Murray to have surgery, miss BCS title game
NORMAN, Okla.- Oklahoma Sooners running back DeMarco Murray will have surgery to repair a partial rupture of his left hamstring tendon and will not play in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game against the Florida Gators on Jan. 8.
Murray, the Sooners' second-leading rusher, was injured on the opening kickoff of the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 6. The Sooners initially believed Murray had suffered a bruise, but an MRI exam revealed the injury to be more serious. Surgery has been scheduled for Dec. 22, the university said.
The school said that according to head trainer Scott Anderson, it will be about five months before Murray is cleared to resume training.
Murray gained 1,002 yards rushing this season, just eight fewer than team rushing leader Chris Brown. He led the Sooners in all-purpose yards with 2,171, with 395 receiving yards and another 774 yards in kickoff returns, scoring 18 touchdowns.
"Obviously we're very disappointed for DeMarco," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "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."