GOSHEN —
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish finished spring practice without any real clear answers to one of the most glaring questions the team faces as the 2012 season approaches: Who will guide the Irish offense at quarterback this fall.
Four quarterbacks — rising juniors Tommy Rees, who started most of 2011; rising junior Andrew Hendrix, who saw some action a year ago; rising sophomore Everett Golson, who did not see game action but performed ably running the Irish scout team offense; and incoming freshman Gunner Kiel — all had their chances under center last Saturday in the annual Blue-Gold Game.
Golson had the best statistical day leading the the offense (blue squad), completing 11 of 15 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
Rees completed 7-of-11 passes for 84 yards and a pick. Hendrix was 4-of-9 for 51 yards and an interception, and Kiel went 5-of-10 for 57 yards and an interception.
Rees said he is going into the offseason with the mindset that he is the starter.
“I think you’ve got to approach it as a starter,” Rees said. “You have to have that mentality, and you have to be a leader out there. Just take it one day at a time and do everything you can to get better. Summer’s a big time for individual development. It’s been a big time for me in the past, so I’m going to continue to try to grow throughout that period.”
Hendrix, meanwhile, said he has some work ahead of him this summer.
“There were some good things and some bad,” Hendrix said. “I started off strong, obviously threw an interception, which is not what you want. The thing about this spring versus any other time is that I know better (than to make mistakes). I knew what I should be doing and its just attention to detail at this point.”
Golson said he is still working on the technical aspects of playing the quarterback position.
“Coach (Brian) Kelly has made it apparent to me that I have developed the art of (the quarterback position) but the science is still something I have to work on,” Golson said.
Golson feels he at least injected himself into the conversation with his day.
“I feel that I kind of put myself into the race,” Golson said. “If I had to assess the day I would say it was average. I made some good plays, but there are still some things that I have to clean up.”
Hendrix’s approach this summer will be focusing on the little things and making better decisions.
Whomever emerges the victor this fall, Hendrix said the team will be better for it.
“It’s just going to make us better at the end of the day,” Hendrix said. “Whether there’s three or four, everyone’s working against each other and at the same time everyone is working with each other, as long as there’s competition the winner’s going to be better off in the end.”
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Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson sprints out of the pocket during the Blue Gold game held Saturday in South Bend.
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