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MJ Morris will start at quarterback for NC State against Marshall

Sophomore replaces Brennan Armstrong, who has struggled in five games

Published

October 3, 2023

MJ Morris finished 2022 with 648 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception and one rushing touchdown while completing 60.5 percent of his passes. (Photo courtesy GoPack.com | NCSU athletics).

RALEIGH – NC State will start sophomore quarterback MJ Morris in place of graduate transfer Brennan Armstrong this Saturday against Marshall, coach Dave Doeren announced Monday.

Morris was rated a four-star high school prospect by Rivals and a three-star by 247Sports in the Class of 2022.

He saw the field as a true freshman when starter Devin Leary went down with injury. He helped the Wolfpack beat Virginia Tech and Wake Forest before being injured the next week against Boston College.

Morris finished 2022 with 648 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception and one rushing touchdown while completing 60.5 percent of his passes.

Armstrong appeared in parts of five seasons for Virginia (2018-22) and threw for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns during the 2021 campaign. After a lackluster 2022, he transferred to NC State to use his remaining eligibility, but has struggled through five games.

Armstrong has thrown for 971 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions with a 58.8 completion percentage. NC State has gone 3-2 (1-1 ACC) and ranks 94th in FBS in passing yards per game (214.8) and tied for 88th in scoring offense (25.4 ppg).

–Field Level Media

Highlights from Dave Doeren’s press conference on MJ Morris

“As I stated in the past, when I was asked, it was my plan and our plan to redshirt MJ and allow him an opportunity to develop behind Brennan (Armstrong), but plans sometimes need to change, and the time is now because it’s what’s best for our team. MJ is excited for the opportunity to lead the football team, and I do believe that he’s ready. Brennan will be a great teammate to MJ just as MJ has been to Brennan in his role. Brennan has that role on our team. He’s a very competitive, tough guy, and he understands this is what’s best for the team right now and what’s needed…

“For what this team needs right now, it needs a spark, and I do believe MJ can be that for our offense…

“Let me make this clear – changing the quarterback (isn’t the only thing to fix). Everyone has to be better. This isn’t throwing Brennan under the bus and pinning it on him. It’s the opposite. It starts with me, and I own that. Everyone has to be what changes.”