40-for-80 The Sweetest Season - Vanderbilt Game
October 13, 2020 | Football
By: Jeff Dantzler
October 18, 1980
Sanford Stadium
Athens, Georgia
Georgia - 41, Vanderbilt - 0
In limited duty the week before, freshman tailback Herschel Walker played well in a 28-21 victory over Ole Miss, carrying 11 times for 44 yards against the Rebels on October 11. The freshman sensation injured his ankle in the first quarter at the end of a 41-yard first quarter run against Texas Christian University in the fourth game of the season on September 27th. Fate intervened, as the Bulldogs had an open date the next week, giving the thunder and lightning of this perfect Red and Black storm an extra week to heal.
Vanderbilt was awaiting for what was the Bulldogs fifth consecutive home game at Sanford Stadium, with the Bulldogs 5-0, 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference and ranked sixth nationally.
Coming into the game with an 0-4 record, the Commodores were struggling. Vandy lost its opener at Maryland 31-6, fell at home to Mississippi State 24-14, got crushed at then top-ranked Alabama 41-0, and the week before the trip to Athens, the Commodores fell in Nashville to Tulane 43-21. Vanderbilt went 2-9 for three straight years from 1976-1978, then the Commodores hired George MacIntyre to try and turn things around. In his first year in 1979, Vanderbilt went 1-10. The Commodores were in a bad place, but MacIntyre was a good coach, and also had Whit Taylor (who would wind up as runner-up to Herschel two seasons later in 1982 for SEC Most Valuable Player honors, as Vandy had an 8-3 regular season).
With Vince Dooley and Erk Russell, the focus was always there to not have a letdown that would ruin what was shaping up as a special season.
A non knee-knocking win would be nice too. Georgia was in that 'every other game being tighter than two coats of paint' thing, having beaten Tennessee 16-15, Clemson 20-16 and the Rebels by the aforementioned seven point margin, in the first, third and fifth games of the year. The second and fourth games against Texas A&M and TCU of the Southwest Conference were decisive Bulldog victories, with Georgia prevailing 42-0 over the Aggies and 34-3 against the Horned Frogs.
It was homecoming week in Athens, and there was a scare earlier in the week, as the Dooley family was involved in an automobile accident coming home from the parade downtown. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt, but First Lady Barbara Dooley and Coach Dooley did suffer some injuries. Scary, but everyone in the accident was okay, and Coach Dooley was on the sidelines.
As the 1:30 kickoff approached on this autumn October Athens Saturday, with overcast skies, 73 degree temperature and south-southwesterly wind of eight miles per hour, there was one big question looming, was Herschel Walker 100% healthy?
There Goes Herschel
"At practice on Tuesday, we knew he was ready to go," said All-American safety Jeff Hipp.
Superman was arguably never stronger. A whirling dervish of speed, strength and power, "The Goal Line Stalker" scored on touchdown runs of 60, 54 and 48 yards, racking up 283 yards on 23 carries, an average of 12.3 per pop. It was a record-shattering afternoon. Most notably, the freshman from Wrightsville broke Bulldog legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Trippi's single game rushing record of 239 yards, set against Florida in 1945.
The first long touchdown run came on Georgia's first possession. A critical third down conversion pass from Buck Belue to Amp Arnold moved the chains. Then, faster than a speeding train and more powerful than a locomotive, Herschel broke loose for a 60-yard touchdown, sending the Sanford Stadium faithful into a frenzy.
He was back. And this perfect football playing machine was at full strength.
Georgia had a great offensive line, superb tight ends and fullbacks, a winner at quarterback and two of the best receivers in school history. There were good runners behind Walker, but with Number 34, this Bulldogs offense had all the pieces.
Meanwhile, the defense and special teams were arguably the best in college football. There were standouts and depth at all three levels - defensive line, linebacker and secondary - for Russell's crew. The kicking game, with All-American kicker Rex Robinson and All-American cornerback/punt returner Scott Woerner leading the way, was efficient and threatening. This was a team with tremendous depth, a complete unit that shined in all three phases of the game.
