Clausen a bump in Eagles’ road to victory
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Call this one a crossroads game for Boston College. Not just because today’s opponent is Notre Dame, which means a nationwide television audience. It is more than that. Much more.
A win at Notre Dame Stadium would be the Eagles’ sixth of the season, making them bowl eligible. It would also be BC’s first road victory, following one-sided losses to Clemson and Virginia Tech, and give the Eagles seven straight wins over the Irish.
“There’s 105 guys on this team and no one has beaten them,’’ said Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate, who figures to be a problem for BC. So does quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who has blossomed into a star this season.
Although the Irish are 4-2 and coming off a tough 34-27 loss to Southern Cal that dimmed their BCS hopes, not much can be blamed on Clausen.
When the going gets tough for the Irish - as it has almost every week - Clausen has been almost flawless. He has thrown 10 touchdown passes and no interceptions when the Irish are trailing.
A week ago, USC built a 34-14 lead in the fourth quarter and Clausen brought the Irish back. Even if BC builds a first-half lead, as it did against Wake Forest, Florida State, and North Carolina State, Clausen will keep Notre Dame in it.
But will 25-year-old freshman quarterback Dave Shinskie lead BC to the end zone in the first half? His profile has been much different on the road than at home.
Shinskie said the Eagles have to do the small things in order to achieve something big. “That’s what our offense has to do - block, throw the ball, and catch the ball,’’ said Shinskie. Notre Dame’s defense will be focused on stopping running back Montel Harris, who scored five touchdowns and rushed for a school-record 264 yards in last week’s 52-20 win over N.C. State.
Stopping the Irish offense means finding a way to contain Clausen.
“The guy is the real deal,’’ said BC linebacker Mike McLaughlin. “They have a high-octane offense. We have to find a way to get to him because if we don’t, he’s going to drop back and pick you apart.’’
The Eagles’ confidence level is high. “I know I’ve never lost to them,’’ said defensive end Jim Ramella. “And I don’t plan on the streak ending on my watch.’’
Coach Frank Spaziani said it comes down to simple execution and carrying out assignments, not making mistakes that turn into points. He also sees a different Notre Dame team than the one the Eagles handled with relative ease last season.
“They look more efficient to me and that’s because they are,’’ said Spaziani.
At home, BC has beaten all comers. What they do on the road against another quality opponent and quarterback remains to be seen.
Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com. 
