University of Virginia Library

Duke Blue Devils
Appear Healthy

By G DOUGHTY

Still looking for its first
victory of the season, Duke
hosts Virginia at Wallace Wade
Stadium this Saturday.

Fresh off of three losses to
Top-20 ranked teams,
Alabama, Washington, and
Stanford, the Blue Devils are
finally returning to the good
health that has eluded them all
year.

Duke's problems began just
prior to its first game when
highly-touted sophomore
quarterback Mark Johnson
injured his throwing arm.
Moved to tailback to avoid
further injury to his sore limb,
Johnson is still not at full
strength and is now running at
fourth-string, behind Bob
Albright, Hal Spears and David
Kraft.

In the Duke backfield are
talented but injury-ridden
tailback Steve Jones and
fullback Mike Bomgardner.
Now completely healthy, Jones
gained 123 yards in 34 carries
last Saturday. Bomgardner is a
so-so runner with a reputation
as a strong blocker.

Rounding out the scoring
punch are receives Rich
Brienza, Tom Chambers and
Mark Landon. Brienzs, the
tight end, is Albright's short
target and Landon, a
sophomore speedster, is the
deep threat.

A veteran Duke line
includes recognized stars, left
guard Gary Heady and center
Dale Grimes, but not one-eyed
Willie Clayton, an All-ACC
pick, who returned to school
way out of shape.

A ferocious front four
highlights the Blue Devil
defense. Returnees Melvin
Parker, Ed Newman and Bob
Parrish are joined by
sophomore standout Ernie
Clark on a very stingy Duke
front.

Bill Hanenberg, an All-ACC
deep back in 1971, returns at
safety, where Iron Duke
mentor Mike McGee has had
trouble replacing Ernie Jackson
(ACC Player of the Year) and
Rich Searl.