QB Tommy Rees starts for Irish

Updated: October 7, 2012, 12:53 AM ET

CHICAGO -- Notre Dame's never-ending quarterback controversy took another interesting step shortly before kickoff Saturday night.

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Tommy Rees started for the No. 9 Irish against Miami at Soldier Field after Everett Golson was benched after being late to practice -- a meeting with a professor ran long, and he hadn't told coach Brian Kelly ahead of time.

Golson, however, was back on the field for Notre Dame's second offensive series. He completed his first six passes and finished 17 of 22 as Notre Dame rolled 41-3.

"I understand it was a team violation. That was the consequences I had to deal with," Golson said after teh game. "I just kind of knew when I got my time I had to go out there and have fun and manage the team."

Golson started all four previous games for the undefeated Irish, but Rees replaced him in two of the games. Golson threw two interceptions and completed just three passes in his last outing against Michigan before Rees took over.

Kelly said Thursday that Golson would start, and he said two days earlier that the redshirt freshman had been dealing with a shoulder issue that was cleared up during the team's bye week.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.