Cree Morris to Transfer from SDSU to St. Mary’s

SAN DIEGO — Quarterback Cree Morris, who started four games for San Diego State last season before being supplanted by David Lowery, said Wednesday that he has decided to transfer to St. Mary’s, a Division II school in Moraga.

Also, SDSU receiver Chris Chiarappa said he will transfer, probably to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

By transferring to a Divison II school, Morris, now a sophomore, does not have to sit out a year before becoming eligible.

“Basically, they’re a passing offense and I run a wide-open offense,” Morris said. “It’s a good opportunity for me to go on and play.”

Morris said that, in an individual meeting with Coach Al Luginbill, he was told that freshmen Tim Gutierrez and Brian Kalk would be moved ahead of him.

In two seasons at SDSU, Morris completed 68 of 158 passes for 928 yards. He had five touchdown passes and four interceptions.

St. Mary’s Coach Mike Rasmussen said Morris will be given the opportunity to win the job immediately. The school needs a successor to Scott Wood, who last year passed for more than 3,000 yards and was one of the finalists for the Harlan Hill Trophy--a counterpart to the Heisman Trophy for Division II schools.

“He came to visit last weekend and fit in perfectly,” Rasmussen said. “He had good chemistry with the other players and is very gifted physically.”

Chiarappa, a 5-foot-8 junior receiver from Carlsbad, said he was told by Luginbill that his scholarship would not be renewed. He caught two passes last fall for 23 yards.