Powlus Shines, but Shares Time

SOUTH BEND, Ind. —  Ron Powlus stood on the sideline, hands on his hips, watching as Jarious Jackson ran the Notre Dame offense while the fans cheered.

“I don’t like to come out of games,” said Powlus, who smiled when a small group of fans cheered as he left the locker room. “It was a decision coach [Bob] Davie made. It wasn’t fun.”

But Notre Dame’s much-hyped, much-debated quarterback switch never really happened.

Powlus played all but two series Saturday, completing 18 of 31 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns as Notre Dame (3-5) rolled over Boston College, 52-20. He needs only two more completions to tie Joe Theismann’s single-season Irish record of 155.

It was Powlus’ best performance of the year, and that might have been exactly what Davie had in mind when he said earlier in the week that Jackson was going to get more playing time.

“The way he responded is the sign of a competitor,” Davie said. “He came out with a fire in his eye all week in practice.”

Matt Hasselbeck was 23 of 33 for 277 yards, but Boston College (2-6), which lost its fifth consecutive game, rushed for only 83 yards. The Eagles also had 95 yards in penalties.

Although Davie had said he was going to give Jackson--who had yet to throw a pass before this game--more playing time, the backup quarterback spent all but two series and a few short-yardage plays on the bench.

Jackson finished three of four for 56 yards and rushed for two touchdowns. Notre Dame finished with 526 yards of total offense.

“We accomplished what we set out to accomplish playing Jarious,” Davie said. “When our defense bogs down, we want to make sure Jarious can perform.”

If Jackson was disappointed with his playing time, he wasn’t saying.

“I played about as much as I thought I was going to play,” he said. “It felt great the times I was out there. I can’t complain one bit.”

The fans, however, were not as pleased. There were some boos when Powlus trotted out in the third quarter after the Irish had been struggling.

Powlus showed little emotion as he watched from the sidelines. Jackson had a three-yard run for a touchdown that made it 21-0.

“I’m happy for Jarious,” Powlus said. “It’s tough to be on the sidelines with the offense on the field.”