By Lucy Brock
SMU has lost its starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
Senior Matt Davis will miss the remainder of the year with an ACL injury, Head Coach Chad Morris announced Monday on his radio show at Humperdinks.
SMU will seek an extra year of eligibility for Davis, who threw two touchdowns and ran for 91 yards in the season opener against North Texas.
“It’s football, it’s a contact sport, it happens,” said Morris of Davis’s injury. “It’s unfortunate, but they’re not going to cancel the season. We’ve gotta rally.”
Davis left in the third quarter against North Texas after he was hit on a scramble. He walked off the field with no assistance, but did not return. He dressed for Saturday’s loss at Baylor, but did not play. Morris originally said he was “game-time decision.”
Last year, Davis was SMU’s leading rusher and passer. He started 11 games, had 26 total touchdowns, and rushed for 761 yards.
Redshirt freshman Ben Hicks made his first career start at Baylor on Saturday, and will likely be SMU’s starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.
“We’re gonna take a shot with him and let him go,” Morris said.
Hicks completed 17-of-44 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown and three interceptions in the 40-13 loss at Baylor.
“We saw glimpses of what Ben can be,” Morris said. “He wishes he had a few throws back, but I definitely think the future is bright for Ben and the team.”
Coach Morris was joined by some of his coaching staff and SMU athletic director Rick Hart for the third Tempo Talk of the season. About 60 fans attended the radio show at Humperdinks on Greenville Avenue.
Sophomore running back Xavier Jones did not play against Baylor due to a lingering hamstring injury. Morris said that Jones will be a game-time decision for Saturday’s home opener against Liberty.
