Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame QBs Kizer, Zaire will share duties vs. Texas

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly says DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire will share duties at quarterback when the Fighting Irish open the season at Texas on Sept. 4.

Kelly said Wednesday that both have been playing outstanding and each has been among the top five playmakers on the team. He said it was time to announce both would play. He says he believes playing two quarterbacks gives the Irish their best chance of winning. He said he will see how they play against the Longhorns before any other decisions.

Zaire missed most of last season with a broken right ankle sustained in the second game. Kizer rallied the Irish to victory in that game against Virginia with a 40-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds left and led the Irish to nine victories and a No. 11 ranking.