As fall camp nears an end, the quarterback battle remains deadlocked with no clear decision in sight.

Despite indications at media day in early August, ISU coach Paul Rhoads said Wednesday evening he is not likely going to make that decision Saturday following the team’s final scrimmage.

“I think we’ve got to be pretty close to [naming a starter],” Rhoads said. “I won’t name it on that Saturday because I’ll come off the field and not have enough knowledge of the scrimmage.”

At media day, Rhoads said the battle would be between Jared Barnett, Steele Jantz and Sam Richardson, although Richardson has appeared to be a longshot through the first weeks of camp.

During the 2011 season, Jantz started seven games for the Cyclones while Barnett started in six, including the team’s Pinstripe Bowl loss to Rugters.

While a decision likely will not be made following Saturday’s scrimmage, Rhoads does expect to have a starting quarterback not long after.

“It’ll need to be pretty close to [Saturday],” Rhoads said. “That Tuesday [Aug. 21] after the first day of classes we’ll start going into Tulsa preparations not wholesale, but into Tulsa preparations, and we’d like to have a pretty good idea who’s going to be taking the first snap.”

As for how camp has gone after nearly two weeks, Barnett is confident in his play and feels the competition remains close.

“Steele has been playing some really good football, and I have too,” Barnett said. “We’ve both started progressing really well; I understand we’re both neck-and-neck, and we’re just going to keep battling this thing out until the end.”