Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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and compiled 145 total yards in four drives during his second college appearance (his first coming last spring in the Blue-Gold Game). Golson, who was responsible for one fumble, demonstrated he's capable of placing the ball accurately and extending plays with his athleticism. If Kelly was judging his quarterbacks' performances based on the checklist he pro- vided reporters at the beginning of spring practice, which included game manage- ment, decision making, limiting turnovers and finding positive yardage on broken plays, Golson — on top of simply putting up the best numbers — would have had the most boxes checked. "The quarterback position is the art and science. In putting both the art and the sci- after a couple of highlight-reel moments returning kickoffs last season. Atkinson III returned an 89-yarder for a touchdown last September against Michigan State and had a 96-yard scoring runback against USC in October. But two fumbles in the spring scrimmage didn't sit well with Kelly. "Both of those guys are exciting, electric players, but they are a heart attack for me," Kelly said. "We've got to get them there, because I think we all see that they've got great skill. But they are a work in progress. "George is sloppy with the ball. Those are the things we have to work on." Atkinson's speed is what Kelly covets in the spread offense. It's been a huge benefit for the Notre Dame men's track and field "BOTH OF THOSE GUYS ARE EXCITING, ELECTRIC PLAYERS, BUT THEY ARE A HEART ATTACK FOR ME." KELLY ON GOLSON AND ATKINSON III ence together, he's very creative," Kelly said of the 6-0, 185-pound native of Myrtle Beach, S.C. "The art part he's got down. It's the science and the consistency, all of those things to be a championship quarterback." Most coaches say that if a player is going to make a mistake, it's better to do it at full speed. With Atkinson III, snafus in fifth gear tarnished what was otherwise a fruit- ful Blue-Gold Game for the former wide receiver and special teams playmaker. The 6-1, 200-pound Californian rushed for 124 yards on 15 carries, losing yardage on just one play, and caught three passes for 54 yards. With senior stalwarts Cierre Wood and Theo Riddick expected to shoulder most of the rushing load, Atkinson III was given the majority of reps in the scrimmage team as well. The Fighting Irish won their eighth Big East Conference championship this year May 4-6 in Tampa, Fla. Josh At- kinson and George Atkinson III were the first two legs of Notre Dame's fourth-place 4x100-meter relay team at the meet. Josh clocked in at 10.39 seconds and George registered 10:46. The two went back and forth time-wise this past season, including at the recent NCAA East Regionals, where George ran a 10.36 in the 100 (27th) and Josh finished in 10.39 (35th). "I'm learning how to hit the holes and [have] the vision … that's what I'm trying to work on," Atkinson said. "I think it's definitely my speed and my size [that sets me apart]. I try to use that as an advantage and try to be a tough guy to bring down." JUNE/JULY 2012 65