University of Virginia Library

Player Of The Week

Rannigan Stars At Safety

By Tom Sansonetti
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Bob Rannigan had to wait a
long time. In five games the Wahoo
defensive back had not gotten his
hands on the ball much less the
opportunity for an easy interception.

Last year in his first varsity
season Rannigan as a flanker caught
two passes for 26 yards before
being injured. The injury he sustained,
a broken arm, didn't help
his receiving, however, and thus he
was lost for the remainder of the
season.

The next chance he had to
fondle the hide was as a punt
returner in the Purdue game. So
much for that.

Bob Rannigan then and there
resigned himself to dedicating the
rest of his football career to trying
to prevent touchdowns. If he
couldn't get his hands on the ball,
then neither would opposing ends
and flankers.

In the second quarter of this
past weekend's clash with Navy,
Mike McNallen, the Middie quarterback,
uncorks a pass over the middle.
The Navy receiver raises his
paws to clutch the oval when...
there suddenly is a blur of white
and a Wahoo is setting sail down
the left sideline on his way to
pay dirt!

What a great play! Virginia is in
the lead 6-0 and the Cavalier faithful
cheer loudly in appreciation.

Fans turn to each other in the
cold and windy stands and ask,
"44. Who's 44, the guy that made
that great interception?" "Rannigan."

After a quick recheck of the
program to make sure uniform
numbers have not been changed
from the previous week, the report
is confirmed. Bob Rannigan has just
run back an intercepted pass 62
yards for a touchdown.

In view of this tremendous feat,
the Virginia right safetyman is a
unanimous choice for Player of the
Week.

Rannigan is a 5-11, 175 pounder
from Cleveland, Ohio. He attended
St. Ignatius High School where he
was All-Scholastic and All-Catholic
as a quarterback and a defensive
back. He is extremely fast, and is a
sure open field tackler. Now that he
has added pass intercepting to his
repertoire, he is a man for opposing
teams to avoid.

Photo by Bob Gill

Reeve (27), Patton (88) Convey Bob Rannigan To Navy's Goal

Defensive Safety's Key Interception Led To First Virginia Score