MJ Morris Named ACC Freshman of the Week

NC State freshman quarterback MJ Morris was named the ACC Rookie of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.

Morris, a true freshman from Carrollton, Georgia, came off the bench to lead the Wolfpack back from a 21-3 deficit in NC State's 22-21 comeback victory over Virginia Tech on Thursday night. Morris had played only 16 snaps and attempted one pass in his previous two appearances.

Morris completed 20-of-29 (.690) passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Morris kickstarted the comeback with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Thayer Thomas with 1:42 remaining in the third quarter, trimming the Pack's deficit to 21-10. Morris then connected with tight end Trent Pennix on a 7-yard strike and Thomas again in the fourth quarter on an 18-yard pass to put NC State in the lead for good at 22-21.

In the playoff era, Morris is one of just six true freshmen with 20 completions, 260 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions in a single game. He's the first true freshman quarterback to accomplish the feat since 2019.

Morris' stellar play helped NC State storm back from an 18-point deficit, which then was only the third time this season an FBS team had rallied from a deficit of 18 points or more. NC State and Houston are the only teams with multiple second-half comebacks of 14+ points this season, as the Wolfpack also came back from a 14-point deficit to defeat Florida State.

UP NEXT
No. 21 NC State continues its three-game home stand Saturday night against No. 20 Wake Forest. Kickoff at Carter-Finley Stadium is set for 8 p.m. and will be televised on ACC Network.