October 7, 2009

Olin Buchanan
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer

VOTE: Tell us who you would vote for this week

Seven Notre Dame players have won the Heisman in the 74-year history of the award.

But 22 years have passed since the Irish's Tim Brown received the prestigious trophy. Indeed, Brown is the only Notre Dame recipient in the past 44 years.

But after five strong performances, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen has emerged as a strong contender - and perhaps as the current front-runner. Clausen hasn't had a poor performance nor has he faced an FCS team.

Clausen has led Notre Dame to a 4-1 start and directed the Irish to come-from-behind victories in each of their past three games. Clausen was 23-of-31 for 422 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-30 overtime victory over Washington last weekend. The Irish trailed late in regulation until Clausen connected with tight end Kyle Rudolph for a touchdown with 1:20 remaining.

"That's all the hard work that we did in the summer time, while no one is around," Clausen said of the touchdown pass. "To be great, that's the little things you have to do."

After Washington hit a field goal to force the extra period, Clausen had a 22-yard completion to Golden Tate to set up the eventual winning touchdown.

Clausen has passed for 1,544 yards, with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He was hampered by a turf toe against Purdue - the only game this season in which he did not pass for 300 yards - but still rallied the Irish for a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds.

Clausen also has had to adjust to playing without his top receiver, Michael Floyd, who broke his collarbone in a 33-30 win over Michigan State.

Olin Buchanan is the senior college football writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at olin@rivals.com.