Brian Kelly on Everett Golson: ‘He’s Got to Strive for Consistency’

Notre Dame Fighting Irish head football coach Brian Kelly was upset with quarterback Everett Golson’s mistakes during a 55-31 loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils on Nov. 8. Golson’s errors resulted in 28 Arizona State points. This prompted Kelly to say Golson’s “got to strive for consistency.”

Notre Dame Fighting Irish head football coach Brian Kelly is not happy with Everett Golson. 

Kelly told the media in the aftermath of Saturday’s 55-31 loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils that his quarterback, whose mistakes resulted in 28 points for the Sun Devils, has “got to strive for consistency,” per Yahoo Sports‘ Graham Watson:

“Brian Kelly isn’t happy with his quarterback. That much was clear Saturday evening as he spoke to the media following a 55-31 dismantling at the hands of Arizona State.  

“Everett Golson, who was once considered a Heisman contender, threw four interceptions, including two that were returned for touchdowns, and lost a fumble. In all, Arizona State scored 28 points off Golson’s mistakes. 

“‘There were absolutely no changes in what they did, which makes it even more maddening and frustrating,’ Kelly said. ‘I guess that’s what I’m most upset about because we could’ve moved the ball [Saturday] effectively. It’s one of those deals where you take one step forward and two steps back and he comes back in the second half and does some really good things. He’s got to strive for consistency. If he plays clean in the first half, who knows what we’d be right now.’

“Most coaches aren’t quick to throw their quarterbacks under the bus during a loss, but Kelly had no problem laying the blame on Golson. At one point during his press conference, he got into a tense conversation with a reporter who tried to justify some of Golson’s mistakes.

“But Golson’s poor performance didn’t exactly come out of left field, he does have 17 turnovers in his past six games.

“‘We’ve been working with him,’ Kelly said. ‘I mean, I don’t know. Sooner or later he’s gonna take it on himself to take care of the football. I don’t know what else to do. We’re at that point now where it hurt us in the game, obviously.’

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is frustrated by QB Everett Golson’s mistakes –> http://t.co/zrGWzT0HWZ— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 10, 2014

“It’s unfortunate because if you take away the turnovers, Golson has been a star for the Irish. He’s thrown for 2,757 yards and 24 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for six scores. He had the Irish sitting at No. 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings and an offensive pass interference against (the) Florida State (Seminoles) away from being undefeated heading into the Arizona State game.

“To Golson’s credit, he didn’t shirk the blame that Kelly put on him. He accepted responsibility for the Arizona State loss and acknowledged he had to get better.

“‘Basically, I honestly think it’s all on me, really,’ Golson said. ‘When you play with fire as much as I did [Saturday], you’re going to get [burned] eventually, so I’ve got to obviously better, clean up a lot in practice and I think that’s where it really starts, is in practice.'”  

Because of their loss to Arizona State, the Irish fell to 16th in the Amway coaches poll, writes The South Bend Tribune’s Eric Hansen:

“Notre Dame on Saturday fell out of the College Football Playoff picture, but not necessarily out of major bowl contention.

“The rankings that matter in determining that option came out Tuesday night from the CFP selection committee, but on Sunday the Irish (7-2) fell from eighth to 16th in the Amway coaches poll after their 55-31 turnover-laced loss to Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz.

“The Irish took a similar tumble in the AP poll, from eighth to 15th.

“Notre Dame would have to climb back into the Top 10 by Dec. 7 in the final CFP rankings to be selected as an at-large team for the Peach, Cotton or Fiesta bowls. The Orange Bowl is an option, but the path is more complicated for ND to land there.

“Arizona State (8-1) jumped from 12th to No. 8 in the new coaches poll. The top five are Mississippi State, followed by Florida State, Alabama (Crimson Tide), Oregon (Ducks) and TCU (Horned Frogs).”

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