MARCUS MAJOR NEWS

Kaliakmanis throws 3 TD against former mates as Rutgers ends 4-game slide and beats Minnesota 26-19

Athan Kaliakmanis hit Ian Strong on a go-ahead 4-yard pass for his third touchdown and Rutgers defense made two game-changing plays in the final nine minutes as the Scarlet Knights...

NOVEMBER 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Scores in blowout win Major had seven rushes for 12 yards and one touchdown and hauled in all four targets for 21 yards during Saturday's 48-0 victory over Rhode Island.

Impact Major found the end zone on a two-yard run in the second quarter to stretch out the lead for Minnesota, and that was about the only noteworthy part of the day for the senior running back. The return of fellow running back Darius Taylor meant a drop in volume for Major, though his efficiency took a tumble as well, as he averaged just 1.7 YPC on his limited attempts. Major still received the second-most touches on the day among the Minnesota backfield members, though Taylor will likely command the majority of touches moving forward assuming he has returned to full health. A home matchup against Nevada may provide an opportunity for Major to impress and earn a larger role within the offense.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Productive day in opener Major logged 20 carries for 73 yards and one touchdown and caught 1 of 2 targets for 27 yards during Thursday's 19-17 defeat against North Carolina.

Impact Major was moved into the starting lineup after Darius Taylor was ruled out with a hamstring injury prior to Thursday's season opener against North Carolina. Despite having big shoes to fill in place of the All-Big Ten back in Taylor, Major performed admirably, recording 100 total yards and finding the end zone on a five-yard run in the second quarter. With Taylor's health in question for Week 2, Major could see another week of his expanded role when the Golden Gophers host Rhode Island on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Minnesota sits injured RB Darius Taylor for season opener vs. North Carolina

Minnesota running back Darius Taylor was held out of the season opener against North Carolina because of a leg injury suffered in practice two weeks ago

AUGUST 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Set for big role Thursday Major is taking first-team reps ahead of Thursday's opener versus North Carolina, Andy Greder of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact With Darius Taylor (hamstring) out, Major received the first handoff from quarterback Max Brosmer during pre-game warmups. The Oklahoma transfer appears to be in line to start the opener and appears to have a good shot to serve as Taylor's backup when Taylor returns. Major rushed 78 times for 308 yards and one touchdown in seven games last season.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Participating in practice Major (shoulder) participated in practice and "is an execptional back" according to OC Greg Harbaugh, Andy Greder of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Major was limited in the spring but now seems to have fully recovered from his shoulder injury. Major should have a chance to be an impact player for the Gophers if he can stay healthy.

AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

Will play for Minnesota Major has committed to Minnesota for the 2024 season, Ryan Burns of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Major ran for 833 yards in his career with the Sooners and totaled 10 touchdowns, though 308 of those yards came in 2023 alone. He'll have one year to play with the Golden Gophers.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Enters transfer portal Major has entered the NCAA transfer portal, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reports.

Impact Major will enter the portal with one year of eligibility remaining after playing four seasons with Oklahoma. The senior running back carried the ball 78 times for 308 yards and one touchdown in 2023.

DECEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

DNP vs. TCU Major (shoulder) did not play during Oklahoma's game Friday against TCU.

Impact Major has now logged five consecutive DNPs. Now, his next opportunity to return is in a bowl game not arranged for Oklahoma just yet. Major will have multiple weeks to recover further.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out once again Major (shoulder) didn't play Saturday against BYU.

Impact Major had appeared in warm-ups in some recent contests, but at the end of the day, he hasn't played in a game since Week 8. He might have a shot at playing in the regular-season finale against TCU next Friday.

NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Did not play Sunday Major (shoulder) did not play in Sunday's 59-20 win over West Virginia.

Impact Despite dressing and warming up ahead of the game, Major did not enter Saturday's game. With the game getting out of hand relatively early, the coaching staff may have just decided to wait another week for him to return to the field. His next chance to suit up is Saturday at BYU.

NOVEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

DNP at Oklahoma State Major (shoulder) did not play during the Sooners' game Saturday at Oklahoma State.

Impact Despite warming up for the Sooners' latest game, Major did not participate in it. Instead of him, Gavin Sawchuk was their primary rusher. He and Tawee Walker will continue to compete for carries while Major recovers going into the Sooners' game against West Virginia on Nov. 11.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Warming up Saturday Major (shoulder) is in uniform and is warming up ahead of Saturday's game at Oklahoma State, Colton Sulley of OUDaily reports.

Impact Major is warming up ahead of Saturday's game after missing last week's game versus Kansas. Seeing him during warmups is certainly a good sign, but it does not guarantee that he will play.

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not spotted in warmups Major wasn't spotted among the running backs leading up to Saturday's game against Kansas, Eli Lederman of Sellout Crowd reports.

Impact Major was reportedly played through a banged-up shoulder last week and toughed it out with Tawee Walker (suspension) unavailable, but it appears he'll likely take the week off with Walker back in the mix Saturday. Look for Walker and Gavin Sawchuk to handle most of the reps in his place.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lead rusher for the Sooners in win Major posted 18 rushes for 82 yards during Saturday's 31-29 victory versus UCF. He also caught two passes (on three targets) for nine yards.

Impact Major saw double-digit carries for the third time this season. The next closest rusher was Gavin Sawchuk who carried the ball 10 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. The Oklahoma backfield has been a committee this year, so it would be hard to predict who will be the top rusher next week. Oklahoma will play at Kansas next week.

OCTOBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

After Slow Start, Marcus Major Comes Up Big For Oklahoma In Conference Opener Running back finds rhythm in second half of 20-6 win at Cincinnati as Sooners improve to 4-0

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

'Healthy and Available': OU RB Marcus Major's top priority this season Major has been plagued with injuries throughout his first four years at Oklahoma. But he's been taking care of his body and hoping for a hea...

AUGUST 28, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

How RB Marcus Major is Battling For a Larger Role in His Fifth Year at Oklahoma The redshirt senior running back has a clear goal for his 2023 season in Norman — stay healthy to be able to contribute for every game on th...

AUGUST 24, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

WATCH: Oklahoma RB Marcus Major Interview Oklahoma running back Marcus Major met with local media members as the Sooners prepare for their season opener against Arkansas State on Sep...

AUGUST 23, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Why Oklahoma RB Marcus Major Will Miss Saturday's Spring Game Coach Brent Venables explained that Major suffered a recent injury, and said the scrimmage format was born out of a lack of offensive line d...

APRIL 21, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Out for bowl game Major (leg) will be unavailable for Oklahoma's bowl game Thursday, TJ Eckert of Tulsa's KTUL News reports.

Impact Major had tallied 56 carries for 227 yards and four touchdowns over eight games this season but saw a diminishing role towards the end of the season before missing the regular season finale against Texas Tech. Jovantae Barnes should be the lead back with Eric Gray sitting out to prepare for the NFL Draft.

DECEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not seen at warmups Major (ankle) is not warming up with the Oklahoma running backs ahead of Saturday's game against TCU, Eddie Radosevich of SoonerScoop reports.

Impact Eric Gray stands to lead the Sooner backfield Saturday but losing Major from the rotation would be a blow to their backfield depth. It remains to be seen if Major will be available Saturday but his status is in question with kickoff approaching. Javontae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuck would likely be the next backs up behind Gray if Major sits out.

OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Adds TD in third straight game Major rushed for 35 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while also recording a 24-yard touchdown reception on his only target in Saturday's 49-14 win at Nebraska.

Impact Major has been a touchdown magnet in Oklahoma's first three games with five total scores, including at least one in each contest. He was able to add his first touchdown reception on a bit of trickery from tight end Brayden Willis who tossed him the 24-yard score. Although Major appears to have some fantasy upside, it still appears that Eric Gray is the primary running back in the Oklahoma offense and will be the better bet for more touches against Kansas State next week.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE