Tue, Jan 3, 2006

Holmes to leave: Ohio State wide receiver Santonio Holmes announced after the game he will enter the NFL Draft, forgoing his senior year. "Santonio talked about it many times," said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. "He's a fourth-year guy and is well along towards his degree. I think it's the right time for him to go. I think he's proven it. In my mind, I don't know how many guys would be drafted ahead of him. He's a play-maker, blocker [and] return man. I always tell my guys if you're going to be [drafted] in the first round you probably need to go. Santonio is going to be in the first round." Quarterback Troy Smith called Holmes a leader. "He takes a lot of the burdens off my shoulders. He understands and see things just the way I do. It's time for him step up and go to another level."

Tons of records: Ohio State set a number of bowl records. The 617 total yards broke the old mark of 466 against BYU in the 1982 Holiday Bowl. The Buckeyes had 27 first downs (old mark: 25 vs. Texas A&M in the 1999 Cotton Bowl) and 342 passing yards (324, vs. South Carolina, 2002 Outback Bowl). Individually, Troy Smith's 408 total yards broke Steve Bellisari's 330 against South Carolina in the 2002 Outback Bowl. Bellisari had 320 passing yards in that game. The 85-yard scoring pass from Smith to Santonio Holmes broke the OSU mark of 72 yards from Joe Germaine to Dimitrious Stanley in the 1997 Rose Bowl. Ted Ginn Jr.'s 68-yard TD run broke Pepe Pearson's school mark of 62 yards vs. Arizona State in the '97 Rose Bowl.

Divided loyalties: Laura Quinn, the sister of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn who is dating Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk, let her loyalties be known at the game. She wore a special jersey that was half OSU scarlet and half Notre Dame blue. Her number? On the front is was a blue 1 and white 7, and on the back a white 4 and blue 0.

Gonzalez thankful for replay: Notre Dame thought it had scored a defensive touchdown late in the third quarter when safety Tom Zbikowski recovered a fumble at the Fighting Irish's 13-yard line and returned it all the way. After a video replay, it was determined that Ohio State receiver Anthony Gonzalez never had control of the pass from Smith. The play was ruled an incomplete pass and Ohio State kicked a field goal to make it 24-13. After the game, Gonzalez was asked about the play. "It's the best drop I've ever had in my life." Gonzalez redeemed himself in the fourth quarter with a key 15-yard reception on third down that kept the Buckeyes' final scoring drive going....

Tue, Jan 3, 2006

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — Most of the pregame hype was reserved for Notre Dame's offense. It was Ohio State's that had the jaw-dropping performance.

The Buckeyes turned in their most complete offensive performance in the program's bowl history Monday night, defeating the Fighting Irish, 34-20, in the 35th Tostitos Fiesta Bowl....

Tue, Jan 3, 2006

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — Notre Dame had the 10th-highest rated offense in the country during the 2005 season, averaging just over 489 yards per game.

Monday night, in their 34-20 loss to Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, the Fighting Irish were limited to 348 yards. Notre Dame did not commit any turnovers, yet scored more than 18 points under its season average....

Tue, Jan 3, 2006

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — Most of the pregame hype was reserved for Notre Dame's offense. It was Ohio State's that had the jaw-dropping performance.

The Buckeyes turned in their most complete offensive performance in the program's bowl history Monday night, defeating the Fighting Irish, 34-20, in the 35th Tostitos Fiesta Bowl....

Mon, Jan 2, 2006

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — The improvement of the Notre Dame football program under first-year coach Charlie Weis has been well-documented.

The four-time Super Bowl champion assistant, though, is not satisfied, and wants everyone, including his players, to know it....

Mon, Jan 2, 2006

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

TEMPE, Ariz. — Make no mistake, Jim Tressel has an inner fire that burns as hot as any coach. He just does a better job than most of keeping it hidden.

For instance, when asked Sunday how important it was for him that Ohio State won today's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Tressel responded that he would relish the memory more....

Mon, Jan 2, 2006

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

TEMPE, Ariz. — Make no mistake, Jim Tressel has an inner fire that burns as hot as any coach. He just does a better job than most of keeping it hidden.

For instance, when asked Sunday how important it was for him that Ohio State won today's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Tressel responded that he would relish the memory more....

