Murray practicing

By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript

August 13, 2008 01:31 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.
“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
Stoops has found something to do with the little free time he has. He’s been watching the Olympics.
“I like watching it,” he said. “You get that one moment to be at your best. If you don’t hit it just right, it’s so hard to overcome it. That part of it is really amazing to me.”
He even stayed up late Monday night to watch former OU gymnast Jonathan Horton. Horton helped lead America’s men’s gymnastics team to a bronze medal in the team competition.
“Jonathan Horton was absolutely amazing last night,” Stoops said. “What a leader. Every time you looked he was getting everyone going. I was really proud watching him. I thought he was fabulous.”
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com