Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen will look to turn around the Fighting Irish following an abysmal 2007 season. The sophomore signal caller recently talked with high school analyst Nick Ironside.

Nick Ironside: After a not-so-great season, how are you planning on helping the team bounce back?

Jimmy Clausen: We’re just trying to go out each and every day during spring and improve on all the things we did last year, and just try and get better each and every day.

NI: How have you and are you going to handle the adversity that being the quarterback at Notre Dame comes with?

JC: Just like we did last year, we didn’t have that great of the season that all of us wanted or expected, but things happen for a reason and we’re just going to bounce back and get ready for this season.

NI: What are your goals this year, for you personally and for the team?

JC: I don’t really have any goals for me personally, but I think my biggest goal is for this team to be successful, and I’m going to do everything I can to help this team be successful.

NI: And do you have any hopes of winning a national championship?

JC: Oh yeah, you’ve always got to have the hopes of winning a national championship. And if you don’t, then I don’t think your hopes and everything like that are going to set you up for success. You’ve always got to be thinking high and staying positive, and all of us should be trying to win a national championship each and every year.

NI: How hard was it for you to adjust to the college game as opposed to high school football? What was the hardest part?

JC: I think the speed of the game was hard – the first week that I got here I just had to get used to the speed of all the guys, and they’re a lot bigger and more athletic, and just getting used to the speed of the game.

NI: How do you think you’ve handled the pressure of being a freshman starting quarterback so far?

JC: I don’t know; you’re always going to have pressure being a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, but you’ve just got to stay focused and concentrate on the one goal, and that goal is the team winning.

NI: How big is the chip on your shoulder about getting back at teams that beat you last year?

JC: I wouldn’t say a chip on our shoulder to get back at those teams. I’d just say a chip on our shoulder, just to go out each and every day and get better at practice and stuff like that.

NI: Do you think you have what it takes to restore Notre Dame to where it once was?

JC: Oh yeah, I think we have all the tools we need to do that. Just work hard in practice and get better.

NI: How much was your elbow bothering you last season?

JC: It bothered me a little bit, but I’m a lot better right now and I’m just ready to go for this season. Later on in the season, it started getting healthier.

NI: What are you doing to get physically stronger?

JC: I’m about 212 (pounds) right now, and I’m just trying to get bigger, stronger, faster, and get ready for this upcoming season.

NI: How much do you follow the sports media regarding Notre Dame football?

JC: I just try and stay away from all that kind of stuff.

NI: Do you take any of the media personally if they say something bad about your team?

JC: I don’t take it personally when anyone says anything about my team or I.

NI: How well have you gotten to know the incoming freshmen?

JC: I’ve gotten to know some of them pretty well, especially the guys from California that I’ve known for quite a bit of time.

NI: So how well do you know Dayne Crist?

JC: I know him real well – we went to elementary school together when we were younger, and we always keep in touch, and hang out when we’re back in California.

NI: What are your hobbies outside of football and sports?

JC: I just like relaxing, hanging out with friends and sleeping. I play video games here and there.

NI: What are some things that people don’t know about you?

JC: Pretty much that I like to have fun, hang out with my friends and family, and just relax.

NI: What do you think is the biggest area that needs to be fixed on the team?

JC: I don’t know if there’s a biggest area; I just think we need to go out each and every day, and work hard, and get better each day.

NI: How do you plan on stepping up and being a leader as the quarterback of the team?

JC: Just going out each and every day and just helping this team get better in practice, and translate it into the season.

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