University of Virginia Library

Defense's Minton Lauded

Virginia's big front four
and linebackers get plenty or
deserved publicity but when
the subject turns to that of the
Wahoo secondary words such
as "questionable" and "in
experienced" will sometimes
come into play.

There was, however,
nothing questionable about the
performance of deep defender
Andy Minton's play in the
Cavalier's 17-7 setback
Saturday in Durham. Minton
was credited with an amazing
total of twelve tackles. He also
racked up seven assists and
jarred four of Leo Hart's passes
loose from receivers with his
hard sure tackling.

Already Honored

His superb overall play has
already netted him one honor
as he was named Defensive
Back of the Week by the
Richmond Times Dispatch.

Often, when a defensive
back can collect that many
tackles it would indicate a
weakness in either the
defensive line or linebacking
corps but Minton disagrees.

Only Senior

"Duke was completing a lot
of short passes" said Minton
"and they ran my way a lot off
the tackles. So they just
happened to be in my area all
the time."

As the Wahoos' only senior
defensive back and the natural
leader by length of service,
Minton came up with some
kind works for his teammates.

"I think our secondary is
really good" he said. "We've all
been around and we're all
really close to each other. All
we lack is game experience and
we're getting it. We're
underrated."

Rumor Denied

In response to a question
about any possible repetition
of last year's rumored
dissension between the
Cavaliers' defensive and
offensive units Minton replied
in the negative.

"That's just not true at all
this year. We think we're
going to be back up. We're
awfully glad to get back home
(for Saturday's Wake Forest
game.) I feel that we're going
to jell soon."

Hometown Boy

Minton, a 5-10,
185-pounder from
Charlottesville's Albemarle
High School, began his U.Va.
career as a running back, but
now that he's where he is, "I
wouldn't want to play
anywhere else. I love it."

Last year, the Cavalier
defenders believed they had to
shut a team out or hold it to
one touchdown in order for
U.Va. to win. The offense was
that bad.