Jamelle Holieway quarterbacked Oklahoma to the 1985 national championship. But Holieways most unforgettable play came three years later. And its not a pleasant memory.
In the first quarter of the OU-Clemson Florida Citrus Bowl 26 years ago, the Sooners reached second-and-goal from the Tiger 1-yard line. OU ran a simple wishbone play, and fullback Leon Perry stormed into the end zone.
But Perry didnt have the ball. Holieway kept, circled outside, found no running room, reversed field and scrambled his way to an 18-yard loss. The Sooners settled for a field goal and didnt score a touchdown all day, in a 13-6 loss.
Ill be honest with you, I was being greedy, Holieway said Sunday. Trying to score. Made a bad decision and it cost us the game.
Thats a little harsh. But it did cost the Sooners a touchdown, and OU didnt score a TD in its final 10 quarters of that 1988 season.
Holieways career was derailed by a major knee injury in mid-season 1987. He started early in 1988, but not after a 23-7 loss at Southern Cal in September. Charles Thompson suffered a broken leg on the final play of the regular-season finale, a 7-3 loss to Nebraska, so Holieway took back over.
I was fortunate to play in the game, Holieway said. It was one of those things. I hate the way that it ended.
After the game, Holieway said he made a bad read on the option play. But a quarter century later, he admits he sought the spotlight.
It was just being selfish, knowing that was my last game in an OU uniform, Holieway said. I wanted to go out on top, but I didnt.
Source: http://newsok.com/oklahoma-clemson-football-jamelle-holieway-says-he-was-being-greedy-on-fateful-florida-citrus-bowl-play/article/5379856
