SOUTH BEND, Ind. _ DeShone Kizer made "a pretty big statement" Sunday, according to Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly.
Kelly is right, of course. Kizer's six-touchdown, 292-total-yard performance was both pretty and big, even if it unfolded during a 50-47, double-overtime loss at Texas.
Kizer followed that with another pretty big statement Wednesday when he announced he is the Irish's starting quarterback again, beginning with Saturday's game against Nevada and ending for now the two-man system employed for a little more than a half of the season opener.
"I'm expecting to be the only guy," Kizer said of winning a competition with Malik Zaire that spilled into the regular season. "We'll see how the game goes."
Kelly followed Thursday by publicly putting his stamp of approval on Kizer's new/old role. He said the only caveat that would put that in danger is Kizer himself.
Kelly said it became evident Sunday that Kizer should be the No. 1 quarterback, then quickly praised Zaire for embracing his preparation in case of emergency or if the score or situation dictates he play.
"I don't think I've ever had a real clear moment, other than (Kizer) was responsible for six touchdowns and he didn't (play) the first series in the third quarter," Kelly said. "I said all along I needed to let them play in a real game to really break a logjam up."
Dissection of the quarterbacks' performances made the decision quite obvious: Kizer was 15 of 24 for 215 yards and five touchdowns passing with no interceptions. He also ran for 77 yards and a score.
Kizer completed 2 of 5 for 23 yards and no scores and netted zero rushing yards.
The every-other-series swaps stopped after Zaire started the second half with a three-and-out. From there, Kizer helped the Irish back from a 17-point deficit.
"We know based upon what he's done in the past that he's been very effective as a starting quarterback," Kelly said of Kizer, who threw for 2,884 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 13 games as a redshirt freshman last season, when he also ran for 520 yards and 10 scores. "I expect him to continue on that road."
And if he doesn't?
"We've got one heck of a good quarterback ready to play," Kelly said of Zaire.
