With the team divided brother against brother, Notre Dame’s annual Blue-Gold Spring Game saw the Blue team beat the Gold side, 17-7.
And the biggest story following the spring game – and spring practices in full – is the quarterback competition between senior Malik Zaire and junior DeShone Kizer.
“The only time I had that kind of scenario was when I had two quarterbacks at Cincinnati that were both proven winners,” Irish Head Coach Brian Kelly said about the position battle Saturday afternoon. “But they were so different. These two guys are so very similar in their skill-set.”
In 2015, Zaire earned the starting quarterback nod after Everett Golson left that spring. The then-junior started the first two games for the Irish, leading his team to a monstrous victory over Texas, 38-3, to open the season. Zaire went into his second game as the field general against Virginia a week later on September 12, but suffered a broken ankle that took him out of action for the year.
Zaire finished his 2015 campaign with 26-of-40 passes completed for 428 yards and 103 yards rushing on 19 carries.
Kizer stepped in following the loss of Zaire and ultimately helped lead the Irish to the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State and a 10-3 record, while breaking numerous school records in the process.
The backup started 11 of 13 games last year, completing 211-of-335 passes for 2884 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Despite criticisms of his rushing ability, Kizer carried the ball for 520 yards on 134 carries, managing to notch 10 touchdowns in the process.
So where do we stand following the spring game?
Torii Hunter, Jr. catches a 50-yard pass from Malik Zaire during Saturday’s Blue-Gold Spring Game at Notre Dame. Evan J. Thomas/The Pit
Zaire led the Gold team, finishing the game with a 6-for-15 mark for 120 yards, including a long pass to Torii Hunter, Jr. for 50 yards. He carried the ball five times for just 12 yards. On the opposing side, Kizer finished 10-for-17 with 113 yards. He had four carries for 21 yards.
Very similar stats, and no closer to an answer on the starting role.
“I can’t keep them both happy,” said Kelly. “I love them both. They both are committed. They are both great competitors. But somebody’s going to be unhappy.”
Malik Zaire has overcome his ankle injury and is looking ahead, but had to get reacquainted with the offense after it developed for a year under Kizer.
“I thought what I saw was Malik develop more of an understanding of what we did offensively last year,” Kelly said. “So he was at a bit of a disadvantage coming into the spring, and I thought he caught up.”
Zaire agreed, but also said that the 2016 Irish football team is different than last year’s, so developing with the offense may be easier than initially expected.
“Last year’s team is different than this year’s team, so getting acclimated and adjusting to those guys, building chemistry not only with the tight ends and receivers and running backs, but also the o-line,” he said. “We mixed up the teams a little bit today, but I think the chemistry is only going to continue to get stronger.”
Zaire is set apart from his counterpart in the areas of speed. The senior from Kettering, Ohio is quick on his feet, able to dart off if in trouble to gain an extra few yards instead of taking a sack or tossing the ball away. We’ve seen him scramble numerous times over the past few years, and many times those scrambles have given way to big runs or scores.
While he’s improved, Zaire is not the most accurate in the pocket. He’s thrown many passes that are over thrown or just a bit off target. But as we saw Saturday, he’s able to connect on the big plays and throw lasers across the field.
“It was just about staying consistent,” Zaire said.
Kizer is the opposite of Zaire in this respect. The Toledo-native can not just throw into tight holes all around the field, but connect on those big plays with most being on target. He looks more comfortable in the pocket than he does out in the open.
And while he isn’t as quick as Zaire on his feet, he can scramble just as well and build momentum on the ground. He’s developed into a versatile weapon on the field, a big change from where he was last year at this time.
During the 2015 spring game, Kizer was behind not just Zaire but also Golson, he wasn’t throwing the ball well and had some off-field issues.
“Last year was really rough for me. I definitely said it was one of the lowest points in my life, and I was thinking whether I even wanted to play football,” he said Saturday. “I thought maybe I should switch sports or find another path to become successful.”
For Irish fans, it’s good that he cleared his plate and got focused on football.
Malik Zaire aims to throw the ball downfield to an open receiver during Saturday’s scrimmage. Evan J. Thomas/The Pit
While Coach Kelly believes both of his quarterbacks are very similar, Kizer feels differently.
“It propels you and yeah, it’s cool to have someone that’s great behind you. But at the end of the day we’re two different quarterbacks,” Kizer said. “I have my own style; he has his own style. It’s hard to compare evenly against someone who is not like you.”
Kelly said during spring practices that the position battle could very well continue into the season. Either way, both Zaire and Kizer are aiming to be ready and prepared for the starting role come September 4 at Texas.
“He’s a great quarterback. Obviously he can win. We saw his performances,” Kizer said of his opponent and the position battle. “I’m just going to make sure that when my name is called that I’m in a position to help win the game – all I can do is go out and better myself. I’ll try to figure out a way – I didn’t come here for personal goals or Heisman. I came here to win a National Championship for Notre Dame.”
Zaire agrees with Kizer and relishes the idea of competition, with the goal being a title.
“Well, we are two guys in the best place – competition is the best place to be as a quarterback in my opinion, and on a national stage like this,” Zaire said. “I think at the end of the day, it’s all about staying competitive and whatever it takes for the team.
“… For me, it’s continue to take that next step and reaching that level to help this team win the National Championship.”
