Notre Dame Football: What Everett Golson Can Improve Down the Stretch

In a game full of deep breaths and exhales for Notre Dame football fans, Irish quarterback Everett Golson provided a great performance in Notre Dame’s 49-39 win over Navy on Saturday night.

Golson and the Irish escaped Landover, Maryland, with the 10-point victory to improve to 7-1. After the Midshipmen scored 24 consecutive points heading into the fourth quarter, Notre Dame held on for the win. Golson accounted for six touchdowns—three on the ground and three through the air—and completed 18 of 25 passes for 315 yards. Golson was the steady rock for the Irish in a game that felt uncertain, to say the least.

"

Everett Golson with the first three-rushing TD & three-passing TD game in Notre Dame history. #Torbinformed #BertschyBitsSub

— Leigh Torbin (@LTorbin) November 2, 2014"

"

#NotreDame QB Everett Golson joined Trevor Knight today as the only players this year with 3 passing and 3 rushing TDs in a game.

— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) November 2, 2014"

Let's get this out of the way: Golson was outstanding against Navy. Given the defense's struggles at various points in the season, and the injuries that cropped up Saturday night, Golson and the offense could very well be needed to carry Notre Dame down the stretch.

"

#NotreDame holding its breath on Joe Schmidt's status after ankle injury -- http://t.co/4KOGdfNeVR

— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) November 2, 2014"

"

It wasn't pretty but Notre Dame walks away with the W. Irish hold on 49-39. #NDvsNAVY pic.twitter.com/rhmhVtlqkk

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 2, 2014"

"

FINAL: Notre Dame 49, Navy 39. Now let us never speak of this again.

— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) November 2, 2014"

So where can the Heisman Trophy candidate improve over these final four regular-season contests? As it has the entire season, it comes down to taking care of the ball.

Golson, who entered Saturday’s game with 10 turnovers in his last four games, only tossed an interception toward the end of the first half—one for which Irish head coach Brian Kelly took the blame and one that might have been more the fault of receiver Amir Carlisle. Still, the blemish turned into three Navy points and momentum for the Midshipmen entering the second half, after which they’d get the ball back and march on a 15-play scoring drive.

"

Brian Kelly on the Everett Golson interception before halftime: That's just a bad call on my part. #NDvsNAVY

— Michael Bertsch (@NDsidBertschy) November 2, 2014"

Golson did almost cough up a fumble in the red zone in the game’s final minutes, losing his grip as he appeared prepared to hand the ball off to running back Tarean Folston. It was one minor miscue, yes, not even a full-fledged turnover. He, of course, turned it into a touchdown.

Ball security will be essential for Golson in the four remaining regular-season games. He let much of Saturday’s game come to him, making the plays when they opened up en route to the gaudy stats.

"

Fumble? No problem. Everett Golson scored on this play. #NDvsNAVY pic.twitter.com/xjZH2oY9lY

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 2, 2014"

Golson was sharp and steady Saturday. He made the game look easy in a game that was anything but. If he can continue on this path—with a slightly tighter grip on the football—he'll be primed to take the Irish as far as they can go.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Mike Monaco is a lead Notre Dame writer for Bleacher Report. Follow @MikeMonaco_ on Twitter.