UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 19, 2022

Xavier Watts

Press Conference

Notre Dame 44, Boston College 0

Q. Xavier, how have you been able to sort of step up in an increased role with Brandon Joseph not playing the last two games?

XAVIER WATTS: I've just been taking it day by day, just focusing on myself, just trying to help out the team in any way best possible. BJ has been a great help to me. He's very experienced. He's a captain in the safeties room. He's like a big brother to me. In the short amount of time, he's been helping me step up and be able to play well.

Q. How important was it for the defense to hold on to the shut-out through the end of the game?

XAVIER WATTS: It was pretty important. We haven't had one all year. We had VERY strong performances throughout the year, but I think this one capitalizes the great season we've had so far. So it's pretty exciting.

Q. The defense overall last three, four, five games has elevated its play. What do you think the biggest keys to that have been?

XAVIER WATTS: I just think we've all been really prepared just -- like we said, just trying to take it to the next step. Just focusing on little jobs, just trying to just take it to the next level, really honing in on what we need to do to take it -- becoming a lead defense.

Q. What was sort of Coach Freeman's message postgame to you guys in terms of what you guys accomplished today outside of the seniors and sending them out the right way?

XAVIER WATTS: Yeah. Really just talking about playing both halves of the ball -- of the game, just focusing in on four quarters, just dominating the entire game and just not playing one half or stopping in the second half. Just really honing in on all four quarters.

Q. Xavier, just kind of curious about the weather. As a safety, how much did that affect you? At some points, it was way heavier than others. But I wanted to see your perspective playing that position how that changed your mindset throughout the game?

XAVIER WATTS: Not too much. It didn't affect me as much -- I don't think it affected safeties much either. We don't have to catch the ball. It's more so having to just go tackle. And I guess it was a little difficult coming out of the breaks, coming out of the posts. But other than that, it wasn't too bad.

Q. And then early in the season -- or I guess preseason, worked at wide receiver a little bit. There's a lot of -- maybe not opportunity at safety, but you've really seen an increased role now. How much do you think you've really progressed stepping up, and where do you think you've seen some improvement?

XAVIER WATTS: Just, like I mentioned earlier, I just feel like I'm just taking the next step, really just honing in on what I need to do to become a great safety, like I said, and get more playing time. Really just stepping out of my comfort zone and just trying to better myself every day.