Notre Dame will play both Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer against Texas

Those who were waiting for Notre Dame to name a starting quarterback will have to keep waiting.

Coach Brian Kelly announced during Wednesday’s media day that both junior Malik Zaire and sophomore DeShone Kizer would play in the season opener against the Texas Longhorns.

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“If I list the top five playmakers, they’re in it,” Kelly said. “So my ultimate decision was I can’t put one of those guys on the sideline against Texas.”

Zaire supplanted Everett Golson in 2014 and was the starter last year until suffering a season-ending ankle injury during the second week of the season against Virginia. Kizer came in, helped the Irish beat Virginia and was 8-3 as a starter.

Though Kelly had maintained he wanted to name a definitive starter, the decision became too difficult as fall camp progressed.

Kelly said through 257 reps during fall camp, the two quarterbacks had combined for just two interceptions.

Both players expressed a desire to start, but respect their coach’s decision to play them both.

Kelly did not say which player would start or how the rotation would be determined, but he did note that he’d be open to playing both of them at the same time.

Kelly said he’s all too familiar with Ohio State’s quarterbacking “dilemma” last year, which resulted in Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett both playing before Barrett eventually took over, but Kelly is adamant that playing both is the best way to win games.

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“It’s never easy playing two quarterbacks, it’s much easier playing one,” said Kelly. “But we’re in the business of winning football games. If it’s a little harder on us, we can make it work if the net result is winning. My job is to win, and my belief is playing both of them gives us the best chance to win.”

For more Notre Dame news, visit BlueAndGold.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday