| Despite QB Tommy Rees' late-game heroics in Saturday's win over Purdue, Irish coach Brian Kelly said Everett Golson will remain the starter at quarterback.(US Presswire) |
Entering Saturday’s game against Purdue, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly had several options in place if an injury forced starting QB Everett Golson to the sideline.
Kelly planned to use junior QB Andrew Hendrix in a long-term situation and fellow junior Tommy Rees in a closer's role for his late-game experience. With 2:12 left and the game tied at 17, Rees entered to a chorus of boos at Notre Dame Stadium. Minutes later, the boos turned to cheers as Rees led the Irish 55 yards for a game-winning 27-yard field goal by Kyle Brindza to beat Purdue 20-17.
“I was just thinking, 'We’ve got to win this game,' I wasn’t caught up in the whole moment,” Rees told NBC. “We just had to put together a drive to get into field-goal range or get a touchdown. (We just) had to find a way to win this game and not let it get into overtime.”
Rees, a junior, was suspended for the opener after he pleaded guilty in July to misdemeanor resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Rees, who started 16 games for Notre Dame from 2010-2011, received few snaps in preseason camp because of the suspension.
Kelly quickly diffused any speculation of a quarterback controversy. The third-year coach said Golson hurt his hand on a fumble with 3:24 left. Golson will start next week at Michigan State, Kelly said.
After Golson's exit, the Boilermakers tied the game at 17 on a 15-yard touchdown from WR Antavian Edson on a fourth-and-10. Edson beat a Notre Dame linebacker on a double-move across the middle.
“He had trouble gripping the ball, he probably still could have gone,” said Kelly of Golson. “I just felt that Tommy could manage our two-minute, and he did a great job.”
Golson was 21 of 31 for 289 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore added a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarterback when he dove past three defenders and snuck inside the pylon.
It was a gutty win for an Irish team that lost seven significant players during portions of the game, including two captains. Kelly said none of the injuries is serious.
All-American TE Tyler Eifert left the game in the second half with a slight concussion. Eifert finished with four catches for 98 yards. DE Kapron Lewis-Moore (calf), S Jamoris Slaughter (shoulder), LB Ishaq Williams (elbow) and K Nick Tausch (groin) also suffered injuries.
“The story for me as the head coach is our mantra is next man up,” Kelly said. “It’s a good day for Notre Dame football.”
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