University of Virginia Library

'Hoos, Bands Set To Entertain

By DOUG DOUGHTY

Enmeshed in tradition,
usually that of Virginia
winning and VMI losing, the
Cavalier–Keydet rivalry will
reconvene for the 67th time
tomorrow at 1:30 in Scott
Stadium.

As the headline attraction
of Commonwealth and Band
Day, the game features two
teams whose records are a
combined 2-8 for the season
and 6-31 for the past two
years.

Much has been said about a
VMI team that has won only
one game in two years. Little
has been good. Just as military
schools have been going out of
fashion, big-time football
schedules have seen their
downswing at VMI.

Although VMI has shown
little power, especially after a
42-3 pasting at the hands of
The Citadel, last Saturday,
Virginia has proven itself wary
of the Keydets during practice
this week.

The latest version of the
Cavaliers' walking-wounded is
even worse than it was prior to
last week's joust with
Vanderbilt. Out of the
quarterback slot is Harrison
Davis with a dislocated thumb
and a "very doubtful" starter is
tailback Kent Merritt with an
injured right shoulder.

Also listed as doubtful are
linebacker Harry Gehr and
cornerback Gerard Mullins
with recurring injuries and
safety Chris Brown. Brown,
healthy before the trip to
Nashville, is hobbled by a
charlie horse. Offensive tackle
Dale Dickerson injured his knee
in practice, Wednesday, and his
status is unknown.

Replacements for these
three would be Kevin Michaels,
Erie Dahlgren and Mike
Cornachione. But it is the
offensive lineup where the
most new names will be
popping up on your scorecard.

Replacing Merritt will be
third-year pony back John
Rainey and his backfield mate
should be Mike Lacika, who
has replaced Greg Dickerhoof,
Davis, whose injured thumb
curtails his ability to throw the
ball, has been in pads during
the week's practice and is
expected to spell Dave Sullivan
and Mike McGugan at the ends.

Quarterback is the big
question right now in the
minds of the coaching staff.
George Allen, now ranked fifth
in the conference in passing, is
being challenged by
first-yearman Scott Gardner
for the starting nod. Gardner
has not been traveling with the
varsity club but has seen
extensive duty in the two
jayvee contests.

Both signal callers have been
working with the first unit in
practice and as of yesterday no
decision had been given as to
who would receive the starting
call. In three quarters of play
Gardner has completed 11 of
27 passes for 193 yards and
two touchdowns. Allen has 28
completions in 63 attempts for
318 yards and a TD.

With new quarterbacks
guiding an alien backfield, the
Cavalier offensive strategy has
not reached the decisive stages.
Thursday practice saw
concentration on passing, with
Sullivan, Davis, Chuck Belic
and McGugan taking turns on
the receiving end of Allen's and
Gardner's offerings.