ND FOOTBALL: Irish now “obviously thin” with loss of Morrison

Oct. 16—SOUTH BEND — Overshadowing a stout overall performance by Notre Dame in its 49-7 win over Stanford last Saturday, Marcus Freeman’s weekly press conference soured quickly Monday afternoon.

The Fighting Irish head coach announced that star cornerback Benjamin Morrison would be out for the season and require hip surgery after the win over the Cardinals.

Morrison, a projected first-round NFL draft pick, was in the middle of his junior year in South Bend and had made 20 total tackles, deflecting four passes as well this season. He amassed nine interceptions and 23 pass deflections through his first two seasons.

“Obviously, it’s a blow to our team,” Freeman said about Morrison, who underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason but was recovered by the start of training camp. “You lose a captain, a great football player. You feel terrible for the kid, because he gives football, he gives preparation, everything he has. It’s just tough. But he’s a tough kid. He’s a tough individual. He’s been through this before. He’ll have surgery and he’ll get back to work to be the becoming the best version of Benjamin.”

Morrison was a team captain this season and on several preseason All-American teams as one of the nation’s top corners. A likely top-20 NFL pick, it might be the final page of the corner’s career in South Bend.

Freshman Leonard Moore is in line to take over for Morrison. The 6-foot-2 Moore has played in all six Irish contests this season, making 13 total tackles and forcing one fumble.

“Those two guys will have to help us if we need them,” Freeman said about other possible replacements for Morrison including freshman Karson Hobbs and senior Jordan Clark. “Karson was in the same position two weeks ago when Christian [Gray] was out. Jordan Clark can help us at corner as he showed in the Louisville game, too. We’re…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nd-football-irish-now-obviously-021600522.html

Author : Goshen News, Ind.

Publish date : 2024-10-17 02:16:00

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