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Oklahoma's star running back accused of sexual assault

Just weeks ahead of a Rose Bowl shootout with Georgia, and with a national championship on the line, Oklahoma's star running back and leading rusher Rodney Anderson has been accused of sexual assault.
Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners takes the field before the Oklahoma Sooners play the TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

A woman accused Oklahoma running back Rodney Anderson of sexual assault in a petition for a protective order, a claim Anderson’s attorney called “patently false” in a statement Tuesday.

The woman sought a protective order in Cleveland County (Okla.) district court on Monday, and the contents of the filing were made public on Tuesday. She said that Anderson attempted to digitally penetrate her and bit her, according to the order. The alleged incident took place Nov. 16 at the woman's apartment after meeting Anderson at a bar, although in the filing, she said she only recalled what allegedly took place after a conversation with a friend this past weekend.

“Mr. Anderson is shocked and disturbed by (the alleged victim’s) claims,” Derek Chance, Anderson’s attorney, said in a statement. “The allegations are patently false. Mr. Anderson did not, nor would he ever, force himself on any woman."

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Chance added: "Following November 16, 2017, (the alleged victim) attempted to pursue a relationship with Mr. Anderson. While we can only speculate as to (the alleged victim's) motives in seeking a civil protective order, her claims surfaced only after Mr. Anderson did not reciprocate a desire to pursue a relationship with (her). In fact, Mr. Anderson declined several social invitations from (the alleged victim) between November 16th and December 4th."

USA TODAY Sports does not disclose the names of alleged victims of sexual assault.

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Anderson is the Sooners' top rusher this season. The school faces Georgia in a national semifinal, the Rose Bowl, on Jan. 1.

Reached Tuesday, the Oklahoma athletic department reiterated the statement to USA TODAY Sports that it had released Monday night — saying the school was still gathering information.

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