Oakland Raiders wide receiver Andre Holmes, ’11, played an integral part in the Raiders game against the San Diego Chargers on October 12.
Though the Chargers beat the Raiders 31-28, Holmes had two touchdowns and 121 yards from four catches during the game.
Holmes attributed much of his success in the game and this season in general to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr’s trust in his teammates.
“You like to hear that he’s going to have trust in you, especially on those opportunity balls where you might have to make a play over a defensive back,” Holmes said in an interview after the game. “He trusts you to make plays, and it’s really encouraging.”
Holmes is coming to the forefront of the Raiders’ offense, playing 111 snaps and getting 20 targets in the last two games in comparison to the 66 snaps and 9 targets he had from the first three games of the season.
In the last two weeks, Holmes has had nine receptions with 195 yards and three touchdowns, including a 77-yard touchdown.
After playing for the Dallas Cowboys for two years before joining the Raiders, Holmes, an undrafted free agent, has been one of the biggest subjects on Fantasy Football blogs the past two weeks.
Holmes has remained humble and focused through his success.
“We just have to continue to stay the course and work hard,” Holmes said.
Holmes’ next game is on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals in a game that Chargers’ fans might have a hard time deciding which team to root for.
Offensive tackle Jared Veldheer, ‘10, signed with the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason.
Veldheer was drafted by the Raiders in 2010. He signed with the Cardinals this past offseason as a free agent.
Veldheer’s Cardinals are one of the big surprises so far this season in the NFL, leading the NFC West with a 4-1 record.
Veldheer and Holmes have spent several years playing together at Hillsdale and with Oakland.
Come Sunday, they’ll be on opposite sidelines. However, they won’t likely be on the field at the same time as both players play on the offensive side of the ball.
Chargers will be well represented on Sunday at Oakland’s O.co Coliseum.
