NC State has good week of ‘energy’ after quarterback change 

At the beginning of the week, NC State coach Dave Doeren made a move at quarterback to add a “spark” to the Wolfpack’s offense. So far, sophomore signal-caller MJ Morris has brought just that ahead of his first start of the season against Marshall on Saturday. 

“We’ve had a good week of good energy,” Doeren said Thursday afternoon. “Guys on offense are definitely taking on the different things that we’ve asked them to do. It’s a collective healing that needs to take place and obviously there’s a major change at that position, but all the positions are involved in this process of getting better.”

The main piece of the move was at quarterback, like Doeren alluded to, and Morris has done his part in working to bring a positive energy to the offense. The 11th-year coach said Morris has done a great job at the energy part — something he’s always done well — and the offense knows it needs to “pick up their play around the quarterback as well.”

“I think MJ did a great job coming in, understanding what we need,” Doeren said. “We needed to galvanize the guys. Each group has their piece in this thing. … You saw it on defense a week ago, just guys working together, making it look really good. Same thing on offense.”

In the Wolfpack’s 13-10 loss to Louisville last week, its defense played well, while the offense sputtered. NC State’s offensive line did not give graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong much time to throw — he was pressured on 17 of his 35 dropbacks. 

Doeren noted that the entire offense has improved this week, including the team’s offensive line, which returns graduate center Dylan McMahon. The veteran had missed the last two games with what appeared to be a right leg injury, and while he was out, the Wolfpack had to reshuffle the offensive line to make it work. 

With McMahon back, redshirt sophomore Lyndon Cooper can slide back to left guard after he filled in at center in the meantime. That change will allow NC State to return to its usual starting offensive line look, which should bring stability to the front with Morris under center. 

And while Doeren noted Morris has brought positive energy to the team at practice this week, the young quarterback has also improved himself since the last time he played — a 21-20 loss to Boston College last season. 

Morris made three key appearances a year ago, including two starts, and played well for the most part. He threw seven touchdown passes with just one interception before a knee injury sidelined him the rest of the season. 

He learned from his experience last season and has utilized that to his advantage this fall, Doeren said. Morris has matured and has grown as a football player in his second season in Raleigh. 

“I think what he’s been through to get to this point has been really good for him,” Doeren said. “Being able to take a breath coming off the injury, and learn and absorb and mature, and understand how important every little thing is. He’s preparing now like a vet.”

Though he backed up Armstrong for the first five games, Morris approached it like he was the starter, while he also supported his fellow quarterback in the tough times. Doeren said the entire position room has each other’s backs, which has been good to see. 

But the biggest impact this week came from Armstrong, who voiced his support for Morris, even though he was benched as a result. 

“I know Brennan’s excited for MJ,” Doeren said. “He told the offense they need to go play their butts off for him. That was a huge moment from a character, leadership standpoint to see that from Brennan. To hear that he did that was a huge thing.”

That’s the type of resolve Doeren is looking to see from his offense, which he noted is the fourth phase that the Wolfpack need in their game between the defense, special teams and sideline energy. All four have been clicking this week, he noted, and is looking forward to this weekend’s game against the Thundering Herd.