NC State coach ‘surprised’ by QB MJ Morris’ decision to redshirt, but ‘honoring’ choice
N.C. State head football coach Dave Doeren formally addressed the program’s quarterback situation Thursday, officially announcing Brennan Armstrong as the team’s starter going forward.
Sophomore MJ Morris earned the starting job at the beginning of October, following the team’s loss to Louisville. The plan, at the beginning of the season, was for Morris to redshirt and further develop behind Armstrong. The Wolfpack opted to move Morris to the starting spot, hoping for him to provide a spark on offense.
What NC State QB MJ Morris said about earning starter job, Brennan Armstrong
Morris opted to retain his redshirt year, as reported by multiple organizations on Tuesday.
“I didn’t announce that on Monday. I was hoping we could maintain a competitive advantage in our preparation, with Wake Forest having to prepare, as you’ve seen, with two quarterbacks on the field at the same time. That plan didn’t work,” Doeren said. “Somebody found out, put it out there on Tuesday. It is what it is.”
NC State football’s MJ Morris to redshirt, but his father says he’s not leaving school
Doeren emphasized that the program’s original intent was for Morris to redshirt this season. The second-year player expressed his desire to preserve that status, Doeren said.
“I was surprised by that, because he was our starter and really didn’t expect for a starting player to want to sit back down,” Doeren said. “He said he wasn’t sure which way to go, but he wanted me to know that that was something that he was thinking about and talking with his family about.”
Doeren said Morris was decisive after playing against Miami. Morris and his family wanted to maintain his redshirt year.
“We’re honoring that decision,” Doeren said. “With that, Brennan is our starter. Our team has embraced him in this role, and we’re rallying around him and super excited to see what he does and this opportunity with his finish. He’s handled this — as Aydan (White) said yesterday — ‘like a grown ass man.’ Couldn’t have been said any better.”
In four games this season, Morris had 719 passing yards and seven touchdowns, completing 63-of-113 attempts and throwing five interceptions. He recorded a career-high-tying 265 yards and four touchdowns against Marshall, despite struggling in the first quarter of the game.
Armstrong, a graduate transfer from Virginia, threw for 971 yards, five touchdowns and six picks in his five starts earlier this year. He completed 94 passes on 160 attempts.
Despite not starting, Armstrong made appearances in the backfield every game as a backup. He was the team’s leading rusher against Miami, recording 51 yards on eight attempts.
Doeren said Armstrong is in a good head space and thinks the break was good. It provided Armstrong with a chance to reset and reevaluate how he was playing.
Doeren also hopes the strategy of huddling before each play, which N.C. State hadn’t done when Armstrong was originally starting, helps the team remain connected and play better around him.
“He said to me other day, ‘Coach, man, I just want to have fun. I just want to enjoy playing this game,’” Doeren said. “You could just see it in his eyes, he was really excited to play. That’s cool. I think he came in with some pressure on him,and there’s no pressure on him right now. Just go play football.”
Doeren asked that people be respectful and “be a good person,” noting the opinions and “hate.”
“Cheer on these guys that are playing. Get behind them. Be excited. This team has a lot to play for,” Doeren said. “MJ was on our scout team this week. He gave us a great look. Brennan has prepared and the guys are playing hard for him. He’s earned a ton of respect in our program. It’s his team now and so we’re excited to see him finish the season.”
Morris’ father denied this week rumors that he was transferring. Doeren said the team is focused on Wake Forest and will address any additional concerns with Morris at a later time.
The Wolfpack faces Wake Forest at 2 p.m. Saturday in Winston-Salem.
