University of Virginia Library

Speedster Merritt Named
Cavalier Player Of Week

By JOHN MARKON

Kent Merritt Had Best Day As Cavalier Saturday

Tailback Scored Two TDs, Gained 128 Yards In Loss

Although Saturday's 32-16
defeat against Clemson in
Richmond was but another chapter
in this year's inglorious saga of
Wahoo losses there was one
outstanding performance by a
Cavalier that should not go
unnoticed. This week's Cavalier
Daily Player of the Week is tailback
Kent Merritt.

Against fairly difficult Tiger
defense Merritt rushed for 128
yards in only 14 carries, including a
stunning 71-yard touchdown effort,
and caught 3 passes for 34 yards
and another score. He also
recovered a Clemson fumble to set
up his second six-pointer.

In the second quarter with
Clemson clinging to a 3-0 lead
Merritt received a hand-off from
Larry Albert on a play designed to
go through tackle for short yardage.
He broke away from Tiger
defenders near the line of
scrimmage and was not touched
thereafter.

That run brought some life into
the crowd before halftime but the
next time Merritt was wheeled into
serious action the Clemsons had a
large 23-7 advantage. Tiger Don
Seipe had broken past ten of the
twelve men on the Wahoo punt
coverage team and seemed headed
for big yardage when Stormy
Costas separated him from the ball.
Merritt recovered the fumble on his
own 35.

Harrison Davis led the 'Hoos
down to the Tiger 15 where he
flared a pass out to Merritt in the
flat. The result was Virginia's
second and last touchdown and
Davis' first ever scoring toss.

Merritt was signed out of
Charlottesville's Lane High School
with much fanfare during the
George Blackburn regime. He was a
record-setting high school sprinter
and was widely-recruited. He
continued his track at the
University and was the star of
Virginia's "best ever" first-year
football team.

With the multitude of injuries
afflicting Wahoo runners Merritt
was pressed into workhorse duty in
earlier games but statistics have
shown him at his best when used
sparingly. With a strong inside
runner to complement him
(someone on the order of a healthy
Gary Helman) the Cavalier ground
attack would command
considerable respect.

In addition to his duties as
tailback Merritt is a versatile sort
who can also be used as a wide
receiver or in the defensive
backfield.

Other Wahoos playing well in
Richmond include Harrison Davis,
who completed half of his 22 passes
against a defense that knew he was
going to throw, and end Bill Davis
who caught nine passes from Davis
and Albert for 96 yards.

Tackle Andy Selfridge and
linebacker Kevin Michaels paced
the defense in tackles. The Wahoos
played rather well against the run
but fell apart in the secondary,
where only Gerard Mullins, another
second-yearman, was not burned on
a long pass play.