Notre Dame QB Rees suspended for first game

Updated: July 31, 2012, 5:22 PM ET

By Matt Fortuna | ESPN.com

Notre Dame will have a new starting quarterback when it kicks off the 2012 season.

Incumbent signal caller Tommy Rees and linebacker Carlo Calabrese have both been suspended for the Irish's Sept. 1 opener against Navy in Dublin, Ireland, coach Brian Kelly announced Tuesday. Neither player will travel for the game.

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Both players were arrested May 3 outside an off-campus party.

"Our players understand that it's a privilege to be associated with the University of Notre Dame and its football program, but with that comes great responsibility," Kelly said in a release. "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. 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."

Andrew Hendrix, Everett Golson or Gunner Kiel will start the season as the Irish's quarterback. Only Hendrix has game experience.

Rees plead guilty July 23 to misdemeanor resisting law enforcement and illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor in connection with the spring arrest. The rising junior was sentenced to 50 hours of community service and 11 months of probation, and he had to write a letter of apology to officers involved in his arrest. He was also given a suspended sentence of 30 days in jail.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss one count of resisting law enforcement and a battery count.

Rees was pepper-sprayed and arrested after allegedly running away from the party and knocking the wind out of a police officer who caught up to him.

Calabrese was arrested the same night on a misdemeanor count of intimidation. Police said that Calabrese was upset by Rees' being arrested and ignored caution to stay out of the street, twice telling an officer: "My people will get you."

Calabrese's legal proceedings have not been resolved.

Rees is the only of Notre Dame's four scholarship quarterbacks with any starting experience, as he started 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, going 12-4 as a starter.

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.

Matt Fortuna | email

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