Malik Zaire's Injury Makes Irish Fans Wonder What If Everett Golson Hadn't Left

When Everett Golson transferred from Notre Dame following spring practice, it looked like the perfect solution to a thorny problem.

Golson was the most experienced quarterback on the Fighting Irish roster, the guy who started the 2012 BCS national title game and returned from a one-year academic suspension to throw 29 touchdowns and pass for 2,405 yards in 2014.

However, a rash of turnovers had loosened his grip on the starting role. Golson threw 14 interceptions and lost eight fumbles last fall. He also tossed seven touchdowns against seven picks during a four-game losing streak that closed the regular season.

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Sophomore Malik Zaire had pushed him hard at season’s end and throughout spring practice, so when Golson announced his transfer to Florida State following spring’s end, it was the right ending for all involved.

Golson got a fresh start for his final season of college football, and Zaire got an unfettered chance to be “the man” running the Irish’s offense.

But following Saturday’s events, Irish fans have to wonder, in the back of their minds, why Brian Kelly didn’t try a little harder to keep the veteran quarterback in South Bend. FoxSports.com's Bruce Feldman noted Zaire's injury:

While Notre Dame escaped with a stunning last-second 34-27 victory over Virginia, it came with a cost: Zaire suffered a season-ending broken ankle, leaving the offense in the hands of redshirt freshman DeShone Kizer. It is the second major injury Notre Dame's offense suffered in the season's first two weeks following tailback Tarean Folston's season-ending torn ACL. 

Pressed into action, Kizer came up big. He completed eight of 12 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns and excelled under pressure. With Notre Dame trailing 27-26, Kizer made a beautiful throw down the left sideline into Will Fuller’s waiting hands for a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining.

Kizer told Al Lesar of the South Bend Tribune he was ready for his opportunity.

“I’ve been ready for a while," he said. "I have all the confidence in the world in my ability to be the quarterback at Notre Dame.” 

Mark Wallheiser/Associated Press

He’s the man, now, but it’d sure be nice for Kelly to have a little better fallback option than a guy who played in his first collegiate game Saturday.

It wouldn’t have been easy to keep Golson in the fold. He surely wouldn’t have transferred if he felt he was Notre Dame’s clear No. 1 option at quarterback ahead of Zaire. He recently told FoxSports.com’s Bruce Feldman that Florida State was a new beginning for him.

“I just needed a fresh start,” he said. “It was me sitting down and thinking, 'OK, where do I feel the most comfortable?' It was nothing to knock Notre Dame. I just had to put myself in the best position possible."

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However, if he had stayed, Golson would clearly be the best option ahead of Kizer. Kizer showed clear talent and moxie in leading the Irish past the determined Cavaliers, but he’s a freshman.

"Teams have to overcome injuries,” Kelly said, per Lesar. “It is unfortunate, but it is what it is. We will find a way to put it together. We’ve said we can win games with him, but we want to win a championship with him; elevate to the next level.”

Golson has the ability to move the ball through the air and on the ground and three years’ worth of experience to know what works and what doesn’t.

With a potent Georgia Tech team coming to town next week and a tough road trip to Clemson looming Oct. 3, the road will only get tougher for the Irish.

Keeping two talented quarterbacks happy isn’t an easy job, but it certainly would have made the rest of 2015 far smoother for Notre Dame.