Tommy Rees Will Reportedly Start for Notre Dame over Benched Everett Golson

Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees will start his team’s game against Miami (FL), in place of Everett Golson, who was benched for breaking team rules.

UPDATE: Saturday, October 6, at 7:55 p.m. ET by Ben Chodos

Golson's benching did not last long and he returned to action in the first quarter.

His return was noted by NBC Sports' Keith Arnold via Twitter. 

"

That was perfect. And just like that, Everett Golson is back in. ND National crisis averted.

— Keith Arnold (@KeithArnoldNBC) October 6, 2012"

---End of update---

NBC Sports’ Alex Flanagan reported ND coach Brian Kelly’s decision via Twitter:

"

Notre Dame qb Tommy Rees will start tonight against Miami. Everett Golson benched after a violation of team rules.

— ND Sideline (@NDSideline) October 6, 2012"

Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune added that Notre Dame confirmed the disciplinary measure, but that Golson will still play against the Hurricanes.

"

#NotreDame spokesman Brian Hardin confirms team rules violation for Everett Golson. Tommy Rees will start, but Golson WILL play.

— Brian Hamilton (@ChiTribHamilton) October 6, 2012"

Irish Illustrated reported that Golson is being punished for failing to attend team meetings. 

"

Sources tell Irish Illustrated that Golson's team rule violation pertains to attendance at team meetings, or a lack thereof.

— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) October 6, 2012"

The Fighting Irish are coming off consecutive wins against Michigan and Michigan St., both of who were ranked during the matchups. The team is now 4-0 and has climbed to the No. 9 ranking in the country.

Golson has started each game, although he was pulled from the Week 2 contest against Purdue in the fourth quarter in favor of Rees. The junior then led the Irish to a game-winning drive.

But Rees did not earn the full-time starting job with his clutch performance, while Golson has completed 50-of-89 passes for 641 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions thus far in 2012. 

Rees has also had his problems with team rules, and was suspended for the season opener after being arrested in the offseason. He has thrown 17 passes this season, having completed 11 of them for 150 yards.

Rees gained a significant amount of experience as a sophomore, starting 12 games. He completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 2,871 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Golson, a freshman, certainly has made mistakes this season, but has impressed Kelly with his ability to learn and improve.

“Everett will start in Week 5, and we expect him to start in Week 6 and 7 and 8, and 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13,” the head coach said earlier this week, via a report from Hamilton.

Now plans have changed, and Rees will get another chance to prove that he should be the team’s starter.