SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Saying, "I think he gives us the best chance of winning," Notre Dame football Coach Charlie Weis on Tuesday tabbed freshman Jimmy Clausen to start at quarterback for the Fighting Irish on Saturday against Penn State.
Clausen, from Westlake Village Oaks Christian High, played only two series in the fourth quarter during Notre Dame's season-opening 33-3 drubbing by Georgia Tech.
Although he was widely considered the nation's top recruit at his position and was atop Notre Dame's depth chart coming out of spring practice, Clausen only recently regained full strength in his throwing arm after having arthroscopic surgery on his elbow to remove a bone spur. His recovery time limited his participation in early summer practices and took him out of contention to be the starter in the opener.
Sophomore Demetrius Jones got the start against Georgia Tech, but a run-heavy spread option offense that Weis tailored specifically for Jones could not sustain any drives.
Weis replaced Jones with junior Evan Sharpley late in the first half, a change that brought mixed results. Sharpley completed 10 of 13 passes for 92 yards and manufactured the team's only scoring drive, but he also was sacked seven times and lost a fumble.
Clausen entered with 8 minutes 52 seconds left in the fourth quarter and completed four of six passes for 34 yards.
"The best thing that happened was [he] got into the game last week," Weis said Tuesday. "I would be more concerned if his first reps were in front of 107,000 in Happy Valley, but I think we got that out of the way in the fourth quarter last week."
Weis said he was "not looking to play musical quarterbacks" and that Clausen, who enrolled at Notre Dame in January, was more of a permanent pick than his decision to start Jones against Georgia Tech.
"This evaluation process really was one that went on through the whole spring right on to this point right now," the coach said.
Clausen, Jones and Sharpley were not made available to the media Tuesday, which is Notre Dame's designated day for interviews of offensive players.
Weis informed the three quarterbacks of his decision Monday night.
Bill Redell, Clausen's high school coach, said his former star seemed "excited about it" when he spoke with him Tuesday morning.
"Really, I just expected him to be the starter as soon as he got his elbow well," Redell said. "But I don't think any commitment was made to him. I think he had to earn it."
