Panthers QB Clausen experiencing 0-5 again

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An inexperienced Jimmy Clausen has been thrown into a starting job probably before he was ready and surrounded by a suspect supporting cast. It's produced plenty of mistakes and zero victories.

Forgive Clausen if he feels his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers is a replay of his freshman year at Notre Dame.

Even the miserable 0-5 record is identical.

"I've been in this situation before," Clausen said.

It's that humbling experience with the Fighting Irish in 2007 that Clausen is using to keep his confidence from plummeting with the Panthers. Given the starting job after Matt Moore committed six turnovers in two games, Clausen is off to a rough start.

The second-round draft pick has completed 47.3 percent of his passes for one touchdown and three interceptions. He's fumbled seven times and lost three, and the Panthers are averaging a league-low 10.4 points and 236 yards a game.

"I've been through that whole scenario of not being as good as you want to be and not winning the games you want to win," Clausen said. "You've just got to keep fighting through it. Strong people will come out in the end and be victorious."

Clausen was one of the most-hyped college recruits, coming from a family of quarterbacks and never losing a game in high school in California. His decision to attend Notre Dame drew plenty of attention, and he was promoted to starter in the second game of his true freshman season.

Things didn't go well. Notre Dame managed 24 points in his first three starts. He finally threw his first touchdown pass in his fourth game, but it wasn't enough in a 33-19 loss to Purdue to drop the Fighting Irish to 0-5.

"There are some times when I was doubting myself," Clausen said. "Whether I could play at this level in my freshman year at Notre Dame, whether I made the right choice to go to Notre Dame or not. There was just a lot of negativity going through my mind."

Clausen said friends and family kept him positive, and there was some improvement later in the season as Notre Dame finished 3-9.

Now he hopes to use that experience again with Carolina (0-5) heading into the bye week off to its worst start in 12 years.