Oklahoma's starting running back DeMarco Murray has a partially ruptured hamstring tendon and will not play in the BCS National Championship game against Florida, university officials said Tuesday.
Murray, who was injured on the opening kickoff of the Big 12 Championship Game against Missouri on Dec. 6, is scheduled to undergo surgery Monday to repair the tendon in his left leg. The championship game is Jan. 8.
"Obviously we're very disappointed for DeMarco," OU head coach Bob Stoops said in a statement. "He has been an important part of our success this year and we will miss his contributions.
"With Chris Brown and Mossis Madu, we still have two very fine backs. Our team has a lot of confidence in their abilities."
The injury was first diagnosed as a bruise but an MRI later revealed the damage. Murray will be able to resume training in about five months, said OU head athletics trainer Scott Anderson.
Murray is Oklahoma's second-leading rusher with 1,002 yards, just behind Brown, who totaled 1,010 on the season. Murray also had 395 receiving yards and was second on the team with 18 touchdowns.
Madu has rushed for 463 yards and six touchdowns as the team's third-team back. He filled in for Murray in the Big 12 title game and carried 15 times for 114 yards and three touchdowns.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
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