North Carolina State University Athletics
Freshman Morris Leads Pack to Comeback Win
Morris Answers Opportunity with Clutch Performance
10/28/2022 3:44:00 PM | Football
One of the beauties of sport is its unpredictability. Just when you think you know where the outcome is heading, there is a complete turnaround.Â
NC State trailed Virginia Tech 21-3 with 4:02 to go in the third quarter and only had 30 yards of total offense at that point in the second half. "That was a tough moment," said head coach Dave Doeren . "We're down 21-3 and I'm running up and down the sidelines hitting guys saying, 'Don't quit! We're gonna find a way to win this football game, just keep playing. You're the magic in this thing.'"Â
Some of the magic was provided by true freshman quarterback MJ Morris.Â
On the drive after Virginia Tech grabbed that 18-point lead, Morris completed four of five passes for 72 yards and a perfectly thrown, 35-yard touchdown pass to Thayer Thomas.
"There were a lot of things going in my head," Morris said after the game. "But the one thing I tried to focus on was just doing my job for the team."Â
The first two drives of the fourth quarter consisted solely of pass plays and both ended with touchdowns. In that stretch, Morris went 8 of 10 with scoring strikes to Trent Pennix and Thomas, who had 10 catches for 118 yards.Â
On the night, Morris was 20-29 for 265 yards and three touchdowns. He completed the comeback in victory formation for a memorable 22-21 win - the Wolfpack's 15th straight victory at home. "I do feel really great right now," a smiling Morris continued. "I feel like a kid in a candy store. I've never had this feeling before."Â
"The way MJ sparked us and brought us back making plays, it's pretty impressive for a true freshman to do that," Doeren added.
Not only is Morris a true freshman, he didn't have the benefit of going through spring football as an early enrollee. His Wolfpack career began four months ago after graduating from high school in Carrollton, Georgia.Â
"All the respect to him and the way he's prepared," Thayer Thomas said about his young teammate. "Coming in as a three (on the depth chart) in fall camp, and just sort of chugging along and putting his head down and coming to work each day ... meeting at night. It's a long process to get here and he's definitely taken advantage of it. He's really taking it seriously and he was prepared to play."
After the game, Morris was the last player to leave the field, after a live ESPN interview and a couple of visits with local reporters. The NC State student section chanted "M ... J ... M ... J!" as he made his way off the field on a night that, unpredictably, became a magic one.Â
By Jeff Gravley
Â
NC State trailed Virginia Tech 21-3 with 4:02 to go in the third quarter and only had 30 yards of total offense at that point in the second half. "That was a tough moment," said head coach Dave Doeren . "We're down 21-3 and I'm running up and down the sidelines hitting guys saying, 'Don't quit! We're gonna find a way to win this football game, just keep playing. You're the magic in this thing.'"Â
Some of the magic was provided by true freshman quarterback MJ Morris.Â
On the drive after Virginia Tech grabbed that 18-point lead, Morris completed four of five passes for 72 yards and a perfectly thrown, 35-yard touchdown pass to Thayer Thomas.
"There were a lot of things going in my head," Morris said after the game. "But the one thing I tried to focus on was just doing my job for the team."Â
The first two drives of the fourth quarter consisted solely of pass plays and both ended with touchdowns. In that stretch, Morris went 8 of 10 with scoring strikes to Trent Pennix and Thomas, who had 10 catches for 118 yards.Â
On the night, Morris was 20-29 for 265 yards and three touchdowns. He completed the comeback in victory formation for a memorable 22-21 win - the Wolfpack's 15th straight victory at home. "I do feel really great right now," a smiling Morris continued. "I feel like a kid in a candy store. I've never had this feeling before."Â
"The way MJ sparked us and brought us back making plays, it's pretty impressive for a true freshman to do that," Doeren added.
Not only is Morris a true freshman, he didn't have the benefit of going through spring football as an early enrollee. His Wolfpack career began four months ago after graduating from high school in Carrollton, Georgia.Â
"All the respect to him and the way he's prepared," Thayer Thomas said about his young teammate. "Coming in as a three (on the depth chart) in fall camp, and just sort of chugging along and putting his head down and coming to work each day ... meeting at night. It's a long process to get here and he's definitely taken advantage of it. He's really taking it seriously and he was prepared to play."
After the game, Morris was the last player to leave the field, after a live ESPN interview and a couple of visits with local reporters. The NC State student section chanted "M ... J ... M ... J!" as he made his way off the field on a night that, unpredictably, became a magic one.Â
By Jeff Gravley
Â
Coach Doeren Signing Day Presser (Dec. 3rd)
Wednesday, December 03
FB Players Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 24)
Monday, November 24