Matt Davis' odyssey was supposed to end with him setting SMU records while helping prepare the young quarterbacks waiting to take his place.

For the first time since he played Pop Warner, Davis entered the season without having to learn a new playbook, or meet a new coordinator or head coach.

But instead, his long journey - from Houston Klein Forest to Texas A&M to Tyler Junior College to SMU - took another twist on Monday. He will miss the entire season because of a torn ACL suffered in the opener against UNT.

Morris said the school will apply for an extra year of eligibility for Davis.

"He's hurt and disappointed," Morris said. "Matt has meant so much to our program. He's a great senior, a phenomenal leader."

Ben Hicks, Morris' first signee, played in last Saturday's 40-13 loss to Baylor. The redshirt freshman from Waco Midway completed 17 of 44 passes for 229 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, including two in the endzone.

"I think we saw glimpses of what Ben can do," Morris said. "I think the future looks very bright for him."

Still, Davis' loss is a major blow for SMU. Davis, a senior from Houston, is the ultimate team player. He is also a dangerous dual threat who seemed the perfect fit in Morris' power spread.

Davis has thrown for 3,269 yards and rushed for 1,465 over his career, leading the Mustangs in passing and rushing the last two seasons.

He accounted for 246 yards total offense and two touchdowns in their opening 34-21 victory over UNT, throwing for 155 yards and two TDs and rushing for 91 yards.

Davis originally signed with Texas A&M, where he was behind Johnny Manziel. But after his redshirt first year in 2012, he transferred to Tyler Junior College before arriving on the Hilltop.

Injuries have been a constant companion to the tough mobile quarterback, who seemed to seek head-to-head contact his first SMU season.

He played only 10 games for the Mustangs in June Jones' final season, but finished with 855 yards passing and 613 rushing. After fighting for the starting job under Jones, Davis had to do it again under Morris.

But Morris knew what he was getting in Davis. He had recruited him as Clemson's offensive coordinator.

"One of the most competitive players I've ever been around," Morris said.

Davis passed for 2,259 yards and 17 touchdowns, and rushed for 761 yards and 10 TDs last season.

Davis could hardly wait for his senior season, saying the week of the opener, "My foot is tapping."

He had developed a chemistry with wide receiver Courtland Sutton, and was excited about the speedy newcomers such as James Proche and Myron Gailliard, who earned starting jobs for the opener.

Best of all was the fact that nothing was changing.

"You know what to expect," Davis said before the UNT game. "When you have that comfort level, when you don't have to go out there and think, it's just boom; it helps everything run a lot smoother.

"I'm more relaxed, more comfortable and definitely more confident in my coaching staff and players."

Morris said he didn't want Davis to lead the team in rushing and passing. Teaching him to slide has been a major ordeal.

Asked if he planned to limit his running this year, Davis smiled.

"I'm prepared to answer this question every week," he said. "I do plan to run less. As a quarterback you like to let your playmakers make plays. I'm happy practicing on sliding. I can't promise you I'll do it every time, but I will at least think about it on Saturday."

Twitter: @BillNicholsDMN

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