Michael McMorris Continues Navy's Strange History At Citrus Bowl
The Navy corner follows a couple of legends and in a rare Midshipman appearance at the Citrus Bowl
This week’s Tropical Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando will have a patriotic flair to it as Navy corner Michael McMorris will become the third Midshipman to play in the game, joining Peter Nestrowitz in 2020 and Quincy Adams in 2015.
McMorris had a solid year for Navy, making fifty tackles, with three for a loss, and breaking up six passes. For his career, he made 155 tackles, eight for a loss, intercepted a pass, and broke up 21 passes.
Although Navy plays UCF regularly in the AAC, this marks a rare appearance for the Midshipmen at Camping World/Citrus Bowl Stadium. Navy’s first road meeting with the Knights came long after they moved from the Citrus Bowl’s confines. Additionally, this is the first year that the Tropical Bowl will be at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.
Oddly enough, Navy’s only game in Citrus Bowl/Camping World Stadium came against Notre Dame in 2000. The Citrus Bowl is one of fourteen stadiums to host the iconic rivalry.
In a game nationally televised by CBS, the Midshipmen fell behind 38-0 before losing 45-14. The Midshipmen only amassed 58 yards on 32 carries. Ed Malinowski’s passing output of 5/7 for 141 yards with two touchdowns and Brandon Rampani’s 118 receiving yards were small consolations for the Midshipmen.
McMorris is not the first Midshipman to play in an All-Star game at the Citrus Bowl as he joins the company of two legends from the program’s lean years. Center Terrence Anderson and then safety Chris Lepore played in the Citrus Bowl’s Gridiron All-Star Classic in 2000 and 2001.
Terrence Anderson was an AP Third-Team All-American at center for Navy and would play in three all-star games, the Gridiron Classic, the Hula Bowl, and the Blue-Gray Classic.
Chris Lepore is arguably one of the greatest defensive backs in Midshipmen history, totaling 127 tackles as a junior and 109 as a senior. He also intercepted six passes in his career with five coming his senior year. Lepore’s 1999 season earned him preseason All-American nods from Blue Ribbon and Athlon in 2000.
Despite the brief history of Navy Citrus Bowl Stadium all-stars, Michael McMorris is in hallowed company. McMorris’ appearance in one of college football’s most historic venues provides a silver lining for a turbulent season for the Midshipmen.