Notre Dame won’t have starting QB Tommy Rees for opener

The University of Notre Dame has suspended starting quarterback Tommy Rees and linebacker Carlo Calabrese for the Irish’s Sept. 1 opener against Navy in Dublin, Ireland, coach Brian Kelly announced. Neither player will travel for the game.

Both players were arrested May 3 outside an off-campus party. Rees plead guilty on July 23 to misdemeanor resisting law enforcement and illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor in connection with the spring arrest. Calabrese was arrested the same night on a misdemeanor count of intimidation – his case is still pending.

“Carlo and Tommy put themselves in a situation that when given a choice between two distinct paths, they responded with a set of poor decisions,” Kelly said. “This conduct was inconsistent with my expectations for our football program – especially our veteran, team leaders. Carlo and Tommy will not travel with the team to Ireland and can attempt to climb the depth chart following the conclusion of their respective suspensions.”

Rees is the only one of Notre Dame’s four scholarship quarterbacks with any starting experience — 16 games through his first two seasons -, including the final 12 last season. He has thrown for 3,977 yards with 32 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. He is 12-4 as a starter. Notre Dame’s quarterback derby is now whittled to three for preseason camp that begins Saturday: Andrew Hendrix, Everett Golson and freshman Gunner Kiel.

Calabrese, a rising senior, played in all 13 games last season, splitting time inside with Dan Fox and recording 37 tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack.

Kelly made it clear that the suspension will have the effect of burying Rees on the depth chart, noting that he and Calabrese “can attempt to climb the depth chart following the conclusion of their respective suspensions.”

Notre Dame beat Navy 56-14 last season in South Bend. The Irish rushed for seven touchdowns, most in 19 years, while limiting Navy to just 229 yards of total offense. Rees was 16-for-22 for a touchdown and an interception.

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