Holiday gets Irish out of muddy rut
By MIKE CONNOLLY
Outside Looking In
A heavy rainstorm like Saturday's can wash a quarterback right out of a game.
But while Mountaineer quarterback Brad Lewis struggled, Notre Dame's Carlyle Holiday thrived.
Neither quarterback had stellar passing numbers. Lewis was 9-23 for just 91 yards. Holiday's numbers weren't much better. He was only 7-14 for 70 yards.
But in the monsoon-like conditions, Holiday's legs made him the most important player on the Irish offense while Lewis was rendered ineffective.
"[The rain] was very helpful because we're a good running team," Holiday said. "We pass the ball but not that much so we were able to utilize what we do best ... Their quarterback had a little trouble throwing the football."
If this game was played again on a dry field in bright sunshine, the results may have been very different. If the Mountaineers' spread offense could have preyed on the depleted Irish secondary, Notre Dame might be 1-4 right now.
But in the cold muck, Holiday's ability to move the ball with his feet as well as his arm gave the Irish as distinct advantage.
He rushed for 130 yards on the day including 27 and 36-yard runs that set up two Irish touchdowns. He averaged almost seven yards a carry.
And here is the most incredible part about Holiday's MVP performance: he is only a freshman eligibility-wise.
Notre Dame fans can look forward to four more years of Holiday presents like the one he handed out Saturday. As a freshman he is already the most important weapon on offense and he can only get better.
"It's not even close," offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers said when asked about Holiday's potential compared to his current production. "He is a guy who eventually will be able to do it all."
Saturday he tipped the scales solidly in Notre Dame's favor. Because he was just as much of a threat to keep the ball as pitch it or throw it, West Virginia's defense had to be spread itself a little bit thinner.
"I think he's opening up all of us," running back Tony Fisher said.
While Holiday's feet were keeping the Irish offense moving in the mud, his arm was still keeping the defense honest. Although he only completed seven passes, his progress as a passer is already visible. Holiday made several poor decisions against Nebraska and Texas A&M to force the ball into coverage for an interception. Saturday his decisions were much improved. His only interception was just as much intended receiver Gary Godsey's fault as it was Holiday's, according to Rogers.
"He's a sharp guy and he is going to be able to pick up things and as he progresses through his career, he is going to get better and better," Rogers said. "I think you can see how he is developing and what kind of guy he can be. There were several times during the course of the game where he didn't let it go. That's all going to come as he progresses and gets smarter."
Perhaps the greatest concern with a freshman quarterback at the helm isn't whether or not he can run or pass but if he can lead. According to fifth-year senior and starting tackle Kurt Vollers, Holiday has no problems in the leadership department.
"He was a cool dude in there," Vollers said. "He was controlling that huddle."
The most intriguing part of Holiday's performance Saturday wasn't how good it was. But how looking back in two or three years, it might appear only average. With more time to develop as a quarterback and learn to read defenses, Holiday's passing numbers could skyrocket.
With a dry ball and a year of experience, Holiday could become just as deadly with his arm as he is with his legs.
"It's building and it's gonna keep building," he said about his confidence. "It's just gonna keep building."
Holiday's reality will keep building toward that incredible potential.
And the mud still won't be able to slow him down.
Mike Connolly can be reached at Connolly.28@nd.edu. The views of this column are those of the author and are not necessarily those of The Observer.
All Sports Stories for Monday, October 15, 2001
