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offense was outstanding. It was, for a first day, really exciting for me to watch him get back in there and look as though he was with us last year. "It didn't feel like there was a big gap relative to his lack of not being here last year. Certainly would have loved to have him on the team, but I was really pleased with that from an offensive standpoint." Despite entering the spring with 11 career starts, Golson is taking noth- ing for granted with sophomore Malik Zaire vying for the starting role. "I have to win the job," Golson said. "Nothing is given to you. I've learned that since I was young. I see it as com- petition. It can only make you better. It's going to push you." Golson added 15 pounds to his frame and is listed at 6-0, 200 pounds on the official roster this spring. He said the added bulk has enhanced his game. "It makes me more durable," he said. "I've gotten a little faster to be honest." Kelly said he notices not only the difference in Golson physically, but also in his understanding of running the offense. "I kind of alluded to this in some of the film study I had with him … there was definitely a conceptual awareness that he had lacked at some times with the passing game," he said. "He defi- nitely has that. It's an easier conversa- tion for him. "The best way to explain it would be when he would explain his progress it might take him 10 seconds. Well, you've got 2.6 seconds to throw the ball. Now he's precise in his commu- nication as to what his progression is. That tells me a lot. He's definitely made some strides. I think there must have been some real good teaching there that has allowed him that op- portunity to come in here and have a better sense of everything." When reflecting on his time away, Golson said the aspect he missed most was "grinding with my teammates." He said they, along with the rest of the campus community, have been ex- tremely supportive during his return. "It was real tough [to be away]," he said. "I think it really hit me the first day, the Temple game, I was actually in Chicago and … I was watching the game on TV and that's when it really hit me. "Everybody has been very welcom- ing of me. I haven't received animos- ity or anything like that. I think that speaks to the character of the school." Irish players did not hesitate in em- bracing Golson in his return to the team. "He's already acclimated pretty much," said senior kicker Kyle Brin- dza, Golson's freshman roommate. "He's always been around. He's such a funny kid. … That's what makes him fit in the scheme right away when he comes back. Yeah, we missed him during the season, but it's almost like when he comes back we didn't miss a beat with him because he's that great of a kid. "He doesn't have to get acclimated. Classes might be different, but for our perspective he's always been a part of it." Matt LaFleur is one new face Gol- son has had to become familiar with