Demarco Murray out for the BCS NC

[Hank Johnson]

By Press Release
OU Media Relations
Posted Dec 16, 2008


NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray will undergo surgery on Dec. 22, and will not play in the 2008 BCS National Championship Game. The sophomore has a partial rupture of a hamstring tendon in his left leg.

"Obviously we're very disappointed for DeMarco," said OU Head Coach. "He has been an important part of our success this year and we will miss his contributions. DeMarco has had an incredible year.
"With Chris Brown and Mossis Madu, we still have two very fine backs. Our team has a lot of confidence in their abilities."
Murray sustained the injury on the opening kickoff of the Big 12 Championship Game against Missouri on Dec. 6. Initially, it was thought that Murray had sustained a bruise, but an MRI performed on Dec. 8, revealed the additional damage.
After weighing options, it was since been determined that surgery would be performed.
According to OU Head Athletics Trainer Scott Anderson, it will be approximately five months before Murray is cleared to resume training.
Murray is Oklahoma's second-leading rusher with 1,002 yards, just eight behind Brown. He was the team leader in all purpose yards with 2,171. In addition to his rushing total, Murray had 395 receiving yards and another 774 via kickoff returns. He was second on the team with 18 touchdowns and third in points scored with 108.
Madu has rushed for 463 yards and six touchdowns as the team's third-team back. He filled in for Murray in the Big 12 title game and carried 15 times for 114 yards and three touchdowns.
In other injury related news, OU quarterback Sam Bradford will have the large cast removed from his left hand Wednesday. It will be replaced by a smaller cast.
The sophomore has been in New York since Friday for activities associated with the Heisman Trophy. He is slated to return Tuesday.
Oklahoma meets Florida on Jan. 8, in Miami to determine the BCS National Championship.

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This changes everything. We're gonna get the same OU that played UT in Dallas. Florida will win this game handily.

 

[Chinfu]

I'de agree with you if we were talking about Bradford but all our backs are quite capable and Murray hasn't been 100% most of the season. He will be missed but not to the extent our offense can't function.

 

[Danny White]

Not good at all.

We need to be at 100% for this game.

I still think OU can win, but it just got a bit tougher.

 

[Hank Johnson]

I'de agree with you if we were talking about Bradford but all our backs are quite capable and Murray hasn't been 100% most of the season. He will be missed but not to the extent our offense can't function.

OU didn't start looking like the best offense ever until Murray came around in the later half of the season.

They couldn't beat Texas with an 80% Murray, they're not gonna beat Florida without him.

UF big.

 

[Dallas]

OU didn't start looking like the best offense ever until Murray came around in the later half of the season.

They couldn't beat Texas with an 80% Murray, they're not gonna beat Florida without him.

UF big.

Keep calling it Hank. I love your predictions. Oklahoma is 3-0 now w/ you calling it like you see it.


OU biggest.

 

[CATCH17]

I personally think Brown is a better RB than Murray.

Murray is a better big play back but Brown just does everything very well.

The thing that screws OU the most is their Indianapolis Colts running scheme when they have 350 pound Olinemen.

When they play teams they can't out athlete and just run side to side those big guys cant get their blocks as easy.

OU needs to have more of a man style of blocking scheme with their personell.

OU's Oline is the heart and soul of that offense. I'd try to play to their strengths more. They are already the best @ pass blocking in the country. I think they would be the best @ run blocking to if they switched styles.

The best @ run blocking though, imo, is Alabama.

But what ever... They're going to lose anyways because of their defense. Not because Murray isn't playing.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Sad for Murray but that won't even slow down OU. Their other backs are just as capable. That offense likely won't miss a single beat.

 

[Chinfu]

OU didn't start looking like the best offense ever until Murray came around in the later half of the season.

They couldn't beat Texas with an 80% Murray, they're not gonna beat Florida without him.

UF big.

I think losing Reynolds had more to do with the loss to Texas than Murray at 80%. Offense is fine, beating UF will depend on how our defense responds, imo.

 

[Route 66]

I just love all you haters out there! That is exactly what makes this game so sweet.

 

[Biggems]

Not good at all.

We need to be at 100% for this game.

I still think OU can win, but it just got a bit tougher.

murray runs like a scared little girl, he wont be missed. Brown and Madu run like their lives depend on it.

 

[Biggems]

I personally think Brown is a better RB than Murray.

Murray is a better big play back but Brown just does everything very well.

The thing that screws OU the most is their Indianapolis Colts running scheme when they have 350 pound Olinemen.

When they play teams they can't out athlete and just run side to side those big guys cant get their blocks as easy.

OU needs to have more of a man style of blocking scheme with their personell.

OU's Oline is the heart and soul of that offense. I'd try to play to their strengths more. They are already the best @ pass blocking in the country. I think they would be the best @ run blocking to if they switched styles.

The best @ run blocking though, imo, is Alabama.

