MORGANTOWN -- For Johnny Holmes, determining the personal highlight of his career at West Virginia to date takes little thought.

"Definitely the sack against Louisville," the true rising junior said on Friday.

One of the defensive highlights for the Mountaineers in a 44-34 loss to the Cardinals in November, Holmes used sheer speed to beat the Cardinals' right tackle and blind-side quarterback Jeff Brohm for a seven-yard loss on the game's opening possession.

The sack moved Louisville back to the Mountaineers' 22-yard line, stuffing an otherwise efficient drive and forcing the Cardinals to settle for a field goal.

This season, the WVU coaching staff hopes to get more of that type of pass-rushing production from Holmes.

To that end, Holmes has shifted from the spur safety position he played last year and is now taking snaps almost exclusively at strongside linebacker position that was manned by Bobby Hathaway and Reed Williams last season. Williams is getting looks inside.

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