It was a historic night for Everett Golson, but yet in its right one he would more than likely forget moving forward. Golson completed 33-of-40-passes on the night, including a NCAA Division One record tying 26-completions in a row, as well as four touchdown passes.
But among the success the quarterback scattered a four turnovers, the team committing five overall. “Very, very sloppy first half,” Golson told the ESPN sideline reporter after the game. “I was lucky it didn’t cost us as much as it should have.”
Even better than his completion streak was the fact that Golson was well aware of the bottom line of his performance. It’s a great record to have; as it shows just how much he has progressed as a passer after completing just 58.8% of his passes two years ago, but turning the ball over so many times kept Syracuse in the game longer than they should have been.
A win may be a win, but there is more to be learned and more work to be had out of this game than previous contests, especially with the Stanford Cardinal coming into town – whose ground and pound ball control style thrives on turnovers and keeping Notre Dame’s offense off the field and unable to score.
In what was probably one of the most confusing starts watching him play, Golson set a career high in passing yards, touchdowns and completions. He continued to connect with Will Fuller, who has become one of the better deep threats in the entire nation.
During his first year as a starter, Golson’s longest touchdown pass was 50-yards to John Goodman – this year he has two of at least 70-yards to Fuller, and three of at least 50.
With the year off after being suspended, Golson has transformed himself from game manager to playmaker. It’s a transition that has his name in the running for the Heisman Memorial Trophy, and for good reason – despite his most recent performance.
It’s really a shame that the such a great performance will be marred by the four turnovers, but with Stanford and Florida State upcoming in the next three weeks it is probably best for Golson and the Fighting Irish if they can get all of this on film and learn from it so they don’t do it in their biggest upcoming games.
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