Norman, OK--Despite earlier indications that junior running back DeMarco Murray would play against Texas A&M, he did not suit up for the game and remains inactive due to his injured shoulder (strain). The team hopes to have him back next week as they travel to Waco, TX to take on Texas Tech. Without Murray the team wasn't able to muster any kind of run game. The Sooners' leading rusher was senior Chris Brown, who only managed to gain 23 yards on 16 attempts (1.4ypc).Needless to say, most of the damage the Sooners did was through the air (below, Mossis Madu hauls in a Bradford pass). Sam Bradford came out and had a great game through the middle of the third quarter. At that point he was 19 of 22 passing for 220 yards, 1 TD and no interceptions. It was in the third quarter that he took a late hit after a pass completion that put a hitch in the Sooners plans, likely for the rest of the season. Bradford, a junior from Oklahoma City & the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, went to the sidelines after the play and never came back. Coach JHeb confirmed in the post game press conference that he had suffered an abdominal tear and will miss at least six weeks. That period of time will have him missing the Texas Tech and Oklahoma State games as well as a potential Big XII Championship Game. It is possible he could make it back for a bowl game depending on when the game takes place.
Most national media have felt it was a given that Bradford will go pro after this season, forgoing his final year of eligibility to head off to the NFL where he is expected to be the #1 overall draft pick in the 2010 draft. His future now appears unclear to those on the outside. Will the injury further convince him that he needs to leave now to get the NFL money while he can or will this ruin his season and convince him to come back for his senior year? Only time will tell. Sooner fans have to hope he'll come back once again to try and lead the Sooners to their 8th national title.
Sophomore Landry Jones filled in admirably for Bradford, going 12 of 19 for 139 yards, 2 TD's and 1 INT. Jones showed he had the ability and toughness (see above) to become the starter for the rest of the season and the bowl game (if needed). He maintained the lead the Sooners had and preserved the 38-17 win. The new back-up at quarterback will now be true freshman Drew Allen. The team may opt to keep him in redshirt and only pull him out if Jones is injured. Cornerback Dominique Franks is the emergency quarterback and would only be used if both Jones and Allen could not play.Bradford's injury comes one week after the Sooners lost All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham to a ruptured disk in his back causing him to miss the rest of the season. The team has also been without running back DeMarco Murray since Week 8 (Kansas). It is unknown if Murray will be back for the Week 12 match-up with Texas Tech in Waco.
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