Report: Zane Flores Out for Season after Surgery

This story is updated from its original version

The Cowboys’ quarterback situation takes another turn.

Zane Flores will miss the remainder of the season after a lower leg injury that required surgery, according to The Oklahoman‘s Scott Wright. Pokes Report’s Robert Allen reported earlier in the day that Flores didn’t make the trip to Provo. This comes after a report from The O’Colly‘s Ashton Slaughter that signs are pointing toward Garret Rangel starting against BYU. The Cowboys and Cougars kick off at 9:15 p.m. CT on Friday.

A 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman, Flores hasn’t taken a college snap yet, but the fan base is certainly excited about him. That excitement only increased in August when Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said Flores was “ready now” but lacking in experience. With Flores not making the Provo trip, that likely means true freshman quarterback Maealiuaki Smith will be in Provo. A three-star prospect out of California, Smith had offers to BYU, Arizona, Arizona State, Florida State, Miami and others before picking the Pokes.

All of this comes after Alan Bowman, who has started every game at quarterback for OSU this season, was pulled in two of OSU’s three games before last week’s bye. In three Big 12 games this season, Bowman has completed 51% of his passes for 686 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.

Rangel relieved Bowman in both instances where the seventh-year senior was pulled. A 6-foot-2, 205-pound redshirt sophomore, Rangel completed 44% of his passes in those two Big 12 games, throwing for 106 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. In his most recent outing, Rangel went 4-for-5 against West Virginia for 75 yards and a touchdown. Rangel also played a roll in the 2023 season’s three-quarterback rotation. He played in five games last season, completing 53% of his passes for 172 yards, two touchdowns and an INT. He also got thrown into the fire as a true freshman in 2022 because of Spencer Sanders’ injury. He played in four games in that 2022 season, completing 51% of his attempts for 711 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions.

Regardless of who plays at quarterback Friday night for the Cowboys, OSU has to find a way to run the ball to have some semblance of success. OSU ranks 124th nationally in rushing yards per game despite having reigning Doak Walker-winner Ollie Gordon in the backfield.