Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 16, 1993 TAG: 9311160156
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Holmes, who has missed two games with a separated shoulder, Holmes was close to the boiling point last Saturday as he watched UVa lose 23-14 at Clemson.
"There was a stage where I was just going to run out on the field," said Holmes, the Cavaliers' second-leading receiver, "but I finally decided it wasn't going to help the team for me to cause a scene like that in the middle of a ballgame.
"I'm telling you, though, I was on my way out there. I definitely considered it."
Holmes practiced during the week, was in uniform for the game and went through all drills during pregame practice.
"I thought I was going to play all the way up till the first offensive series, when all of a sudden I was not put in the ballgame," he said. "I talked to Coach Welsh before the game and gave him my opinion, for what it was worth. I felt I should have played."
UVa was without its top three receivers, including flanker Patrick Jeffers and tight end Aaron Mundy, both of whom will miss the Tech game with injuries.
Missing the Clemson game has only added to Holmes' motivation for Saturday.
"Coach Welsh made the statement that he didn't think I could or would have made a difference [at Clemson]," Holmes said. "I disagree. We've got good coaches, but they must not feel the same way about my abilities as I do.
"Last week was a big game. I thought [Clemson] would challenge us and play hard. I'm not surprised we went down there and got a ballgame. As far as I'm concerned, that game could end up being just as important - or more important - than this one."
Welsh said he was prepared to play Holmes in case of injury to another receiver at Clemson, but he felt Holmes was still in pain.
"We didn't talk about it Saturday," Holmes said. "It wasn't the time. Besides, the decision was made. There wasn't a whole lot to say. I haven't spoken to anybody about it."
Holmes admitted the injury has not healed and speculated that the flexibility in the shoulder might be 70 percent Saturday.
"These injuries are supposed to take, what, six weeks to heal?" he asked. "Whether I play football or not, it's going to hurt. But if I'm going to be a big-time player, I'm supposed to play hurt.
"I think I'm experienced enough to understand whether I should play or shouldn't play. I understand, against Wake Forest, that I was not in a position [physically] where I could play, but it was hard to stand there at Clemson and watch what went on."
Holmes had 24 receptions, three for touchdowns, in the first eight games. He was also UVa's primary return man on kickoffs and punts, although he has not been pleased with his performance after a year's academic suspension.
"It's been terrible," he said. "Don't you think? I look at the goals I set for myself and I look at how close I've come to achieving them, and they just don't match up. I'm not going to say what [the goals] were, but I'm not even close."
Holmes originally was injured on a punt return against N.C. State, where he was belted as he tried to reverse his field. He played most of the last three quarters with an arm dangling from his side.
"I would like to return kicks and punts [against Tech]," he said, "but I'm not sure that would be wise right now. I've been disappointed with myself as far as special teams, because I have more personal control over my returns than I do my receptions."
\ EXTRA POINTS: Virginia, an early six-point favorite, has not lost a home game in an odd year since 1985. The Cavaliers were 5-0 at Scott Stadium in 1987, 6-0 in 1989, 7-0 in 1991 and are 5-0 at home this season. . . . Starting defensive tackle Ryan Kuehl has a sprained knee, which could leave redshirt freshman Duane Ashman opposite Tech center Jim Pyne, an All-America hopeful.
by CNB