Oklahoma has two very good running backs. DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown both rushed for 1,000 yards last season and comprise one of the better tandems in the program's history.
But both trail last season's pace in yards, carries and touchdowns with the Sooners well into the second half of the season. The tandem averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season. This year, they're at 4.45. They combined for 34 rushing TDs a year ago. They enter tonight's game with eight.
There are a few signs that will change. The balance OU struck the last two seasons hasn't been struck this year. The Sooners are a passing team now.
It hasn't been by long-term design. Injury issues facing OU's offense have necessitated the switch.
"That's really reshaped what we are offensively," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.
Few would have thought it possible, but it isn't the loss of Sam Bradford that's had the biggest effect on OU's offense. It's the season-long absence of Jermaine Gresham, fullback Matt Clapp's broken hand and moving Brody Eldridge to the offensive line.
Those three had a huge impact on OU's running game the last two seasons. They were lead blockers and very adept at sealing linebackers and defensive ends, allowing running backs to run outside the tackles.
Without their presence, OU has struggled to run the ball virtually every game. The solution has been a heavy emphasis on a short passing game that began against Texas and continued through last week's victory over Kansas.
It will be the biggest part of OU's offensive game play when the Sooners face Kansas State at 6 p.m. tonight at Owen Field.
The most explosive offensive weapons still functioning are wide receiver Ryan Broyles and Murray, who is expected to return to the field tonight after missing the Kansas game with an ankle injury.
In the last two games, they've combined to catch 21 passes for 270 yards in OU's pass-slanted scheme.
"It matches me up with the safeties and with the linebackers, so it's always a good thing working in there," Broyles said. "You always have an advantage when you're faster than the guy guarding you."
They've done so despite both being limited due to injury. Broyles was still hampered by a shoulder blade injury against Texas. Murray played most of the second half with an injured ankle. Tonight will be the first time in the last three games both are expected healthy and ready.
With continued success, it might open some holes in the running game. OU found some success running the ball in the second half against Kansas.
"I think it was better execution. As a running back, you can get frustrated when the running game isn't going," Brown said. "When you feel like you can't get anything going, you just want to give it that extra effort to make things happen. I think it's a matter of making stuff happen when you get the opportunity."
Those chances might come tonight. As OU keeps spreading out its offense, defenses have to adjust. That should open more running lanes. OU used a similar philosophy to run the ball from 1999 to 2001.
But the days of OU using it's run game to set up the deep ball appear done this season. The power I, two-tight end sets are gone. The Sooners' new philosophy for moving the ball is simple: Fling it.
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
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