Over a 30-minute span, Joey Halzle, Sam Bradford and Keith Nichol were given a chance to explain why each one should be Oklahoma’s next starting quarterback.

But none of the three viewed Oklahoma’s media day Friday morning as a job interview.

The question was phrased in several ways, but none were willing to lobby for his cause.

“I think that’s up to (OU coach Bob Stoops) to decide,” Halzle, the oldest of the three, said.

Bradford, a redshirt freshman, and Nichol, a true freshman, both followed the lead. Both said the decision wasn’t theirs. It will ultimately rest with Stoops, offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel.

But all three head into preseason practices vying for one of the most coveted positions in college sports. Thus far, the competition has been waged away from the spotlight.

None of three had been available to the media throughout spring practice and Stoops suggested Friday’s question-and-answer session with the quarterbacks would be the group’s last for a while.

That seemed fine with the threesome. They’re a lot more interested in impressing the coaching staff than fielding questions from reporters.

But all know what it will take to emerge as the starter. In case there were any questions, Wilson laid it out Friday.

“The guy who plays within himself and allows the players around him to make plays will be the quarterback,” he said.

In other words, the one who makes the least mistakes will likely be the the one under center when the Sooners open the season Sept. 1 at Owen Field against North Texas.

Playing mistake-free football has been the battle cry for every quarterback competition during Stoops’ tenure. This one won’t be any different.

It’s the same formula the Sooners used to pick a starting quarterback four times since Jason White and Nate Hybl competed for the job in 2001.

“We have always said the guy this year just has to do his job; he does not have to carry the team,” Stoops said. “We ask them just to do their part and deliver the ball.

“You just have to go out there and play every snap to the best of your ability. If something goes wrong, just let it go and play the next play.”