Jay C. Upchurch
4/7/2007, 05:08 PM
NORMAN — In each of the first two scrimmages of the spring,
redshirt freshman running back DeMarco Murray dazzled with his rushing
and receiving ability. It was more of the same and then some Saturday
at the Red/White Spring Game when 21,020 braved unseasonably cold
temperatures at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Murray rushed four times for 103 yards and one touchdown as the offense
out-scored the defense, 53-30, in a scoring system devised by the
coaching staff. The offense, which wore the red uniforms, scored five
touchdowns.
"It was a good day for us," said OU head coach Bob Stoops. "DeMarco has
been special all spring and he was good again today. There were some
big plays and I think the fans probably enjoyed that.
"We still have a lot of work to do, but I felt there were a lot of
positives for us. We've seen some guys improve and we've also had a
chance to see where it is that we need to get better."
Through three scrimmages this spring, Murray has carried 29 times for
327 yards, an average of 11.3 per attempt.
A lot of eyes were focused on the three quarterbacks and all three had
bright spots. Sam Bradford was sharp, completing 9-of-14 passes for 110
yards and one touchdown, a 23-yard strike to Carter Whitson.
Joey Halzle hit on 7-of-18 tries with one touchdown, a 45-yard toss to
Adron Tennell, and one interception. True freshman Keith Nichol
completed 3-of-7 for 25 yards.
"I'm real pleased with all those guys," Stoops said. "They took better
care of the ball today and that's important for us. We didn't ask Paul
(Thompson) to win game for us last year and we won't ask any of these
guys to that for us either. We just want them to play consistently and
keep their mistakes to a minimum. If they can do that we'll be fine.
Murray scored on an 18-yard run for the first touchdown scrimmage.
Later he added a 68-yard non-scoring burst. Allen Patrick later plunged
over from 1-yard out to cap that drive, which covered 80 yards in just
three plays.
Whitson's TD reception was the third touchdown of the scrimmage. It
came at the end of a four-play, 53 yard march.
Tennell recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown before
capping the offense's scoring for the day with his reception from
Halzle.
Safety Nic Harris topped the defense eight tackles. Junior college
transfer linebacker Mike Reed added seven stops plus one tackle for
loss, a forced fumble and one pass deflection.
DeMarcus Granger was credited with three sacks while fellow defensive
tackle Adrian Taylor had two. DE Auston English also had two sacks.
LB Lewis Baker had three tackles, one interception for 13 yards and one
fumble forced.
The scoring systems award points to the offense for a first down (1
pt.), a point after touchdown (1 pt.), a play of longer than 30 yards (2
pts.), a field goal (3 pts.) and a touchdown (6 pts.). The defense
scored by holding the offense to a three-and-out (2 pts.), a forced punt
(1 pt.), a fourth down stop (2 pts.), a turnover (3 pts.) and a turnover
for touchdown (9 pts.).
Oklahoma's spring drills continue Monday and Tuesday with closed workout
at the stadium. Tuesday's practice will be the last of the 15 for this
spring.
OU SID Report
redshirt freshman running back DeMarco Murray dazzled with his rushing
and receiving ability. It was more of the same and then some Saturday
at the Red/White Spring Game when 21,020 braved unseasonably cold
temperatures at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Murray rushed four times for 103 yards and one touchdown as the offense
out-scored the defense, 53-30, in a scoring system devised by the
coaching staff. The offense, which wore the red uniforms, scored five
touchdowns.
"It was a good day for us," said OU head coach Bob Stoops. "DeMarco has
been special all spring and he was good again today. There were some
big plays and I think the fans probably enjoyed that.
"We still have a lot of work to do, but I felt there were a lot of
positives for us. We've seen some guys improve and we've also had a
chance to see where it is that we need to get better."
Through three scrimmages this spring, Murray has carried 29 times for
327 yards, an average of 11.3 per attempt.
A lot of eyes were focused on the three quarterbacks and all three had
bright spots. Sam Bradford was sharp, completing 9-of-14 passes for 110
yards and one touchdown, a 23-yard strike to Carter Whitson.
Joey Halzle hit on 7-of-18 tries with one touchdown, a 45-yard toss to
Adron Tennell, and one interception. True freshman Keith Nichol
completed 3-of-7 for 25 yards.
"I'm real pleased with all those guys," Stoops said. "They took better
care of the ball today and that's important for us. We didn't ask Paul
(Thompson) to win game for us last year and we won't ask any of these
guys to that for us either. We just want them to play consistently and
keep their mistakes to a minimum. If they can do that we'll be fine.
Murray scored on an 18-yard run for the first touchdown scrimmage.
Later he added a 68-yard non-scoring burst. Allen Patrick later plunged
over from 1-yard out to cap that drive, which covered 80 yards in just
three plays.
Whitson's TD reception was the third touchdown of the scrimmage. It
came at the end of a four-play, 53 yard march.
Tennell recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown before
capping the offense's scoring for the day with his reception from
Halzle.
Safety Nic Harris topped the defense eight tackles. Junior college
transfer linebacker Mike Reed added seven stops plus one tackle for
loss, a forced fumble and one pass deflection.
DeMarcus Granger was credited with three sacks while fellow defensive
tackle Adrian Taylor had two. DE Auston English also had two sacks.
LB Lewis Baker had three tackles, one interception for 13 yards and one
fumble forced.
The scoring systems award points to the offense for a first down (1
pt.), a point after touchdown (1 pt.), a play of longer than 30 yards (2
pts.), a field goal (3 pts.) and a touchdown (6 pts.). The defense
scored by holding the offense to a three-and-out (2 pts.), a forced punt
(1 pt.), a fourth down stop (2 pts.), a turnover (3 pts.) and a turnover
for touchdown (9 pts.).
Oklahoma's spring drills continue Monday and Tuesday with closed workout
at the stadium. Tuesday's practice will be the last of the 15 for this
spring.
OU SID Report