It was reported earlier Wednesday that Auburn backup quarterback Joey Gatewood had left the team and was expected to transfer.

Gatewood has been used sparingly behind freshman starter Bo Nix. Nix has struggled at times, and head coach Gus Malzahn hasn’t exactly inserted Gatewood into the game to provide any sort of spark.

The quarterback has played in seven games this season, and last week at LSU, he recorded just one carry for two yards. He’s completed just 5-for-7  passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns. He has also recorded 29 carries for 148 yards and three touchdowns.

Gatewood missed practice Tuesday, and it was reported that he was mulling his option of either staying or leaving Auburn. He ended up making the decision to leave. Auburn fans didn’t take it well.

Wednesday during the SEC Coaches Teleconference, Malzahn was asked about Gatewood’s decision to leave the team for the first time. He confirmed Gatewood’s decision to transfer.

“Quick update, Joey Gatewood has entered the transfer portal and decided to move on,” Malzahn said. “I really appreciate Joey, the thing about it, when he didn’t win the starting job earlier he chose to stick around. Most quarterbacks in this day and age in time would have quit, he didn’t do that. He is at a point now where he wants to be a starting quarterback. He wants to start looking at schools now so he can find the right spot, and I respect that. He is a fine young man and really respect everything he has done for our program and everyone will be rooting for him moving forward.”

Malzahn was then asked when Gatewood’s transfer first came up.

“He came to me yesterday before practice, said he had been thinking about it over the weekend. Felt strongly that he needed time to find the right spot.”

Malzahn was asked if he tried to convince Gatewood to stay.

“No, we had a talk and he felt strongly he needed the time right now to make sure he got it right and find a place where he can be a starting quarterback. That’s his goal, that’s really what he wants and I respect that.”

Auburn’s head coach said that Cord Sandberg is now the backup quarterback behind Nix.