Seniors Have More Bowl Plans

It’s going to be a busy January for eight Notre Dame seniors. Not only do they get to play LSU in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans that month, they also will participate in postseason all-star games.

Quarterback Brady Quinn, defensive end Victor Abiamiri, offensive tackle Ryan Harris and wide receivers Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight will play in the Senior Bowl. That’s scheduled for Jan. 27 in Mobile, Ala. This bowl generally features the nation’s best NFL prospects. More than 700 coaches and scouts will be on hand. Practices and the game will be televised on the NFL Network.

Defensive tackle Derek Landri and offensive guard Dan Santucci will play in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game on Jan. 20 in Houston, Texas. The 82-year-old Shrine game is the second-oldest postseason event behind the Rose Bowl. This year’s coaches will be Hall of Famers Don Shula and Dan Reeves.

Offensive lineman Bob Morton might have made out the best, at least as far as location, by going to the Hula Bowl on Jan. 14. Yes, that’s in Honolulu, Hawaii. Coaches are Fresno State’s Pat Hill, Georgia’s Mark Richt, West Virginia’s Rich Rodriguez and Houston’s Art Briles.

These events are usually for players who have used up their eligibility. Players such as Tom Zbikowski, who is a senior academically but a junior athletically, has yet to decide whether he’ll return for a final season or enter the draft.