So far, it's freshman hazing: But during 0-4 start, Irish can find hope in Clausen's progress.

Publication: Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL)

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COPYRIGHT 2007 Chicago Tribune

Byline: Brian Hamilton

Sep. 28--SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- His regimented, overstuffed schedule doesn't allow Jimmy Clausen much casual television intake. It is just as well. If Notre Dame's freshman quarterback happened upon a piece about his team, he would be channel surfing into a wipeout.

Most likely, Clausen would see himself propelled to the ground repeatedly by defenders, the programmers' preferred means to symbolize the Irish's copious struggles. In just four games, Clausen has been sacked an almost criminal 18 times. So the carnage becomes a montage.

TiVo? More like TiV-Oh, no, not again.

"Football is a physical sport," Clausen said. "If I didn't want to play football...

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