North Carolina State University Athletics
Offense Finds Spark in 48-Point Outburst
10/8/2023 12:58:00 PM | Football
NC State's offense needed a spark. So Dave Doeren and the offensive staff turned to sophomore quarterback MJ Morris, feeling he could help the offense come to life.
Playing in his first game in 329 days, Morris responded by matching his career-high in yards with 265 and setting a new career-high with four touchdown passes.Â
"He gave us the spark we needed and threw some good balls," Dave Doeren said.Â
"I'll say the emotions were definitely high," Morris added. "I don't think I was too nervous out there. I was really just trying to have some fun."
As the first quarter came to an end, Morris was 1-7 for 17 yards and 2 interceptions. Even though the lone completion was a beautiful touchdown strike to KC Conception, not the best beginning. However, an intangible measurement of a player is how they respond when things don't go as planned.
"He's a mentally tough young man so wouldn't expect anything less from him," Doeren said. "He's going to respond, that's who he is. He gets in a tough situation he's gonna fight."
There was a lot of football remaining after the first quarter and 41 more points to score.
"It was too early in the game, so I just had to put those in the past and look forward because I couldn't get down on myself," Morris explained. "I know the rest of the team would get down, they all look at me as a leader, they feed off my emotions."
The offensive train found the track, gained steam, and produced some explosive plays.
For the first time in his long career, Trent Pennix caught two touchdown passes in a game and they were on similar plays of 39 and 62 yards.Â
Delbert Mimms, III had career highs in carries (15) and yards (65). He also showed he's not just a short-yardage back, scoring on a well-executed 18-yard run. Michael Allen put his speed on display going untouched on a 37-yard score; his first rushing touchdown at NC State.
There was a concerted effort to get freshman KC Conception the ball, whether it was by a normal forward pass or a shovel pass. Conception had eight catches for 102 yards with two touchdowns.Â
"We work all the time after practice," Morris explained. "Our chemistry is definitely very high going into these games. That dude is special, I love him. I love throwing to him and I love the way he helps me in situations."
Not only was the 48 points the most by the Wolfpack this season, it's the most against a FBS opponent since 2018.Â
That's a pretty good spark.
