FORT WORTH, Texas – University of Notre Dame junior Jimmy Clausen was one of 15 players named to the semifinalist list for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, announced Monday by the Davey O’Brien Foundation.

The O’Brien Award is the oldest and most prestigious award honoring the nation’s best college quarterback.

Clausen has been great in clutch moments this year recording 13 touchdowns and no turnovers when Notre Dame has been tied or trailing. He is the first Notre Dame quarterback to ever register four fourth-quarter comebacks for victories in a single season.

He ranks among the top-10 quarterbacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision in passing efficiency (161.3, second), fewest interceptions (two, tied for fourth), passing yards per attempt (8.9, seventh), passing yards per completion (13.7, seventh), passing touchdowns (16, tied for seventh) and passing yards per game (292.9, ninth).

The Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee, an elite group of journalists, broadcasters, commentators and former winners, selected The O’Brien Semifinalists, with the Fan Vote accounting for 5 percent of the total vote.

The Selection Committee is asked to evaluate each candidate on the criteria of his quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, his reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship.

For a complete listing of the Selection Committee, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.

Fans may now help determine which three quarterbacks will advance as finalists by voting as often as once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. Fan voting will close at noon CST on Nov. 22. Finalists will be announced on Nov. 23.

The 2009 O’Brien Winner will be announced live on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing Dec. 10 on ESPN and will be honored at the 33rd Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner held at The Fort Worth Club on Feb. 15, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas.

2009 O’Brien Semifinalists
Matt Barkley FR USC
Daryll Clark SR Penn State
Jimmy Clausen JR Notre Dame
Jacory Harris SO Miami
Case Keenum JR Houston
Dan LeFevour SR Central Michigan
Jake Locker JR Washington
Colt McCoy SR Texas
Kellen Moore SO Boise State
Tony Pike SR Cincinnati
Todd Reesing SR Kansas
Zac Robinson SR Oklahoma State
Ricky Stanzi JR Iowa
Bill Stull SR Pittsburgh
Tim Tebow SR Florida