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SportsJanuary 3, 2004

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Craig Krenzel left college football with another Fiesta Bowl triumph and another MVP award. Ell Roberson's comeback fell one touchdown short in a game many thought he would not play. Krenzel, who finished his Ohio State career 24-3 as a starter, matched his career high with four touchdown passes -- two apiece to Michael Jenkins and Santonio Holmes -- and No. 7 Ohio State held off No. 8 Kansas State 35-28 on Friday night...

The Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Craig Krenzel left college football with another Fiesta Bowl triumph and another MVP award. Ell Roberson's comeback fell one touchdown short in a game many thought he would not play.

Krenzel, who finished his Ohio State career 24-3 as a starter, matched his career high with four touchdown passes -- two apiece to Michael Jenkins and Santonio Holmes -- and No. 7 Ohio State held off No. 8 Kansas State 35-28 on Friday night.

Roberson got the start despite a sexual-assault accusation by a woman early Wednesday, an incident that tarnished Kansas State's first Bowl Championship Series trip. He was awful early, but brought the Wildcats back from deficits of 21-0 and 35-14.

After a 3-for-13 start, Roberson completed 20 of 52 passes for 294 yards and one interception. He ran for 32 yards.

Ohio State (11-2) led 35-14 entering the fourth quarter, but Kansas State scored twice. Maurice Mack's 37-yard kickoff return to the Ohio State 46 and Roberson's 19-yard pass to James Terry helped set up Ayo Saba's 3-yard run.

Roberson threw 24 yards to Davin Dennis to the Ohio State 15, and after a facemask penalty Roberson sneaked over from the 1 to cut it to 35-28 with 2:47 left.

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Kansas State (11-4) got the onside kick, but was called for a false start. Ohio State's Bobby Carpenter recovered the second onside kick and the Buckeyes held on.

The Wildcats had one more chance but Roberson's desperation pass from midfield was batted down at the 2. Kansas State started from their 8 with 1:12 tand moved it to the Ohio State 48.

Krenzel's four TD passes were his most in a non-overtime game. He had four in a triple-overtime victory over North Carolina State on Sept. 12, but three came in overtime. Krenzel -- offensive MVP of last year's Fiesta Bowl national championship game -- was 11-for-24 for 189 yards with two interceptions.

Jenkins had five catches for 96 yards to pass David Boston as Ohio State's career reception leader.

Ohio State, with the top-ranked rushing defense in the country, held All-American Darren Sproles to a season-low 38 yards in 13 carries.

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