YSU FOOTBALL Holmes sparks young defense

The Penguins held their first jersey scrimmage of the year today.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State's defense went into today's scrimmage still wearing the red practice jerseys, but it was going to be a little tougher to hang onto them.
The defense is banged up and went into the scrimmage at Stambaugh Stadium without at least four starters.
Senior cornerback Sherod Holmes knew what was ahead, but he said the defense was ready to step it up and retain those jerseys.
"We're pretty banged up, but as a defense we've got to mix and match some times," he said. "We'll have some guys out of position, you might see a linebacker on the line, but we've just got to step up and do the job."
Junior college transfer
Holmes came to the Penguins out of Butte Junior College a year ago. The Stockton, Calif., native stepped right in and played in all 11 games, starting the final nine at cornerback.
The 5-foot-8, 155-pounder was named to the All-Gateway Conference newcomer team and earned second team all-conference preseason honors last month.
He tied for the team lead with three interceptions last year, with two of them coming against Samford. He also recovered two fumbles, also against Samford, and finished the year with 32 total tackles, 25 of them solo hits. He also led the team with seven pass breakups.
He was named the Gateway defensive player of the week after the Samford game.
Holmes is one of the team's fastest players; this winter he helped the men's track team win the Gateway Indoor Championships, finishing second in the 60-meter dash (7.03 seconds) and sixth in the 200 (23.51). He also had a 100 time of 10.83 in an outdoor meet this spring, placing second.
All-conference player
At Butte he helped his team to two consecutive conference titles and was named first team All-Northern California and defensive back of the year.
The Penguins must replace three starters in the defensive backfield from last season, but Holmes felt that this year's group will still be a strong one.
"We've got a real strong unit back there and we've had a lot of redshirt freshmen like Jason Perry at corner step up and really help out," Holmes said.
Holmes is a senior this year and he knows that requires him to be a leader.
"I've got to be more vocal out there and let those younger kids know that I care about them," he said.
Holmes said that winning the Gateway is always a priority with the Penguins, but felt this group is a little different.
"Everybody always wants to win the conference title, but this group is taking it a little different," he said. "We're just taking it one game at a time and Edinboro is what's on our minds right now."
He's also excited about the 12-game schedule.
"It's going to be tough, but if that's what the coaches want that's fine with us," he said. "If we can get some momentum rolling early in the year, we can just roll on and keep it going 12 straight weeks."
Who's missing today
Today's scrimmage, which determined who keeps the red practice jerseys for the remainder of the season, will be missed by several players.
Starting linebackers, senior Justin Dellarose and junior Yancey Marcum, and defensive linemen, junior Matt Briggs and junior Nate Baston, were all questionable.
Offensively, wide receiver T.J. Peterson (sprained knee), sophomore tight end Shawn Carlson and junior wide receiver Phil Larmon were all out. Senior fullback Keland Logan will have surgery on his injured knee Friday.
mollica@vindy.com