University of Virginia Library

Player Of The Week

Shelly Punches Holes
To Make Offense Roll

By Hugh Antrim
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

The trio of Quayle, Anderson,
and Arnette are obvious manifestations
of the Cavalier scoring output
of an amazing 44 touchdowns, but
these gentlemen will be the first to
patiently explain that their tasks
would be impossible if there were
not that offensive line clearing the
way. The key to that offensive
line is Greg Shelly, the strong side
tackle. His performance against the
Green Wave of Tulane was a good
example of the job he has been
doing all season. Grading out of the
films at the high score of 92%,
Shelly executed blocks up and
down the whole field, knocking
down any green jersey that
threatened to impede progress. The
result of these efforts lay in the 121
yards rushing of Frank Quayle, and
the 132 yard total of Jeff
Anderson.

Greg Shelly is a fairly impressive
looking fellow, weighing in at 241
and standing 6-3. Playing for
Souderton High School in his native
state of Pennsylvania, Shelly was
named All-State as a halfback and a
defensive end. Coach Blackburn,
appreciating his size and noting his
agility (he runs 40 yards in the time
of 5.1, in full gear), saw fit to
switch him to an offensive guard
and then tackle.

Quarterback Gene Arnette has
said of his blocker, "Greg is the
best tackle I have ever seen. He
never seems to make a mistake. He
has given the running backs and
myself the confidence we need to
run our ground attack." Offensive
line coach Ken Campbell has also
paid tribute to his line tackle, "He's
as good as any tackle I've ever
coached and has the best speed and
agility. Greg's very easy to coach
with excellent football sense. He's
our offensive line quarterback at his
strong tackle slot." And there
should be no question as to Shelly's
worth on that offensive line. It's no
secret that Shelly won a berth on
last season's All-Atlantic Coast Conference
team. For the past two
years he has been named All-State.
It's also no secret that Greg Shelly
is getting a good long took from the
pros.

Offensive linemen rarely are
given credit for performing good
works, and when they do receive a
little praise, there is some certainty
that it is deserving praise. Last
season, in addition to Shelly's posts
on the All-State and All-ACC
teams, he was recognized by his
coaches as the efficiency award
winner, graded on overall
performance in each of the ten
games.

Photo By The Purdue Exponent

Virginia Tackle Greg Shelly Opens Hole For Fullback Jeff Anderson Against Purdue

All-ACC Selection Is Rated As Top Pro Prospect By Scouts Because Of Exceptional Speed

Saturday against Maryland,
Frank Quayle needs about 48 yards
to break the rushing mark set by
Buddy Gore of Clemson. If Quayle
gets his 48 and the record, the
applause will be great. And some of
the applause should go to Greg
Shelly, the man who cleared the
path of any stray Terps.