MANHATTAN, Kan. — Sophomore running back DeMarco Murray has struggled at times this season, but against Kansas State Saturday he burst back onto the scene.

Murray scored four touchdowns — two rushing and two receiving — against the Wildcats in the Sooners’ 58-35 victory.

Murray scorched the KSU defense in both the running and passing game. He finished with 104 yards rushing on 17 carries, and led the team with four catches for 63 yards.

“He had a really great day,” head coach Bob Stoops said. “He’s very exciting to watch; he just does everything. He catches the ball so well, so that’s a factor out there. It’s good to see him making those plays.”

The first drive foreshadowed the type of day Murray was about to have. The Sooners ran five plays, and all five were Murray runs. His fifth run went for a three-yard touchdown that gave OU an early 7-0 lead.

Murray, who has been battling back from a knee injury, appeared to have his normal swagger back early in the game after finding pay dirt.

“[The first drive] helped my confidence,” Murray said. “Having pushed it all day, and they gave me the ball and what not so it definitely gave me confidence.”

And it didn’t take long for him to find the end zone again.

He put OU up by a score of 21-7 later in the first quarter when he exited the backfield and ran along the left boundary.

He was able to outrun a linebacker to the flat, and sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford quickly connected with him for a 15-yard touchdown pass.

Murray found the end zone for the third time in the half when Bradford hit him for a 10-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter.

“The offensive line just did a great job blocking and throughout the whole day we were just playing a more physical game,” Murray said. “It’s just a tribute to my offensive line; they did a really great job.”

But he wasn’t done yet.

Murray scored his fourth and final touchdown just inside the final three minutes of the first half when he scampered four yards for a score.

“He’s practiced better the past couple of weeks; it’s really helped his confidence,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. “He’s had two good weeks, and he’s looked like the phenomenal player we saw last year.”

He didn’t score again, and the offense as a whole struggled in the second half. However, he did record the Sooners’ only reception of the second half.

“We did a great job in the first half and came out flat in the second half,” Murray said. “I think we were trying to force it in the second half. We just came out a little too confident, and you know we have to just keep pushing down.”