For the second time in a year, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen may have to explain his alleged participation in a situation involving alcohol.

And at least two other teammates might be doing some explaining with him.

Notre Dame will investigate possible school code violations after the Web site The Big Lead posted photos Monday that appear to depict Clausen, teammates Brian Smith and James Aldridge and one other individual attending what the site labeled "Beer Olympics."

The pictures are not dated, and while there is beer on the table in front of the players, the photos do not show the players actively consuming alcohol.

No matter the date of the photos, at least two of the players would not be of legal drinking age: Clausen, who does not turn 21 until Sept. 21, and Smith, who does not reach 21 until 2010. Aldridge turned 21 on July 6.

A Notre Dame football spokesman said Monday there was no comment from the team for the time being. But du Lac, the school's guidebook for personal conduct, says that underage drinking and/or the participation in drinking games is cause for potential disciplinary action.

"The office of Residence Life will investigate possible violations of university policies when it is made aware of them, such as in this case," Notre Dame school spokesman Dennis Brown said Monday.

It could be the second alcohol-related run-in for Clausen, who was cited in June 2007 for transporting alcohol as a minor.

"I used bad judgment in being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I've learned from my mistake," Clausen said during his first media appearance after the citation in August 2007.

As for the genesis of the photos, Jason McIntyre, owner and operator of The Big Lead, said Monday that a reader passed along the pictures last weekend. McIntyre said he has "absolutely no idea when they were taken."

Irish coach Charlie Weis has a history of suspending players whose cases are being reviewed by the office of Residence Life, but the most recent example, the suspension of defensive lineman Derrell Hand last season, followed Hand's arrest for allegedly soliciting a prostitute.