Weis on Clausen: 'He's far from being the problem'
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The education of Jimmy Clausen continued in Notre Dame's 31-14 loss to Michigan State on Saturday.
The freshman completed 7 of 13 passes for 53 yards and was sacked three times, despite coach Charlie Weis devising a game plan that had him rolling out frequently to elude a Spartans defense that led the nation in sacks.
Jimmy Clausen dropped back early in the second quarter, only to have Jonal Saint-Dic rip the ball out of his arms and recover a fumble that resulted in a Michigan State field goal and a 17-7 lead.
''I didn't think he was bad,'' Weis said. ''I didn't think he was good.''
Weis said he sent junior Evan Sharpley into the game early in the fourth quarter because he wanted to experiment with a no-huddle offense that Jimmy Clausen didn't have a chance to master while he was recovering from arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from his elbow during the preseason.
Sharpley was 4-for-7 for 33 yards and was sacked once.
''He's far from being the problem here,'' Weis said of Jimmy Clausen, who is not made available to media after games. ''We have a whole litany of things that are involved in being the problem. He'll continue to develop the way he has been developing. He'll continue to get better. Positive things are ahead for him.''
Trick and treat
Spartans quarterback Brian Hoyer dropped back and appeared to fumble before picking up the ball and throwing a 30-yard strike to Kellen Davis for the final touchdown late in the third quarter. Appearances were deceiving.
''That was a trick play,'' Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. ''He did an outstanding job of selling it. We've practiced that thing since the spring.''
D.J. says goodbye
Demetrius Jones was wearing his No. 3 Notre Dame jersey and talking to friends outside the stadium after the game.
Jones, who failed to show up for Notre Dame's trip to Michigan on Sept. 14 and reportedly enrolled at Northern Illinois, was released from his scholarship Friday. He said returning to campus gave him a chance to leave on better terms.
As for his future, Jones seemed to indicate that his options extend beyond NIU.
''I've got decisions like I'm in high school going through the recruiting process once again,'' he said.
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