Aug 13, 2014 02:35 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

After missing all of last season due to an academic suspension from the University of Notre Dame (UND), Everett Golson is once again the Fighting Irish's starting quarterback.

According to ESPN, Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly told reporters of his decision after Wednesday's preseason practice. Kelly was not even expected to address the media, let alone announce his starting QB.

Kelly said he came upon giving the starting position to Golson instead of redshirt freshman Malik Zaire Tuesday night.

The Fighting Irish coach was encouraged by both players' responses, as Zaire was not happy and Golson composed himself with a "matter of fact" demeanor. Kelly said Golson told him, "OK, coach" upon learning he was the starter.

UND suspended Golson, 21, in the fall of 2013. He initially said it was for "poor academic judgment," which he later confirmed meant he was caught cheating. He previously confided that he spent most of time away from school in San Diego training with George Whitfield Jr., a private passing coach.

Golson maintained during his suspension that he was set on returning to Notre Dame and was not interested in attending school anywhere else. Though he has an athletic six-foot, 200-pound build, Golson is more of a pocket passer who can tuck the ball and run if he needs to improvise.

In Kelly's pro-style offense, Golson threw for 2,405 yards in 2012 with a 59 percent completion percentage and 12 touchdowns. Golson ran for 298 yards that season with six scores.

The last time Golson won the starting QB position for the Fighting Irish was ahead of that 2012 season, when he was chosen over three other candidates.

Notre Dame opens its season Saturday, Aug. 30 in South Bend, hosting Rice. An FBS Independent team, Notre Dame is scheduled to play Stanford, Florida State and USC.

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