Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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two interceptions in a 23-17 overtime win over Clemson when Winston was suspended for a game last year. Reports surfaced that Notre Dame was blocking Golson's transfer to spe- cific schools — namely Sept. 5 oppo- nent Texas — but Notre Dame director of athletics Jack Swarbrick told The Or- lando Sentinel that was false. "The way this process works is a stu- dent identifies schools [he] would like to consider and we have not denied a single school that Everett Golson iden- tified as one he has an interest in going to," Swarbrick said. Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly released his own statement to the me- dia shortly after the Golson news broke. "I'd like to thank Everett Golson for all he did as a member of our football program," Kelly said. "He had many significant achievements, including helping us to an undefeated regular season and berth into the national title game. But his most important accom- plishment is completing his course work toward a degree from the Uni- versity of Notre Dame. I wish him all the best moving forward. "We, of course, have approached our preparations for the upcoming sea- son with this possibility in mind. The emergence of Malik Zaire, based on his performance in the Music City Bowl win over LSU, and throughout spring practice, has given our staff supreme confidence that he can lead our team to great success in 2015." NOT A COMPLETE SURPRISE Golson's woes began after a night- mare November when Notre Dame lost four straight to drop to 7-5. Ten of his 22 turnovers (14 interceptions and eight fumbles) occurred during that losing streak, and by the end of the first half at USC he was replaced by his backup Zaire during the 49-14 debacle in the regular-season finale. A top Heisman candidate during the first half of the season, Golson be- gan pressing during the slump and his body language on the sidelines became a popular topic, particularly while re- peatedly walking away from Kelly during sideline instructions. Kelly then declared the quarterback spot open for the Music City Bowl preparation ver- sus LSU, eventually naming Zaire the starter. Zaire earned MVP honors in the 31-28 Irish victory by rushing for 96 yards and passing for 96 more while complet- ing 12 of 15 throws. Still, Golson (6-of-11 passing for 90 yards) was inserted in some passing situations, contributed to two touchdown drives and engineered the game-winning march with a couple of clutch completions that led to Kyle Brindza's field goal as time expired. Speculation became rampant that Golson would transfer if he was not declared the Irish starter at the end of spring. He competed in all 15 prac- tices, but did not make himself avail- able to the media — fueling the belief that he was leaving the door ajar for an exit, thereby avoiding inquiries about whether he was considering departing. When Kelly was asked prior to April 18 Blue-Gold Game whether he thought Golson would transfer, he mea- sured his words carefully. "I couldn't tell you for certain, but he's had his best spring since he's been here; he's fully engaged in everything