Replacing DeMarco Murray (By the Numbers)

If OU is to have any chance at capturing its 8th National Championship, it is going to have to find a way to replace DeMarco Murray. Several articles and top 10 lists have mentioned Murray's departure and the hole it will leave in the Sooner offense.

I was curious just how great of a hole he would be leaving, so I decided to do a bit of research. This is an examination of DeMarco’s numbers in comparison to the other Sooners on the 2010 squad.

(All stats courtesy of Soonersports.com)

DeMarco Murray's Career Totals:
Rushing: 759 Attempts, 3,685 Yards, 50 TD
Receiving: 157 Receptions, 1,571 Yards, 11 TD

DeMarco Murray's 2010 Totals:
Rushing: 282 Attempts, 1,214 Yards, 15 TD
Receiving: 71 Receptions, 594 Yards, 5 TD

OU Team Totals (2010 Season):
Rushing Yards: 1,932
Passing Yards: 4,807
Total Points: 521

DeMarco’s 2010 Production:
120 Points by DM (23% of Sooner Points)
1,214/1,932 Yards (62.8% of Rushing Yards)
594/4,807 Yards (12.3 % of Receiving Yards)
282/578 Carries (48.8% of Carries)

Other Sooner Backs (2010 Season):
Roy Finch: 85 Attempts, 398 Yards, 2 TD / 10 Receptions, 49 Yards, 0 TD (14.7% of Carries, 20.6% of Rushing Yards)
Mossis Madu: 59 Attempts, 254 Yards, 1 TD / 11 Receptions, 66 Yards, 0 TD (10.2%, 13.1%)
Brennan Clay: 36 Attempts, 127 Yards, 0 TD / 3 Receptions, 13 Yards, 0 TD (6.2%, 6.6%)
Trey Millard: 24 Attempts, 74 Yards, 3 TD / 16 Receptions, 135 Yards, 1 TD (4.2%, 3.8%)
Jermie Calhoun: 11 Attempts, 22 Yards, 0 TD / 2 Receptions 14 Yards, 0 TD (1.9%, 1.1%)

One thing in particular jumps out to me looking at these percentages. Without DeMarco and Mossis Madu, those left in the backfield had an even smaller impact last season than I’d originally thought. An increased workload, even with the addition of Brandon Williams, will be something none of the players have handled at the college level.

Obviously last season Murray was the “feature” back, and Finch was out with an injury for most of the year. With that said, those that are in the backfield this season have carried only a small portion of the workload. They certainly have a lot riding on their shoulders if the 2011 team is to have any chance at capturing its 8th National Championship.