Lou Holtz, left, is held back by Thurman Thomas as Holtz is introduced during the College Football Hall of Fame pep rally on Saturday in South Bend, Ind. Holtz, Notre Dame coach from 1986-96, and Thomas, Oklahoma State running back from 1984-87, is joined by Arnold Tucker, middle, the quarterback at Army from 1944-46.

South Bend, Ind. ? The only way Lou Holtz knows how to coach is all out.

That’s why he couldn’t speak much louder than a whisper Saturday evening after coaching a group of former Notre Dame players for three days as they practiced for an exhibition game in Japan. It’s also a big reason why he was among 21 people enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Holtz took over six struggling programs and turned them into bowl teams within two years. He led the Fighting Irish to their last national championship in 1988. Holtz said the key is to have a plan, to hold people accountable and to believe it can be done.

“You have to get people to make good decisions. Wherever you are in life, good or bad, it’s because of the choices you make. Choose to succeed rather than fail. Choose to work hard rather than to loaf your way through it. We had a plan, a vision and we wouldn’t compromise our core values,” he said.

Among the others honored Saturday were former UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman, former Oklahoma State tailback Thurman Thomas, former Army quarterback Arnold Tucker and John Cooper, who coached at Ohio State, Arizona State and Tulsa.

Thomas, who still holds the Oklahoma State records for career rushing with 4,595 yards and went to four straight Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills, joked his biggest accomplishment might have been keeping Barry Sanders on the bench for two years.

“I practiced real hard and kept giving my coach a lot of money,” he said.

Former Syracuse quarterback Don McPherson, the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1987, said being enshrined was a surreal experience.

“Because I don’t see myself in the same class as some of the guys that are in the Hall of Fame, like this guy right here,” McPherson said as former Arizona State offensive guard Randall McDaniel walked past.

The festivities began Saturday with a parade and a pep rally, where those being honored were given their Hall of Fame blazers.

Former LSU tailback Billy Cannon was enshrined into the hall 26 years after he was first elected. He was selected for the Hall of Fame in 1983, but that honor was rescinded after he was arrested on federal counterfeiting charges. Cannon pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years in prison in 1983. He served 21?2 years.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NCAA wants OU focus

Norman, Okla. — The NCAA has asked Oklahoma to enhance its compliance education program relating to the employment of athletes as part of the school’s continuing probation following rules violations by former quarterback Rhett Bomar.

In a letter sent to the school last month, Committee on Infractions assistant director James A. Elworth asked Oklahoma to emphasize the proper use of forms provided to athletes, their employers and coaches.

When the school ran into trouble because Bomar and two other football players were being paid for work they didn’t do at a Norman car dealership, Oklahoma was unable to detect the violations because it wasn’t making sure athletes were filling out employment forms.

SOCCER

U.S. stops Panama, 2-1

Philadelphia — With just one regular in the starting lineup, the United States rallied past Panama into the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Kenny Cooper converted a penalty kick in the 105th minute, giving the two-time defending champions a 2-1 victory and a semifinal berth against Honduras, which beat Canada, 1-0, in the opener of Saturday’s doubleheader.

AUTO RACING

Busch bags victory

Madison, Ill. — Kyle Busch continued his domination of the NASCAR Nationwide Series by sailing to victory in the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 on Saturday night. Busch, who leads the point standings, won for the sixth time in 19 races this season and also captured the 27th win of his career. Reed Sorenson finished second, and Carl Edwards was third. Mike Bliss and Brad Coleman rounded out the top five.

Busch, who started from the fifth row, has finished first or second in the past seven Nationwide races including wins at Loudon, New Hampshire and Nashville.

Hornaday wins truck race

Sparta, Ky. — Ron Hornaday held off a late surge from Mike Skinner to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck race Saturday at Kentucky Speedway, the third consecutive victory for the series points leader.

Hornaday became the first two-time winner in the 10-year history of the Built Ford Tough 225 at the 1 1/2-mile northern Kentucky track. He also started from the pole, becoming the first driver to win at Kentucky after starting from the front row. Hornaday’s victory was delayed by two late cautions. Skinner, who qualified 19th of the 20 drivers, nearly pulled off the comeback in the final lap.

NBA

Daniels to play for Celtics

Indianapolis — Former Indiana Pacers guard Marquis Daniels will play for the Boston Celtics next season. Agent Glenn Schwartzman said on Saturday that his client has committed to go to Boston as a free agent or as part of a sign-and-trade deal with Indiana.

Jazz keeping Millsap

Salt Lake City — Paul Millsap is staying with the Utah Jazz. The Jazz matched the Portland Trail Blazers’ $32 million offer for the restricted free agent, keeping Millsap in Utah with a new four-year deal.

SOFTBALL

U.S. defeats Japan, 6-1

Oklahoma City — Alissa Haber and Andrea Duran homered as the U.S. exacted a measure of revenge for its loss in the Olympic gold medal game, defeating Japan, 6-1, Saturday night at the World Cup of Softball.

GOLF

Lickliter leads U.S. Bank

Milwaukee — Frank Lickliter shot his best round in nearly three years, posting a 63 to surge to the top of the leaderboard at 11-under 199 after the third round of the U.S. Bank Championship on Saturday. Greg Chalmers, who led by two strokes after Friday’s second round, was one behind Lickliter after shooting a 69. Jeff Maggert and Chris Riley finished two back at 9-under 201.

Fuhr, Rhoden share lead

Stateline, Nev. — NHL Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr had two eagles, and seven-time champion Rick Rhoden birdied five of the last seven holes Saturday to tie for the second-round lead at the 20th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. Both shot a 5-under-par 67 for a two-day total of 56 points in the modified Stableford scoring system.

BASEBALL

Royals send Meche to DL

Kansas City, Mo. — Gil Meche went on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, a move that is sure to rouse critics who say he’s been poorly handled by Royals manager Trey Hillman. The right-hander (4-9) has been bothered off and on by lower back problems much of the year.