CFB notebook: Murray named Oklahoma's starting QB

Kyler Murray has been named as Oklahoma's starting quarterback 10 days before the Sooners' opener, coach Lincoln Riley announced on Wednesday. Murray bested Austin Kendall for the job that was formerly held by 2017 Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, who was the top overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. The Sooners open the season against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 1. "Kyler did a really nice job in camp," Riley said. "It was really a great competition between Austin and him, one that we carried on longer than maybe even we expected because of how well both guys played. There weren't a lot of differentiating factors in the end because both did play so well and so efficiently, but just felt like from an overall perspective that Kyler was just a little bit ahead. "We feel like we've got a great quarterback tandem there and we're really proud of the way that Austin has improved through the redshirt year last year and during camp. We're excited for Kyler and his opportunity and the team looks forward to getting ready for FAU." Murray, who served as the backup to Mayfield last season, completed 18 of 21 passes for 359 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Football isn't the only sport for Murray, who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics with the No. 9 overall pick in Major League Baseball's recent amateur draft. He signed a contract with the A's that guarantees him $5 million but allows him to play one more season of college football. Kendall redshirted last season and was named one of the team's offensive scout team players of the year. He appeared in two games in 2016, completing 16 of 22 passes for 143 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. --The charge of felony theft against Texas Tech running back Da'Leon Ward was dismissed in Lubbock County, Texas. Ward, who led the team in rushing in 2016, was arrested on Tuesday on a charge of felony theft between $2,500 and $30,000, multiple outlets reported. Capt. Joseph Gilliam of the Lubbock County Sheriff's department told ESPN that the department served a warrant issued in June. On Wednesday, the case was dismissed, without prejudice, by the court. According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Ward was the subject of a Texas Tech Police Department investigation after three cell phones were reported stolen from the school's student recreation center in a 20-minute period on Nov. 14. He was indicted in June, but the indictment was sealed. Ward was booked at the Lubbock County Detention Center on Tuesday afternoon. The 20-year-old Ward rushed for 428 yards and three touchdowns in 2016, becoming the first true freshman to lead Texas Tech in rushing since Shaud Williams in 1999. Ward also had 18 receptions for 131 yards. Ward redshirted in 2017 because of academic reasons, but was projected to pair with senior Tre King to handle the majority of the Red Raiders' rushing responsibilities. --Wide receiver Danny Davis has been suspended for the first two games of the season, the school announced. The suspension stems from Davis being named in a criminal complaint filed against Badgers wide receiver Quintez Cephus. Davis and Cephus entered spring practice as Wisconsin's starting wide receivers. Cephus, who has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the team, was charged on Monday with felony sexual assault of an intoxicated woman. He claims he is innocent. In the complaint, it is alleged that Davis took at least one photo of one of the women involved in the alleged assaults. "Based on the information I have available to me at this time, I have decided to suspend Danny Davis for the first two games of the season," head coach Paul Chryst said in a statement. "Should further information become available that warrants a reevaluation of the length of the suspension, I will assess that information. We have a high standard of conduct within our football program and we cannot accept behavior that is not consistent with that standard." Davis will miss games against Western Kentucky and New Mexico before returning for the Sept. 15 game against BYU. He will be permitted to practice with the team during the suspension. Last season, Davis was fourth on the team with 26 receptions for 418 yards.