Irish end long drought in bowls

Jimmy Clausen set Notre Dame bowl records with 406 yards passing and five touchdowns to lead the Irish to their first postseason victory in 15 years, 49-21 over Hawaii on Wednesday night in the Hawaii Bowl at Honolulu.

Golden Tate had six catches for 177 yards and three touchdowns, also Notre Dame bowl records, including a 69-yarder that sparked a 28-point outburst to help the Fighting Irish (7-6) ended their NCAA-record bowl losing steak at nine.

With Coach Charlie Weis calling the plays from the coaches box for the first time because of knee problems that require him to walk with crutches, the Irish didn’t look like a team that barely earned a bowl berth.

The offense scored at will. The blitzing defense shut down Hawaii’s run-and-shoot. And the special teams weren’t too shabby, either.

After the Warriors (7-7) scored to end Notre Dame’s 28-point run, Armando Allen returned a kickoff 96 yards for a score. Allen also caught an 18-yard touchdown pass on the Irish’s opening drive of the second half.

Notre Dame’s victory was its first in the postseason since it beat Texas A&M; in the Cotton Bowl to end the 1993 season. The Irish also avoided consecutive losing seasons.

Clausen was confident and sharp, completing 22 of 26 passes. He racked up 300 yards passing and three touchdowns by halftime alone, sending the crowd home early.

The sophomore broke Brady Quinn’s postseason school record of 286 yards passing set against Ohio State in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.

With Notre Dame up, 14-7, Clausen broke open the game by connecting with Tate on a 69-yard touchdown play, the Irish’s longest play from scrimmage of the season.

Clausen faked a handoff, turned and heaved it to Tate, who had blown past cornerback Calvin Roberts along the left sideline. With the catch, Tate became the fifth Irish receiver to break 1,000 yards receiving in a season.

Clausen and Tate shared the MVP award. Hawaii, trying for its fourth consecutive Hawaii Bowl victory, couldn’t get much going.

Stoops’ incentive

Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops stands to receive a $250,000 bonus if the second-ranked Sooners beat Florida in the BCS championship game.

Stoops’ contract calls for him to get $150,000 for leading the Sooners to the BCS title game, and an additional $100,000 for a win. Oklahoma (12-1) will face top-ranked Florida (12-1) in Miami on Jan. 8.