University of Virginia Library

In This Corner

Will Dook
Make Us
Or Break Us?

With Randy Wert

CUSTOMARY IS THE WORD TO DESCRIBE the smell in
the air around the Grounds as the usual stench of despair has
settled over anyone who is even casually cognizant of the
heretofore joyless state of this year's football season.

However, amazing as it may seem to even the most
dyed-in-the-wool Wahoo rooter, this fog of hopelessness has
not enveloped the pearly white dome of University Hall. Can
there be a reason for this enduring optimism other than the
usual reluctance on the part of coaches for self-nomination?
This writer thinks so.

IT IS TRUE THAT THE CAVALIERS HAVE DROPPED
their first two games, but there are surely some halfway valid
reasons (excuses? Never!) for these defeats. The opening game
disaster against lightly regarded Navy must be attributed to the
overall inexperience of the squad at many positions, first game
jitters, and, after the halftime deluge, the slick turf conditions
which hampered the already overburdened running attack.

Proceeding to the Michigan fas it must be clear that the
competition was monumental in nature, and that the blame
should fall not to the players or coaching staff, but to those
who made such a blunder in scheduling. While delusions of
grandeur are nothing new in the world of sports, neither is the
fact that it is asking too much of a lineman to consistently
deck an opponent twenty pounds heavier than himself in order
that a 175-pound seatback may scamper through the line for
five to fifty yard gains. The size of Michigan's football
program will certainly reap them the benefits of a close, if not
undefeated season. The Wolverines simply outmanned,
outweighed, but not necessarily outgutted the Cavaliers.

BUT WHY DOES THE LIGHT OF HOPE STILL SHINE
through the gloom from the football offices? Several reasons
are considerable. First, the coaches are eager to point out that
the Wahoos sustained no major injuries in Ann Arbor (in fact,
two Wolverines will miss the remainder of the season) and that
the players who missed the trip will be back in uniform for
Duke.

Secondly, everyone who played against UM's 'Four Score
and Seven" feels that the tougher competition has made them
a better ball club. It's rather like having to show up a younger
brother who continually makes the Dean's List while you
labor in the more average GPA's.

AT ANY RATE, THE WAHOOS ARE BACK IN THEIR
OWN LEAGUE, back in their own stadium, and without
absorbing too much physical punishment. But most important
of all, the offense is due to jell. Slow off the blocks, and
hampered by nervous errors, the boys who put the points on
the scoreboard just might find the environment conducive to a
more relaxed, confident, and productive performance, thereby
putting less pressure and playing time on the backs of the
defenders.

IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHO SAID DUKE IS SO GOOD?
Sure, they beat nationally ranked Florida and South Carolina
and are number 20 themselves. But not only is their offense a
one man show a la the UNC of the Don McCauley era, but it
has been out gained by its opponents in no small fashion,
completes only one-third of its forward passes, and has a
quarterback who rushes for negative average yardage! In
addition, two of Duke's touchdowns were scored by the
defense. Which brings us to Mr. Defense.

Going under the alias of Ernie Jackson, the Duke defense is
almost as much a one man affair as the offense, at least as far
as back breaking plays go. It must also be realized that the
Florida offense fumbled to Duke twice within ten yards of
paydirt.

EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID THUS FAR is
merely to reinforce the feeling across the University that this is
T.H.E. Game for the Cavaliers. Everything is right. Duke and
Coach of the Week Mike McGee are red hot, seemingly almost
by accident. But the fact remains that if Mr. Lawrence's
promise to make Virginia football competitive is to retain
any semblance of believability, the Hoos will have to come
across in somewhat more than respectable fashion this
Saturday.

Crucial in this Homecoming Game is that fact that the fan
attitude must not be disillusioned after the showing of the past
two weekends. Come to Scott Stadium. Come to cheer, and
leave the spilled milk for the cat.