Zaire, Golson Both Sharp In Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game; Gold Sneaks Out 36-34 Win
Gold pulls out 36-34 win over Blue with sack on last play
And the starting quarterback for your 2015 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be….you know that wasn’t going to happen today. And the two kept pace with each other in that battle in today’s Blue-Gold game, with neither creating any breathing room in the race. But the Gold team (defense) came away with the win on a sack on the final play of the game for the 36-34 victory.
Malik Zaire made the big plays, including a 68-yard touchdown to Will Fuller as he finished the day 8-of-14 for 137 yards and two touchdowns. But you can’t read too much into the numbers, as Everett Golson‘s side of the offense was geared around the zone-read–in which he did a fine job of running and protecting the ball.
The battle did not end today and knowing Brian Kelly, the announcement of a starter won’t come until near kickoff of the Sept. 5 opener against Texas. Many feel that naming one to be the quarterback, but Kelly can lay claim to plenty of success using two quarterbacks–even at Notre Dame (Golson, Tommy Rees).
Even with the transfer of Matt Hegarty, the offensive line is a strength of this Fighting Irish offense. With Ronnie Stanley and Mike McGlinchey, the Irish have two line-clearing guys to run behind. Nick Martin and Steve Elmer will be locked in, and Alex Bars and Quenton Nelson still battle at left guard.
For Kelly, there’s no such thing as “too many”. Especially at the running back position. C.J. Prosise made the move this spring, and looked like the most dynamic back on the day. Kelly has been impressed with his skill set since spring practice ended, and Prosise didn’t disappoint with 64 yards on 12 carries.
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While the quarterback conversation continues, what was established was the depth of this Notre Dame team. A talented team that was decimated by injury last year, now seems to be flush at every position. In Kelly’s sixth season at Notre Dame–his longest tenure since Grand Valley State–he’s building depth that will have the Irish in the conversation of a contender.