But what ever... They're going to lose anyways because of their defense. Not because Murray isn't playing.

Brown runs hard, with passion and purpose.....unfortunately he has the speed of donkey in a game played by thoroughbreds. If he had Murray's speed, he would be a top RB talent. Murray has turned into Patrick.

 

[Hank Johnson]

murray runs like a scared little girl, he wont be missed. Brown and Madu run like their lives depend on it.

You obviously don't watch the sooners play then. Murray is as powerful as versatile.

As for Catch, you should send your report into the OU coaching staff. I'm sure they'd cherish your armchair analysis of the offensive line.

Losing Murray is a huge blow because OU's success on offense against Florida will depend on a big performance on the ground.

Chris Brown will get you the yards you need, but Stoops isn't gonna give that guy the load. They're gonna try Brown and Madu a few times, then get away from it because it will get shut down early. OU will be forced to throw the ball and UF will be all over it.

Also, OU's special teams is completely horrific. I actually think OU's defense may show up in Miami, but Bradford is gonna get harrassed to death and fold.

Sooners are Gator bait.

 

[Dallas]

You obviously don't watch the sooners play then. Murray is as powerful as versatile.

As for Catch, you should send your report into the OU coaching staff. I'm sure they'd cherish your armchair analysis of the offensive line.

Losing Murray is a huge blow because OU's success on offense against Florida will depend on a big performance on the ground.

Chris Brown will get you the yards you need, but Stoops isn't gonna give that guy the load. They're gonna try Brown and Madu a few times, then get away from it because it will get shut down early. OU will be forced to throw the ball and UF will be all over it.

Also, OU's special teams is completely horrific. I actually think OU's defense may show up in Miami, but Bradford is gonna get harrassed to death and fold.

Sooners are Gator bait.

Love the hate Hank. You are doing well my friend. Please keep up your absurd picks.

OU is still 3-0 when you start analyzing anything regarding them.

Well done.

 

[Hank Johnson]

Love the hate Hank. You are doing well my friend. Please keep up your absurd picks.

OU is still 3-0 when you start analyzing anything regarding them.

Well done.

In my defense, I predicted OU to destroy Tech in Norman. Not just win, but destroy.

 

[Hank Johnson]

Ok and now I'm finding out Demarcus Granger is out and it could possibly be career ending.

There's no way OU wins this game.

 

[Danny White]

Ok and now I'm finding out Demarcus Granger is out and it could possibly be career ending.

There's no way OU wins this game.

I don't think it's career-ending, but you never know about these back injuries.

Granger's good, but he was strictly a backup this year and didn't play in the Big XII Champ game. His loss is nowhere near as significant as Murray's.

I also hear that Austin Box will be ready to play, so that should be a big boost.

Auston English should also be near full-strength and that's a big plus.

 

[Dallas]

I don't think it's career-ending, but you never know about these back injuries.

Granger's good, but he was strictly a backup this year and didn't play in the Big XII Champ game. His loss is nowhere near as significant as Murray's.

I also hear that Austin Box will be ready to play, so that should be a big boost.

Auston English should also be near full-strength and that's a big plus.

But Oklahoma can't win. Hank said so. They shouldn't even show up cuz Hank is the Magic 8 ball and....he knows.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I honestly don't think OU will win but if they don't it will not have anything to do with Murray or this other guy.

 

[switzersflask]

I'm normally as confident of an OU fan as it gets. I am confident that OU has the potential to win this game and make a statement.

However, I'm not so sure it's gonna happen. Every year around this time, I get to hyping up OU and calling for big time things and it just gets thrown right back in my face.

Can OU destroy Florida? Yes. Am I confident that OU WILL WIN the GOOD OLE SAUCY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP? Unfortunately, no.

I'm so nervous. It's definitely gonna be a whiskey fest at my home in Norman.

BOOMER SOONER!! BRING HOME #8!

 

[Biggems]

You obviously don't watch the sooners play then. Murray is as powerful as versatile.

As for Catch, you should send your report into the OU coaching staff. I'm sure they'd cherish your armchair analysis of the offensive line.

Losing Murray is a huge blow because OU's success on offense against Florida will depend on a big performance on the ground.

Chris Brown will get you the yards you need, but Stoops isn't gonna give that guy the load. They're gonna try Brown and Madu a few times, then get away from it because it will get shut down early. OU will be forced to throw the ball and UF will be all over it.

Also, OU's special teams is completely horrific. I actually think OU's defense may show up in Miami, but Bradford is gonna get harrassed to death and fold.

Sooners are Gator bait.

I have watched all but a couple of the Sooners games this year. Murray does not run with power. He goes down like Julius Jones did for us. He runs with little passion or purpose. He has all the athletic ability in the world, but he just doesn't run with the same intensity that Brown does. If he ran with Brown's intensity or passion, he would be unstoppable, except for the injuries.