Not bowled over: OSU fans aren't flocking to Fiesta, Phoenix
Friday, December 12, 2008 3:21 AM
By
Steve Stephens and
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
http://www.dispatch.com/osuchat The desert connection
Ohio State's upcoming matchup against Texas in the Fiesta Bowl will be the Buckeyes' fifth trip to the Phoenix area in the past seven years. The history:
- Jan. 3, 2003: Fiesta Bowl and national-title game in Tempe (OSU 31, Miami 24, in double overtime)
- Jan. 2, 2004: Fiesta Bowl, Tempe (OSU 35, Kansas State 28)
- Jan. 2, 2006: Fiesta Bowl, Tempe (OSU 34, Notre Dame 20)
- Jan. 8. 2007: National-title game in Glendale, Ariz. (Florida 41, OSU 14)
- Jan. 5, 2009: Fiesta Bowl, Glendale (OSU vs. Texas)
The scarlet sea of fans that always has followed the Ohio State football team to a bowl game might have hit low tide. The tough economy could be to blame, or maybe the destination -- the Phoenix area, for the fifth time in the past seven years.
Whatever the reason, central Ohio travel agents say fans' interest in attending the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 5 amounts to a fraction of what it was for previous postseason games.
"The last time we were out there (in January 2007), we took three charter airplanes," said Ike Reynolds of Reynolds Travel. "This time, we'll be lucky to fill one."
Although the agents hold out hope for a wave of late reservations, most fans traditionally have confirmed their bowl plans by this time, Reynolds said.
The bowl announcement was made Sunday.
"Monday was pretty busy," he said, "but Tuesday, we fell off a cliff -- zero calls. It picked up some on Wednesday, but not much.
"Maybe this year it's just not meant to be."
Buckeye fan Janice Paudicz has been to three bowl games in Phoenix, including the national-title games in January 2007 and January 2003.
She won't be in Arizona, however, when No. 10 Ohio State plays No. 3 Texas.
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