SMU starting quarterback Matt Davis will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, head coach Chad Morris revealed Monday.
Davis started the Mustangs’ season-opening win over North Texas on Sept. 3, but did not finish the game. Freshman Ben Hicks, a prized recruit out of Waco, started SMU’s loss to Baylor on Saturday.
A Texas A&M transfer, Davis threw for 2,263 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago while also leading the club in rushing with 187 carries for 761 yards and 10 touchdowns. He finishes 2016 with 155 passing yards and two scores, plus 14 rushes for 91 yards.
In his first career start Saturday, Hicks completed 17-of-44 passes for 229 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions in a 40-13 loss to the Bears. Hicks is not the running threat that Davis presents, however, totaling only three carries for seven yards last week.
Morris stated Davis, a fifth-year senior, will appeal for a sixth year of eligibility in hopes of returning in 2017.