Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Upon Further Review todd D. burlage for Golson, but Notre Dame unofficially became his team during a 30-13 win at No. 8 Oklahoma that affirmed the Irish football program was back in business. "Once [Golson] knew after the Oklahoma game that he was the guy," Kelly said, "the confidence level and the trust builds, and builds, and builds." In many respects, the turning point for Golson going from an expendable starter to the guy came the week before Oklahoma when a head injury kept the redshirt freshman on the sidelines for the BYU game. Injuries are never recommended, but perhaps Golson's was a blessing that nobody could have recognized at the time. Martin said by taking one step back, Golson made huge strides forward. While sitting out against BYU, Golson was able to study the game from a distance, regroup and return to the lineup against Oklahoma a week later as a player with a clearer head and a narrower focus. "I'm really making this harder than it is," is how Martin explained Golson's mindset after sitting out the game. "If I just kind of stick to the plan and keep it simple, my skill set will take over … which we've been preaching to [Golson] since day one." In the six games before BYU, Golson averaged a pedestrian 161 passing yards and 17 rushing yards per game, and accounted for six total touchdowns through the air and ground. In the five games after BYU, Golson averaged 224 passing yards and 45 rushing yards per game, and accounted for 10 total touchdowns, climbing from a No. 95 national ranking in quarterback efficiency to No. 62 by season's end. Golson added 91 yards of total offense per game and doubled his scoring production in his five starts after BYU. "Coming in inexperienced and going through those trials and adversity that had to be dealt with, that's what makes great players great," Golson said of his steady improvement. "You have to be tried. It's how you come out of it." And unlike so many other quarterbacks around the country, Martin said Notre Dame's treacherous schedule didn't afford Golson the luxury of learning and gaining confidence in any "glorified scrimmage" games against far inferior competition. "You don't get two, or three, or four games where you can come out of the chute and just kind of ease your way into it," Martin said. "In the long run, I think [Golson] will be way better for it because of all the pressure he has had to play under with our schedule." Golson is man enough to admit that even during an undefeated regular season, inconsistency and multiple Rees sightings were difficult to accept early on. But looking longer term, Golson's baptism by fire this season will help make him not only a legitimate AllAmerica candidate and Heisman hopeful for years to come, but potentially one of the elite all-around quarterbacks in Notre Dame history. ✦ Todd D. Burlage has been a writer for Blue & Gold Illustrated since July 2005. He can be reached at tburlage@blueandgold.com