SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Tommy Rees has been Notre Dame's go-to guy when the Fighting Irish get in a jam. And they're certainly in one now.
Rees will likely become the quarterback Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly turns to now that Everett Golson is out for 2013.
Golson disclosed Sunday he has been suspended by Notre Dame for at least the fall semester for what he said the university called poor academic judgment.
"I take full responsibility for my poor choices and will do all that is asked of me to regain the trust of my family, friends, teammates, coaches and the entire Notre Dame community," he wrote.
Rees, who was suspended for the 2012 season opener after pleading guilty to misdemeanor resisting law enforcement and illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor, is expected to start under center this fall.
Kelly turned to then-freshman Rees to start the final four games of 2010 when Dayne Crist went down with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. Rees also stepped in when Crist was benched after halftime in Notre Dame's ugly season-opening 23-20 loss to South Florida in 2011, and he was repeatedly called on last season when Golson struggled or was injured.
Rees rallied the Irish to three victories and took every snap in a win over BYU when Golson was injured, although he struggled in that game.