Are you watching? No, I mean, are you really paying attention? If not, let me spell it out for you: Notre Dame’s quarterback is turning into a superstar.
Outlined against a bright blue October sky, Jimmy Clausen had another career-best day. For the second weekend in a row, the sophomore QB passed for three touchdowns, and made a career-best 29 completions on 40 attempts. Do the math. That’s a 72 percent completion rate, with no interceptions.
It’s not just the gaudy numbers. If you are indeed paying attention, the evolution of Clausen is impressive. His stats are eerily similar to those of Brady Quinn, who owns most of the Irish record book as quarterback. The difference is that Clausen is that good earlier in his career. But as I said, it’s not just the numbers.
To watch him play not only from last year to this year, but from San Diego State to Stanford is to watch him go from boy to man. Clausen’s early enrollment and 2007 baptism of fire are reaping huge dividends, and his command of not only Weis’s complicated New England Patriots playbook, but of the team itself, is growing.
Barring something unforeseen, Jimmy Clausen should be the leading Heisman candidate for 2009.
Of course, for the Irish faithful, Saturday’s win over the Cardinal was both gratifying and frustrating.
The frustration came in the fourth quarter, when a young Notre Dame team, who is not used to being so far ahead so early in the game, let down and thus let Jim Harbaugh’s over-confident Stanford team back in the game. Maturity will (hopefully) help them learn to play the full 60 minutes.
But the most gratifying aspect of the game was seeing defensive lineman Pat Kuntz make Stanford right offensive tackle Chris Marinelli eat a cold plate of his own words. If you’ll remember, Marinelli, a 6'7" 297-pound junior, shot his big fat mouth off about the upcoming game with Notre Dame.
First he expounded on playing at Notre Dame.
“I hate it, playing up there,” he said. “The field, excuse my language, the field sucks. The stadium sucks. I think the area sucks.”
Then, in true Stanford fashion, he just had to go further.
“I grew up with a bunch of Irish and Italian Catholic people back home, and all they talk about is Notre Dame this, Notre Dame that. And they’ve never even been there, you know? So I hate those guys. I hate that school.”
They must be proud. After all, this is the school that had their band permanently banned from the Notre Dame campus when, during its pre-game and halftime performances, it parodied the Irish Potato Famine and a band member dressed as a nun conducted the band with a crucifix instead of a baton. (The Stanford Athletic Department had reviewed and approved the band’s planned performances in advance.)
Marinelli might have gotten away with just being a typical Stanford a-hole, but he had to then call out the Irish defense
“Keep blitzing it, keep trying it,” he confidently said. “They have one sack all year in 200 blitzes. We are going to gash the (expletive) out of them, I promise you that.”
Pat Kuntz read Marinelli’s remarks at the Friday night pep rally. On Saturday he sacked Stanford quarterback Tavita Pritchard twice. By the end of the game Pritchard had been sacked a total of five times.
Chris Marinelli…you already issued a lame apology to Notre Dame. Now you need to apologize to Tavita Pritchard. Then practice shutting your big fat mouth.
25 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Danny Penza 9 months ago
It's Stanford........
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Danny Herron 9 months ago
Yeah, and they beat Oregon State who beat USC.....Don't worry I am not getting a big head about us we are only 4-1 and have played a few easy teams with the exception of Michigan State, but so has Alabama, LSU, Auburn, USC , Florida, Ohio State, UConn.....they all have played quite a few cupcakes and 1 good team.
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Andrew Pargoff 9 months ago
Please don't compare Notre Dame to 'Bama, LSU, Auburn, USC, Florida, or Ohio State. All those teams would beat Notre Dame, no question. USC scored all their points in one quarter on Oregon State after being shut out early. If ND can't hold a big lead against The Cardinal, imagine what they are in store for. Notre Dame will win 9 games, maybe 10, but they have one of, if not, THE EASIEST schedule in D-1 football. Their only loss so far came at the hands of a team who may not even finish top 3 in the Big Ten.
Jimmy Claussen is getting much better, and I hate to say that because I can't stand him or ND, but they will be in a good bowl this year.
But please, please, P L E A S E, don't compare them in any way, shape, or form to any of the teams you mentioned.
Thank you.
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Danny Herron 8 months ago
actually there are 10 teams in the top 25 that have weaker SOS than Notre Dame, so "please don't compare Notre Dame". By the way, you aren't welcome. By the way, this is american football we are talking about.
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Jonathan Kitchens 9 months ago
I bet he felt dumb. Open Mouth Insert Foot. Of course that is just standard Stanford class, great article! Keep up the good work.
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Jerry Noonan 9 months ago
The bigger embarrassment is Stanford coach Harbaugh. What a piece of work he is. Refuses to shake opposing player hands at the end of the game and says (lies) he did not see the hand extended to him. Plenty of reporters saw what actually happened regardless of what 'lil Harbaugh says.
