Freshman QB Clark thrust into backup role
By TIM CASEY
Assistant Sports Editor
Matt LoVecchio and Jared Clark were both highly recruited quarterbacks about to enter their senior years in high school when they first met in the summer of 1999. They traveled from New Jersey and Florida to attend Notre Dame's football camp for another chance to impress the coaches, another chance to be seen.
Their recollections of that week?
"He doesn't remember me being there," Clark said. "But I remember him."
And how could he not? LoVecchio differentiates himself from most 18-year olds with his calm, confident demeanor. But sometime soon, maybe this year, college football fans will know Clark. When coach Bob Davie announced Gary Godsey had been switched to tight end on Sunday, suddenly Clark was thrust into the backup role.
"If we had an opportunity," offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers said, "we'd like to get him in the game."
Talk about a role reversal.
Clark began the year as the fourth-string quarterback and intended to learn the playbook, adjust to college life and save a year of eligibility. He dominated at Cardinal Mooney high school in Sarasota, Fla., throwing for 1,372 yards, running for 741 yards and accounting for 27 total touchdowns. Whereas in high school his superior skills could compensate for a broken play, Clark quickly realized that in college he had to learn several "intangibles", including reading defenses.
"In high school I never had to do that," Clark said. "It was just throw the ball to the open guy. Now it's just so many reads in split seconds. I'm getting the ball there but I'm getting it there a little late."
But the coaches have seen improvement and have noticed his physical gifts.
"I'm not saying he's a 100-meter sprinter but the guy can run," Rogers said. "And he's got a cannon of an arm. Technically, he's got as good a release as any quarterback you ever want to be around."
Strong praise for a freshman who has yet to play a down. Davie informed Clark before the Air Force game that he might see some action but with the fourth quarter collapse, the Irish stuck with LoVecchio.
For Clark, having a classmate starting does not bother him. In fact, he has nothing but praise for LoVecchio.
"Matt's a step above me and Carlyle (Holiday,)" Clark said. "LoVecchio's done a great job, especially in the games.
"When I came here, I was pretty nervous but he (LoVecchio) stood in there and did a great job from day one."
Besides the apprehension, Clark also felt aggravation early this season. Like many freshmen, he had unrealistic expectations after earning all the high school accolades.
"I was pretty discouraged before," Clark said. "I don't know why but then I had to step back and look at the big picture. I was No. 3 (quarterback) and I'm only a freshman. Now, I'm No. 2. I guess I can't complain."
Neither can Rogers. When he received letters of intents from the quarterback trio in February, he knew they were special.
Upon further review, Rogers would even deem "special" as an understatement to describe the group.
"In your wildest dreams, you didn't think you'd get all three," Rogers said. "It was a recruiting coup. I don't know if you'll ever see that again anywhere."
Just over a year since first visiting campus, Clark knows he is one injury away from starting for the most storied college football program in the country.
"You grow up quick when you come up here," Clark said.
Davie, Holtz nominated for award
Their personalities and public perceptions differ greatly. But their similar coaching successes this season have earned them a chance for a major honor.
On Wednesday, Davie and former coach Lou Holtz were named two of the ten finalists for the Football News coach-of-the-year award.
One year after finishing 0-11, Holtz's South Carolina team is currently 7-2 and ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll.
"It's kind of ironic," Davie said. "Talk about a super coaching job. I haven't followed South Carolina closely but what they've done, particularly defensively, is unbelievable."
The Irish's transformation from an underachieving squad in 1999 to a possible BCS appearance has also caught the attention of the nominators.
"They must have done that right after Glenn Earl blocked that field goal," Davie said. "The ballots still probably weren't counted with three seconds left in the game. They probably waited until after the game.
"It makes me proud that people see that this football team's improved, that this football team's probably overcome some obstacles," Davie said. "I think it's really a positive statement about these players and these assistant coaches."
As well as the head coach.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, November 2, 2000
