BY LOU SOMOGYI
S
ix months ago, the discussion
about Notre Dame's quarter-
back position centered on how
to combine and utilize the skill
sets of Everett Golson and Malik Zaire.
The tag-team quarterback system
worked to a tee during the 31-28 Music
City Bowl victory against LSU. Zaire
was named the game MVP with his
96 rushing yards and short, controlled
passing for 96 more yards. However,
Golson made vital contributions on
three different scoring drives and di-
rected the game-winning march, finish-
ing 6-of-11 passing for 90 yards.
Golson is now at Florida State, while
Zaire suffered a fractured ankle in game
two that will sideline him for the bal-
ance of 2015. For Notre Dame head
coach Brian Kelly, probably the last
thing on his mind in September was
finding a way to utilize two quarter-
backs again. Getting sophomore De-
Shone Kizer ready for his first collegiate
action was enough to monopolize his
attention.
However, Kelly did admit after
Notre Dame's 62-27 romp over UMass
Sept. 26 that freshman signal-caller
Brandon Wimbush provided food for
thought after tasting his first career ac-
tion.
Wimbush showcased his rocket arm
on a 50-yard plus pass to junior wide
receiver Will Fuller, which eventually
was ruled as an incomplete pass after
an instant replay review. He also had
a 44-yard scoring toss to classmate
Equanimeous St. Brown, while avoid-
ing a rush, called back because of an
ineligible receiver down field. Wim-
bush completed 3 of 5 passes for 17
yards, but more notable was his 58-yard
touchdown run and his four rushing at-
tempts that netted 92 yards.
When asked several days later about
whether Wimbush's role might change,
Kelly gave indication that using him
only in case of an emergency might not
necessarily be what he has in mind.
"I would have probably answered
that question a little bit differently last
week by saying we just want to get him
in the game and prepare him to be the
Under
DEVELOPMENT
Notre Dame's quarterback
situation has changed
dramatically since last spring
