Of all of the possible storylines that could have happened today in South Bend, the return of Everett Golson trumps them all. Today, Irish fans and college football fans around the country were put on notice as Golson’s return to the field after a year and a half away from football, was nothing less than spectacular.
Everett Golson threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for three more touchdowns in a performance by a Notre Dame quarterback that hasn’t been what we have seen over the past 4 years.
Game Wrap Up Graphic for @NDFootball vs Rice. Next up- Michigan. #GoIrish #BeatMichigan pic.twitter.com/u8P2WdyzUS
— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) August 30, 2014
This is what has been missing from this Notre Dame offense and its architect, Brian Kelly. It’s not just the big plays- which were thickly spread out all over the game like man-size peanut butter and jelly sandwich; it was the little things that made all the difference.
Golson’s ability to extend plays, and create on the run, is what was the common theme of most of Notre Dame’s big plays against Rice. No disrespect against Tommy Rees, but this performance was the Anti-Rees. Evena completely busted play resulted in a touchdown run for Golson whereas in the past, we might have seen a Notre Dame quarterback go down, or even fumble the ball.
This was a resurrection and an announcement of an arrival.
With a game full of confidence, Golson is now primed and ready to welcome the Michigan Wolverines to South Bend next week for the final butt-whooping for the foreseeable future.
Up Next on SD… Look for the Hangover late Sunday night.
