In the Alabama game, Auburn was winning and early in the second half their starter, who can't run or throw when healthy, got his ankle turned and could barely stand on it. Yet he played the rest of the game, unable to move, barely could even make hand-offs. Davis was on the bench, hadn't played a down so his redshirt was not going to be burned.

He was a worse option in the coaches mind than a statue with a chance to win the iron bowl.