University of Virginia Library

Keydets Invade

Cavayearlings Debut Friday

By DOUG DOUGHTY

Coach-of-the-Year in Cleveland
last year, Pete Pucher leads the
thirty four-man Cavayearling
football squad into the 1971
season, Friday afternoon, at Scott
Stadium, when it plays the UMI
Rats.

Surrounded by a distinguished
staff of four, the 33 year-old
Pucher comes to the University
form Holy Name High School in
Cleveland, where, in addition to
being named Coach-of-the-Year, he
compiled a 35-10-1 record as head
coach. His chief assistant will be
Ned McDonald, 61, who brings 17
years of experience at the
University to his position as
defensive line coach. McDonald
spent three years during the mid
1950's as head varsity coach at
Virginia.

In addition to Pucher and
McDonald, other coaches include
graduate students Bob Rannigan,
varsity captain during the 1969
campaign, who will work with the
defensive secondary; George Polly,
offensive line coach; and Paul
Fraim, assisting with the receiving
corps.

Roy Geiss, an engineering
professor rounds out the coaching
group as an offensive-backfield
specialist.

Featuring many of the same
formations as the varsity, the
first-year team tackles a five-game
slate which includes VMI,
Maryland, William and Mary, UNC
and VPI. For the most part these
represent traditional Cavayearling
opponents. The squad is composed
of 34 players, of which 31 received
scholarships and 20 hail from the
Old Dominion.

Heading the list of probable
starters for Friday's contest will be
5-10, 174-pounder Chris Turner,
who will start at quarterback.
Turner has temporarily resisted
the challenge of Eric Dahlgren, who
figures to see a great deal of playing
time.

Dick Ambrose, who Coach
Pucher nominates as "the best
prospect so far", will start at
fullback. Ambrose, a sizeable 6-0,
210 pounds, will be joined at
running back by John Scott, who
played on the same high-school
squad as Turner, at Henrico High,
near Richmond.

Berths at the receiving positions,
open end and up back, will be
mostly for utilizing the messenger
play-calling system which Pucher
will implement. Bill Lanahan, the
fastest man on the team, brings
blazing 4.6 speed in the 40-yard
dash to the open end spot. Mr.
Pucher plans to alternate Lanahan
with lanky Ed Poker and Jim
Colleran. Mark Greutzmacher and
Tony Zmudzin are planned to share
the up back chores.

Ken Shelton has nailed down
the starting berth at tight end.
Shelton maintains 193 pounds on a
6-3 frame, not bad size considering
the interior line averages a meager
211 pounds per man. From left to
right, the offensive line features Lee
Pontes at tackle, Doug Wilson at
guard, Kurt Swanson over the ball,
Dave Kyger at the other guard spot
and Glen Lambert at the tight
tackle spot on the right side.
Pontes, at 6-2, 215 pounds
represents the only non-scholarship
player on the offense.

The defensive platoon includes
five starters who are also probables
on offense. Mike Cornachione, at
left safety, is the only walk-on
other than Pontes who has gained a
starting berth. Cornachione, son of
varsity offensive coordinator Sil
Cornachione, will be joined at
safety by Doug Jones, who has
been a standout in practice sessions
so far. The versatile Turner will
man the left cornerback spot, with
the other halfback due to be
Greutzmacher.

The linebacking corps boasts
good size and speed with Bill
Dennis holding down the left
linebacker position, Lou Painter
and Bob Pippin sharing the other
outside linebacking spot and
much-heralded Tom McGraw
working in the middle. McGraw, a
prize recruit, is a robust 5-10, 216
pounds and has run forty yards in
4.85 seconds.

Lambert and Swanson at the
tackle posts and Kyger at right end
will be 6-2, 203 pound Bob Meade.
Meade is easily the fastest defensive
lineman, clocking an outstanding
4.95 in the forty.

Mr. Pucher, who has been
working with the first-yearmen
about a month now, is confident
about the ability of his team but he
insists that he can make no
predictions until it plays a game or
two. With no apparent problems at
the present time, except the
absence of a punter, Mr. Puncher
hopes that injuries won't hurt the
team, already lacking in depth. He
still welcomes and encourages any
latecomers to join his small squad.

The current up-swing in the VMI
football program almost assures a
good contest Friday. Tickets will be
on sale at $2 for adults and $1 for
students for the 2:00 game.
Virginia students with ID cards will
be admitted at no charge. Mr.
Pucher would "like to play
everybody but the score and game
situation will determine the extent
of substitution. There is a need to
evaluate each player under game
conditions."

Linebacker Kevin Michaels Turned In Game's Top Performance

Third-Yearman Was In On Fifteen Tackles During Busy Afternoon