NORMAN — You can’t blame DeMarco Murray if he never wants to see a ball kicked his direction again. Twice the Sooner running back had his season ended with an injury suffered on special teams. But he’s not afraid of bad news coming in threes.
He’s leaving the decision on whether he will return kicks this season to higher authorities: OU coach Bob Stoops and running backs coach Cale Gundy.
“It’s still up to coach Stoops. It’s up to him and coach Gundy and if they allow me to do it. I’ve always done it since high school, and I look forward to doing it this year if they allow me to do it,” Murray said. “I’m not worried about the injuries or anything like that so hopefully they’ll allow me to continue to do it.”
It’s a double-edge sword for the Sooners on how to use their offensive playmakers on special teams.
There’s no doubt a big kick return can change the course of a game quickly. But so can an injury to a proven playmaker.
“If one of those guys gets hurt, then it’s like, ‘Why’s he doing that?’” Stoops said.
But two of the Sooners’ most proven offensive weapons want to return kicks. After not doing it last season, Murray has made it clear he would like to return kickoffs this season. Wide receiver Ryan Broyles wants to continue the punt returning chores he’s had the last two seasons.
“I always look forward to special teams,” Broyles said. “It’s the part of the game that can make or break you.”
But one major goal of the preseason is identifying potential running backs, receivers and defensive backs who can fill the duties, too.
It’s a risky job. Fielding balls kicked 50 yards into the air while 11 defenders are running at you with a full head of steam isn’t easy. They must be able to make defenders miss, take a big hit and not let it take from what they do at their usual position.
Gundy said Murray will get his chances.
“We’ll give him an opportunity to return some kicks,” Gundy said. “It’s situations I see and coach Stoops sees. The first kick of the game, he’s fresh, let him go. Maybe he starts to get a little tired, so we put somebody else in there.”
Stoops has already taken a liking to young running back Brennan Clay and Roy Finch in that role. Senior Mossis Madu has done it the last two seasons.
“All those guys who can run and have a body to them,” Stoops said. I’m not interested in seeing Ryan do it. I think there’s too big an impact on kickoffs, and I’m not interested in seeing him get blown up. I want some bigger guys who can run through tackles.”
It’s all a matter of finding the right balance. Nothing helps turn the tide of a game like a great return. But there are limits to how many hits a star receiver or running back can take.
Murray and Broyles want the ball in their hands whenever possible, even if they have to chase down a kick to get it. They haven’t hid their feelings.
“Since the spring, I’ve talked to coach Stoops about it each and every practice, and he said we’ll see and we’ll see,” Murray said. “Whether or not he’s going to allow me to do it, we’ll see.”
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
