ND gets new QB: Tommy Rees named starter
Posted: Sep 6, 2011 10:02 PM EDT | Updated: Nov 6, 2014 9:31 AM EDT
NOTRE DAME – Head Coach Brian Kelly announced on Tuesday that Tommy Rees will now take on the role as Notre Dame Starting Quarterback. This comes exactly two weeks after appointing Dayne Crist to the same position and just three days after a 23-20 loss to South Florida. Kelly said it’s all comes down to getting the job done on the field.
"We talked about production. Tommy was very productive in the second half and he'll get a chance to start against Michigan,” said Kelly.
Crist did start Saturday’s game against South Florida. After halftime and a weather delay the Fighting Irish were down by 16. Then Tommy Rees was put in. He helped catch Notre Dame up to just three points shy of a comeback.
Rees said on Tuesday that Kelly told him of the decision Monday night, but his new title isn’t changing the way he takes the field.
"We found out last night during meetings, but as far as an approach no much changes. You work hard every week regardless if you're going to be the guy or not,” said Rees.
Kelly stressed that this wasn’t an easy decision. "Any time you take your quarterback out those aren't easy decisions because they impact so many things that you're doing,” said Kelly.
Kelly said he doesn’t plan on continuing to change the starting player. "Our hopes are Tommy is productive and can play at a high level week in and week out. He's got a pretty good resume,” said Kelly.
Kelly said he still believes in both Crist and Rees, "I have a great deal of confidence in both of them, but Tommy gets the nod,” said Kelly. But of course only one can get the job.
For Rees, he’s just trying to concentrate on the game. "You can’t get too caught up in to everything that's going on outside of the game just focus on Michigan and focus on what we need to do to win the game,” said Rees.
Which could be a difficult task this weekend, when he starts at quarterback in the first ever night game at Michigan Stadium.
Rees said, "I'm eager and excited to play. It should be a great atmosphere, being there at Michigan for the first night game, but at the end of the day it’s just a football game. You just got to prepare like it’s any other game.
This week's game is set for 8:12 p.m. Saturday, September 10th, at Michigan Stadium.