Given the fact that George Edmonston Jr., the editor of E-clips and the Oregon Stater, will soon be retiring, he will close out his involvement with E-clips by sharing a list of the 20 historical events he considers to be the most important in school history. He'll cover one event each week.

#12 2001 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl

Played before 75,428 fans on Jan. 1, 2001, Oregon State's smashing 41-9 triumph over Notre Dame in Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium might arguably be OSU's greatest bowl game victory ever.

But for the over 40,000 Beaver faithful who made the trip, and for the many thousands of other alumni and fans who watched the 30th renewal of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on television, this night in the desert was more than a mere sporting event. After suffering through one winning football season in 29 years, this was a gridiron moment that would restore a measure of pride in all things Oregon State seldom seen in school history.

For proof, unprecedented levels of alumni support to the OSU Foundation and the athletic department have followed in Tempe's wake, with contributions sparking one of the biggest building booms ever to hit the campus, including a new indoor practice facility, a newly refurbished football stadium, the restoration of Weatherford Hall, a major addition to the College of Veterinary Medicine's Magruder Hall, and the construction of a giant new engineering building.

Ken Simonton breaks free for a long gain.

Clearly, the Beavers played their best game of the season in routing the 10th-ranked Irish. Though leading by only a 12-3 margin at half, Notre Dame was thankful the score wasn't higher. The stats tell the story. OSU rolled up 278 yards in the first two periods and put up points on three of its first four possessions.

On the one series Head Coach Dennis Erickson's chargers didn't light up the scoreboard, they drove the ball 83 yards in nine plays, only to be stopped on fourth down at the Irish one-yard line. So dominant was the Orange defense, Notre Dame managed to generate but eight yards total offense on six offensive plays in the first quarter.

The third quarter was truly historic, resulting in a 29-point deluge that put the game away for good. Play was highlighted by a bizarre punt return in which OSU wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh fielded a Fighting Irish punt at the Beaver 27, was hit hard at the 50, fumbled, then watched teammate Terrell Roberts grab the ball in midair and sprint the rest of the way for the TD.

After completing 16 of 24 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns, OSU quarterback Jonathan Smith was named Offensive Player of the Game.Teammate and linebacker Darnell Robinson earned Defensive Player of the Game honors, recording seven tackles, a sack, two tackles for losses, a pass breakup and a pass interception.