Sun, Jan 1, 2006

Nick Siatris of Boardman is a student intern coach with Ohio State.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Siatris family of Boardman has a special relationship with the Ohio State football program....

Sun, Jan 1, 2006

The two powerhouses will be meeting for only the fifth time in history.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — Trying to decide the best storyline for the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl is kind of like putting a child in a toy store and telling him to pick just one thing to buy — they're so many good choices....

Sun, Jan 1, 2006

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — John Latina grew up in New Castle, Pa., while following the Notre Dame football program. It took him a lot of years, but earlier this year he realized his long dream and joined the Fighting Irish football program as an assistant coach.

Latina is assistant head coach (offense) and offensive line coach at Notre Dame. He is one of two staff members who has area ties. Quarterbacks coach Peter Vaas was head coach at Allegheny College for four years (1986-89)....

Sat, Dec 31, 2005

The bling is the thing: Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was asked what was more impressive on recruiting trips — his five national championship rings (including four with Youngstown State) or Charlie Weis' four Super Bowl championship rings. "My guess is," said Tressel, "that [the cost] all of mine wouldn't add up to one of his." Weis, for the record, agreed with that assessment. The Notre Dame coach said he wears one of his Super Bowl rings on recruiting trips. Tressel said he does, sometimes. "When I remember to wear it," he said.

Texas-style philosophy: Ohio State senior linebacker Anthony Schlegel has a unique outlook. "I say, 'Life is like a garden — dig it,' " he said Friday at media day in Sun Devil Stadium. Schlegel said he's jealous of teammate A.J. Hawk, who eats "a lot of chicken and rice" and works out every day. "I need sweets and chocolate malts," said Schlegel. "I try to give [Hawk] some candy all the time and he just won't take it." Schlegel, who is married, said he has a great relationship with Hawk and fellow senior linebacker Bobby Carpenter, but, like a marriage, some time away is needed. "We have a great time together. In fact, the first time I met A.J. and Bobby was on my recruiting trip, and I knew then that we were alike. It made me feel very comfortable. We hang out sometimes, but it's kind of difficult sometimes. There are days where we're together every second, so sometimes you don't want to necessarily go out with each other at night."

Troy's take: Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith said he was impressed with Notre Dame's defense, comparing it to Iowa. "They have physical players and they have speed, from the front line to the secondary," said Smith of the Fighting Irish. "They're smart and the communicate well." Smith said he was an Ohio State fan growing up in Cleveland but didn't always consider playing for the Buckeyes. "As I got older I began to understand that football wasn't always played in the sun. I used to like the Dolphins and Florida State and Florida." Smith said his favorite Buckeyes were quarterbacks Joe Germaine and Bobby Hoying, tailback Eddie George (who won the Heisman Trophy in 1995) and linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer. "I loved that guy," said Smith. "He used to just smash people."

Who is that guy? Former Notre Dame All-American and Cleveland native Bob Golic was at Sun Devil Stadium for a Cleveland television station. He played at Notre Dame when Charlie Weis was a student (who didn't play football). "A few years ago I was watching an NFL game and there's Charlie on the screen," said Golic, "and I thought, 'I should know that guy.' I had no idea it was the same guy I knew at Notre Dame." Golic said he's a big fan of the Notre Dame coach. "He's great for the program, a down-to-earth, no-nonsense kind of coach. When he was [a student] at Notre Dame, nobody was a bigger fan. To be the coach now, it's a perfect connection."...

Sat, Dec 31, 2005

OSU's defensive coordinator from West Branch has to prepare a sound game plan.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — Jim Heacock looked surprisingly alert Friday for someone who's spent a lot of sleepless nights....

Sat, Dec 31, 2005

The Notre Dame freshman defensive back had in-season shoulder surgery.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — Kyle McCarthy looked around Sun Devil Stadium and pondered the question just for a second....

Sat, Dec 31, 2005

The Notre Dame freshman defensive back had in-season shoulder surgery.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — Kyle McCarthy looked around Sun Devil Stadium and pondered the question just for a second....

Sat, Dec 31, 2005

OSU's defensive coordinator from West Branch has to prepare a sound game plan.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

TEMPE, Ariz. — Jim Heacock looked surprisingly alert Friday for someone who's spent a lot of sleepless nights....

