Dayne Crist will start at quarterback for Notre Dame football this season, according to head coach Brian Kelly. Crist has been locked in competition with sophomore Tommy Rees, who started four games last season after Crist ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee against Tulsa last season. Kelly said he expects Crist to start "for 13 weeks," adding "He's a much better QB and quite frankly & honestly he's the kind of guy I want to coach."
Rees played well in his shortened season a year ago, completing 61 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards, 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Still, Crist, a senior, was generally considered the favorite to start. He got the nod at the beginning of last year, passing for 2,033 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his nine starts.
Notre Dame is ranked 16th by the Associated Press and 18th according to the USA Today coaches' poll heading into the season. Should Crist be able to bounce back successfully from injury the Fighting Irish could feature a formidable passing game with Michael Floyd at wideout, in addition to returning nine starters on defense.
For more on the Irish, head over to the SB Nation blog One Foot Down.