It’s Time for Hollas to Shine

Donald Hollas has seen more practice squads than glory. On Sunday, he took his turn in the limelight.

Hollas, whose last NFL action came in 1994 when he was with Cincinnati, replaced an injured Jeff George with 50 seconds left in the first quarter and the Raiders trailing 7-3. He was 12 for 22 for 104 yards and had a one-yard touchdown run as the Oakland defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 23-20.

Hollas looked better the longer he played. On Oakland’s final possession, he kept a 69-yard drive going with two third-down completions.

He fumbled when Andre Wadsworth sacked him with 1:52 to play, but the Raiders defense came to the rescue again, holding Jake Plummer and the Cardinals at bay as time ran out.

Joe Nedney, who kicked 41- and 29-yard field goals earlier in the fourth quarter, came on for a 56-yard attempt with five seconds left. But Coach Vince Tobin called him back off the field and sent in the offense.

Plummer threw a two-yard pass to Eric Metcalf, who planned to lateral, but was pushed out of bounds as time expired.

Plummer was 23 for 39 for 208 yards and two touchdowns, but had three interceptions that cost the Cardinals (2-3) their chance at winning three consecutive games for the first time in two years.

The Raiders (3-2) led 23-14 at halftime thanks to their defense.

Charles Woodson and Marquis Walker turned the game around with second-quarter interceptions, and Eric Allen picked off a third throw by Plummer in the Arizona end zone, stopping another drive.

The Cardinals held a 14-9 lead until Woodson stepped in front of Frank Sanders and returned the interception 46 yards for a touchdown with 5:14 left in the second quarter.