Upon Review: Inside Holliman's ball-hawking

Something looked awfully familiar to Gerod Holliman on Saturday afternoon.

FIU lined up at its 32-yard line for second-and-10. Quarterback Alex McGough was under center with Anthon Samuel lined up as a single back. FIU had four receivers on the field, two split just off the left end of the offensive line and two others split just off the right end in what's commonly called a bunch formation.

The first time FIU ran the play, an inside receiver ran a short corner route underneath Louisville's soft zone defense, which dropped some 10-15 yards downfield, and caught a pass for a first down.

This time, Holliman recognized the formation, remembered the other play FIU had already run in that set and figured out what was likely coming.

As FIU freshman Thomas Owens ran a 2-yard flat corner route to the left, Holliman followed McGough's eyes, broke toward Owens and cut into the throwing lane, tipping McGough's pass to himself and running 32 yards for a touchdown.

After the game, Holliman called it play recognition, understanding that he needed to be in spot X to make the play. He timed it perfectly and jolted Louisville back into form after a sluggish 25 minutes or so of game play.

"He did a great job there," U of L coach Bobby Petrino said. "That's when you see the instinct to see it and then he trusts it and goes and makes the play."

Holliman's instincts have been a big area of praise for Petrino and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, and they're a big reason why the junior safety stands alone in the national lead with five interceptions through four games.

"I'm just out there having fun," Holliman said.

Follow Louisville football beat writer Jeff Greer on Twitter (@jeffgreer_cj).