Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly has announced that Everett Golson has won the Fighting Irish’s starting quarterback position outright and will start Week 1 against Rice.

Kelly spoke to the media in an unscheduled press conference and announced that the redshirt junior had beaten redshirt freshman Malik Zaire for the starting quarterback gig.

"Generally when you look at making that decision, I'm using from January through right now as the basis of that decision, so winter workouts, how he handled himself with the team, our workouts, his spring practice and then his leadership in the summer and in camp here," Kelly said. "I think he's put himself in a position to get that opportunity to be our starter against Rice.”

Golson returns to the Irish in 2014 after he was suspended from school in the fall of 2013 for what he said was "poor academic judgment.” Golson originally won the quarterback position for the Irish his redshirt freshman season and led Notre Dame to the BCS national championship game.

Golson was later asked about the situation and if it was a relief to have a definitive answer to the quarterback controversy.

"I don't think I prepared like a backup."

"I don't know if I'd call it relief. I think it's a heightened responsibility on my part," he added.

Golson was superb his redshirt freshman season as he threw for 2,405 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He added 298 rushing yards and six more scores. If Golson progressed in his game from two seasons ago, he could find himself in some Heisman Trophy coverstations.

Notre Dame opens up their 2014 season on Aug. 30 at home against Rice.

[ESPN]

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