OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -Oklahoma’s leading rusher DeMarco Murray has a dislocated kneecap and will miss Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State.
Murray, who has 764 yards and 13 touchdowns for the 10th-ranked Sooners, was injured while trying to recover an onside kick in the final minute of a 34-27 loss at Texas Tech. The loss knocked Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 Big 12) out of the national championship picture.
Murray also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season, and his 15 total touchdowns match Adrian Peterson’s school record for a freshman.
Coach Bob Stoops made the announcement during Monday’s Big 12 coaches’ conference call.
Murray was among four Oklahoma players injured against Texas Tech. Quarterback Sam Bradford sustained a concussion, and Stoops said his playing status will be determined later in the week.
Bradford is the nation’s top-rated passer, just ahead of Florida’s Tim Tebow, and has 28 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He was replaced by Joey Halzle in the first quarter Saturday, and Stoops said that might have had an impact on the Sooners’ season-worst 106 yards rushing.
“We had some spurts where it was OK, but it wasn’t near consistent enough,” Stoops said. “But I know it makes it harder, too, when maybe our passing threat isn’t what it has been either. That, I think, put a definite different complexion on the game for us.”
Murray led Oklahoma with 92 yards on 19 carries, and starter Allen Patrick carried only twice for 9 yards. Patrick fumbled on his first carry and Bradford was injured while tackling Tech linebacker Marlon Williams, who recovered the loose ball.
Receiver Adron Tennell tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season, and Alan Davis became the third Sooners defensive end injured this season.
John Williams is out for the season after surgery on a torn Achilles’ tendon, and Big 12 sacks leader Auston English has missed the past two games with a hairline fracture in his right leg. The Sooners had hoped English would return last week.
“Having Auston back would be a definite plus,” Stoops said. “We’ll just see. We don’t know until we get through the week and see when he gets out there and does some work how it’s going to feel. It’s just uncertain right now.”
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