Oklahoma State to start Sam Jackson at QB vs. Houston

Oklahoma State has already made several changes to its program and to its team through five games. The ‘Pokes are now making another at quarterback in Stillwater.

The Cowboys have named Sam Jackson as their new starter at quarterback going into this weekend’s game against Houston. On3’s Pete Nakos has confirmed the decision this morning by Oklahoma State.

Hauss Hejny was the starter in the opener, but a broken foot immediately took him off the field as his return date from surgery remains undetermined beyond being a few weeks out in his rehab. Since then, Zane Flores has been the starting quarterback for the Cowboys, who is 77-140 (55%) for 696 yards, no passing touchdowns, and three interceptions while rushing for 114 yards and a score.

Flores, too, is dealing with an injury to his upper body. He suffered that in the second half of last weekend’s loss at Arizona, which had already likely ruled him out for this next game against Houston.

In his four appearances this season, Jackson has done it all for the Cowboys’ offense with a background as a quarterback, at TCU and at California, but also experience as a receiver, which he had last season at Auburn. He is 7-11 (63.6%) when passing this year for 77 yards and a touchdown, with him having had chances to throw it in each of their past three games, each of which were losses, against Tulsa, Baylor, and at Arizona. He has also run seven times for 21 yards, while also catching five passes for 30 yards.

Again, this is just the latest change at Oklahoma State. The program has been under new management for the past two weeks with the firing of Mike Gundy, along with the firing the following week of DC Todd Grantham. Doug Meacham has since taken over as the interim head coach. With those changes amongst the staff, it has also led to changes on the roster as, with a 30-day window opening to the portal, double-digit players have entered their names with the intention of transferring elsewhere.

The problem in the now, though, for Oklahoma State (1-4, 0-2) is hosting Houston (4-1, 1-1) tomorrow afternoon at Boone Pickens Stadium. Now, that’ll be a game where Jackson makes his first start as a quarterback in almost two years when he takes the field against the Cougs.