University of Virginia Library

Potent Hokie Offense
To Challenge Cavaliers

By TOM BELL

Soccer Team Defeated Hampden-Sydney Tuesday, 3-0, To Maintain Undefeated State Record

Booters Advanced To State Finals At Lynchburg On November 13 Against Eastern Division Winner

Virginia Tech will feature a
strong offense, led by the nation's
leading passer, and a somewhat
porous defense when it comes to
Scott Stadium Saturday to play the
Cavaliers in what is being billed as
the biggest game in the state this
season.

Rookie coach Charlie Coffey
has taken a team long noted for
good defense and weak offense, and
changed it to just the opposite a
team which scores often, but gives
up even more points.

The Hokies have won but two
of seven games, but both victories
have come in the last three weeks.
In their last four games, the
Gobblers have averaged 36 points
per-game, while giving up 33.

The wins have been over William
and Mary (41-30), and Ohio
University (37-29). The Hokies
have dropped decisions to Wake
Forest (20-0), Oklahoma State
(24-16), Florida State (17-3), Tulsa
(46-39), and last week's opponent,
Kentucky, (33-27).

The team is led by junior
quarterback Don Strock, who, after
sitting on the bench last season, has
come on to fill the air with
footballs. He is presently the
nation's leader in both passing and
total offense, despite a minus 74
yard rushing total.

The 6-5, 202-pound signal caller
has completed 127 passes in 224
attempts for the season, for a total
of 1845 yards, an average of 263.5
yards per game.

Three Turkey receivers have
caught more than 20 of Strock's
heaves. Junior tight-end Mike
Burnop has the most catches, with
31 receptions for 371 yards and a
touchdown. Flanker Jimmy Quinn
has three less catches than Burnop,
but more yards with 515, and has
scored on receptions twice. Don
Reel has caught 24 passes for 502
yards and three touchdowns.

The Hokies have accounted for
1,019 yards on the ground for the
year, with Jim Barber the leading
rusher with 384 yards on 69 carries
for a 5.6 average. Joining Barber in
the starting lineup is Rich
Matejivich with 63 carries for 323
yards and a 5.1 average. Reserve
John Dobbins has seen extensive
action also, with 49 carries for 220
yards and a 4.5 average.

Despite their impressive
offensive statistics, Gobbler
opponents have out gained them
with a total offense of 3,122 yards
compared to 2,885 for VPI. The
Hokies have been especially weak in
rushing defense, where they have
given up 1,602 yards, an average of
228.8 yards per game. They use a
pro-type 4-3 defense.

Kent Henry leads the Gobbler
secondary with three interceptions,
followed by Jerry Scharnus who
has two.

Kicking chores for Tech are
handled by quarterback Strock's
brother, Dave, who has hit on 16 of
19 extra point attempts, four of
eight field goal attempts. Andy
Hromyak is the punter.

Mr. Coffey was brought in last
winter from Arkansas, where he
was defensive coordinator under
Frank Broyles, to build the Hokies
into a big-time football power. In
his short time at Tech he has gotten
the Gobbler football program many
new facilities, including a new
dormitory, field house, new
uniforms, and has improved
facilities at the mountain school
with a seemingly unlimited budget.

Building a powerhouse seems to
be high on the list of priorities in
Blacksburg. Big-time success has
not come immediately to Tech, but
a potent offense has been
developed and the Hokies have
developed and improved during the
season. The Gobblers will certainly
give the Cavalier defense a workout
Saturday in a game which is
important to both teams, and
certainly the biggest in the state
this year.

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