Why MJ Morris Is Starting At Quarterback For NC State, Head Coach Dave Doeren Instead Of Brennan Armstrong As NC State Is Hosting Marshall Today In Raleigh

As a freshman in 2022 MJ Morris,

MJ Morris was a True freshman QB who came off the bench to lead the Pack to victory vs. Virginia Tech, he threw for three touchdowns. Also threw for three in the win over Wake Forest.

• First true freshman since Philip Rivers (2000) to start at QB for the Wolfpack when he got the nod vs. Wake Forest.

• Named the ACC Rookie of the Week for his performance against Virginia Tech and again vs. Wake Forest.

• According to ESPN, is one of only six true freshmen ACC QBs in the playoff era with 20 completions, 260 yards 3 TDs and not INTs in a game (Morris, NC State, 2022; Howell, UNC, 2019 (6 times), Trevor Lawrence, Clemson, 2018 (3 times), Lamar Jackson, Louisville 2015, Deshaun Watson, Clemson, 2014, Brad Kaaya, Miami, 2014)

• Suffered an injury vs. BC and missed the remainder of the season.

• Had seen action in two games: 13 snaps vs. Charleston Southern and three vs. Syracuse before coming off the bench to play 58 snaps vs. the Hokies.

• Earned the team’s Philip Rivers Award for Most Valuable Freshman.

• Did not arrive on campus until June - he is 19 years old.

As NC State who is a member of Atlantic Coast Conference is hosting Marshall who is a member of Sun Belt Conference today in North Carolina’s state capital MJ Morris is starting at quarterback for NC State, Head Coach Dave Doeren instead of Brennan Armstrong.

Brennan Armstrong has completed 58.8% of his passes this season while throwing six interceptions with five interceptions.

Ahead of NC State, Marshall game NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren had this to say about Brennan Armstrong, MJ Morris had this to say about making starting quarterback change.

“Brennan will be a great teammate to MJ. just as MJ has been to Brennan in his role,”

Brennan Armstrong is a very competitive tough guy and he understands this is what’s best for the team right now and what’s needed. “You’ll see him leading. He’ll be on the sidelines cheering guys on throughout the game.”

It was my plan and our (staff’s) plan to redshirt MJ and allow him an opportunity to develop behind Brennan,”

“But, plans sometimes need to change, and the time is now because it’s what’s best for our team.”

Ahead of MJ Morris starting at quarterback for Head Coach Dave Doeren, NC State Saturday against Marshall in North Carolina state capital MJ Morris parents were happy they said God’s got your back. Just go out there and do what you do best. MJ Morris says he feels confident going into the game Saturday because not only does he have experience from last year , but he has worked with offensive Coordinator Robert Anae and Armstrong (Brennan) this summer to learn how the offense is supposed to run.

Ahead of MJ Morris starting at quarterback for Head Coach Dave Doeren, NC State Saturday against Marshall in North Carolina state capital MJ Morris had this to say!

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 ,’’Of course there’s gonna be (those) little jitters , but at the end of the day , it’s just going in there , playing football and having fun . After the first play I’ll be locked in.

According to Jayden Watson -Fisher News & Observer article on newsobserver.com

NC State comes into the game 3-2 because NC State lost Louisville by a score of 13-10 on Friday September 29, 2023 in North Carolina’s state capital as then starting quarterback Brennan Armstrong was 13-25 for 112 yards while throwing 2 interceptions.

Following NC State’s 13-10 loss to Louisville Friday September 29, 2023 in North Carolina’s state capital NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren had this to say!

There’s a lot of things that happened,”“We got beat in pass protection multiple times. There were some blitzes that came free. There were times where we were not open. And there were times where there were guys open, and Brennan Armstrong couldn’t see him because of the pass rush.” The receivers weren’t always open, either. Sometimes that was due to the Cardinals’ defense, and others, they didn’t run the correct route, going inside instead of outside.

“You can’t beat yourself,” “The pre-snap penalties that we had — the holding penalties, which are technique oriented — those things hurt quite a bit.” Add in the two interceptions, a fumble and two sacks and you’ve got a messy performance.

According to Jayden Watson -Fisher News & Observer article on newsobserver.com

Marshall is a member of the Sun Belt Conference comes into the game with record of 4-0 because they’ve won every game they’ve played including a 41-35 win over Old Dominion in Huntington West Virginia on Saturday September 30, 2023

Marshall quarterback Cam Fancher accounted for 380 total yards of offense and the Thundering Herd got an interception return for a touchdown by defensive lineman Elijah Alston to secure a 41-35 win in front of 22,652 fans at Joan C. Edwards Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Following Marshall’s 41-35 win Marshall Head Coach Charles Huff had this to say!

Our guys battled," MarshallWe knew it wasn't going to be a game where Rasheen (Ali) rushed for 260 yards, but we knew we could come out and move the ball as a team. That was the gameplan."

According to article on heardzone.com

Kickoff is set for 2:00pm from Carter Finely Stadium!

The game is going to be televised on CW Network with Evan Lepler, James Bates, Tabitha Turner commentating!