The Cavalier daily :: Friday, October 29, 1971 :: University of Virginia Library

The Cavaliers try to snap two
twelve game losing streaks
tomorrow when they take on N.C.
State, a team which has had a
season similar to that of the
Wahoos, in Raleigh.

The losing streaks are against
the Wolfpack, whom the Cavaliers
have not beaten since 1948, and
ACC teams, with whom the
Cavaliers have had no success since
1969.

The two teams have had similar
seasons in many respect. Both have
1-6 records, young teams, and new
coaching staffs.

The Wolfpack is at the bottom
of the conference in total offense
and, despite the leading pass
defense in the ACC, total defense.
Their rushing offense is also the
league's worst, as is their rushing
defense.

Cavs Rank Higher

The Cavaliers, on the other
hand, rank higher in both total
offense and defense, but find their
downfall in their last place ranking
in both scoring offense and scoring
defense.

The game, then, shapes up as a
contest between two evenly
matched teams that are down, and
desperately searching for a way to
get back up.

Michaels Expounds

N.C. State coach Al Michaels,
appointed as interim coach last year
after 17 years as defensive
coordinator under Earle Edwards,
respects the Cavalier team. "If our
players think the streak means
something, we're going to get
licked. They want to get (Kent)
Merritt loose. He is probably the
fastest football player in college
football today. Everybody tried to
recruit him."

"Defensively, Virginia is well
coached and sound," said a
Wolfpack scout this week. "They
cause a lot of problems with their
active linebackers."

The game will be Homecoming
in Raleigh, the second one the
Cavaliers have faced in as many
weeks. The Wolfpack has won 11 of
its 12 Homecoming games.

The Wolfpack is led on offense
by sophomore running back Willy
Burden, who is second in the
conference in rushing with 549
yards in seven games, and wide
receiver Steve Lester who has
caught 15 passes. Sophomore
quarterback Bruce Shaw is
expected to start.

Defensively, All-ACC middle
guard George Smith is the leader
along with safety Van Walker, who
led the ACC in interceptions last
season with seven and was ACC
defensive player of the week after
last year's win over the Cavaliers by
a 21-16 margin, the closest since
1948.

N.C. State's only win thus far
has been a 21-14 win over Wake
Forest. Last week East Carolina
beat the Pack 31-15.

A win by the Cavaliers would
get them out of the ACC cellar for
the first time in two years, with a
1-2 record compared to State's 1-4.

The injury picture for the
Cavaliers is brighter this week, with
only offensive backs Gary Helman
and Jim Lacey questionable among
the front-line performers.

A large Homecoming crowd is
expected for the Homecoming
game kickoff at 1:30 p.m. in
41,000 seat Carter Stadium in what
shapes up as a must game for both
teams.

Photo By Saxon Holt

Cavalier Receiver Dave "Silky" Sullivan (44) Attempts To Break Away From Navy Tacklers

Entire Wahoo Offensive Unit Will Be Under Pressure To Produce Against N.C. State Tomorrow