Aztecs' Morris Studies His Transfer Possibilities

Aztecs’ Morris Studies His Transfer Possibilities

By SCOTT MILLER

Dec. 23, 1991 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

IRVINE — Cree Morris, who went from San Diego State’s starting quarterback to oblivion this season, said Sunday he would consider transferring once SDSU’s season ends after the Freedom Bowl.

“If David (Lowery) keeps playing the way he is, I’m not one to sit on the bench anywhere,” Morris said after SDSU’s first workout at UC Irvine in preparation for the Dec. 30 bowl. “I know I’m capable of playing this game at a very high level.

“I’m going to take some time off (after the season) and see what happens. I have no plans, but of course you question (transferring). I’d be stupid not to.”

SDSU Coach Al Luginbill, who is aware Morris is unhappy, said Morris had not approached him about transferring.

“Cree and I will sit down and talk after the year,” Luginbill said. “This is not the time or the place for it. David is our quarterback--there’s no question about it. This is a one-quarterback team.

“Cree Morris is one heck of a kid and he wants to play, but two people are not going to play quarterback at San Diego State.”

Morris, a 6-foot-7 sophomore from Orange Glen High in Escondido, won the right to succeed Dan McGwire as SDSU quarterback during fall camp and started the Aztecs’ first four games. But SDSU went 2-2 and Morris was inconsistent.

He has completed only 42% of his passes this season (51 of 122) for 675 yards. He has thrown for three touchdowns, and three of his passes have been intercepted.

Morris was removed from the lineup in favor of Lowery for the Hawaii game Oct. 5 and, under Lowery’s direction, the Aztecs won six consecutive games before tying Brigham Young and losing at No. 1 Miami.

“Basically, I just want to play,” Morris said. “I want another shot. Things didn’t work out when I was in there, and it was my fault. But if something happens to David, I feel I can come in and win the game. . . .

“I had my shot, and most of the way things went when I was in were my fault. I wasn’t aggressive.”

There is no question that whatever he decides, Morris is in a difficult position. Because he redshirted in 1989, and because NCAA rules state that a player who transfers from one Division I school to another must sit out a season before becoming eligible, Morris would lose a year of eligibility and would not become eligible until his senior season.

“I wouldn’t transfer to a Division I school if I did,” Morris said. “Nobody wants a senior quarterback coming in. But I don’t know anything about Division II yet.”

So he waits. Morris’ highlights now come when a coach compliments him on a good practice--as happened Sunday.

And while Lowery figures out what to do with SDSU’s most valuable player award, Morris can only wonder what the future holds.

“I will play in the NFL some day,” Morris said. “Barring major injury, I will play. I know what I’m capable of in my heart and mind.”

His most urgent task right now, though, is finding a way to play.