Video: Morris Talks After Wednesday's Practice
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Stephen Morris is going into the week as Miami’s presumptive starter at quarterback, taking over while Jacory Harris recovers from a concussion.
Morris has not been formally named the starter — he’s still fourth-string on the depth chart, technically — but Miami coach Randy Shannon said Harris would “probably not” be available for Saturday’s game against Maryland.
Harris will not practice on Tuesday afternoon, and Morris will take the first-team reps in that workout.
“There’s going to be a lot of weight on his shoulders, but we’re going to have to rely on our defense, really,” Shannon said. “Our defense is going to have to play extremely well this week … for the young man to be successful.”
Harris was injured in last Saturday’s 24-19 loss to Virginia, though was in the film room with teammates Tuesday morning. Doctors are monitoring several aspects of Harris’ condition, including how sensitive his eyes are to light and how he responds to noise and subtle movements of his head.
Harris was knocked out early in the second quarter last Saturday, remaining on the ground for four minutes before being helped to the sideline.
Morris took over at halftime of the Virginia game, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another in the final 10½ minutes as the Hurricanes tried rallying from a 24-0 deficit. Miami (5-3, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts Maryland (6-2, 3-1) on Saturday.
“It’ll be good that we have Stephen, who’s gotten some playing time, been in the game like that, coming back from behind and making some plays and calling the offense,” Shannon said.
