Shockingly, Murphy also recorded his first career start on offense during Saturday’s 49-24 win against the Rockets.
Murphy is listed as the co-starter at tailback along with junior Russell Hansbrough.
Missouri’s staff would like to split out Murphy more in the slot. The same skills that make him such an electrifying return specialist will be better utilized on the edge.
From the slot, the Tigers figure it would be easier to get Murphy the ball in space on offense, but that plan is on hold a bit until sophomore Morgan Steward returns from a hip injury.
Steward will miss his third straight game when the Tigers battle Central Florida at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Until then, Murphy will continue to rotate with Hansbrough in the backfield as true freshman Ish Witter and perhaps even junior Tyler Hunt, a former walk-on, find a niche in the offense.
Pinkel doesn’t want to grind down Murphy (or Hansbrough, for that matter) so early in the season through overuse. The Tigers’ top two backs will get roughly equal reps for now until Steward’s return.