The Cavalier daily :: Thursday, October 26, 1972 :: University of Virginia Library

IT IS NOT UNCOMMON for someone to follow the athletic
teams in his home state with much interest. Yet I find myself
in a strange boat when I admit that I have never been
enthusiastic about the University of Maryland in any sport
and, more importantly, I have never rooted for the Terrapins.

Nonetheless, I have other reasons for feeling that the
Cavaliers have a good chance of beating the Terrapins this
weekend that I believe quite reasonable.

VERY SIMILAR TO VIRGINIA, the Terrapins have proven
that they can generate an offense. Prior to his injury two
weeks ago in the Wake Forest game, quarterback Al Neville led
the league in passing and was second in the ACC in total
offense. Now his understudy Bob Avellini, who had challenged
Neville very severely during pre-season practice, comes along
and breaks the Maryland record for passing in a game (21 of 31
passes completed for 314 yards against Duke) and moves into
the fifth spot in league passing.

But that isn't all you'll see from the Maryland offense.
Running backs Art Seymore and Jamie Franklin and
especially, sophomore star Louis Carter average over 100 yards
a game between them and provide a pleasant relief, for Terp
Coach Jerry Claiborne if not for Maryland opponents, from
the Turtles' aerial hi-jinks.

ON THE RECEIVING END Maryland has possibly the best
receivers in the league. Sophomore speedster Frank Russell is
good enough to have beaten out All-ACC pick Dan Bungori,
and tight end Don Ratliff had led Maryland in receptions after
moving over from the defense after 1971. The Terps move out
of a multiple I offense that has utilized the blocking of
Maryland's predominantly veteran line: tackle Ray
Wethington, guards Tim Brannan and Ray Bednar, and center
Ron Kecman have seemed to be mainstays of the Terrapin
front since the year one.

Defensively, Maryland possesses just as much experience and
savvy. Defensive guard Paul Vellano, 6-3 and 235 pounds, has
become in his junior year probably the best at his position in
the league. Vellano has twice been named ACC Defensive
Player of the Week and has six times been named game captain
for the Terps, an honor accorded to the best player of the
previous week's contest.

THERE ARE OTHER NAMES on the Terp defensive
platoon that deserve mention. Tackles Ken Scott and Chris
Cowdrey, other cogs in Coach Claiborne's wide tackle six
formation, have each been named ACC Players of the Week as
has deep back Bob Smith. Almost forgotten is oft-redshirted
defensive end Tim Brant.

Despite the fact that Maryland has six defensive linemen,
two linebackers and three secondarymen, it hasn't been
burned by the pass too much this year. Smith has earned
himself a spot in the defensive backfield with his daring play
that has also made him a terror on punt returns.
Ex-quarterback Bob Tucker and part-time starter from the
past Mike Gaines have joined a talented crew of sophomores to
provide adequate Terrapin coverage.

THE FINAL MARYLAND WEAPON is the kicking of
Hungarian "Steve" Istvan Mike-Mayer (pronounced
Mick-Meyer). He's booted 17 of 19 PATs and has converted
seven of 14 field goal attempts. In addition, he kicks off into
the end zone consistently.

Coaching the Terrapins is widely-traveled Jerry Claiborne.
Claiborne has coached at Kentucky, Texas A&M, Alabama and
Colorado. Most important, he served as head coach at Virginia
Tech, where he instructed the Hokies for 10 years.

STRIDING TO A 3-3-1 MARK at this point, Maryland is
assured of improving on last season's 2-9 under Roy Lester.
Lester built up the image of a "Gil Thorp" in Maryland's
Montgomery County before turning into a perfect flop at
College Park. Nevertheless, he recruited some excellent talent
for Maryland and, even if he couldn't seem to avoid
differences with them, he has left quite a stable for the new
owner.

You might recall that I said Virginia could beat Maryland.
Maryland has tremendous talent but it has always had the
tendency to make mistakes. Last season, Maryland blew the
game with the Wahoos primarily because fullback Monte
Hinckle fumbled the first three times he touched the ball, it
lost to North Carolina after several chances in the last quarter
and, in its most recent effort, Maryland had the ball within the
Duke 15 three times in the last quarter but each time it failed
to score. Just like the Cavaliers, the Terps score sparingly in
the first half and always have to come from behind.

VIRGINIA HAS ALWAYS SAVED ITS BEST EFFORTS in
any sport for its sister to the north. Maryland seems to have
saved its worst. Virginia's biggest victories in any sport, you
name it, football last year, basketball last year, soccer and golf
last year and lacrosse have all seemed to come against
Maryland and this year, when the Cavaliers can so badly use
another win, should provide no exception.