Report: Stephen Morris Practices For UM
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Hurricanes already face a tall task of trying to knock of the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday. But, they had been planning on using backup quarterback Ryan Williams against the Noles' stout defense, but that plan may be changing.
According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, UM starting quarterback Stephen Morris practiced with the team Wednesday morning. The Sun-Sentinel said Morris threw passes to receivers and "jogged lightly without a noticeable limp."
It was the first time Morris has practiced this week after spraining his ankle against the North Carolina Tar Heels last Saturday. A healthy Morris could be the difference between Miami being able to stay in the game with Florida State and getting run off the field by the Noles.
Morris threw for more than 1,000 yards in two games earlier this season before struggling against the Tar Heels. UM needs Morris at the top of his game to have any shot at knocking off Florida State. Morris keys an offense that has moved the ball well through the air, ranking in the Top 25 in the nation in passing offense (296.9 yards per game), according to cfbstats.com.
Unfortunately for Morris, he's going to be facing one of the top 6 defenses in the country when it comes to pass defense. FSU gives up on average 147.1 yards per game and does it with a ferocious pass rush keyed by Bjoern Werner and Cornelius Carradine.
Combined, Werner and Carradine have 18 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks on the season.
Morris may be healthy enough to play on Saturday night, but if he doesn't have good mobility and can't move around the pocket well, he may be a sitting duck for the Noles pass rush to pin their ears back and go after.
