Spring Game Wrap-up

So what a final few minutes -- sorry we're just getting you the information now.
So the offense (Blue) won, beating the defense (Gold), 47-46, thanks to a last-second drive by quarterback Jimmy Clausen.
Here's the encouraging part about it -- Clausen threw two crisp, pinpoint passes on the drive. One was a 57-yard completion to Golden Tate, a throw that Charlie Weis said Clausen couldn't have made at any time last year.
Then the game-winning touchdown to Duval Kamara came on a fade route on the left side of the field over cornerback Gary Gray. Clausen placed the ball pretty close to perfect.
"You know, last year I wasn't really healthy coming off the elbow surgery and being hurt throughout the season," Clausen said. "I feel great right now. I feel 100 percent back to where I'm supposed to be.
"And it's just great to throw it as far as I can."
Statistically, Clausen's numbers were average -- 10 of 27 for 183 yards, one touchdown and one interception -- but the way he threw the ball was a more encouraging sight. He hit receivers in stride. He made tough throws and for the most part had good awareness of what was going on.
Offensive MVP honors went to Robert Hughes, who had 100 yards rushing and a touchdown. Harrison Smith, who intercepted a pass for a touchdown, had defensive MVP honors.
Other things of note:

• Besides Eric Olsen, Weis wouldn't name the other two players in the scuffle following Smith's interception return. Even when he was asked about the conversation he had with Olsen, he made a joke about it.
  "I was just saying hello to Eric," Weis said. "I really was just asking him how things were. His dad and mom had brought me some bagels from Staten Island, N.Y., I appreciated it.
  "But no, we'll let it go."
• Wide receiver Robby Parris and linebacker Kallen Wade were both held out of the game after suffering undisclosed injuries earlier in the week. Weis said they were both game-time decisions.
• Notre Dame ran the ball so much early -- 16 carries on one possession -- so he could build toughness and confidence in the offensive line. It worked as the Irish offense scored on the play.
• Former players in attendance: Joe Montana, Chris Zorich, Maurice Stovall, Travis Thomas, J.J. Jansen, Leo Ferrine and Bob Golic.
• Among the recruits roaming around that we saw: running back Cierre Wood (wearing a Calvin Johnson jersey), defensive lineman Tyler Stockton, athlete E.J. Banks, inside linebacker Brian Townsend, offensive guard Alex Bullard, defensive end Anthony LaLota, lineman Joe Calderone, defensive end Jordan Paskorz and safety DeVonte Holloman.
• The offense took a knee on the final play to ensure the win, causing the crowd to boo.
• Pat Kuntz and Will Yeatman were also around and on the field.

-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette

Comments

[GB]

I did not see the game but Clausen's 10 for 27 does not sound too encouraging unless the D did a supurb job or the receivers dropped most of their passes.

[Anthony]

The receivers did drop a lot of passes and clausen threw the ball away at least 5-6 times. Dont be fooled by the stats. More realistic would be 10-16 for 187yds 1TD 1INT and 1 TD pass called back on a holding call.

[Joe]

Clausen would have been MVP of the game if his receivers could hold onto the ball

[Chris]

GB -
Don't judge it based off the numbers. He went 10-27 with 196 yards,1 TD, 1 INT.

There were 4 drops that should have been catches. Make that 14-27 for (at least) 250 yards. Then he had to throw the ball away 4-5 times...make that 19-27. He also had a TD called back on a (bogus) holding penalty. So 2 touchdowns.

If you could have seen the types of throws he was making, you would change your mind. ESPECIALLY the 57 yarder to Tate. It was the best throw I've ever seen him make. And it wasn't a "jump ball" like we often saw from Quinn to Shark or Stovall - it was a 55 yards in the air, right in stride. Beautiful.

[IG]

As part of the crowd, I was booing because the defensive coaching staff called a timeout to prolong a game they had no chance to win. But Charlie told the refs to keep the clock running and the game ended there.

[Jerry]

I thought i saw a couple kids from the same school. Those schools must be sick.