 | The Cavalier daily. Thursday, October 3, 1968 |  |
CAVALIER DAILY
SPORTS
Sports
Notes
Head basketball coach Bill
Gibson has apparently run into the
same kind of difficulties that
plagued his team the entire 1967-68
season. 6-5 senior Buddy Reams,
out for the entire season last year,
suffered a broken left ankle in a
scrimmage with a mixture of
freshmen and varsity members.
Reams is expected to be out for at
least eight weeks and could miss the
entire December schedule that
counts 10 games, depending on
tournament advancement.
Earlier this year 6-3 senior
letterman Gary Laws announced
that he has decided to pass up his
last year of eligibility. Of a less
serious nature, but never the less
aggravating to Coach Gibson, it has
also been announced that Mike
Wilkes, an aggressive 6-5 junior
letterman, will miss several weeks of
fall practice due to a motorbike
injury.
The Physical Fitness
Department is initiating a
Faculty-Staff fitness program.
Sessions will be held on Monday
and Wednesday from 1 to 2,
beginning October 7 at Memorial
Gym. The program will be
individually tailored to the age and
condition of each participant. For
further information call Ext. 3015.
Virginia ranks second in the
ACC in total offense and total
defense and first in both rushing
categories. The Cavaliers are rushing
for 236 yards a game and
surrendering only 63.5. Wake
Forest's Deacons are tops in pass
defense, having allowed only five
completions for a total of 36 yards.
They also top the total defense list
with an average yield of 218.5
yards a game and have given up
only three touchdowns.
Of not such a surprising nature,
Frank Quayle is leading the ACC in
rushing after two games with an
average of 9.2 yards per carry.
Cardinals Whip Tigers
Behind Arm Of Gibson
[OMITTED]
VIEWPOINT
By Ted McKean
NOW THAT the initial shock of the 47-0 pasting the
Cavaliers handed the VMI Keydets has worn off some, it is truly
amazing to hear the varied speculations now circulating the
Grounds concerning Virginia's future fortunes on the gridiron.
These wild prognostications range from blatant optimism to
traditional pessimism. The optimists foresee a 9-1 final record,
and a post-season finale, perhaps the Gator Bowl. And the
pessimists see something like the usual 5-5 conclusion, just as
any other year. They don't want to take a chance of being
discouraged, and we can't blame them.
HOWEVER, a close look at the remainder of the Virginia
schedule should sway any skeptic toward optimism. Four future
opponents, Duke, Navy, Tulane, and Maryland, were soundly
trounced this past weekend by teams rated not particularly
outstanding. Michigan, an average Big Ten team, handled the
Duke Blue Devils with ease, 31-10. Boston College, of all
people, annihilated Navy, 49-15. To add insult to the injury, the
poor Middies managed to tally their last score with only a
minute remaining. A solid Texas A&M team bombed Tulane,
35-3, and Syracuse laced Maryland's hapless Terps, 32-14.
DAVIDSON, this Saturday's opponent, fell to Richmond,
24-14, in a game whose score was not really indicative of a
contest which was much closer. Nevertheless, the fact still
stands that the Wildcats were whipped by a less than great
Richmond contingent. Their attack was extremely lopsided,
depending heavily on the pass (44 thrown against Richmond),
and running very little. And, if defeat at the hands of Richmond
was not enough, Davidson was toppled by Bucknell, speaking of
"Who are theys," in their game the previous week.
South Carolina edged a sub-par North Carolina squad, 31-27.
In her first two games, South Carolina has failed to measure up
to favorable pre-season billings. Both are future foes. North
Carolina State, the only truly formidable opposition on the
schedule, was handled easily, 28-14, by an admittedly adept
Oklahoma team.
IF THAT IS NOT evidence enough for you optimists, look at
the Cavalier defense. To find a critic of the defense Coach Don
Lawrence has construed would be a genuine task, for the
Virginia defense has received the compliments of everyone from
Purdue's Jack Molenkopf to VMI's Vito Ragazzo. Even Leroy
Keyes came out with the comment after the Notre
Dame-Purdue game that he didn't think the Irish hit any harder
than Virginia!
