DeShone Kizer is clearly the best quarterback for Notre Dame
In a loss to Texas Sunday night, DeShone Kizer proved he is clearly Notre Dame’s best option under center.
Sunday night’s game between Texas and Notre Dame featured a quarterback-by-committee situation for each team early in the game. The Longhorns’ scenario essentially worked out perfectly for the entire game, with clearly defined roles for Shane Buechele and Tyrone Swoopes. Notre Dame, on the other hand, quickly turned to DeShone Kizer and he led a comeback from a 14-point third quarter deficit.
Kizer accounted for six touchdowns in Sunday night’s loss (five passing and one rushing), and he went 15-for-24 for 215 yards along with 13 carries for 77 yards. Malik Zaire struggled when he did play, going 2-for-5 for 23 yards with three carries for zero yards, so it’s pretty clear Kizer took the lead in the battle for playing time.
After the game Sunday night, head coach Brian Kelly was predictably vague about Notre Dame’s quarterback situation going forward.
"“No final decision has been made,” Kelly said. “It’s never easy playing two quarterbacks.”"
When Zaire went down early in the 2015 season, Kizer prove to be a very capable fill-in. He went 8-3 as the starter last season, with 2,884 passing yards, 520 rushing yards and 31 total touchdowns (21 passing, 10 rushing).
Two quarterback systems can work, and Kelly has done it with good results earlier in his tenure at Notre Dame. But Zaire’s presence on the field against Texas sapped any momentum the Fighting Irish offense had built, and that’s obviously not how a quarterback rotation is supposed to work.
Related Story: Notre Dame to use two quarterbacks in season opener
Going into next Saturday’s game against Nevada, Kelly will be asked about Notre Dame’s quarterback situation. His post-game comment about it not being easy to play two quarterbacks is duly noted, but it’s easy to see Kizer is the best option under center for the Fighting Irish. Barring injury, Zaire should be relegated to the bench.