Fiesta Bowl Roundup

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.

Hall of Fame class: Ten former standouts who were inducted into the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Hame were honored prior to kickoff. Among them were Jim Houston, an end at Ohio State from 1957-59, and John Huarte, quarterback at Notre Dame from 1962-64. The others were Alabama linebacker Cornelius Bennett (1983-86), Michigan defensive back Tom Curtis (1967-69), Penn State offensive tackle Keith Dorney (1975-78), Texas fullback Roosevelt Leaks (1972-74), Pittsburgh offensive tackle Mark May (1977-80), Oklahoma running back Joe Washington (1972-75), Stanford defensive tackle Paul Wiggin (1954-56) and Illinois wide receiver David Williams (1983-85). Others inducted into the Hall of Fame who weren't at the game are Southern California running back Anthony Davis and coaches Pat Dye (East Carolina, Wyoming and Auburn) and Don Nehlen (Bowling Green and West Virginia).

A lot of people: The announced attendance was 76,196, making it the largest Tostitos Fiesta Bowl crowd for a game that didn't decide the national championship.

Buckeye bits: Ohio State is 18-19 in bowls all-time and has won four straight postseason games for only the second time. The Buckeyes won four consecutive Rose Bowls from 1950-69. The Buckeyes are 4-1 in the Fiesta Bowl.

Irish items: The Fighting Irish failed to score in the second quarter for the first time all season. They failed to score 21 points for only the second time (17 vs. Michigan). Notre Dame is 1-3 all-time in the Fiesta Bowl and 13-14 in all bowls. The Fighting Irish have lost eight straight bowl games since a 24-21 win over Texas A&M in the 1994 Cotton Bowl.

Rob Todor