Clausen follows in Powlus' footsteps

by Pete Byrne (pmbyrne@wsbt.com)

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In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen prepars to take the snap from center Eric Olsen during an NCAA college football game against Nevada in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

By WSBT Sports

Story Created: Oct 6, 2009 at 10:20 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 6, 2009 at 10:46 PM EST

NOTRE DAME - Part of growing up as the Notre Dame quarterback is learning how to first survive, and then thrive in the national spotlight. Jimmy Clausen has had a very knowledgeable mentor help along the way.

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"When you sign on to be the quarterback at Notre Dame, you sign on for a lot of attention," says former Irish quarterback Ron Powlus.

Attention, is never something Jimmy Clausen shied away from. The 1st act of his career, a press conference at the hall of fame announcing his attention to come to Notre Dame, suggested that, if nothing else, Clausen welcomed the spotlight.

But it wasn't until AFTER his college career began, that Jimmy Clausen realized, just how hot that spotlight can be.

"When you come in you think you can handle everything, but there's certain things you don't know", Clausen admits.

That's where Ron Powlus comes in. The current QB coach at Notre Dame knows what Clausen is going through, more than anyone else on earth. After all, Powlus was once the nation's top recruit too. And now, he's mentoring the kid who follows in his footsteps.

"You're always on", Powlus says of the spotlight. "There's no down time. There's no time when nobody's looking. And there's nothing wrong with that."

But when you're a freshman, on a losing team, as Clausen was in 2007, there's nothing easy about it either.

"Coach Powlus has done a great job talking with me about things he went through (as a Notre Dame quarterback). Things he doesn't want me to go through, or he wants me to learn from", says Clausen.

"Everything gets magnified", Powlus says. "That's part of the place, but its also part of the fun and part of the opportunity."

The opportunity, and the fun, have certainly grown throughout the 2009 season. Clausen is having a banner year, and is threatening to break many of the school records, once held by his coach.

As for Powlus, he sees tremendous potential in Clausen.

"By title, the quarterback is in a leadership position. Combine that with a kid who wants to be a leader and who wants to direct the team. You get something special."

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