University of Virginia Library

Fair Catch

8-3?

By Sandy Prater

To date, most football scouts have been reluctant to place any
stamp on the 1970 Virginia football team.

The Cavaliers entered the current campaign with the jury still
out, waiting to see if Virginia Coach George Blackburn can come
up with answers to various question marks facing the Wahoos.
Hence, though almost all prognosticators have agreed that this
Virginia team is doubtless better than a year ago, few are resolved
as to just how much better.

Accordingly, the best that has been forecast for Virginia is a
"possible darkhorse" role. And that, by Anson Mount, fearless
forecaster for a magazine generally appreciated for things other
than football fore- casting (PLAYBOY).

Said reservations are legitimate. To name a few questionables:
the Cavalier defense, which lost key personnel, notably in the
secondary, from its 1969 Conference-leading unit; secondly, the
seeming lack of an established quarterback—a problem a year
ago—to perk up the offense; and thirdly, there is the problem of
depth, one that has been a consistent bugaboo for Virginia teams.

Valid though these reservations may be, there are offsetting
pluses within this Virginia team that make the picture for 1970
promising.

Up front on defense, for example, the Cavaliers have Randy
Lestyk, and Ed Kihm, a regular in 1969, at one end slot, and
Andy Selfridge who saw considerable action a year ago. Selfridge
has been a topic of much discussion thus far this fall, as the
Cleveland, Ohio native came back to early practice weighing in at
230, about 25 pounds above his playing weight last year. And at
6-5, Virginia coaches feel he can easily carry the added bulk.
Paired with Kihm at end is sophomore Billy Williams. Because of
his lack of varsity experience, Williams' end post was a prime
source of concern for Virginia coaches. Williams, however, has
been one of the most impressive performers in drills, and coaches
consider him all-star potential.

The linebacking corps is just as solid, with two-year regular
Paul Reid, this year's captain along with Dan Ryczek, back calling
signals. Joining Reid are Chuck Blandford, a two-year letterman,
and Dave Turner, who was switched from defensive halfback in
spring drills. Good as this trio is, their starting jobs are all in
jeopardy because of the likes of Chuck Belic and Kevin Michaels,
two sophomores who'll see considerable duty.

That leaves only the question marks. As far as the secondary is
concerned, Virginia coaches feel that the problem isn't that acute.
Bolstering the corps is Andy Minton. The only returning regular
from '69, Minton has started every game for the Cavaliers since
his sophomore year. Filling in the other gaps are Robbie
Gustafson, Bob McGrail, and Russ Bauda. Gustafson saw
considerable action in '69 and is blessed with good speed. McGrail
and Bauda both played some last year, but not enough to letter.
Both have come a long way, since the spring and coaches feel can
ably handle their responsibility.

At quarterback, the Cavaliers were hurt by Mike Cubbage's
decision not to play football. Cubbage's departure leaves only
Larry Albert and Bell Troup, neither of whom have seen varsity
action. Albert, however, guided the Cavaliers through the Spring
and in this season's opener against Virginia Tech, connected on 15
of 28 attempts to prove his ability. As well, he has excellent field
leadership ability. As Randy Lestyk put it. "I think we're better
off this way, because now we know that Larry's going to be the
quarterback...we know who we can look to, to guide the team."

A sophomore, Troup could blossom into another of the great
quarterbacks in the ACC. He has the size(6.5, 205) and throwing
arm to be a great one. All he lacks is experience, which he'll get
plenty of this year.

One question that can't be answered as easily as the others is
that of depth. This is shown up by the quarterback situation and