Junior running back DeMarco Murray (7) runs the ball toward the end zone during the Sooners' win over Oklahoma State on Nov. 28 at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 27-0. Eli Hull/The Daily

IRVING, TEXAS — OU running back DeMarco Murray finally made it through a season without getting hurt last year.

Now he wants to do something no Sooner — not even his friend, Adrian Peterson — has done: rush for 2,000 yards.

Murray scored five touchdowns in his first college game in 2007, which must have looked familiar to OU fans who watched Peterson set an OU record with 1,925 yards when the Minnesota Vikings star was a freshman three years earlier. But injuries shortened Murray's first two seasons, and he's still chasing the man he followed around as a wide-eyed redshirt.

"If I am healthy, I do feel I could have a better year than him," Murray said Wednesday at Big 12 media days. "He always told me to shoot for the moon. I was around him for a year (in 2006) and I got to experience his work ethic and game routine. I know what it takes to be that type of caliber on that type of stage."

Murray hasn't threatened Peterson's rushing record yet. He had 764 yards when he dislocated a kneecap late in the 2007 season. He said his lowest point came a year later when he injured a hamstring on the opening kickoff of the Big 12 championship game, spoiling his only 1,000-yard season (1,002) and costing him a chance to play in the BCS title game loss to Florida.

He said he turned into a "Debbie Downer," rarely leaving his hotel during BCS championship week and disconnecting from friends and family while he tried to decide whether to turn pro.

Murray's reward for coming back was an injury-free season, although curiously he had a career-low 705 rushing yards. The Sooners had a young offensive line and were forced to alter their offense after quarterback Sam Bradford got hurt. Murray found another way to contribute with a career-high 522 receiving yards.

"This year, having the whole season under my belt, I went through the spring and went through the summer with no injuries and no problems, I'm feeling great," said Murray, who needs 13 touchdowns to break Steve Owens' career record of 57. "I'm mentally there, physically there, emotionally there. I'm just ready to get it going."

Coach Bob Stoops volunteered a comparison to Peterson when asked what kind of load Murray could carry, but with a word of caution.

"All guys are a little bit different, what they're able to handle," Stoops said. "So we definitely have to be aware of his health and just how he's feeling through a game."

Murray needs 1,574 yards to catch Peterson on OU's all-time rushing list and 1,647 to tie career leader Billy Sims.

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