Brian Kelly‘s most difficult choice isn’t a choice at all. At least not yet.
Speaking to reporters at Notre Dame’s media day Wednesday, the Fighting Irish head coach said he would play both Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer at quarterback for next month’s opener at Texas.
“Both of them have been instructed to keep doing what they’re doing, but both of them will play against Texas,” he said.
Brian Kelly: "It’s easier to just play one. My job is to win, and my belief is playing both of them gives us a better chance of winning.”
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) August 17, 2016
Brian Kelly on what changed in deciding to play both QBs instead of one: "These two guys are too good."
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) August 17, 2016
#NotreDame will play both DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire against Texas, Brian Kelly says: https://t.co/Gz4Qxt1j7M
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) August 17, 2016
Texas head coach Charlie Strong has also indicated he will play both of his signal callers against the Irish. Though his situation is starkly different than Kelly’s; Strong will choose between talented-but-yet-to-put-it-together senior Tyrone Swoopes and true freshman Shane Buechele.
As for what happens beyond the opener, Kelly said he isn’t worrying about that yet.
Then we’ll see what happens the next week against Nevada,” he said, via Irish247. “I’m focused strictly on how we bet Texas, and we’re both prepared to beat Texas by playing both DeShone and Malik.”
Zaire averaged a scintillating 10.7 yards per attempt with four touchdowns and no picks plus 19 carries for 103 yards in a game and a half before losing his season to an ankle injury. Kizer stepped in and threw for 2,880 yards with 21 touchdowns plus another 520 yards and 10 scores on the ground in Zaire’s stead.