Report Card: Notre Dame’s Quarterbacks
By Andrew Hall
Nov 24, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) is pressured by Southern California Trojans defensive end Wes Horton (96) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE
The biggest question in the preseason was how would Notre Dame handle the Quarterback position. Because of the suspension of Tommy Rees, it was clear that Notre Dame would have a new starter at the position for at least the first game. The answer came in the form of Everett Golson. He has been shaky at times but has shown promise. Tommy Rees has been called upon to win the game for Notre Dame and he has come through. The position has shown great improvement this season. It has not been spectacular but it also has not been the reason that Notre Dame is losing football games.
Everett Golson
Everett Golson started 11 games this season, missing only the BYU game due to a concussion. In his first season as the starting Quarterback, Golson threw for 2135 yards with 58.9% completion percentage. Golson also had a 11 to 5 touchdown-interception ratio. In addition, he ran for 305 yards on the ground. In comparison to previous Notre Dame Quarterbacks in their Sophomore seasons, Golson fares well. Jimmy Clausen threw for 3172 yards but only had a 132.49 Quarterback rating. In 2004, Brady Quinn threw for 2586. That season, Quinn had a Quarterback rating of 125.87. This is comparable to Golson’s 131.79 mark of this season. These are two of the best Quarterbacks in recent history for Notre Dame. Golson’s performance is right on par with these players. His performance should continue to evaluate along with the numbers that these greats put up. Based on the expectations for Everett Golson in starting his first season at Notre Dame, he has played pretty flawless. In grading out his performance, it is like Golson is taking a 100-level class. Expectations are low. If he performed like this next year, the grade would obviously be lower. He could have held on to the ball better when running. Those mistakes were unnecessary.
Overall Grade: A-
Tommy Rees
Rees lost the starting position to Everett Golson in the fall due to the suspension and Golson’s solid performance against Navy. However, Rees was just as important as Golson this season. He saved Notre Dame against Purdue and Michigan. He started the game against BYU. Tommy Rees went 34 of 61 for 439 yards this season. Tommy Rees is an average Quarterback. Notre Dame needed him in spots this season.
Overall Grade: B