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Notre Dame Hands Freshman the Reins

QB will try to revive struggling Irish offense

By Max Brallier,  Newser User

Posted Sep 5, 2007 7:25 AM CDT
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(Newser) – With his team still licking the wounds from its season-opening loss to Georgia Tech, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis has tapped a new QB: Freshman Jimmy Clausen will start for the Irish Saturday against Penn State. Said Weis, "I think that he was always ready mentally. It's just his arm wasn't a full go until the end of last week."

Behind Demetrius Jones, the Irish mustered only 130 passing yards and one field goal against Tech. Clausen, one of the top high school recruits in the country, will likely run the spread offense. It's the same attack Brady Quinn executed the past two seasons and Weis used as a coordinator with New England en route to three Super Bowl crowns.

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen heads up field during the Blue Gold Football Game marking the end of spring practice Saturday April 21, 2007 in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen heads up field during the Blue Gold Football Game marking the end of spring practice Saturday April 21, 2007 in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)   (Associated Press)
Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen throws as he is rushed by Georgia Tech linebacker Anthony Barnes during the fourth quarter of a football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen throws as he is rushed by Georgia Tech linebacker Anthony Barnes during the fourth quarter of a football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Michael...   (Associated Press)
Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen looks to hand off as he face Georgia Tech during the fourth quarter of a football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. Clausen will start for Notre Dame when they face Penn St. on Saturday. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen looks to hand off as he face Georgia Tech during the fourth quarter of a football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. Clausen will start for Notre Dame...   (Associated Press)
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Notre Dame turns to Clausen
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Charlie Weis • Notre Dame • Jimmy Clausen

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