Oklahoma DB Holmes doesn't travel to Fiesta Bowl

Associated Press - December 27, 2007 3:45 AM ET

PHOENIX - Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops says starting defensive back Lendy Holmes won't play in the Fiesta Bowl.

Stoops told reporters upon arriving in Arizona yesterday that Holmes didn't come on the trip, which leaves the third-ranked Sooners depleted in the secondary for their game against 11th-ranked West Virginia.

Holmes' father told the Dallas Morning News this weekend that his son expected to be academically ineligible for the Fiesta Bowl but a school spokesman indicated that Stoops was holding out hope Holmes would be able to play.

Holmes started nine games for OU (11-2) this season and had been expected to move from his primary role at safety to fill in for injured starting cornerback Reggie Smith.

Stoops said redshirt freshman Dominique Franks or sophomore Brian Jackson would likely start at the vacated cornerback position opposite Marcus Walker.

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