Fri, Dec 30, 2005

The linebacker from Centerville was a finalist for the Lombardi, Butkus, Bednarik, Walter Camp and Lott awards.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

Raising three boys made for such a testosterone-filled household that Keith Hawk might have been the only father in Centerville, Ohio, who knew where to get a couch repaired.

"Trying to repair them, it's like a wrecked car, it's not so good once it's wrecked," Hawk said. "We got a new couch more often than most people did. They lasted about three years, and then, we couldn't fix them anymore."...

Fri, Dec 30, 2005

The linebacker from Centerville was a finalist for the Lombardi, Butkus, Bednarik, Walter Camp and Lott awards.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

Raising three boys made for such a testosterone-filled household that Keith Hawk might have been the only father in Centerville, Ohio, who knew where to get a couch repaired.

"Trying to repair them, it's like a wrecked car, it's not so good once it's wrecked," Hawk said. "We got a new couch more often than most people did. They lasted about three years, and then, we couldn't fix them anymore."...

Thu, Dec 29, 2005

ASSOCIATED PRESS

OHIO STATE OUTSIDE LINEBACKER BOBBY CARPENTER WILL FIND OUT LATER THIS WEEK WHETHER HIS BROKEN RIGHT LEG HAS MENDED ENOUGH TO ALLOW HIM TO PLAY IN THE FIESTA BOWL AGAINST NOTRE DAME.

CARPENTER, WHO LED NO. 4 OHIO STATE WITH EIGHT SACKS THIS SEASON, DID SOME JOGGING AND LIGHT CUTTING TUESDAY AND SAID HE FELT BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

"I'M NOT WHERE I NEED TO BE BY ANY MEANS," HE SAID. "THERE'S BEEN GREATER THINGS ACCOMPLISHED IN FOUR DAYS THAN WHAT I NEED TO DO, SO THAT'S KIND OF THE WAY I LOOK AT IT."...

Thu, Dec 29, 2005

OSU's starting quarterback is now a complete player leading the offense.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

Ohio State's Troy Smith is a second-chance guy in a three-strike-and-out situation.

He brings disorder to a defensive coordinator's ordered strategy, chaos to a well-contained play....

Thu, Dec 29, 2005

OSU's starting quarterback is now a complete player leading the offense.

Knight Ridder Newspapers

Ohio State's Troy Smith is a second-chance guy in a three-strike-and-out situation.

He brings disorder to a defensive coordinator's ordered strategy, chaos to a well-contained play....

Wed, Dec 28, 2005

AT A GLANCE

1935
Notre Dame 18, Ohio State 13

Date: Nov. 2
Place: Ohio Stadium
...

Wed, Dec 28, 2005

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

"Fighting Irish Present Heroic Drive in Last Half" is how The Vindicator recapped the epic first battle between college football powers Notre Dame and Ohio State on Nov. 3, 1935.

"In a melodramatic finish that has had few parallels in college football history," the story began, recapping the Fighting Irish's 18-13 victory in the "Game of the Century" played before more than 81,000 fans at Ohio Stadium....

Wed, Dec 28, 2005

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

"Fighting Irish Present Heroic Drive in Last Half" is how The Vindicator recapped the epic first battle between college football powers Notre Dame and Ohio State on Nov. 3, 1935.

"In a melodramatic finish that has had few parallels in college football history," the story began, recapping the Fighting Irish's 18-13 victory in the "Game of the Century" played before more than 81,000 fans at Ohio Stadium....

Tue, Dec 27, 2005

Ohio State must pressure the quarterback to make the Irish one-dimensional.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

Brady Quinn's numbers have been staggering....

Tue, Dec 27, 2005

Ohio State must pressure the quarterback to make the Irish one-dimensional.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

Brady Quinn's numbers have been staggering....

Mon, Dec 26, 2005

The Buckeyes offensive lineman from Howland has had a great year.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

When we last saw Ohio State offensive lineman Doug Datish, he was in the middle of a scarlet and gray euphoria on the floor of Michigan Stadium....

Mon, Dec 26, 2005

The Buckeyes offensive lineman from Howland has had a great year.

By ROB TODOR

VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR

When we last saw Ohio State offensive lineman Doug Datish, he was in the middle of a scarlet and gray euphoria on the floor of Michigan Stadium....