OU Football Insider: Healthy DeMarco Murray wants to rush for 2,000 yards

This offseason, instead of worrying about rehabbing, Murray was finally able to focus on becoming a better player.

By Jake Trotter | Modified: August 2, 2010 at 4:16 pm | Published: August 1, 2010 Comment on this article

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Two years ago, Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray experienced his all-time low.

While returning the opening kickoff of the Big 12 Championship, he tore his hamstring.

The DeMarco Murray file

Position: Running back

Yr.: Senior

Ht.: 6-1

Wt.: 207

Hometown: Las Vegas

Gone was the chance to jump to the NFL. Gone was the opportunity to play for a national championship.

And in their place, another winding road back to recovery.

As the team prepared for the national title against Florida, Murray spent most of the two weeks in Miami depressed in his hotel room.

“That was the hardest time in my life,” he said. “I didn't go to any practices while I was there. Just stayed in my room, like Debbie Downer.”

Murray's Sooner career has been full of adversity.

He had to sit his true freshman season while battling turf toe. His redshirt freshman year was cut short when he dislocated a kneecap trying to recover an onside kick. His sophomore season, while setting the school's season record for all-purpose yards on the very same play, Murray injured the hamstring. Then last year, he missed time dealing with a pull on his other hamstring, then later a sprained ankle.

But Murray ended last season with a full bill of health. And this offseason, instead of worrying about rehabbing, Murray has finally been able to focus on becoming a better player.

“I went through spring and summer without any injuries, no problems,” he said.

Murray admits his goal has always been to rush for 2,000 yards, something no Sooner running back has ever accomplished. Adrian Peterson came closest with 1,925 yards in 2004.

But if OU's offensive line improves and Murray can remain healthy, that goal might not be a pipe dream.

“We anticipate him having a really big year for us,” coach Bob Stoops said during Big 12 Media Days last week. “We're hoping ... similar to a guy like Adrian Peterson, that kind of opportunity to run the ball or have his hands on the ball that number of times.”

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