Brian Kelly Names Everett Golson Starter Next Week vs. Oklahoma

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly is ensuring that no mixed signals will come from him or his staff regarding the Fighting Irish’s quarterback situation, and he has firmly declared that Everett Golson will start next week against Oklahoma.

UPDATE: Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 12:52 p.m. by Tyler Conway

In a stroke of good news for Notre Dame, starting quarterback Everett Golson passed his concussion tests and will start for the Irish on Saturday against the Oklahoma Sooners, according to the Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton.

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Golson had a strenuous cardiovascular test Monday to ensure he had returned to full health and Irish coach Brian Kelly said the sophomore reacted well enough to return to the lineup Saturday at Oklahoma.

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This matchup is obviously the biggest of the year for Notre Dame, so having Golson back for Saturday's contest is nothing short of a massive coup. 

---End of Update---

NBC Sports’ Keith Arnold reported the coach’s decision, which came immediately following the team’s 17-14 victory over BYU, via Twitter.

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Brian Kelly ends the QB controversy before it starts. Everett Golson will start against Oklahoma.

— Keith Arnold (@KeithArnoldNBC) October 20, 2012"

Golson has been the starter for all but one game this season, but missed Notre Dame’s this past game due to a concussion. The sophomore also did not start against Miami due to violating team rules, but he only missed the first offensive series.

Tommy Rees started in Golson’s absence this week and completed seven-of-16 passes for one touchdown and an interception.

The debate over whether Rees or Golson should start at quarterback has been a major talking point surrounding Notre Dame this season. 

Golson has completed 58.5 percent of his passes this year for 968 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Rees has been a more impressive passer in his limited time under center, completing 68 percent of his throws for 218 yards, a touchdown and no picks.

But Kelly has never wavered in his support for Golson, and this does not appear to be changing this week.

Stating that Golson is the starter immediately after the team’s victory over BYU ensures that there will be no confusion or speculation about a quarterback change to distract the team.

The Fighting Irish will need to be completely focused this week as they will have to travel to Norman to take on the Sooners next Saturday.