‘Seemed Like He Was Pretty Dialed’: Zane Flores Turns in Best Game as Cowboy in Loss to Kansas
BY Marshall Scott | Pistols Firing Blog
LAWRENCE, Kansas — Zane Flores just about beat the ball he threw to Shamar Rigby to the end zone.
It was the first touchdown pass of Flores’ career after throwing 140 passes coming into Saturday’s game, a 38-21 loss to Kansas at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Flores said there was a sense of relief to get the touchdown on the board and out of his head.
He went on to play the best game of his college career, completing 79% of his passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns — all career highs.
“I thought I was pretty comfortable,” Flores said. “I mean, yeah, I felt good. Had confidence in our offense. Had confidence in Coach Johns calling plays, and there were guys all over the place making plays.”
Flores had three throwaways in the first three quarters, but his first true incompletion didn’t come until the fourth.
He had five completions of at least 15 yards, including four of at least 20. His best ball of the day was one he threw in the first quarter to Gavin Freeman, where Flores dropped it among a group of defenders into Freeman’s waiting arms for a gain of 33.
He hit Sam Jackson V down the seam in the third quarter. Flores said he wanted that ball back because it should’ve been a touchdown, but it still resulted in a 26-yard gain.
Flores also connected with Terrill Davis on a go-ball in the fourth for a 29-yard gain.
“I think it’s huge for confidence-wise, especially as an offense as a whole,” Flores said. “There were so many guys today who made plays. They were going up and making catches, O-line played well, running backs ran well, so yeah.”
Saturday’s game was the first time Flores took the field with Kevin Johns calling plays. Flores exited the Cowboys’ game in Tucson with an upper-body injury before interim head coach Doug Meacham gave the play sheet to Johns.
Flores said he and Johns, also OSU’s quarterbacks coach, meet for hours every day, and that they know what each other is thinking.
This was the third road game Flores has played in this season, and he failed to eclipse 100 passing yards in the first two — throwing for 67 at Oregon and 47 at Arizona before leaving with injury.
The experience gained in those games and some time off the field to review helped the third-year freshman.
“He got sacked the one time,” Meacham said. “He didn’t take any sacks other than that one. He got the ball out on time. He had a good plan. …
“He played catch a little better and moved around the pocket a little better. Just seemed like he was — didn’t seem nervous. Seemed like he was pretty dialed.”