Sooners' Murray anxious to play
Sooners' Murray anxious to play

By Jake Trotter

Published: August 30, 2008

NORMAN — For 10 months, DeMarco Murray has been waiting for that first play.

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"First carry, first block, first whatever,” the Oklahoma running back said. "After that first play, I think I'll be back to my normal self.”

Murray, who had a memorable freshman season rushing for 13 touchdowns, dislocated his kneecap trying to recover an onside kick at Texas Tech.

After having off-season surgery, he was held out of the spring and has been brought along slowly this fall.

"DeMarco has done well,” coach Bob Stoops said. "We've had to manage with two-a-days and so many practices, you don't want to overdo it and get him tired. He's had no trouble with it other than the occasional fatigue.”

Thanks to the reliability of running back Chris Brown, who is also returning from off-season knee surgery, OU's coaches will have the luxury of using Murray in spots early in the season while he acclimates to playing again.

At some point, though, the Sooners will need him at full speed.

Second to quarterback Sam Bradford, he is the most vital player on the offense because of his ability to deliver big plays. His returning to form is paramount if the offense is to maximize its vast potential.

That's why the biggest storyline in today's game against Tennessee-Chattanooga is how Murray performs coming off the injury.

"Speed-wise, I felt a little slow (in the second scrimmage),” he said. "But that was really my first scrimmage. When I've reached back, the explosion is there sometimes, sometimes it's not there. Sometimes I'll get a little scared running between tackles. But I've got to get that out of my mind.”

Playing in a game, Murray said, will help him do just that.

"Come game time I think it will be there every time,” he said. "I'll be 100 percent.”

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