By John Shinn

Transcript Sports Writer

There’s no sure bet who will be under center when Oklahoma faces North Texas Sept. 1 at Owen Field.

But the odds are pretty good, whether its Sam Bradford, Joey Halzle or even freshman Keith Nichol, he’s going to have a lot of weapons at his disposal.

That was apparent Saturday afternoon at the Red/White Spring Game at Owen Field.

Redshirt freshman running back DeMarco Murray capped his breakout spring, rushing for 103 yards on just four carries and helping the offense, who wore red, show off vast big-play potential.

“DeMarco has been special all spring and he was again today,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “There were some big plays and I think the fans probably enjoyed that.”

Over 21,000 fans braved temperatures in the 40s and a 20 mile-an-hour north wind to see the Sooners’ final spring scrimmage.

Most, however, were more interested on who would be handing and throwing the ball to players like Murray next fall.

Bradford, Halzle and Nichol were pretty even in the snaps they took. Halzle, who started, and Bradford were both at the helm for seven series. Nichol had five.

Statistically, it was Bradford’s day. The redshirt freshman completed 9-of-14 attempts for 110 yards. Halzle was 7-for-18 for 162 yards. Nichol was 3-for-7 for 25 yards.

Stoops said Saturday’s performances were just a small part in deciding who will get the starting job.

“That position has to be earned,” he said. “It only happens through snaps and earning it and showing it and getting whacked and getting back up and making a bad play and coming back and making three good ones. It takes time for that to develop.

“Otherwise, a guy that doesn’t have that respect in the locker room is going to have a hard time running the huddle. They just need time to earn it.”

Of course that decision won’t be made until August. But it was obvious the Sooners will display some big-play potential next spring.