Remembering Allen McCune’s performance in 1965

Kyle’s Korner …

Back in 1965, former West Virginia University football star Allen McCune threw for five touchdowns and scored another rushing TD against arch rival Pitt. McCune led the Mountaineers to nine scores and a big 63-48 shootout win over the Panthers.

McCune, who starred at the old East Bank High School, was the uncle of local public defense attorney Teresa McCune. He passed away a few years ago.

Teresa brought up the subject at the recent Breast Cancer Awareness luncheon held here in Williamson by the Women’s Club. She had seen where current WVU quarterback Geno Smith had thrown for a school record eight touchdowns this past weekend. Teresa knew that McCune had accounted for nine scores in that game back in the mid-1960s.

However, after doing some research, I found out that Allen threw for five TDs and scored another one on the ground. He led his team to nine scores, but he did not throw for all of them. But, still, that was one fine performance by McCune.

McCune completed 18 of 25 passes for 320 yards and five touchdowns, both Mountaineer records at that time. He also scored on a 1-yard sneak.

Three of the other scores were to wingback Dick Rader on runs of 72, 14 and 15 yards. The others covered 59 yards to Garret Ford and 17 yards to end James Harris. Ford finished with 192 yards rushing on 18 carries. Fullback Dick Leftridge had scored the game’s first touchdown on a 15-yard run and wound up with 139 yards on 25 carries.

Teresa’s son, Ryan Donovan, is a recent graduate of WVU Law School and is now working for a firm in Charleston. Ryan played football for Williamson from 2001 to 2003 where he was a fine defensive back, running back and a place kicker for the Wolfpack.

SHORT STUFF:

Burch Middle School soccer coach Jeremy Davis reports that his school’s soccer team picked up the first win in school history on Tuesday. They won 1-0 over Matewan. The lone goal of the game came from Anthony Dotson, a 7th grader, who now has the record of scoring the first goal in BMS history. Mikey Evans, the goalie, also had 18 saves.

Getting soccer started in the middle schools will only help Mingo Central in the future. Hopefully, Tug Valley will be able to get enough interest in the sport to also start a soccer program.

… Ryan Chapman will once again lead the Belfry softball team this spring. Chapman, who is an assistant football coach for the Pirates, told me he agreed to coach the girl’s again.

… Julius “Boo” Hatcher was recently hired as the assistant coach for the Mingo Central boys’ basketball team. Hatcher also coaches the middle school girls’ team at Williamson Middle. He will continue those duties. He will be a busy man this winter.

… Reds fans in the region are extremely happy to see Cincinnati win the Central Division and make it into the NL playoffs. With their pitching, defense and timely hitting, the Reds could make some noise. Their last World Series win was back in 1990.

Of course most of us grew up listening to the Big Red Machine on local radio station WBTH and were huge fans. The 1975-76 back to back World Champions were the glory years for the Reds. Hopefully this season will be the start of something just as good.

… There are some good high school football games Friday night involving local teams. There are also some good college games on Saturday. WVU is headed to Texas for a big primetime TV showdown. It will be their first Big 12 road game against one of the country’s premier programs.

(Kyle Lovern is the sports editor for the Williamson Daily News. Comments or story ideas can be sent to klovern@williamsondailynews.com)