UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 18, 2023

Jason Onye

Press Conference

Notre Dame 45, Wake Forest 7

Q. Jason, just the defense this whole year has been really good. What about that unit allowed you guys to be so dominant for most of the season?

JASON ONYE: I would say it's the way we practice, like from the ones to the twos, the three, we just make sure everyone knows their job and everyone is held to the same standard. It makes two guys like Riley and Howard are playing really good, so when me and Gabe go, make sure we're playing as well as they are so there is no dropoff for example.

Q. On a day like this, a lot of talk about sending the seniors off the right way. How much was that a driving force for this group?

JASON ONYE: That was probably the biggest force this week, the past two weeks since the bye week. We were thinking about like we have to do the right thing, send the seniors off. Their sweat, the tears, their blood they've sweat in Notre Dame Stadium, the last thing we could do is make sure we send them off the right way and make sure they're having a good time now.

Q. You mentioned Riley and Howard. What kind of lessons have you learned from them?

JASON ONYE: Riley and Howard have been here since I first got here, since I first stepped in the D-line room. They were there to teach me not to use my hands, how to play D-line truly, because I didn't have much experience.

From them I've been able to enhance my game, especially Riley. From him going in and telling me what to look for and look at and believing in me, like making sure that I know -- like him showing me that he trusts me and believes in me is a big thing. Boosts my confidence, and I'm overall very thankful for those two.

Q. For the field goal block unit to block another kick today, what did that mean for you guys?

JASON ONYE: That's big. That was really big. We were harping on it Friday. Coach Biagi told us we were going to have an opportunity this week. He kicks very low, after the PAT we were expecting to block that field goal.