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Isaac Luber 9 months ago
I have to agree with Daniel here. Stanford is no good, they got lucky against Oregon State like Utah did. ND is getting better, and I'm sure that guy wishes he never said that, but its only Stanford. You're real test will be North Carolina, who is in my Top 25. If ND beats them, the Irish have a good shot at making it into my Top 25.
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Kevin Paul 9 months ago
It seems rare these days that a player talks trash pre-game and is able to back it up. Then again, it's one player, and a whole team has to be able to play well... and I think most of us knew it would be a tall order for a Stanford team to knock off ND on the road - especially when a few victories are helping the Irish gain some confidence.
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Doug Kraus 9 months ago
I love your enthusiasm Clashmore. But seriously, Clausen the leading contender for the 2009 Heisman? That is a bit of a stretch don't you think?
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Clashmore Mike 9 months ago
As I asked at the top of the article...are you really paying attention? I am, and yes, I'm serious.
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Danny Herron 8 months ago
Clashmore, good pick. At the rate he is going it could be a lock.
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Doug Kraus 8 months ago
Wow. Keep drinking the kool-aid.
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justthefacts jack 9 months ago
Whatever happened to the days where you used to have to have the facts before printing an article. It is very evident to me that Clashmore Mike did not watch the game he wrote an article about.
If he had , he would know that not one of the sacks was let up the offensive tackle, Chris Marinelli. Other than an off sides call, Marinelli played a flawless game man-handling the Irish defensive players. It is also very evident to this FOOTBALL fan why the Fighting Irish do not want a replay screen in their stadium. If not for the help of the officials Notre Dame would have another loss to their record, two completely blown calls (punt reception) (touchdown catch) and some help from the referee (replacement of the ball by the referee after the line judge had already placed it.)These three factors alone are the only reason that the Fighting Irish can claim a win. I feel that Clashmore Mike should learn the game of football, and pull his nose out of the butt of the Fighting Irish.
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Danny Herron 9 months ago
Apparently you are a fan just not an unbiased or smart one. The refs were Pac Ten officals, the replay offical didn't review a TD by Stanford when the reciever clearly didn't have control of the ball and they quickly kicked the PAT. I would imagine that you began watching football a couple of years ago. It is obvious by all of your crying, just to let you sugar britches, there is to crying in football either. By the way, I don't care how you feel. If you want to talking about your feelings, I am sure Oprah has a site for you.
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Clashmore Mike 9 months ago
Sorry to contradict you, but I was at the game. I was also at the pep rally on Friday night, where they read Big Mouth Marinelli's comments out loud to 10,000 fans. If you don't think that clown's comments had anything to do with Tavita Pritchard getting sacked five times you are deluding yourself. You are obviously a Stanford fan. Boo hoo. The refs cheated us.
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Tony Bishop 9 months ago
justthefacts- you sir, are an idiot. i don't mean to flame, but you flamed yourself.
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J B 9 months ago
the Irish won the game and are the ones whining? I thought that's what the losers did..
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Danny Herron 8 months ago
If you need to know what losers do, just have someone video tape you for a day. You be sure of it then.
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Jim Sheridan 9 months ago
Awesome piece Mike. But we (Irish fans) will have to put up with this for the rest of our lives. I let them say what they want but I know every day when I leave my house and touch my Play Like A Champion Today sign that we are better than them. Jim
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Nicolas 9 months ago
just the facts--invest in dvr or tivo and figure out how to use it. The refs (from the pac 10) didn't blow the punt call, the got it exactly right--the ND player never touched the ball. And Marinelli opened his big mouth before the game and said ND wouldn't get any sacks. Clearly he was wrong, they got five. I don't care which offensive lineman was responsible that's not the point.
Do your homework before you start posting your ignorance.
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Richard DeLancey 9 months ago
Charlie Weis is getting his offensive band back together. Clausen looks great running the offense. The screen passes and deep balls remind me of the Brady Quinn lead 2005 team that almost shocked the world by beating USC.
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Ed Bliler 9 months ago
Why in this day and age can no one seem to accept a loss? Children whine and make excuses. There is nothing wrong with Marinelli getting fired up for the game, but the pure disrespect and obnoxious attitude got him his just. I was at the game.....ND's offense man handled Stanfords D. ND let up defensively, and I am not taking anything away from Stanford's offense. They took advantage of the situation at hand. Hats off to you Stanford. Please grow up. Lose gracefully. In the event of a loss, the true character of a team, coach, and player is shown. I guess we all now know where Stanford stands. Pathetic, embarassing, and most of all sad.
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Vincent Franco 9 months ago
Andrew... according to Jeff Sagarin computer ratings, LSU's strength of schedule is ranked #118 in the nation... Florida's is #47... Auburn's #50... Notre Dame's is #53... not the toughest or the weakess in the nation as you spout... you should use facts before you flame on the Irish.
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Iceman 9 months ago
watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0Y7yjxJVlc
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Ed Bliler 9 months ago
Marinelli is just angry he didn't get an offer from ND, USC, or any other school that anyone gives credit to or cares about.
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