What NC State QB MJ Morris said about earning starter job, Brennan Armstrong

MJ Morris’ parents thought he’d gotten in trouble. That was their initial reaction on Sunday when the sophomore told them he met with N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren.

They were the first people he called when Doeren named Morris the starting quarterback.

“Of course they were happy,” Morris said Wednesday. “They said, ‘God’s got your back. Just go out there and do what you do best.’”

Wolfpack offensive lineman Lyndon Cooper, who was a high school teammate of Morris, said it was like being back in Georgia together.

Morris replaces Virginia graduate transfer Brennan Armstrong, who played in five games for the Wolfpack after earning the starting job during fall camp. Armstrong has more interceptions (six) than touchdown passes (five) this season. N.C. State’s scoring average of 25.4 points is 11th among 14 ACC teams.

The Pack expected to redshirt Morris for development purposes, but it opted to make the change this week.

Doeren said this week that both have handled the situation well. There hasn’t been any awkwardness, either, Morris added.

The second-year player praised Armstrong for his support, saying they’re brothers. Both understand the situation and want to do what will help the collective succeed. Plus, the rest of the team has balanced being excited for Morris and encouraging Armstrong.

“You hear a lot of coaches or a lot of players when they finally get out of the profession, the thing they miss is the locker room, the camaraderie,” NC State quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper said. “Those guys obviously rallied around him and they rallied around Brennan, too, because that’s not an easy conversation and an easy thing for him to go through.”

Morris said he feels confident going into the game this Saturday. Not only does he have experience from last year, but he worked with offensive coordinator Robert Anae and Armstrong this summer to learn how the offense is supposed to run.

He feels comfortable with everything they’ve taught him and he’s familiar with most of the receivers. Morris was late to his first media availability this season, because he was going through additional reps with his teammates.

Armstrong met with the younger quarterback and constantly provides feedback. In fact, Morris said Armstrong remains the first person he goes to with questions. There are only positive feelings between the two.

“I love him, he loves me,” Morris said. “When he’s on the field, I’m supporting him. When I’m on the field, he’s gonna support me.”

This season, Morris also prepped for each game like he was the starter. He didn’t want to be unprepared if anything happened.

“It’s one play away. You never know when that time is gonna come,” Morris said. “I just waited, stayed patient and was ready.”

Doeren said the team needs a spark on offense, and Morris thinks he can help provide that extra boost of energy, a little bit more fun. It’ll be the first time Morris has taken the field since Nov. 12, when the Wolfpack played Boston College, so he’s excited.

In his five-game stint, Morris completed 52-of-86 passes for 648 yards and seven touchdowns. His longest pass was for 44 yards against Wake Forest. He threw just one interception in his appearances. Additionally, Morris rushed for 88 yards and one score.

He’ll have some nerves upon stepping back into Carter-Finley Stadium, but Morris remains hopeful for what the Pack can do.

“I feel like if a football player tells you that they are not a little jittery, a little nervous on the first play of the snap then they’re probably lying to you,” Morris said. “Of course there’s gonna be (those) little jitters, but, at the end of the day, it’s just going in there just going in there, playing football and having fun. After that first play, I’ll be locked in.”

N.C. State hosts Marshall at 2 p.m. Saturday in Raleigh.