Oklahoma’s quarterback competition might have dropped from a three-way race to a two-man duel.

The Sooners had their first practice of the 2005 preseason Thursday at the OU Rugby Fields and Tommy Grady was absent due to an intercession course.

It won’t be the only practice Grady, a redshirt sophomore, will miss.

“It will be spotty,” OU coach Bob Stoops said when asked how many practices Grady could miss. “He was in meetings today and he’ll be at practices as his schedule accommodates. We’ll give him all he can handle and keep him up to speed the best we can. Hopefully he won’t miss too much.”

OU wouldn’t put an exact number on how many practices Grady will miss. The intercession course is scheduled for Monday through Friday and lasts until Aug. 19. The fall semester begins Aug. 22. The class could cause Grady to miss several preseason practices.

OU’s sports information department said Grady would miss today’s Meet The Sooners gathering with fans to attend the class.

Stoops admitted it’s not the best thing for Grady in terms of his chances to earn the starting job. Still, he isn’t ready to write off Grady’s chances.

“It’s not the best thing or the most positive, but it’s not something that can’t be overcome,” Stoops added. “We’ll give him all those opportunities the best we can.”