Oct 30, 2013 12:51 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Everett Golson left many people questioning what "poor academic judgment" meant when it lead to his suspension from Notre Dame and, in recent interview, he said the punishment was for cheating.

Speaking with Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples, the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback hesitantly confirmed when asked point blank if he cheated on a test. The suspension was for a violation of the school's student conduct code, forcing him to sit out the entire football season.

"Like I said, I'm just going to leave it at poor judgment," he said. Asked again if he cheated on a test, Golson said: "Test situation."

He was told he could reapply for the spring 2014 semester and he expects to be back on the field for the Fighting Irish next season. He was suspended as a true freshman, just five months after a 42-14 loss to Alabama in the BCS National Championship game. He decided to focus on returning to Notre Dame instead of playing at a junior college and reapplying elsewhere afterward.

Golson did not specify how he cheated, but said he did not plagiarize a paper and did not consistently post low grades.

According to the Associated Press, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Chuck Martin have been in regular contact with Golson, who has been home in Myrtle Beach, S.C. He has reportedly been working out with private quarterback coach George Whitfield Jr. for the past two months.

"He's in a disciplined environment, one I'm very comfortable with," Kelly said. "Just catching up on what we're doing, game plans, staying connected. He's staying connected weekly from that standpoint."

He told Staples he felt like Notre Dame has unfinished business following their loss in college football's biggest game. Despite being 12-0 that season and receiving the number-one-overall ranking, the Irish lost by four touchdowns to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.

"My heart was set on going back to Notre Dame," Golson said. "Not necessarily to prove [anything] to anybody, just doing it for me. I felt like that's something that I started and I didn't want to run away from it and go to a [junior college] or go to another school. I was going to face it."

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