Posted by BrianBoru at 10/3/2009 7:43 PM EDT

Right out of the chute, here are a few thoughts on the game: Jimmy Clausen is the best quarterback in the country — and it's not even close.

Playing opposite the multi-talented Washington quarterback, Jake Locker, Clausen was remarkably poised under duress the entire afternoon. Hobbled by a turf-toe injury that will, unfortunately, be ailing him all season, Clausen tossed a comical 422 yards through the air, also accounting for two touchdowns and one interception — a perfectly-thrown pass which sailed through the hands of running back Armando Allen.

In addition to Clausen, wide receiver Golden Tate continued his incredible ascent up the Notre Dame record books, tallying 244 yards receiving, along with a touchdown.

Notre Dame's defense, which played somewhere between poor and fairly well during the game, stepped up with a huge goal-line stand toward the end of the game, holding the Huskies to a field goal, which followed another curious 'roughing the snapper' call by the Pac-10 referee crew.

As always, I will post an in-depth outlook on this game, touching on what continues to prevent this program from getting to the next level.

But for now, Notre Dame improves to 4-1 on the season. Next week, the Irish will be off.

Two weeks from today, Notre Dame will face off against Southern Cal.