Photo by Michelle Gray

Running back, DeMarco Murray (7), runs the ball past an opposing Texas A&M player for a touchdown on Saturday evening in the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Michelle Gray/The Daily

Junior running back DeMarco Murray’s arsenal of weapons was unleashed in Saturday’s 65-10 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies, and was a major factor in the Sooner offense’s 640-yard performance.

Murray totaled 223 yards, 80 rushing yards and 143 receiving yards, in a game that featured an offense that strongly resembled the record-breaking one from last season.

“[Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson] told me he needed to get the ball in my hands a little bit more than we have been doing,” Murray said. “It was a great game that he called, and the offensive line did a great job blocking.”

So why is it that the full realization of Murray’s abilities has not been showcased before now?

There is no doubt that Murray is a great player, but for the past three years he has not played up to fans and critics’ expectations.

Much of the lack of production can be attributed to injuries.

There has yet to be a season during Murray’s career where he has played every single game, and for many games following the injuries his productivity suffered.

Now that Murray is healthy, the coaching staff can call more plays for him and find different ways to get him the ball. He has started to be used in similar ways that Southern California used running back Reggie Bush.

Murray has become the featured running back, has lined up at wide receiver and taken direct snaps out of the wildcat formation.

The Sooners ran the ball out of the wildcat formation multiple times Saturday, and on each of those plays, Murray took the snap and ran the ball.

He would fake a handoff to sophomore wide receiver Ryan Broyles, who had his first career rushing touchdown on a reverse in the first quarter, on many of those plays.

“Just trying to find different ways to get seams and get the ball in DeMarco’s hands more and [senior running back] Chris [Brown],” head coach Bob Stoops said. “Those are three guys you can play hide-and-seek with on who has the ball and hopefully be productive as we go forward.”

Murray is not going to have to put up statistics just like the ones he had Saturday for the Sooners to win their remaining two regular season games and eventual bowl game, but he is going to have to be a big part of the offense.

“DeMarco is a really special talent in that he is not just a running back,” Stoops said. “He catches the ball well, runs pretty good routes, is a good out of the backfield and also is a strong, powerful runner. He had another big night, and it is good to see him get out and make some big plays.”