UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 5, 2022

Benjamin Morrison

Press Conference

Notre Dame 35, Clemson 14

Q. First pick following the receiver across the field, did you see that cut off? Did you see stepping in front of him coming, or was it Justin really forcing Klubnik too his back foot?

BENJAMIN MORRISON: No, personally, I've been taught here when you're in that situation, always under cut everything. Knowing I got to help over the top, supposed to undercut it. I knew if he threw it he would have to pay for it, so I was just praying he was throwing it because the receiver got me off the line. I knew I had to use my speed to catch up.

Once I was in the position I was, undercut it and there was the ball.

Q. The second one, was it something where -- did to hang? Did you see that? Looked from the press box like you could see it.

BENJAMIN MORRISON: Yeah, that was kind of cool because I've been struggling with that position all year long. Back shoulder fade, back shoulder fade, just getting my eyes back. So today I was really just focused on the details. Once I had them in the position I wanted to, I could have just played to the man and just -- but I trusted my abilities and put my head around there. There the ball was, so, yeah.

Q. Benjamin, how soon in that interception return did you know you had a chance to score?

BENJAMIN MORRISON: Honestly, I didn't even -- I just ran. I was just running. Once I hit the end zone I knew I scored, yeah.

Q. How much did the punt block giving you guys a 7-nothing lead, how much did that ignite the defense?

BENJAMIN MORRISON: Huge. Our punt block team has been crazy all year long. When you get a stop and you can just go down there and take the momentum away from them with a huge block, it's a huge momentum shift.

We just ran with that all game long.

Q. This might be hard to do, but go back before the interceptions. You were already breaking up a few passes and nodding your head on the field looking borderline cocky, certainly confident. When today did that come into your mentality?

BENJAMIN MORRISON: Personally, I don't know. I wouldn't say cocky. I would say very confident, just because I know the player I can be and who God has called me to be. All week I knew what type of game this was and I knew they were going to test me off the previous games on what I've shown on film. I knew I had to lock in and hone in on what I wanted to accomplish.

So I would just say from Sunday's first practice up to Tuesday, Wednesday, leading on, I just kept building up into my confidence, doing things in practice that I -- I mean, I saw these formations throughout practice Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays, Friday, and even this morning throughout our shakeout.

I think the confidence came from the preparation, and once I was able to see things then I knew I was pretty locked in. Then once they started testing me and things started going my way, I just felt good so I just kept going.

Q. Quarterbacks are supposed to have a short memory. Sounds like you were using those pass thoughts not as motivation, but as focus knowing it was going to come your way.

BENJAMIN MORRISON: No, 100%, because last week I tried to stay off the internet and everything, but Syracuse game I was tested a lot. I knew I didn't perform the level I wanted to perform at, so I knew what I wanted to accomplish.

I've set goals for myself, so I put my -- hold myself to a high standard almost, so I knew that I had to step up. I don't really care about the media or anything like that. It was more so for me and knowing that I wasn't playing to the level I knew I could play.

So this was a great opportunity tonight in front of all the fans, home game, against No. 4 team in the country, so that was pretty cool.

Q. Benjamin, having a night like this, obviously a young guy, what does this mean to you? What does it mean to your team?

BENJAMIN MORRISON: It means everything just because like I pray for moments like this, dream of moments like this. For it to actually come into full circle is a cool feeling, awesome feeling. Grateful; blessed.

So my team gets all the credit. The front is crazy. They allow all the pressure, so when you come to a school with a good D-line that forces some inspections, which happened tonight.