Battle broke his wrist late into the TAMU game the week before.
He couldn't grip the ball with his throwing hand, much less throw a decent pass, and was basically an extra running back in the backfield during the entire game against Nebraska.
That injury was a real killer, since Arnaz Battle was the perfect quarterback for that offense.
I agree with you, that Davie should have at least tried to win the game, but at the same time, I can see how he was trying to play the percentages, based on Battle's injury.