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NC State head coach Dave Doeren was hit with some unfortunate news this week when his starting QB essentially benched himself for the remainder of the season.
He says that he found out about the decision earlier this week but wanted to keep it ‘hush-hush’ before a conference game against Wake Forest. That plan didn’t work as the information was leaked to the media, causing the Wolfpack to lose a “competitive advantage.”
On Tuesday, it was reported that starting signal caller MJ Morris planned to remove himself from the lineup in order to preserve his redshirt. Beginning the season as a reserve, the initial plan was for Morris to sit behind transfer Brennan Armstrong and save a year of eligibility.
Struggles on offense led the coaching staff to reevaluate that outlook, and they’d soon boost the sophomore into the starting role.
In four games with the QB under center, NC State went 3-1 with wins over ACC foes Clemson and Miami to give their season new life. Now, they’ll be forced to return to Armstrong.
Head coach Dave Doeren spoke about the decision on Thursday ahead of a matchup with the Demon Deacons. He didn’t seem too happy with either Morris’s decision or the fact that the information was leaked to the press.
NC State coach Dave Doeren’s opening statement on QB MJ Morris redshirting the rest of the season: pic.twitter.com/Pl4OXkhBXY
— Noah Fleischman (@fleischman_noah) November 9, 2023
“As you guys know, MJ has chosen to redshirt,” he said in a Thursday press conference. “Brennan Armstrong is our starter. I didn’t announce that on Monday. I was hoping we could maintain a competitive advantage with Wake Forest having to prepare for two quarterbacks on the field. That plan didn’t work.
“Somebody found out and put it out there on Tuesday. It is what it is.”
Doeren continued on to emphasize that original plan of a redshirt season, which MJ Morris wanted to stick to despite winning the starting job. Still, he was caught off guard when his QB came to him to talk about sitting on the sidelines.
“I was surprised by that because he was our starter. I really didn’t expect that, for a starting player to want to sit back down.”
How will NC State respond with their reserve QB?
Armstrong came to Raleigh as one of the ACC’s most decorated passers. Spending four seasons at Virginia, he threw for more than 9,000 yards and 63 touchdowns before making the decision to transfer.
The passer started the first five games of the year for the Wolfpack, leading NC State to a 3-2 overall record. Unfortunately, those wins weren’t all that impressive coming against UCONN, FCS member VMI, and his former school UVA.
The pair of FBS foes have combined to go just 3-15 this season.
In his two biggest games against Notre Dame and Louisville, Armstrong completed just 48.6% of his passes with that final loss against the Cardinals forcing the staff to make a change.
He’s struggled with both turnovers and consistency against FBS competition, throwing six interceptions in those four starts, though he does have an ability to produce with his feet. In three of those four FBS matchups, he’s rushed for 60 yards or more.
The Wake Forest defense could provide an opportunity for a bounce back, ranking 12th in the ACC in total defense and dead last in passing touchdowns allowed. We’ll see if the QB can provide a spark for NC State on Saturday.