Clausen will start at quarterback for Notre Dame against Air Force

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Jimmy Clausen will start at quarterback for Notre Dame against Air Force on Saturday, after coach Charlie Weis said the freshman threw the ball with zip and accuracy in practice this week.

“He looked better at just about everything than he looked a few weeks back,” Weis said Thursday. “I don’t know the cause of that. I’d like to sit there and say I have all the answers to that, but I do know he looked very fresh, he looked very sharp and we were very encouraged.”

The Irish (1-8) will be trying to end a school-record five-game home losing streak when they play the Falcons (7-3).

Clausen, the first Notre Dame quarterback in at least 56 years to start his second game as a freshman, lost the starting job after struggling against Boston College on Oct. 13. Weis said at the time that part of the reason was Clausen, who had been sacked 23 times, was banged up.

Weis also thought Clausen, rated by many as the top high school player last year, was having trouble adjusting to the speed of the college game. Weis hopes watching two games from the sideline will help.

“It’s a little different when you’re underneath center and you’re looking to make sure your guys are there, then you’re sending a guy in motion,” Weis said.