Tulsa World: OU needs Murray's production

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OU needs Murray's production

OU's Demarco Murray (7) scores a touchdown against Idaho State in Norman. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World

By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Writer
Published: 9/19/2009 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 9/19/2009 7:57 AM

Go to Dave Sittler's Blog

NORMAN — DeMarco Murray recently followed the lead of some of his equally talented teammates and took out a multi-million dollar insurance policy to protect his future against a career-ending injury.

As far as No. 12 Oklahoma (1-1) is concerned, the future is now. The Sooners need the multi-talented Murray to immediately live up to his projection as a early-round NFL draft choice.

Anyone who watched Miami's 33-17 manhandling of No. 14 Georgia Tech on Thursday night understands the sense of urgency OU must feel as it has only two weeks to prepare for an Oct. 3 Florida road trip to take on the vastly improved Hurricanes (2-0).

A few weeks ago, everyone thought OU was catching a break by having the Miami game on the 2009 schedule instead of next season. The logic being that the young Hurricanes' squad is still a season away from reclaiming its spot among the nation's elite programs.

That line of thinking no longer exists. Not after Miami opened with a huge victory at Florida State, then followed it up this week by humbling a Georgia Tech team that blew away the Hurricanes last season, 41-23.

Miami has improved dramatically in coach Randy Shannon's third year because its offense is loaded with playmakers. And that's where Mr. Murray enters this picture for OU.

The 6-foot-1, 214-pounder from Las Vegas was supposed to be just one of many offensive weapons in OU's arsenal. But that talent stockpile was nearly wiped out when All-America tight end Jermaine Gresham was lost for the season with a knee injured in practice, and Heisman Trophy quarterback Sam Bradford was knocked of the season opener against BYU with a shoulder injury.

When it came to reliable playmakers, Bradford and Gresham were unquestionably OU's top two threats. Murray, fellow running back Chris Brown and receiver Ryan Broyles were some of the Sooners who have game-changing abilities.

Bradford may or may not be back for the Miami game. And you can bet a Hurricanes defense loaded with speed will zero in on stopping Broyles, because he's the only consistent OU receiver through two games.

A punishing inside runner, Brown is more of a grinder. He doesn't possess the game-breaking versatility of Murray, who can make home-run plays as a runner or receiver.

Murray needs to use today's contest with Tulsa (2-0) as a coming-out party. He must fill the considerable statistical hole left by Gresham's injury and prove he can carry this offense even when Bradford returns.

Murray's performance in the first two games has been a mixed bag. He averaged 5.8 yards on 10 carries against BYU, but fumbled twice in the 14-13 loss.

Against Idaho State, he played like the Murray the Sooners need the rest of the season. He rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, while adding 40 yards on two receptions.

From past performances, OU coach Bob Stoops knows he can rely heavily on Murray if his dynamic running back can stay healthy. But now he's forced to depend on a player who's had a star-crossed Sooner career because of injuries.

Stoops still wonders what would have happened if Murray played in last January's BCS national title game against Florida. Murray sat out the contest after injuring a hamstring in the Big 12 championship game.

It was the second straight bowl OU badly missed Murray. The hard-luck Sooner was one of five starters who missed the Fiesta Bowl loss to West Virginia with a dislocated a knee cap.

Murray was dynamite when healthy last season, setting an OU single-season record for all-purpose yards.

But he wasn't available when OU needed him most in the 24-14 loss to Florida. Stoops believes a healthy Murray would have countered Florida's Percy Harvin, who had 122 yards rushing and 49 receiving.

"I'm not going to use DeMarco's injury as an excuse," Stoops said this summer while discussing the BCS title game. "But there is no denying that he was a major factor for our team."

Just like there's no denying the need for Murray's performance to be money for the Sooners right now and the rest of suddenly uncertain season. By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Writer

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