From QB3 to Saturday’s starter: What to watch for as MJ Morris, NC State face Wake Forest
N.C. State had the ball and was in the process of running out the clock against Virginia Tech in its most recent game when the Wolfpack signaled for a timeout.
Seems freshman quarterback MJ Morris wanted clarification on a formation — the “victory” formation, that is, the one where the quarterback takes the snap in the shotgun and takes a knee to finish out a victory.
“I was just so excited,” Morris said, smiling, this week. “I knew what it was. I wanted to make sure everything went right.”
It did. Morris took a knee three times, the clock expired and the Wolfpack had completed a 22-21 comeback victory in the Thursday night game at Carter-Finley Stadium to run its home winning streak to 15 games.
Such has been Morris’ learn-on-the-fly football education the past few weeks for the No. 21 Pack (6-2, 2-2 ACC). Once the third-string quarterback, he has gone from second team to first-teamer since the loss of Devin Leary in the Florida State game on Oct. 8, and he’ll make his first start in Saturday’s game against No. 20 Wake Forest (6-2, 2-2).
“In September he was trying to learn an offense,” NCSU coach Dave Doeren said Thursday. “Now, he’s running an offense. It’s different. He didn’t know his teammates, probably didn’t know half their names when he got here in the summer.
“The thing that really impresses you the most about him is he’s very, very coachable. You tell him something and he can transition from a conversation to the next play, and that’s awesome at that position to have.”
Morris passed for 265 yards and three touchdowns as the Pack scored 19 unanswered points against the Hokies. He was named the ACC rookie of the week, but noted, “I’m not worried about the fame or the notice. I’m just going out there and doing my job for the team so that we execute at our best level.
“It’s just one game. My first college game and really my first college experience. I’m going to get a lot more experience and learn how to win those games and keep doing the best for the team and keep being the best quarterback I can be.”
Morris said he has concentrated on being more of a vocal leader in practice, something strongly stressed to him by Doeren.
“I told last week, ‘You have an opportunity to make this yours. Go out there and make it yours,’” Doeren said. “And he did. I told him, ‘I’m proud of you, man, now just take it to the next level. It’s your group. Let them know what to expect and they’ll follow you.’ And he’s done that.”
What to watch for Saturday
▪ Wake Forest’s offensive execution. The Demon Deacons had eight turnovers in the 48-21 loss at Louisville last week after turning the ball over five times in their first seven games.
▪ Wake Forest receivers A.T. Perry, Donavon Greene and Jahmal Banks have combined for 90 catches and 16 touchdowns — eight TDs by Banks, who had two against Clemson. Look for the Deacons to test the Wolfpack defense with deep throws to receivers who have size — Perry is 6-foot-5, Banks 6-4 — and speed.
▪ Sam Hartman. The Deacons’ quarterback has 94 career passing TDs, third best in ACC history, and needs one to tie former Pack star Philip Rivers for second. Former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd had 107.
▪ Time of possession. While it can be a deceiving stat, the Pack could look to put together time consuming drives that limit the Deacons’ offensive possessions and shorten the game.
▪ Terrell Timmons, Jr. The Pack’s freshman receiver is one player Morris did know when Morris arrived last summer — the two made a recruiting visit together to NCSU, Morris said. Timmons’ 43-yard catch against Virginia Tech was big in the comeback and set up the Pack’s second TD.
How to watch
The game will be shown on the ACC Network. Dave O’Brien will handle play by play, Tim Hasselbeck will be the analyst and Kelsey Riggs the sideline reporter.
The latest line
ESPN has Wake Forest favored by 4.0 points. The Football Power Index (FPI) had the Wolfpack at 58.8%.
Pregame reading
- ‘Gave it my all’: NC State linebacker Payton Wilson wants strong finish to final season
- NC State quarterback Devin Leary taking things ‘day by day’ after season-ending injury
- NC State freshman QB MJ Morris to make first start as Wolfpack hosts Wake Forest
Sam Hartman is nation’s most overlooked quarterback — and perhaps its most resilient
- NC State vs Wake Forest first look: Pack set to host ACC Atlantic Division showdown
This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 6:40 AM.
