University of Virginia Library

In This Corner

Turning
Point

With Randy Wert

SOMEBODY ONCE SAID THAT ALL GOOD THINGS
TAKE TIME. Although there are bound to be those sceptics
who would cite luck or the odds, this would seem to be the
case with the Cavaliers impressive victory over Vanderbilt.
After combating a long period of mediocrity and doubt, one
which extends far before the initial three games of this season.
Coach Don Lawrence and his undaunted Wahoos finally gave
the Charlottesville fas, the SEC, and the ACC a glimpse of
what they are made.

Most of us would have to agree that this past Saturday's
performance by the Cavaliers was one of if not the most solid
effort put forth by a football team in Virginia's Orange and
Blue in recent memory. Resplendent but unvictorious in their
sharp new uniforms, the "Crazy Wahoos" at long last played as
good as they look in overtaking the favored Commodores with
apparent case. After all the recent grumblings from every angle
about the disgusting antics of the gridders, it is only fair that
equal attention be called to the bountiful improvements in
numerous troublesome departments.

ALTHOUGH PARTISAN POLITICIANS STATEWIDE
MAY DIFFER IN OPINION we believe that it is safe to
assume that the presence of Governor Linwood Holton had
absolutely nothing to do with fact the ominous clouds over
Scott Stadium held their precipitation throughout the contest.
Seemingly unbothered by the soggy field conditions, the
Cavaliers, with the resilient Larry Albert riding herd, showed a
steady and varied offensive attack which got inches when it
needed inches and the big play when it was required. With the
guts of the offensive unit when the going got rough in question
as a result of numerous drives fizzling just short of pay dirt,
ball carriers and blockers alike were suddenly inspired to feats
jokingly thought impossible for Virginia gridders.

CERTAINLY IT IS OBVIOUS TO FANS AND WOULD BE
DETRACTORS that Mr. Albert was a major influence in the
unexpected metamorphosis of the sluggish 'Hoo offense.
Reputedly short in stature but tall in leadership qualities.
Albert adeptly fused the team with 268 yards personal total
offense, all but 50 coming from the 61% completion
percentage of his fine passing arm. When he wasn't hanging
clotheslines to his receiving corps of Bill Davis (seven catches
for 135 yards), Joe Smith, Mike McGugan, and Dave Sullivan,
all of whom played fine games. Albert displayed courage
running the ball in characteristically hard nosed fashion. His
daring is further amplified when one recalls that it was similar
head-down running which gave him the shoulder injury that
put him out of the first string quarterback spot almost exactly
one year ago.

Fullback Gary Helman's return to the lineup did much to
balance the overburdened running game otherwise well
handled by Kent Merritt (leading ground gainer) and Greg
Dickerhoof. Additional praise foes out to the once again
outweighed offensive line of Bill Farrel, Dale Dickerson, Greg
Godfrey, Tom Kennedy, Steve Shawley, and Paul Ryczek who
handled the mud and the huge Vandy front people to open
sizeable holes for the backs and to give Albert ample time to
unload.

GIVEN PLENTY OF REST BY THE NEW BALL
CONTROL OFFENSE, the 'Hoo defense showed inspiring
determination stacking the Vandy rushers and sacking the
Vandy passer. The ferocious front four of Billy Williams.
Stanley Land, Andy Selfridge, and Bob Bressan along with
linebackers Church Belic, Rick McFarland, Kevin Michaels, and
Harry Gehr outdid themselves in consistently rising to shut off
the Commodores vaunted Wishbone T in the big situations.

The defensive backfield (Gerard Mullins, Bill Kettunen, Bob
McGrail, Steve Sroba, Chris Brown, and Robbie Gustafson)
stood out in decking ball carriers and often came up with the
big play in aerial situations. Kettunen's fourth quarter
interception choked off Vandy's last bid for victory.

POSSIBLE THE MOST OBVIOUS AREA OF
IMPROVEMENT was that of execution in all aspects of the
game. Despite the field conditions, the line blocking was crisp
and effective. Surely no one can doubt the perfect execution
of the punt return team which many of the most
football ignorant dates could sense the result of before Mullins
had crossed his 40 yard line.

THAT SATURDAY'S TRIUMPH WAS NO ACCIDENT
must be made clear. This victory, a savory one for all related
to the team, is only the product of continued hard work by
dedicated coaches and players who never lost confidence in
themselves. Undaunted by lopsided losses and verbal assaults,
the Cavaliers played aggressively and forced Vanderbilt
mistakes which they promptly took advantage of. The turnovers
were gone as was the much spoked about "choke" tendency.

Mr. Lawrence's claims of a winning attitude now take on a
new significance and the team has tasted sweet victory. With
more hard work, crowd support, and a few breaks, Vandy
could have provided us with turning point of football '71.