Meacham Hopeful Zane Flores Will Return This Week

STILLWATER — It’s that time of the week where we all assess the Cowboys’ quarterback situation.

Quarterback-turned-receiver-turned-quarterback Sam Jackson V has started the past three games behind center for Oklahoma State, but Zane Flores was off the injury report for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury the the Cowboys’ loss in Tucson.

OSU interim coach Doug Meacham said after the Cowboys’ loss to Texas Tech this past weekend that Flores was close, but there was a shot that throwing him out there against the Red Raiders would’ve led to him taking one step forward and two steps back.

Noah Walters, who was a rare midyear addition to the roster, also played in Lubbock and even got some run in the first half.

At OSU’s weekly media luncheon on Monday, Meacham said “hopefully” Flores will be back this week without committing to a starter.

“I mean, you have options,” Meacham said. “And Sam did a great job, and not to say he’s not in the equation, but Zane is more of a guy that can probably give you a little bit more of your playbook. So, looking forward to possibly having him back.”

Flores has played in five games this season, the first five games of the third-year freshman’s college career. He’s completed 55% of his 140 pass attempts for 696 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He still leads the team in passing despite having not played the past three games, with Flores just about doubling Jackson’s yardage total (358). But, it’s undeniable Jackson does more for OSU’s ground game than Flores.

Oh, and there’s season starter Hauss Hejny.

Meacham has been steadfast on Hejny’s desire to play again this season after the TCU transfer suffered a Jones fracture in the Cowboys’ season opener and played just three series.

On Monday, Meacham again reiterated that Hejny wants to play, but that a “hard discussion” will take place before that happens.

With Hejny’s injury happening so early in the season, he would almost certainly be in line for a medical redshirt but playing again this season could put that in jeopardy.

“I know he wants to play,” Meacham said. “And I think once we get to the open date (not this upcoming weekend but the next), there will be a hard discussion that has to take place that he and I and his parents and everyone (will have) and see what everyone wants to do.”

The Cowboys have had trouble (putting it lightly) moving the ball through the air this season. OSU has thrown for 1,293 yards and four touchdowns this season, Big 12 lows in both stats. OSU’s 53% completion percentage is also last in the Big 12, but when taking a gander at the chaos that has been happening in that room, it sort of makes sense.