EVANSTON, Ill. -- Daryll Clark's play will be hard to ignore now.

He continued playing what quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno called his best football of his career Saturday, completing 22-of-31 throws for 274 yards and a touchdown. He also has just one turnover during Penn State's five-game winning streak.

"I certainly don't think there's anybody better than he is in the country at quarterback right now," Paterno said. "Whether that makes him Heisman worthy or not, that's for other people to decide. But you have to show me a guy who's doing better than he is and having a better year than he is."

As of Oct. 31, Clark wasn't even in the top-14 in ESPN.com's weekly Heisman voting, comprised of 15 ESPN voters. Six quarterbacks were on the list.

Clark has said he doesn't play for national accolades, instead focusing on winning football games, something he's done 19 times in less than two years as the starter.

Head coach Joe Paterno, who last week said Clark doesn't get nearly the amount of credit his play warrants, called him the leader of the offense, and the two sit down once a week and review the previous week's mistakes and go over what needs to get done in practice.

Walking off the field Saturday, Joe Paterno had positive words for his senior quarterback.

"He told me this was a good win, and we got a big one next week," Clark said. "It was a bit frustrating at first, but we answered the call. We answered to adversity this week. He was proud of us."

Clark answered the call as well, leading his team to 21 fourth-quarter points to break a 13-13 tie after three quarters.

It was vindication for his poor play the last time he was in a close game -- Sept. 26 against Iowa -- which was lost 21-10 in part because of his three turnovers.

That game, Clark walked off the field impervious to photographers. Saturday, he was laughing and joking with teammate Jared Odrick near TV cameras on the sideline as the clock wound down.

Jay Paterno, who called Clark "even-keeled," said if he wants to be a big-time quarterback, he can't get too emotional because football is a game of ups and downs.

"I like when he's emotional after we score," Jay Paterno said. "You wanna see that in your quarterback. Where you don't wanna see it is when things aren't going well. Talking in between possessions, he was very upbeat and never once was in a situation where it's, 'Hey, we're not scoring fast enough. We're not doing this. We're not doing that.' He was just, 'Hey, what do we gotta do? Let's keep moving. Be patient.' "

Clark's remained patient through the development of a retooled -- and retooled again -- offensive line and a brand new receiving corps.

He's remained patient through five games of rain, wind and snow, still completing 63 percent of his passes and throwing for more than 2,100 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Jay Paterno hopes people are noticing. If they aren't already, it won't be much longer.

"Next week's a big stage, and people have a chance to see him," Jay Paterno said. "We'll see what he does."