OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss should have starting tackle Terez Davis back on the field when the Rebels host Auburn in Oxford on Saturday, Oct. 31, head coach Pete Golding said at his Monday press conference.
Davis left late in the game before last and sat out the 34-27 loss to Texas after being listed as a game-time decision. Golding said the staff probably could have played him but chose to hold him out so the injury would not get worse, and that the team expects him back this weekend. With Davis out, Conner Howes changed sides and Tommy Kinsler IV stepped in at right tackle.
The patched line still did not allow a sack against Texas, though the ground game stalled. Ole Miss ran for 113 yards at 3.8 yards per carry. Davis stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 310 pounds.
Auburn arrives after a 38-17 loss to LSU in which Tiger quarterback Sam Leavitt kept drives alive by scrambling. Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin said many of the third downs his unit failed to stop came on scrambles, and he wants his pass rushers to keep Rebel quarterback Trinidad Chambliss boxed inside the pocket.
Chambliss ran for more than 500 yards last season and is known for keeping his eyes downfield when a play breaks down. Auburn head coach Alex Golesh praised his arm strength and accuracy this week, and Auburn also had trouble earlier this year with Vanderbilt freshman Jared Curtis.
For Ole Miss, a healthy Davis would help on both fronts the Rebels struggled with against Texas: opening lanes for the running game and giving Chambliss more time to throw. Golding said the run game was not consistent enough at moving defenders and creating holes, even though it produced a couple of big plays. Against Texas, Chambliss slipped several would-be sacks but had to hurry a number of his throws.
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