovering from a sprained ankle.

“He said he feels better than he did when he played on it last year,” Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. “Again, he’s getting better and we’re working him toward playing.”

Patrick, the expected re-placement for former Heis-man Trophy runner-up Adrian Peterson, also sprained his right ankle last season and missed two games before returning to run for 163 yards and a touchdown in the regular season finale against Okla-homa State.

His backup, Chris Brown, was suspended for the UNT game. Senior Jacob Gutierrez, who ran for 173 yards as a third-stringer in a double-overtime win against Baylor two years ago, and freshmen DeMarco Murray and Mossis Madu could see playing time in the game.