Well-received
Santonio Holmes is not putting himself first. Or, even, his family first. This season, he is putting Ohio State first.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Columbus - Santiono Holmes answered the call when Ohio State needed a capable second receiver last season and when it needed a big-play threat this year.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, Holmes was not as responsive to nature's call on Saturday.
His two receptions on OSU's final drive helped position Mike Nugent for a 55-yard, last-play field goal that made the difference in a 24-21 victory over Marshall.
Holmes, however, almost was not around to contribute those catches because of a pressing matter brought on by some intravenous fluid he took to stave off cramps in the third quarter.
"I was thinking we were probably going into overtime, so I told [receivers] coach [Darrell] Hazell, Man, I gotta go,' " Holmes said of a conversation late in the fourth quarter. "He was like, Are you serious?' I was like, Yeah.'
"He's like, So you actually want to miss out on all the fun out here, we're kicking a field goal or scoring a big touchdown, just for you to go to the bathroom?'
"I was like, Well, I think I can stick it out.' So I kind of stuck around and helped make two big catches to get ourselves in field goal range."
Making key catches has been Holmes' routine since he took over at his position in the eighth game of last season when senior Drew Carter tore knee ligaments.
In the eight games since, Holmes has 43 receptions for 812 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"He is a deep threat, there is no question about it," N.C. State coach Chuck Amato said of Holmes. "He is a tough receiver. . . . He is gonna take the ball away from you. You might cover him and you might not. He is going to take the ball. He is going to go across the middle. He is one of those type of kids."
Holmes' 10 catches for 224 yards and two scores Saturday against Marshall gave him the second-most receiving yards in a game by an OSU player, trailing only Terry Glenn's 253 yards at Pittsburgh in 1995.
It also marked the third time in four games Holmes has caught two touchdown passes.
That is something he tried to do Saturday after a pregame telephone conversation with his girlfriend at home in Belle Glade, Fla., Nicole King. She and Holmes have a 2-year-old son, Santonio III, and a 4-month-old son, Nicori.
"She told me to go out and score two touchdowns for them and a make a few catches for her," Holmes said. "That kind of inspired me."
Holmes took care of those obligations early, catching 80- and 47-yard touchdown passes from Justin Zwick in the first quarter. He had seven catches for 199 yards by halftime.
Then the cramps hit and began tightening his muscles, which became evident when Holmes had to be helped off the field after fielding a punt early in the third quarter.
"I told them I needed as much treatment as possible, to get me back out there as soon as possible," Holmes said.
That eagerness to get on the field was with Holmes from the start of his OSU career.
"Every year since he's been here, he's taken the same approach," said safety Nate Salley, who has known Holmes since their high school days in Florida. "He felt like he was one of the best guys out here. Last year, he felt like he was the best guy out here, and then he finally got a chance to show what he could do.
"This year, he's our guy at wide receiver, which I think he's been ready for since day one."
Holmes was, but OSU wasn't, redshirting him as a freshman and playing Carter ahead of him until the injury changed the playing order at their position.
"Santonio was always ready, and when the opportunity came, he took advantage of it," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "I don't know if it was a light going on or, OK, it's my time.' "
Holmes' realization of his importance to the Buckeyes took hold this summer, when he bypassed trips home to see his children and girlfriend in order to dedicate himself to conditioning workouts in hopes of a big payoff this season.
"I called them up and told them, Hey, I won't be coming home [but] maybe only once this summer because I'm trying to stay focused on football; I'm trying to become the best receiver at Ohio State," Holmes said. "[i] just wanted an opportunity to get away and just enjoy football and put my family second for a change."
Even with two children to support, and eligible for the NFL draft after this season, Holmes maintains he will return to OSU next year for his junior season.
"I've talked to my parents about it," he said. "We've settled it down to staying another year and get everything out of it, as much as possible."
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09-16-2004, 07:35 AM
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