Irish to start No. 3 QB Saturday

Evan Sharpley has been
waiting three years for this opportunity.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Evan Sharpley tried not to think about whether he might be a career backup quarterback at Notre Dame.

Sharpley spent two years playing behind Brady Quinn, who rarely came off the field.

Then he was the No. 2 quarterback for seven games this year as Demetrius Jones and freshman Jimmy Clausen got their shots to start. He waited patiently even knowing that another highly rated recruit, Dayne Crist, is scheduled to arrive next season.

Sharpley, a 6-2, 216-pound junior, is done waiting. He will finally get his chance to start Saturday when the Fighting Irish (1-6) face No. 13 USC (5-1).

Coach Charlie Weis said he believes starting Sharpley gives the Irish their best chance of winning — this week.

He made no promises beyond Saturday.

The news was met with the same indifference Sharpley has greeted the media with every time he’s talked to reporters.

He talked matter-of-factly about getting his first start, as if he were a regular starter going out to play just another opponent. The only hint of excitement came when asked what he did when Weis told him he would start.

“I let my family know pretty quick. They’re very excited — probably more so than I was because I try to take things in perspective,” Sharpley said.

Rich Hulkow, his coach back at Marshall High School in Michigan, about 100 miles northeast of South Bend, wasn’t surprised by Sharpley’s reaction.

“He’s a very focused kid,” Hulkow said.

“He understands his role. What he’s supposed to be doing. I’m sure he’s excited for the opportunity.”

Teammates say Sharpley is not quite as reserved as he appears to the media.

“Evan is pretty loose,” center John Sullivan said. “Even though he might play it tight to the vest with you guys, he’s relaxed. He’s like that in the huddle too.”

Sharpley said he didn’t spend much time wondering whether he would ever start.

The desire was always there, however.

While Zach Frazer transferred after he was told he would be fourth-string quarterback in the spring and Jones transferred in September after losing the starter’s job, Sharpley stayed and waited for his chance.

“He’s a team player. He’s going to do what’s best for the team,” Hulkow said.

“He’s not going to question coaches. He’s going to go out and work hard and prove to everyone he deserves to be where he is.”

Sharpley has been showing he deserves a chance by playing well in relief of Clausen. Sharpley has thrown three of Notre Dame’s four touchdown passes even though he has significantly less playing time than Clausen, who has started the last six games.

The Irish also have been more productive with Sharpley at quarterback. On 19 drives, Sharpley has led the Irish to an average of 26 yards a drive. Clausen has led the Irish to an average of 11 yards on 70 drives.

He also has a pass efficiency rating of 111.42, compared with Clausen’s 89.51. Weis had said one reason he had been slow to give Sharpley a shot is that he sometimes didn’t look as good in practice as he has in games.

“I think it’s a little different playing in a game,” Sharpley said. “Obviously the adrenaline’s flowing and it’s just a different experience.”

Sharpley said he always prepares as though he is the starter, so this week will be no different except that he will get more snaps in practice. Sharpley wasn’t concerned Weis didn’t commit to him as starter for anything more than the USC game.

“I’m only looking one week at a time,” he said.