University of Virginia Library

From The Sidelines

Wahoos'
Debut

By Hugh Antrim

COACH ROCK WEIR put it all together at Scott Stadium for
the first time in ten long seasons for the Alumni. Amidst
scattered drizzle which proved highly annoying to the amassed
8,500 spectators, the venerable Wahoos held off a stiff Varsity
comeback effort in the second half to secure the 27-19 win,
sending the Cavalier contingent in the stands home with thoughts
as ominous as the obnoxious weather. Superstitious statisticians
have by now pointed out that at no time in the past have the
Wahoos lost to the Alumni and rebounded in the fall with a
winning season.

But we are confident that the 1969 season will prove to be a
pleasant exception to the above premise. There are too many
signs that point to continued success in the football program,
regardless of the Varsity's poor showing Saturday.

FOR PERHAPS THE FIRST TIME in a decade the Alumni
attacked the annual affair with real determination and
seriousness. The basic strength of the Alumni squad rested
obviously with the graduating members of the 7-3 Wahoos.
Without the services of men like Quayle, Anderson, Arnette,
Hammer, Brand, Paczkoski, and others of similar ability,
Coach Bob Weir could not have pulled off the Alumni "upset."

It's not so much that the 12 graduating Wahoos were present,
it's rather that they came to win. In the more recent past, the
Alumni game counted mostly as a sort of reunion; last year's lone
Alumni score came illegitimately. To guard Chuck Hammer, the
game Saturday was very important, "That was the eighth win we
wanted last year." Gene Arnette had like sentiments, "It was our
bowl game ... the one we didn't get last year. This whole crew
wanted to win badly all last year and that feeling carried over."

SO THE VARSITY GOT BEAT, 27-19, and looked pretty
shaky in the first half. All the Alumni scoring came in that first
period, and the old grads surely were grateful for the four
interceptions plus one fumble that the Varsity gave away. Coach
Blackburn's squad exhibited a little more life in the second half
and were not far from pulling the game out of the fire.

Certainly Coach Blackburn wanted to win, no coach ever
looks forward to defeat. Some Alumni were disappointed, and, as
a result, are skeptical and perhaps a bit hesitant about a season
ticket purchase. But Mr. Blackburn exploited the Alumni game
for the purpose it was held - to experiment with his personnel and
to try to match talent with position.

MANY OF COACH LAWRENCE'S defensive stalwarts will
return next year; the defense, at least to some degree, was set.
But remember that Mr. Lawrence had no need or desire to deploy
his complex defensive maneuvers; he wanted to test the players'
capabilities, not the complications of the system. The offensive
alignments may not be settled for some time yet. There is the
quarterback spot up for grabs, and line coach Ken Campbell must
seek adequate replacements for the likes of Greg Shelley, Chuck
Hammer, and Paul Rodgers. We are convinced the talent is there,
and we realize that more time is needed to mold and coordinate
that ability. Coach Blackburn was right on top of the situation,
"We just haven't settled in our lineup ... and that's my job - to settle it."

Last year's team finished 7-3 and possessed "bowl game"
quality. The task ahead for the Wahoos isn't easy; once people
taste victory, they tend not to want to settle for less. Next fall's
schedule is not imposing (Purdue being replaced by William and
Mary), and five of six ACC games are in cozy Scott Stadium. So
don't hesitate to buy those season's tickets. We've got a winner.