OU football notebook

North Texas first-year coach Todd Dodge announced on Monday that junior Daniel Meager will start at quarterback against Oklahoma in the opener Sept. 1.

Meager, who beat out true freshman Giovanni Vizza, started the last two seasons but had to win his job back after Dodge opened competition for position during the off-season.

Meager started 11 games as a freshman and five as a sophomore, completing 53 of 100 passes for 517 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions last season.

This year, however, Meager will throw much more in Dodge's no-huddle, four-receiver offense, which Dodge employed in winning four state titles at Southlake Carroll (Texas) High School.

Last year, the Mean Green ranked 117th out of 119 Division I teams in pass offense, averaging just better than 115 yards passing a game.

•Still no word on OU's starting QB: Monday marked the first day of classes at OU, but coach Bob Stoops still hasn't announced who will be his starting quarterback against North Texas.

After going 12 for 17 for 130 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday's scrimmage, redshirt freshman Sam Bradford is expected to be named the starter, after beginning both preseason scrimmages with the first-team offense.

Both freshman Keith Nichol and junior Joey Halzle struggled in the scrimmage, combining to complete just 33 percent of their passes.

•Murray trying to be steady: After rushing for just 25 yards in the first scrimmage, running back DeMarco Murray broke for 105 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns Saturday.

Murray said the reason for the turnaround was not attempting to turn every carry into a big run.

"Coaches have been telling me not to try to make the big play all the time,” Murray said. "I let the offensive line open up the holes and just made my cuts.”

Murray, however, showed he still has flash, dashing for