Rees starts while Golson sits after rules violation

About 48 hours after Brian Kelly told reporters on Thursday that redshirt freshman Everett Golson would start Notre Dame’s game against Miami at Soldier Field, Notre Dame announced that Tommy Rees will get the start instead, with Golson benched for an unspecified team rule violation.

Golson was on the field and in uniform for pregame warmups, and a Notre Dame official said he is eligible to play during the game. He just won’t start.

It will be Rees’ 17th career start. Golson had started all four games this season, but Rees had closed out the Purdue and Michigan wins (he made a cameo in mop-up duty at Michigan State). For the season, Rees is 11-of-19 for 150 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He picked up his first career rushing touchdown against Michigan, after relieving an ineffective Golson (3-of-8, 30 yards, two picks).

Rees appeared in every game for the Irish last season, going 269-of-411 for 2,871 yards and 20 touchdowns. But his 14 interceptions and subsequent arrest after an off-campus party in May opened up the quarterback position, and Golson beat out Andrew Hendrix in training camp.

For the season, Golson is 50-of-89 for 641 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has two rushing touchdowns.