UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 19, 2022

Ben Morrison

Press Conference

Notre Dame 44, Boston College 0

Q. We saw you jump the first one. Did you bait him at all on the second one on that fade route? It looked like the first one you were all over him the whole time, but the second one, looked like on the ball into the end zone --

BEN MORRISON: Well, the first one, I've got to give all my credit to my defensive line. Without their pressure, that wouldn't have came. So once I saw them get in the backfield, I knew I had to plaster -- Coach Mickens emphasized all week plastering the receiver. So when the quarterback scrambles, I've got to make sure I'm on my man at all times. And I got -- I saw my opportunity, I went to go get it. And the second one was just -- I just felt the release and trusted my instincts and looked back and there it was.

Q. What's your thought going through your mind on the third one when you see that ball floating, knowing you had two picks?

BEN MORRISON: It didn't really hit me. I just -- I don't know. Another opportunity. I wanted to capitalize on it.

Q. When they threw at you on the first play of the game, what does that do as far as a corner's mindset? Does that jolt you into anything? Or just like, all right, this is how it's going to be and kind of raise the urgency a little bit? What does that do when right away you get a target?

BEN MORRISON: I mean, it's fun. I mean, when you get the first play the ball thrown at you, it's a 1v1. It's fun. I love those moments. I thrive for those moments. So when that ball was thrown, I was just -- I don't know. It's a fun feeling. I love it.

Q. And then five turnovers. What's the feeling now after that compared to early in the year where those were kind of hard to come by? And I guess how much of that is just patience maybe knowing you're doing the right things, maybe sometimes it's not bouncing that way?

BEN MORRISON: I figure that's just a lot my relationship with God because throughout the whole season, I've stayed steadfast with him. I pray for these moments. And it's just a testament to just my faith and just staying through it like the whole seasons. There could have been moments after games where frustrated just not getting my opportunity. But it strengthened my faith and allowed me to lean on him even more. And now these moments, I'm here glorifying him.

Q. What's the most interceptions you've ever had in a game at any level?

BEN MORRISON: So I've only had one, like, in -- or in a game, only one in high school. I didn't play defense growing up, like, in elementary school really. I was a running back. So, yeah, just one. So this is all new to me, but it's a blessing.

Q. What's that like then to be racking up the INTs here in the last few weeks?

BEN MORRISON: It's a blessing, as I said. It's just -- I don't know. It's all a blessing. Having those opportunities and being able to capitalize on it, it's a true blessing.

Q. These teams keep throwing at you. Like, do you get surprised that the ball keeps coming your way?

BEN MORRISON: No. I don't get surprised. Every single play we have a mindset in the DB room that the ball is coming your way. So no matter what, I'm always prepared so when I do get my opportunities, I'll be able to take advantage of them. So I don't get too surprised because I haven't done anything yet, and I just have to keep working.

Q. And I guess just how would you summarize a day like you just had?

BEN MORRISON: Just fun. Like to have a game with all the seniors -- not even talking about my performance, a day like that, it felt like I was a kid out there around a bunch of other grown kids. It was fun -- it was just a fun day. Yeah.

Q. Your second game as a freshman with more than one interception. I was curious when you go back and look at film, what do you hear from guys like Cam Hart who are the more experienced guys in the cornerback room after a big game like this?

BEN MORRISON: Just stay in the middle. Just never allow yourself to get too high or too low. Just know that you have another game next week, but you also have to enjoy the moment. I feel like a lot of people try to move too fast. This is a moment that you don't get this every single weekend. So when it does happen, you've actually got to appreciate it and live in it for a little bit but know that next week, it's on to the next.