• Redshirt freshman running back getting high praise after breakout performance at the Cotton Bowl

When Oklahoma running backs coach Cale Gundy saw the reporters gathering around running back DeMarco Murray Monday, he had to get in one jab.

“Ask him about holding onto the football,” the coach advised.

It was Gundy’s one shot to deflect at least some of the onslaught of praise Murray is receiving for his performance against Texas.

“I was holding it loose a couple of times during that game and the helmet hit right on the ball and it popped right out,” Murray said. “Thank God that it went out of bounds.”

It was the only blemish in a star-making day for the redshirt freshman. He rushed for 127 yards and a 65-yard highlight-reel touchdown.

Doing things like that in the Cotton Bowl against the arch-rival elicits enduring affection from Sooner fans and leaves an indelible mark.

The Red River Rivalry is traditionally the game when OU players make their mark. Adrian Peterson did it by rushing for over 200 yards in 2004. Jason White kick-started his Heisman Trophy-winning season in 2003 with a flawless performance against the Longhorns. Quentin Griffin rushed for 248 yards in 2002. Would anyone be calling Roy Williams “Superman” if not for his play in the 2001 game?

You’ll have to forgive Murray if the significance is lost on him.

“When I was really young I didn’t pay too much attention to football,” the 19-year-old said. “I didn’t even start playing running back until my freshman year of high school.”

Basketball was more his passion. OU coach Bob Stoops likes to tell the story of seeing Murray in person for the first time. He watched the 6-foot Murray stand flat-footed and jump up and dunk a basketball.

“I offered him a scholarship right then,” Stoops said.

Of course, it wasn’t like Murray was some unpolished gem. The Sooners had to fight with a flock of coaching staffs in Murray’s native Las Vegas for a chance to chat. Southern California, Penn State and Miami were there as well.

Who wasn’t interested in a running back that was drawing comparisons to former USC Heisman Trophy-winner Reggie Bush before he ever set foot in Norman.

At 200 pounds, he was big enough to run between the tackles. He also had the hands of a wide receiver and the speed of a sprinter. He’s a package that doesn’t get delivered too often.