Clausen had no chance
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It was difficult to evaluate Jimmy Clausen's performance for the second straight week because the freshman quarterback spent most of Notre Dame's 38-0 loss Saturday at Michigan either flat on his back or running for his life.
Jimmy Clausen was sacked eight times and was hit and hurried countless others. All four Michigan linemen sacked Jimmy Clausen simultaneously for a loss of six yards early in the second quarter. He absorbed a crushing blindside blow from safety Brandent Englemon early in the third.
The lack of a running game didn't help. Notre Dame running backs gained 88 yards on 22 carries, most of which came late in the fourth quarter. The Irish finished with minus-six rushing yards, thanks largely to negative yardage resulting from sacks.
''We're not doing anything consistently good,'' coach Charlie Weis said. ''It's that simple.''
Weis replaced Jimmy Clausen with junior Evan Sharpley in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't to prevent his prized freshman from taking additional hits or because he had been ineffective.
''Evan deserved to get a shot and get some reps,'' Weis said.
Snap judgment
You knew things were going to go badly for the overmatched Irish offensive line when fifth-year senior center John Sullivan twice snapped the ball wildly in the first quarter, resulting in losses of 14 and 17 yards. Sullivan has been by far Notre Dame's best lineman.
''That's all on my shoulders,'' Sullivan said. ''I was overly aggressive and moved my hand too fast, and the ball sailed high.''
Still no TDs
The Irish's best drive came late in the game, but Weis opted not to try to score the offense's first touchdown of the season.
''I could've thrown the ball to the end zone, but I think that's disrespectful to Michigan,'' he said. ''It's better to take your beating than try to get a garbage touchdown.''
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