University of Virginia Library

Gridders Halt Alumni, 29-27

By Tom Bell
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Ex-Cavalier Great Frank Quayle Evades Varsity Pursuers In Saturday Afternoon Activity

Alumni Star Quayle Bulled And Dodged For 125 Yards On 14 Carries, Tops For All Runners

The Cavalier Varsity barely
escaped an embarrassing loss to a
Powerful Alumni team Saturday in
Scott Stadium as they eked out a
shaky 29-27 win in what most
observers, including new head
coach Don Lawrence, called a
disappointing performance.

Only six interceptions by the
Varsity secondary, two of which
accounted for touchdowns, saved
the Varsity as they were topped in
almost every statistical category by
the Alumni, led by Frank Quayle
and pros Bob Kowalkowski and Jim
Copeland.

Quayle, showing the form that
made him ACC Player of the Year
in 1968, ran for 125 yards in 14
carries, and scored two of the
Alumni touchdowns.

Kent Merritt, the highly touted
first-year speedster, lived up to his
advance billing, as he ran for 114
yards on 13 carries including a 37
yard touchdown run for the final
Varsity score.

Harrison Davis, the other highly
rated newcomer, did not fare as
well. He started the game and
quarterbacked the whole first half,
but could complete none of his
four passes and was held to minus
four yards on the ground.

The Alumni topped the Varsity
on the ground and in the air, as
they rushed for 171 yards to the
Varsity's 148, and passed for 103
yards to the Varsity's 51.

The Varsity appeared to be on
its way to an easy romp at the start
of the game. Kevin Michaels
recovered a Kemp fumble on the
first Alumni play from scrimmage,
and just three plays later, after an
18-yard gain by Merritt, Davis went
in from the six. Billy Maxwell's
kick made it 7-0.

Pincavage For TD

The Alumni then took over the
ball and drove for their first
touchdown with John Pincavage
taking a Kemp pass for an
eight-yard touchdown play. A
two-point conversion by Dave
Wyncoop gave the Alumni an 8-7
lead.

Frank Quayle led another
Alumni drive early in the second
quarter, finally blasting in from
three for the score. Braxton Hill
converted to make it 15-7.

Defense again came through for
the Varsity, as Bill Kettunen picked
off a Rich Sterba pass to go 56
yards for the score. A two-point
pass from Davis to Helman evened
the game at 15-15.

Chuck Belic picked off another
Alumni pass late in the first half,
returning it from the Alumni 33 to
the 17 to set up the next Varsity
score. The finale came on a
three-yard pitch to Jim Lacey.
Maxwell's foot made it 22-15 at the
half.

Troup took over the attack at
the start of the second half, and the
Varsity offense proceeded to make
its first and only controlled drive of
the day. Merritt led the drive,
capping it with his 37-yard sprint
around left end which left a trail of
Alumni bodies in its wake.

The Varsity at that point
appeared in firm control, but that
appearance soon faded, as Quayle
burst off left tackle for 36 yards
and a touchdown late in the third
quarter. The two-point try failed,
and the score remained 29-21.

Kemp scored the last Alumni
TD early in the final quarter on a
three-yard run, but the Varsity
ganged up to stop Quayle on the
extra point play and maintained a
shaky three-point lead that held up
until the end.

The Varsity got as close as the
15-yard line in the final period, but
could not score again. The game
finished with the Varsity hanging
on for its life. Interceptions by Rob
Gustafson and Bob McGrail
stopped Alumni bids late in the
game and insured the win.

Mr. Lawrence expressed
disappointment in his team's
performance after the game, but
noted that the team has had only
15 days of practice, and that the
new offensive design has not been
completely learned.