There's no turning back the hands of time, no history rewrite, no mulligans.

Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees and linebacker Carlo Calabrese - suspended for one game for their arrests on May 3 - met with the media Saturday for the first time since the incident.

The theme of the day: lessons learned from ill-advised mistakes.

"Obviously, it's been a tough situation and something I take accountability and responsibility for," said Rees, who ultimately pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors that resulted in 330 days probation and 50 hours of community service.

"I've thought a lot about the incident and it's something I've moved past and gotten over. The lack of judgment is something that I don't find indicative of my character. I'm just trying to move forward and focus on football and school."

Calabrese, who was arrested on one count of misdemeanor intimidation for allegedly threatening a police officer, has a hearing slated for Aug. 20.

"It's tough. It does suck," said Calabrese who, unlike Rees, has gotten reps with the first unit during the first week of practice. "But I learned a lot from this. Coach Kelly made his decision. I respect that. I put myself in a bad situation and he had to do what he had to do. It's already done. I've moved on from that.

"I learned to respect people a lot more and listen to others. With Coach Kelly making the decision, it's a big learning experience."

Rees has served as a mentor to young quarterbacks Everett Golson and Andrew Hendrix in preparation for their starring role in the season opener against Navy.

"I accept the punishment and I'm out there trying to help the other guys because I've got to be as unselfish as possible to help this team win football games and help those two guys get ready," Rees said.
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"Helping the other guys keeps me focused. I'm trying to give them my feedback, so I've got to stay in-tune. I'm staying after practice and trying to get extra work in. That's been kind of my goal throughout camp."

Kelly said following Saturday's practice that Rees would get a chance to compete for the starting job during Purdue week - the second game of the season - when he is eligible to return to the lineup. Until then, Golson and Hendrix will receive virtually all of the live reps in pre-season camp.

"We'll start to get him some more 7-on-7 work, but it won't be with the first team as much as it will be just keeping him sharp," Kelly said. "The sanctions have already been levied. This is strictly about trying to get three quarterbacks (including freshman Gunner Kiel) enough work so we're ready to go against Navy."

"I've just got to be ready when my number is called," Rees said. "When I get back out there and get into the mix of things, I've got to be sharp and on top of my game and let the coaches make the decision from there."

Calabrese also has tried to play a leadership role.

"Right now for me, I'm just grinding through camp, getting better every day," Calabrese said. "I'm not letting that affect anything else in my game. I'm just working hard. I want to help the team out this year, on and off the field."

Rees deflected praise for his work with the young quarterbacks.

"Ev(erett) could do it. He's a good guy," said Rees when told that Golson said he'd have a hard time under the same set of circumstances being as unselfish as Rees has been.

"If he ever had to be in my position, I'm sure he could do the same. We have a team full of guys like that. People who are selfless, and that's kind of been one of the messages we received from coach."

Rees said he never contemplated leaving Notre Dame after the incident.

"For me, it was never really an issue," Rees said. "I always wanted to do everything I could to help this team and help those guys and my fellow quarterbacks. It really didn't take a whole lot for me to do that."

Rees appears to be taking a step in the direction he may pursue after his playing days are over.

"Coaching is something I've thought about a lot in terms of a career after playing," Rees said. "Right now, I'm more focused on being a player. But whatever I can do to help them and be an extra set of eyes for them, that's what I want to do."