University of Virginia Library

Lawrence — 'I Blew It'

Photos By Saxon Holt

Gerard Mullins Is Dragged Down After 37-Yard Return Of Intercepted Pass

Effort Was Not Enough As Navy Whipped Cavaliers 10-6 In Season Opening Game

The new era in Cavalier football
which started Saturday with Don
Lawrence's first game as head coach
looked remarkably like the old

The squad moved the ball well
until it got within scoring range.
Passes were inaccurate. They
fumbled four times. Penalties came
at the wrong time. They were ahead
at halftime and lost. Same old
story, only with some new
characters.

"I blew it." Those were Mr.
Lawrence's first words to reporters.
He refused to find fault with
anyone but himself. While some of
the blame may well be his, he
certainly did not do it alone.

The Cavaliers penetrated the
Navy 20 yardline seven times but
could manage only two field goals.
"We didn't cash in the first half,"
said Mr. Lawrence. "We should
have put 17 points on the board."
Instead there were only three.

No Big Play

"We just couldn't come up with
the big play," continued Mr.
Lawrence. "Navy only got near the
goal line once and they broke it
off." On Navy's touchdown, a 15
yard run by Andy Pease, he said,
"We were in the right defense, but
the wrong call. We pinched on the
goal line defense when we should
have played it straight."

Highly-touted quarterback
Harrison Davis had an
unspectacular debut, as he
completed nine of 18 for 80 yards.
Two were picked off. Many were
off target. On the ground he had a
net loss of six yards.

But Mr. Lawrence still has
confidence in him. "All he need is a
little more polish and confidence."

Maxwell Shines Through

Through the gloom that
engulfed the Wahoo locker room
after the game there were still a few
bright spots. Kicker Billy Maxwell