Scott Moore
By Scott Moore
Transcript Sports Writer
The media was all around. Television cameras showed up, then more television cameras. Microphones and tape recorders were in his face. He answered question after question. Often, answering the same questions over and over.
After Oklahoma’s Red/White spring game Saturday at Owen Field, DeMarco Murray was the media darling. Even if the redshirt freshman wasn’t ready for it.
“I’m not comfortable at all, to be honest,” Murray said. “I’m trying to get used to all these interviews. I haven’t had this many interviews since my senior year in high school.”
He’d probably better get used to the attention. It remains to be seen if the 6-foot, 191-pound running back is OU’s next superstar, but he put on a show for about 21,000 fans Saturday.
Murray rushed for a game-high 103 yards on four carries and scored one touchdown. He also caught one pass for four yards, while helping the Red (offense) team to a 53-30 win over the White (defense) team.
His first carry of the day was an 18-yard touchdown run, and he was hardly touched by Sooner defenders. His next carry went for 10 yards and a first down.
He opened the second half with a six-yard carry. He followed that by ripping off a 68-yard run that ended when Marcus Walker pushed him out of bounds at the 1-yard line.
It was the type of performance OU fans and coaches had been hoping for since the prize recruit from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas arrived on campus last fall.
“The offensive line did a great job of blocking,” Murray said. “The hole was there and all I saw was grass. I don’t know how they caught me. I’m going to work really hard on my speed.”
Saturday wasn’t exactly a breakout performance. Murray has been making highlight-reel plays since spring practice started.
He gained 132 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown in a scrimmage March 31. He had 129 all-purpose yards and scored twice in the Sooners’ first scrimmage March 13.
“He’s a talented guy with a knack for making plays,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “He’s a great worker and has a great attitude. We’re excited about him and he’s going to give us a big boost.”
He arrived at OU with all the hype surrounding one of the nation’s top high school backs. But a turf toe injury during two-a-days sidelined him for most of last season.
He put that time to good use, studying the playbook, learning the Sooners’ system and then when he was well enough, going against the No. 1 defense as a member of the scout team.
“Sure, it was frustrating,” Murray said of the injury. “I don’t think it hurt me at all. I’m more comfortable now. Going against the No. 1 defense, I’m not timid anymore.”
Now that all that quickness and speed is at full strength, it creates an interesting situation at running back.
The Sooners also have senior Allen Patrick, who starred in place of an injured Adrian Peterson last year. They also have sophomore Chris Brown, who played well last year. And then there’s redshirt freshman Mossis Madu, a slasher like Murray who was held out of Saturday’s game because of an ankle sprain.
Senior Jacob Gutierrez, a poor man’s Quentin Griffin, is also back. Brown had 11 carries for 67 yards Saturday, while Patrick had 15 yards on nine attempts with one fumble and a 1-yard touchdown. Gutierrez had 10 yards on seven carries.
“All those guys, and I think you saw a little bit of it today, are going to give us a change of pace,” Stoops said. “There’s enough snaps in an 80-85-play game to give them all opportunities.”
Murray isn’t concerned about snaps. He’s knows he’ll get his chances and he plans on making the most of them.
“We all have a good chance to play and show what we can do,” Murray said. “I’m not worried about competition. We’re all rooting for each other. We’re all going to get to play and have a good time.”
