Oklahoma’s quarterback race is over. All that’s left to decide is who won.
The Sooners conducted their final scrimmage Wednesday at Owen Field. It was Paul Thompson’s and Rhett Bomar’s final opportunity to sway the coaching staff and become the starter for OU’s Sept. 3 season opener against Texas Christian.
OU coach Bob Stoops said the scrimmage consisted of about 45 plays, but wouldn’t say if either quarterback had done enough to earn the job. He also wouldn’t say when the announcement will be made.
“It could be next week, it could be a couple days,” Stoops said. “We’re going to talk as a staff and do it when we feel we need to.”
Wednesday’s scrimmage was closed to the public and media. Offensive coordinator Chuck Long said both quarterbacks performed well, but didn’t get into specifics. Long also said a decision could be made today.
“We’re going to talk about it (today) and make a decision,” Long said. “Then we’ll go from there.”
Long plans to go through what Thompson and Bomar have done dating all the way back to spring practice. Wednesday’s scrimmage might have been the final test, though the final grade will encompass everything leading up to it as well.
“We have to do what’s best for the football team at this time,” Long said. “Bob has a great handle on the whole picture. That’s why I need to talk to him. He knows what the defense is capable of and the special teams, too. I just focus in on the offense. It’s important for me to talk to Bob because he sees the whole picture.”
Long also said the discussion could end up with an announcement that both quarterbacks will play against TCU.
No matter what the final decision, Long expects to have some long conversations with Thompson and Bomar in the coming days.
“We’ll sit them down and explain to each one where they are and where they can be in the future,” Long said. “It’s not an easy conversation, but that’s part of my job and I’m used to it. At the same time, they are human beings and there could be some sensitivity involved with it. We have to present it the right way.”
Bomar believes he’s put himself in position to hear good news. He admitted he didn’t perform well in his last two scrimmages, but he felt he had a better showing Wednesday.
“Those last two scrimmages haven’t been really reflective of my ability,” he said. “Today, I was more myself. I was making good decisions and I wasn’t turning the ball over.”
Thompson said he gave another steady performance and is ready to accept the coaching staff’s decision.
“I know I’ve prepared myself to be starting quarterback here and that’s all I can do,” he said.
OU Sports
No decision yet
Both QBs look forward to the good news
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