Utah Utes football: Tommy Rees played like some of the Irish greats

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The 18-year-old freshman insisted on telling the truth.

Tommy Rees sensed the pressure, heard the whispers from ghosts of days gone by.

The Heismans of Bertelli, Lujack, Hornung and Huarte. The well-known names of Lamonica, Hanratty, Theismann, Montana, Beuerlein, Rice and Mirer. The NFL quarterbacks of today, Quinn and Clausen.

But rather than succumb Saturday to the weight of his first start as QB at Notre Dame, where fame is found and legends die hard, Rees embraced the moment.

The Chicago-area youngster completed 13-of-20 passes for 129 yards, threw for three touchdowns and led the Fighting Irish to a 28-3 victory over No. 15 Utah.

Afterward, he didn't deny being impacted by the need to pay history homage.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel it a little bit," Rees said. "But everyone supports you ... and once you start playing it kind of goes away."

In a hurry, as was the case Saturday.

"At the beginning, running out there, you get some (butterflies)," he said of exiting the Notre Dame Stadium tunnel as teenaged leader at such a storied school.

"But they're all positive butterflies," Rees added. "You know, you're anxious to play. And once the first series comes, they're all gone."

Credit Brian Kelly for assisting with that.

The Irish coach was seen walking off the field here two Saturdays prior with his arm around Rees, offering consolation after he'd just thrown for 334 yards and four touchdowns in relief of injured out-for-the-season starter Dayne Crist — but also three interceptions during a 28-27 loss to Tulsa.

From watching film to establishing a rapport with his receivers, Rees made the most of Notre Dame's bye week.

Kelly simplified the Irish offense, incorporated an inordinate number of quarterback-friendly plays (including a particularly popular formation replete with two tight ends) and removed as much stress as possible.

"I wasn't going to put this game on Tommy Rees," Kelly said.

In any way, shape or form.

"Tommy is a young man who really understands the game of football," Kelly added. "Whether you're in the spread and five wides, or you're running tackle pull or power — which we probably ran more times than I think we've run power here in a long time — he can handle the adjustments that are made."