OXNARD, Calif. -- The Cowboys finished with just five rushing touchdowns last season, tied for 30th in the NFL. It was the first time since 2002 that the Cowboys didn't reach double-digits in rushing touchdowns.

Cowboys running backs scored four of those touchdowns. The last time the Cowboys' running backs scored five or less touchdowns was in 2001.

Starting running back DeMarco Murray was direct when asked about the lack of touchdowns following Tuesday's practice, saying it was "unacceptable."

Coach Jason Garrett has talked about trends in offenses the first two days of training camp and said it's not fair to say whether the NFL is a passing or running league.

Yet Murray feels the running game has to help the passing attack, especially when it comes to finishing scoring drives.

"It's definitely unacceptable, five rushing touchdown in one season for me is kind of terrible," Murray said. "I know we had a couple of injuries last year and guys were nicked up, (but) there’s no excuse for that. But definitely this year we have to put some rushing touchdowns on the board to help the passing game."

Felix Jones and Murray each dealt with injuries that cost them games. Murray missed the final three games of the 2011 season after suffering a fractured ankle. Jones was lost for four games with an ankle injury, which opened the door for Murray to emerge as the starter. Murray finished with 897 yards on 164 carries. He scored just twice, but it was clear he became a force in the Cowboys offense.

The expectations seem to have gotten higher for Murray this season based on his wonder stretch in 2011 when he rushed for a franchise record 253 yards and compiled three games with over 125 yards rushing and five more games with 20 plus carries.

"I don't worry about anything I can't control," Murray said. "The perception of me, I just carry myself the way I was brought up. Respect everybody, play hard, work hard and hopefully it's a good perception of me and I'm not worry about anything I can't control. I have a lot of high standards, no one sets the bar higher than me. I have very, very high standards for myself playing and I love this game and do everything and anything I can to help this team out."