Notre Dame offense glowing under Golson

Associated Press

SOUTH BEND, IND.

Brian Kelly folded his arms across his chest and shook his head in disgust at a promising Notre Dame drive that stalled out in the red zone.

His young quarterback, Everett Golson, had just planted a third-down throw in the grass a few feet too far away for second-team All-American Tyler Eifert to dive and catch it on the 13th play of a series that had lasted nearly 7 minutes.

All that work would end up with no payoff when Kyle Brindza missed wide left on a 35-yard field goal attempt, but it could pay dividends down the road when it comes to Golson’s growth.

As his quarterback came to the sideline, Kelly put one arm on either side of Golson’s waist and drove home a point: When you have a talented 6-foot-5 tight end, put the ball up high where he has an advantage on defenders, not down on the ground.

“Every single play, there’s something out there that needs to be communicated and it’s very important that I got it across to him because later it ended up being a big play for us,” Kelly said, referring to a pass Golson delivered high for a leaping 22-yard catch on the next drive by 6-foot-2 DaVaris Daniels.

“When you’re dealing with a young quarterback, you have to take those moments. I can’t control that kick at that point, so it was important that I got my point across at that time and not wait.”

Golson, who because of injury or ineffective play was unable to complete three games in the first half of the season, is starting to show signs of maturing into the type of leader the Fighting Irish (8-0) will need to stay in the national championship picture for the final month of the season.

Following a 30-13 win at then-No. 8 Oklahoma, the Irish moved up to No. 4 in The Associated Press poll on Sunday. They return home to face Pittsburgh (4-4) next Saturday.

The Irish held a 215-15 advantage on the ground, with Golson contributing 64 yards rushing to go with his 177 through the air.

Golson also showed some toughness when he scrambled on the next-to-last play of the third quarter and got flattened by Oklahoma’s Tony Jefferson. He was able to walk off after staying down on the field for a few moments, but he returned as soon as possible to finish the game off.

“He sat out the one play because you have to and then came back and led the offense back down the field,” receiver T.J. Jones said. “He’s starting to mature as a quarterback and a leader as well.”