by MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer , Tulsa World

"I've got a guy that I see every day who's going through much more than I am," Holmes said. "So my breaking my leg seemed minimal in comparison." However, a broken fibula before the Oklahoma game on Sept. 19 meant the standout offensive tackle would have to miss half his sophomore season. Holmes didn't sulk; he went to work. He raced through his recovery, supervised by Hurricane trainer Dave Polanski, and returned after six games. He made a huge difference in Tulsa's near upset of 13th-ranked Houston last Saturday. The Hurricane rolled up a season-high 534 yards and took the Cougars to the wire before losing 46-45 on a 51-yard field goal as time expired. The same offensive line that struggled to protect quarterback G.J. Kinne in previous weeks played like a veteran unit. Head coach Todd Graham said Holmes was the key. "He dominated the left side of the line of scrimmage," Graham said. "Once he puts his mitts on you, he's got you. It gave us a lot of confidence, and we were able to (pass) protect that extra second and it helped. It made a real difference." Kinne produced career-high yardage totals in rushing (100) and passing (334) and accounted for four touchdowns. TU's coaches are used to such performances. Holmes received Conference USA all-freshman accolades last season and was named to collegefootballnews' freshman All-American team. "He just has a great combination of size (6-4, 306) and athleticism, and he's a coachable kid," offensive coordinator Herb Hand said. Freshman center Trent Dupy agreed that having Holmes back was invaluable. "He just brought a physicality to the game," Dupy said. "We ran power at the goal line (on Charles Clay's 9-yard TD run), and he and (sophomore guard Clint Anderson) and the tight end just blew down the whole (Houston) line," Dupy said. Hand said Holmes led by example even while recuperating. "Except when he was doing something medically, I don't remember him missing a meeting," Hand said. "He was at every film session, asking questions. I think it speaks well of him that with a broken leg, he prepared for every game like he was gonna play." Holmes is fortunate not to have missed more than six games. The initial prognosis was that the injury would require surgery and up to four months of recovery time. But a subsequent X-ray showed that the bones had lined up perfectly to heal without surgery. "So the doctors casted me up from there, and the prognosis was a lot better," he said. Holmes' roommate gave him all the inspiration he needed. Mike Brown 581-8390 mile.brown@tulsaworld.com SUBHEAD: Lineman bounces back quickly from broken leg.

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