University of Virginia Library

More Than The Score

UNC 0-12
Wake ????

By Steve Giannini

THE WAHOOS LOST AGAIN. No one seems to really know
why. The surface reason is apparent - the offense isn't scoring,
but why can't they score? Now, it is 14 quarters since the
Cavalier offensive machine hasn't been able to get on the score
board.

Coach Blackburn and his offensive staff have made some
changes. Sophomore Mike Cubbage was given the starting nod
this past weekend after the disastrous N.C. State and Navy games.
He played most of the second half at Navy and got the team into
position to score, but the TEAM was unable to make it.

EARLIER IN THE GAME with Danny Fassio at the helm the
results had been the same.

Cubbage seems to be a better passer than Fassio but he is
young and inexperienced and has made mistakes. To the crowd
Cubbage is the player they like to see. But regardless of the fans'
opinion on Fassio the coaches know how he plays, and his film
grades have been good.

This is all to say that a different quarterback over the past
three games hasn't made the difference in the offense.

THIS PAST WEEKEND VIRGINIA'S game rushing total was
the least that has been in many years. Jim Lacey and Gary
Helman couldn't get through the line for yardage. - Carolina's
defense stopped the off tackle plays. Cubbage had some good
gains on options, but was thrown for substantial losses throughout
the game when he dropped back to pass. The offensive line
couldn't block or wasn't blocking UNC's defensive front men.
The plays came from the bench and from up above in the
spotter's box. With Coach Blackburn's complex offense, could
the attack lack imagination? It seemed that way.

SPIRIT WAS NOT LACKING. There was as much hustle as
there had been all season. But the hustle and desire were not
enough to get the job done when the ball was in Virginia's
possession.

Virginia's defense was faced with a different situation from
Carolina's offense; the Tar Heels could run. Co-captain Bob
Rannigan and Al Sinesky termed Don McCauley the best running
back they have faced so far this season.

The Cavaliers' strength has been in rush defense. The Tarheels
attacked the strength successfully, gaining over 300 yards
running. A lot of those yards came on long runs, two of which
went for touchdowns. On those two runs, the tackling was
sloppy, assignments weren't carried out. But overall the defenders
graded well from the game films. Any defense which gives up that
many yards and still allows only two touchdowns isn't doing all
that bad. So the problem doesn't lie in the defense.

BEING OLDER, MORE EXPERIENCED, the defense has
played better as a unit than the young offense. When, the
defenders come off the field having done their job and the attack
is consequently unable to move the ball it is bound to be
disheartening. None of the three interceptions and blocked field
goal attempt made by Virginia could be capitalized on by the
offense.

The cohesive factor that the defensive squad seems to have
may be somewhat lacking on offense. Certainly after 14 scoreless
quarters, there must be some sort of mental block forming in the
minds of the offensive players. Fans and sportswriters point to
the offensive unit as a whole and the blame falls there.

THERE HAVE BEEN DOUBTERS of Virginia football. Now
after three straight losses there are more doubters and more
critics. That's only more detrimental to the players' (especially
the offense's) state of mind. And their attitude or lack of some
quality in their state of mind is the only apparent reason they
haven't been scoring or winning. It remains to be seen whether
the coaches and the squad can get back on the right track and use
their talent to play three good games. None of the three
remaining teams is unbeatable.