Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/140522
quarterbacks Once again in 2013, Rees is being called on to put out a Notre Dame quarterback fire. "My whole time on offense he's been awesome as a kid that will compete and try to win a spot. He's a coach's kid that's always understood the big picture and always had Notre Dame's best interests," Irish offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Chuck Martin said of Rees near the end of spring. "I've always been proud of how he's handled it, and I've been amazed how he's always handled it." While Rees is the obvious front-runner for the starting role because of his playing experience and share of success in crunch time, limiting turnovers will be a pivotal litmus test for him this season, especially if the defense will be relied on again to carry the load on a rebuilding offense. During the frustrating 8-5 season in 2011, Notre Dame had 29 turnovers. Rees had 19 of them with 14 interceptions and five lost fumbles. Last year the Irish committed only 15 turnovers, including just six interceptions thrown by Golson, who was understandably coached to throw mainly safer, more conservative routes. If Rees, or whoever else is at quarterback, can repeat that kind of efficiency, the Fighting Irish again should find themselves in Bowl Championship Series territory. A New Bullpen When Golson became a first-time starter as a sophomore, it was evident he might need some assistance while undergoing growing pains. According to Kelly, Golson had the "art" of quarterbacking but was a work in progress when it came to the "science," which Rees had mastered. Without the combination of both Golson and Rees in 2013, another 8-5 season might have been in the works. Without Golson in 2013, who will provide the art, or the playmaking skills, at quarterback? Golson's 298 yards rushing last season in Kelly's spread attack were the most by an Irish quarterback since option specialist Carlyle Holiday had 666 in 2001. In contrast, Rees has minus-71 yards rushing in his career, which aids the opposing defense's preparation somewhat. Believe it or not, Hendrix is Notre Dame's second-leading returning career rusher with 203 yards, 78 of which came late during a 59-33 win versus Air Force in 2011. While throwing for 192 yards and rushing for 20 against a strong Stanford defense in 2011 during a 28-14 loss, Hendrix briefly looked Quick Facts Position Coach: Chuck Martin (4th year at Notre Dame, 2nd with QBs and as offensive coordinator) Returning Starter: Tommy Rees (18 career starts) Departing Starter: Everett Golson (11) Projected New Starter: Rees Top Reserve: Andrew Hendrix Waiting His Turn: Malik Zaire Newcomer: Zaire Moved In: None Other Departures: Gunner Kiel (transferred to Cincinnati) FYI: Rees' 34 career touchdown passes equal the totals of Fighting Irish icons Terry Hanratty (1966-68) and Joe Theismann (1968-70), and eclipses those of most recent national title winners such as Tom Clements' 25 (1972-74), Joe Montana's 27 (1975‑78) and Tony Rice's 13 (1987-89), which also reflects how much the game has changed … Junior walk-on Charlie Fiessinger, like Hendrix, came from famed Cincinnati Moeller High, where former Notre Dame head coach Gerry Faust (1981-85) earned legendary status … With Golson's absence in 2013, a potential contingency option or key figure on the scout team could be senior reserve receiver Luke Massa, who signed as a quarterback at Notre Dame with Rees and Hendrix in 2010 after passing for 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns at Cincinnati St. Xavier High School during his senior year … Massa was the starting holder on placekicks this spring and also has been part of the "Red Army" on the sidelines that signals in plays from the sidelines while wearing red caps. Andrew Hendrix enters his senior campaign with 304 yards passing and 203 yards rushing in his career. photo by mike bennett/lighthouse imaging like he would be a better all-around fit in Kelly's offense. Yet he never elicited the same trust from the staff as Rees, nor displayed the natural fit into the spread like Golson. Freshman Malik Zaire rushed for 1,093 yards as a junior and 1,120 as a senior at Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, so running skills are not in question there. Nor is the lefty's "science" aptitude. Kelly indicated that from the standpoint of understanding coverages, rotations, pressures, movement keys, etc., the early enrollee Zaire has ranked with the top group of quarterbacks he's coached over the past two-plus decades. "[Kelly] made the comment to me, 'Wow, this kid really picks up things,'" noted Martin near the end of spring. "Now, can he put that into place when he goes out there? No, he can't do that yet all the time. But when you have a conversation with him, he's understanding things at a rapid rate." Had Golson been eligible in 2013, Zaire was likely destined for a redshirt role this season as a freshman, just like Hendrix in 2010, Golson in 2011 and Kiel in 2012. But with Golson out of commission and Kiel off to greener pastures, Zaire might have to be prepared before his time. After all, continued quarterback drama at Notre Dame always needs a new casting call. ✦ Notre Dame's Yards Passing Per Game Year Pass YPG NCAA Rank 2003179.0 92 2004218.1 54 2005330.3 4 2006264.1 13 2007167.0 110 Year Pass YPG NCAA Rank 2008245.4 34 2009323.5 5 2010253.1 34 2011252.6 40 2012222.871 42 ✦ Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview 40-43.QBs.indd 42 6/25/13 9:33 AM