Before every game, Winston-Salem State football coach Kermit Blount asks Monte Purvis one question: “Who is the best quarterback on the field?” The senior?s response is always the same: “me.”
Purvis, a three-year starter for Winston-Salem State, will lead his team against Morgan State this weekend at Hughes Stadium in Baltimore. Purvis teams with senior running back Jed Bines power an offense that has averaged 293 years through two games.
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“Monte is a senior now and his ability and maturity to pick up the offense has been great,” Blount said. “He can beat the defense with his legs. That has always been a strong suit for him.”
In last week’s game against Coastal Carolina, Purvis gained 165 yards on the ground, including touchdown runs of 1, 66, and 80-yards. Despite his impressive numbers, Purvis attributes his success to his teammates.
“It helps a lot having Jed [Bines] in the backfield. It takes pressure off me, it takes some pressure off of [running back] Brandon McRae,” Purvis said. “It lets the defense know that they can’t just try to lock down one person. They can’t take away one person from the game.”
This week, Purvis and the Rams face a defense that has five interceptions through two games, and has held opponents to fewer than two yards per carry.
“If the team sees me down, they’re going to be down, too,” Purvis said. “If they see me up, they’re going to be up with me.”
Today, when Blount asks Purvis who is the best quarterback on the field, he is confident the answer will be the same.
“I expect him to say he is the best quarterback,” Blount said. “If the quarterback has a good day, you will have a good offensive day. He generates our offense.”
