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.
