Five observations from Saturday’s game.

1, Some fans might think of Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis as a bit of a mad scientist with a huge playbook in his hands. To his credit, he’s not afraid to have fun with reverses, Wildcat formations and lining up Golden Tate in so many different ways that somehow the Huskies lost him.

There were certainly times in the last 20 years where ND fans longed for that kind of creativity and fearlessness.

But ... fans might also be asking –– what was Weis doing going into the Wildcat on first and goal from the Washington 8? Allen had gained 5, 21 and 6 yards on the previous three plays, lining up in the Irish backfield behind QB Jimmy Clausen. It looked like the Irish could run it in on the next play. But there was no guessing when Allen lined up as the QB. He was going to run on first down. That he did –– for his life –– as Washington smothered him for a 6-yard loss. The Irish eventually had to kick the first of five Nick Tausch field goals. Instead of 7-7, it was 7-3 Washington, and the game of cat and mouse was on.

2, Does it seem a bit unfair that people were questioning Jimmy Clausen’s leadership ability at the outset of this season?

Cluasen is a little like the best looking kid in your high school class, who people decide they don’t like just because he has blond hair and of all things believes in himself.

After a freshman season where he could not get his feet on the ground because he was being sacked so much, he did begin to get a grip on being the Irish QB last year. But should a sophomore lead a team? It’s a good question and one that was almost tortured in the preseason. Everyone from Joe Theismann to the Dillon Hall quarterback seemed to have an opinion.

This year, Clausen has shown the leadership of a guy starting his third year at the top of the depth chart. People forget, though. He, still, is only a junior. Had he stepped forward too soon, there could have been other problems. It’s never easy to be the leader the first year or two on any job, even your’s perhaps. JC is doing just fine by all indications right now, don’t you think. In case you don’t, his TD/interception ration is 12/2, and his name is coming up in most Heisman conversations.

3, To me, another candidate could be Golden Tate.

First take a look at those stats.

Rushing: 13 carries for 93 yards, a 7.2 average, and 1 TD.

Receiving: 33 receptions for 602 yards for 18.2 yards per catch and 4 TDs.

Then the flash. His 67- yard TD pass from Clausen in Saturday’s second quarter involved breaking two tackles.

Then the dash. Once free of the tackles he has usually takes it as far as humanly possible.

He certainly is one of the most exciting players in the country.

But Tate could have helped his own cause, and Notre Dame’s, with a little patience on his 31-yard run on a reverse to open the Irish’s first series. There, Tate had an Irish blocker or two downfield ahead of him and just one Husky to beat. Tate outran his blocker and was brought down by Husky Desmond Trufant. Again, it could have been 7-7 instead of 7-3.

But all that said, one thing is certain, amid a bit too much post-TD flair sometimes, Tate is great.

4, Hats off to the Irish defense for its clutch performance Saturday. Hats off to kicker Nick Tausch who appears to be the Irish own imitation of the Bears Robbie Gould with his accuracy. But this season still hangs in the balance with the development of the defense. Can the Irish make the right adjustments at halftime, cut down on a blitz or two and force opposing QB’s to make plays against a full defensive backfield. Looking back, had that been done against Michigan, might the outcome have been different? Tate Forcier is something else with his moxie and moves, but he has thrown a few interceptions since that day. It does appear at this point, he can look like a freshman sometimes.

5, Manti Te’o is the real deal. He not only looks the part of a linebacker. But he plays it as evidenced by his 10 tackles against Washington. That’s what an LB on a good defense is supposed to do –– be among the leaders in tackles.

Among several great hopes for the Irish defense to improve the rest of the way, Te’o’s presence and continued improved play may be the biggest. He will do some big things before the year is over.

Bonus: Long after the game was over and the ND team had sung "Notre Dame, Our Mother" with the student body, Te’o stopped briefly as he reached the tunnel at Notre Dame stadium. Slowly, he took off his gloves, one by one and threw them to the fans.

Simply put, this guy gets it. It was a nice touch by a player who is not afraid to extend himself to people.