As he sat out, Golson diagnosed the issues that made his passes flutter. In his return Saturday, he was praised by Kelly for evading pressure, for throwing the ball away when necessary. Though Golson converted just 7 of 15 third-down attempts, he scored the winning touchdown on a third-down dive.

Kelly continually corrects Golson’s technique and execution. More so recently in practice, he has discussed Golson’s comfort level with the plays, and instead of adding more of them as the season progressed, Kelly said he pared his list “to accentuate the things that he really likes.”

After one play against Oklahoma, Kelly pulled Golson aside for a low pass intended for his 6-foot-5 tight end Tyler Eifert. Later, Golson threw a spiral high and outside to Jones, who leapt and caught the ball while the defender cut in front of the route, low and short.

“He’s beginning to realize those detail things that we’ve been banging him on the head with will actually make him a better quarterback,” Kelly said, listing those things as “how important it is to be on time, and to have a good finish, and to throw the proper ball away from the defense.”

Just in time, too. Playing Oklahoma, the most formidable team left on Notre Dame’s schedule — save for perhaps Southern California, which seems vulnerable — Golson reintroduced himself as a catalyst, not a hanger-on. With his improved passing, his legs were that much more effective, and Kelly was that much closer to having the balanced offense he desired.

But near the end of the third quarter, Golson took off left, and Oklahoma safety Tony Jefferson hit him square in the ribs. For some time, Golson stayed down, crumpled. The score was 10-6. Three plays later, Golson returned to finish the drive — which ended in a field goal — with poise he had not always showed.