By: Benjamin E. Lykens (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Junior Jared Morris broke a Wolverine football record by picking off four East Texas Baptist passes in his first career start on defense helping his team to defeating the Tigers 34 – 14 for the team’s opening weekend win.

Morris, previously a wide receiver, earned both D3football.com team of the week and defensive player of the week honors.

Morris said that his only goal in switching positions was to help the team win.

“We lost our safety from last season and I think this is a good fit for me,” he said.

Head football coach Mike Drass suggested that Morris make the move to defensive back. He said the move was long overdue.

“We should have made this move with Jared when he was a freshman,” Drass said. “Jared has been a valuable receiver for us for the last two seasons and when we had an injury before the Mt. Union game, he played some nickel back and did very well.”

Drass said Morris was not getting enough playing time.

“On defense he could compete to play immediately,” he said. “We never imagined he would get four interceptions in a game but he is a smart football player who always puts himself in the right position.”

Getting four interceptions in a game is rare, let alone done by a single player.

Morris however, gives the majority of the credit to his teammates.

“It was because of the pressure created by the defensive line,” Morris said. “The quarterback had to scramble around and I was just in the right place at the right time.”

Only two other Wolverines have recorded at least three interceptions in a single game- Rocky Myers in 2001 and Brian Warren in 1993 respectively.