COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NATION : Irish Freshman Injures Shoulder

The bid of highly touted freshman Ron Powlus to become Notre Dame’s starting quarterback was put on hold Saturday when he broke his right clavicle in the team’s final preseason scrimmage. He is expected to be sidelined most of the season.

The injury creates a two-way battle for the job between senior Kevin McDougal and junior Paul Failla, who rejoined the team Saturday after skipping several practices for unexplained “personal reasons.”

Neither McDougal nor Failla had much playing experience behind three-year starter Rick Mirer.

According to school officials, Powlus was injured when he was sacked during practice. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder from Berwick, Pa., was working with the scout team offense against the No. 1 defense when he fell on his right shoulder.