Published August 13, 2008 12:31 am - Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray has returned to practice at full speed this week. He was hobbled by an ankle sprain throughout the first week.
Murray practicing
By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript
Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray has returned to practice at full speed this week. He was hobbled by an ankle sprain throughout the first week.
“I did some of the practice stuff, but I haven’t really been able to go all out until this week,” Murray said following Tuesday’s practice. “It’s good to get back out there.”
Murray is the Sooners’ leading returning rusher from last season. He rushed for 764 yards and matched Adrian Peterson’s freshman record with 15 touchdowns. His freshman season was cut short due to a dislocated knee cap suffered late in the season against Texas Tech.
OU coach Bob Stoops said Murray isn’t showing any lingering effects.
“He looked fine today,” Stoops said. “That (ankle injury) was a minor deal.”
Finding a two-deep
There aren’t many questions surrounding OU’s offense this season. There are returning starters at every position. About the only untested spot is at slot receiver. Manny Johnson has been moved out wide in preseason camp.
However, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said the goal is to have up to seven ready to play in any given game.
“Those receivers all play special teams, too and they get dinged up,” he said. “I think you need six or seven. They don’t need to be superstars, but each game you’re going to have to play all of them.”
Juaquin Iglesias was OU’s leading receiver last season and Quentin Chaney heads into his senior season after setting a career high with 129 receiving yards in the Fiesta Bowl.
Two guys that will get plenty of opportunities this season will be Adron Tennell and former Norman High standout Ryan Broyles.
“Those guys should all be there,” Wilson said.
Olympic fever