The defensive line and linebacking crew have been recognized
as strong from the outset. As September rolled around though,
it was the inexperience of the defensive backfield that sent chills
up Coach Blackburn's spine. And against VMI, this backfield
came into its own. Rookie Andy Minton handled his cornerback
position well, showing the hard hitting he is known for. Paul
Reeve and Peter Schmidt showed off their experience; Bob
Rannigan did well despite inexperience; Ed Kihm, a second-year
man, picked up an interception.
WITH THAT, we arrive at the offense. In retrospect, it must
be realized that a number of flashes of brilliance or big plays
brought about the scoring barrage, not sustained drives. Three
passes, two long runs, and a fumble recovery yielded six of the
seven Virginia scores. There was a peculiar absence of the
straight touchdown march.
When the Cavaliers tackle a tough team, will they be able to
mount that sustained scoring drive? Against Purdue, as against
VMI, drives sputtered. Virginia was able to pull out the big play
to overwhelm mediocre VMI, but could not against Purdue. We
wonder, and we hope. The offensive line seemed unable,
throughout the entire contest against the Keydets, to open holes
inside. Perhaps this was a result of VMI's stunting linebackers
inside, and leaving the outside open to the likes of Quayle and
Arnette. Nevertheless, the holes we saw open up through the
middle last year for Quayle and Anderson just were not there.
The Virginia offense appeared to depend almost entirely on
Arnette's passing, or his roll-out option with Quayle.
IF THE DREAM of the optimist-type Cavalier fan is to be
realized, a more balanced offensive attack must be generated.
Contrary to some pre-season opinion, Frank Quayle is not a step
slower, and Jeff Anderson is the same Jeff Anderson who was
the third leading rusher in the Conference last year. Well then,
bring on the Davidson Wildcats.
Gymnasts Hopeful
As Workouts Start
An air of confidence and
optimism surrounds the
hard-working gymnasts as they
prepare for what may be their best
season in many years. Official
workouts in preparation for the
winter schedule begin, this week
under the supervision of Coach
John Castle.
Co-captains Eric Adamson and
Bob Simmons lead a large group of
returning gymnasts. The optimism
prevalent among the gymnastics
team might well stem from the
word depth. In the past, these
athletes have relied upon the rings,
high bar, and parallel bar events.
The gymnasts now promise to
be impressive in the floor exercises,
the horse, and the vaulting as well.
The omission of the trampoline
from the NCAA program also adds
overall strength to the team.
The rings and the vaulting
events are the domain of Eric
Anderson and "Muscles"
MacIntosh. Rich Lutz returns to
perform on the horse and on the
P-bar. Up in the air will be Bob
Simmons on the tricky high bars.
Coach John Castle, the 1961
captain of the Ohio State gymnasts,
has said in expectation of this
year's performances, "Unlike last
year, a fellow has to hit a trick 90%
of the time before he'll use it in
competition."
Former co-captain Tim Fisher
will use his versatile talents on the
rings, horse, and high bars; while
the return of Steve Remine, Fred
Huffer, and Mike Rossner should
give the gymnasts needed overall
balance.
A Flying Phantom At Work In Memorial Gymnasium
Gymnast, Bob Simmons, Captain, Shows Desired Finesse, Form
Spirit Club
In elections held last night,
the Spirit Club elected into its
membership five third-year men
and one second-year man.
Third-year men elected were:
Bob Rannigan, Whitt Clement,
Jack Rhodes, Dave Hudson, and
Dan Abramson. Gus Lorber was
the sole second-year man taken
into the Club.
Elections were also held.
Tom Moore was voted
president, Peter Coy,
vice-president, Peter Schmidt,
treasurer, and Dickie Payne,
secretary.
KERRY KEITH—
Davidson's alliterative fullback rushed for
a total of 719 yards while his hairline was receding last year. He
also crossed the goal line 9 times, setting a Wildcat school record
for touchdowns. He will be one of the threats the Cavaliers will
have to contend with Saturday in Scott Stadium. Oh yes. For
those still in the dark, Davidson is a men's school in Charlotte,
North Carolina. Dean Rusk went there.
| The Cavalier daily. Thursday, October 3, 1968 | |