Following Walker's long touchdown run, Jimmy Payne, one of the best defensive linemen to ever play in Athens, came up with an interception off a batted pass at midfield, and the Bulldogs had the ball and the lead. It was one of four turnovers Georgia forced on the day, and the Bulldogs, who lost one, finished "plus three" in a category in which they led the nation - turnover margin.
The Bulldogs reached the Vanderbilt four yard line, but got pushed back as the drive stalled. Robinson came on and split the uprights for a 30-yard field goal and it was 10-0 Georgia.
Second Quarter
With 11:02 to go in the second period, Georgia took over its own 28-yard line following a nine-yard punt return by Scott Woerner. It was a record-breaking day for both Walker and the senior out of Jonesboro. Woerner broke Georgia's and the SEC's record for career punt return yardage set by Buzy Rosenberg. He averaged an astounding 15.7 yards per return, an SEC record as well, while Georgia gave up just eight total yards on punt returns the entire season.
Up 10-0, the Bulldogs went to the fullback Jimmy Womack for five yards. It was Walker for eight. Then Buck Belue to Lindsay Scott for 11. First and ten from the Vandy 48, there goes Herschel again.
It was a 48-yard touchdown dash, and with 9:29 to go, following Robinson's PAT, Georgia led the Commodores 17-0.
Georgia's defense was salty. Three and out, and the 'Dores turned it over to their punter Jim Arnold, who went on to an All-SEC career. Arnold punted nine times for an impressive 46.6 yard average. Nine punts and four turnovers, that's dominant Dogs defense.
After another three and out, the big play Georgia offense struck again.
Belue hit the terrific tight end Norris Brown for a 58-yard touchdown pass. Robinson, who set an NCAA record for consecutive extra points made, was true again and with 6:50 to go in the half, it was 24-0 Bulldogs.
And that's how the half would end.
At intermission, Walker had 207 yards on 15 carries and the Bulldogs had chalked up 115 yards through the air on five of eight passing by Belue. That's a tremendous 14-plus yards per pass attempt.
Third Quarter
Georgia's defense was lethal in the third quarter.
Vanderbilt put together its best drive of the game, marching from its own 32 deep into Georgia territory. On second and 14 from the Bulldogs 17, Taylor went to the end zone and Woerner was there for the interception.
Drive halted. Any remaining wind was taken out of Vandy's sails at that point.
Mark Malkiewicz, who teamed with Jim Broadway to give the Bulldogs a fine pair of punters, was called on after Georgia's drive stalled.
On the Commodores next play, it was Hipp who came up with the pick. A native of Columbia, S.C., Hipp's eight interceptions tied for the nation's lead with five other players, including Southern Cal defensive back Ronnie Lott.
Georgia would take the ball to the Vanderbilt 18, but get stopped on fourth down.
No worries, for a third straight Commodores possession, the Bulldogs came up with a turnover.
This time it was one of the Bulldogs "big uglies." Georgia had a great, deep, strong defensive front. In fact, in this game, Payne and Eddie "Meat Cleaver" Weaver both had eight stops.
Joe Creamons of Eustis, Fla., pounced on the loose ball at the Commodores 31 yard line. Georgia was back in business.
The Commodores kept Georgia out of the end zone, but on the final play of the period, Robinson nailed a 41-yard field goal and it was 27-0 Bulldogs. There would be one final act from the leading man.
Fourth Quarter
On the Bulldogs first possession of the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs delivered the decisive knockout blow, with Herschel Walker breaking loose for a 54-yard run that broke Trippi's record and the spirit of the Commodores.
Georgia's reserves came in, including Jeff Paulk at quarterback, Carnie Norris, Barry Young, Chris McCarthy, and Matt Simon at running back, as well as Lon Buckler, Charles Junior, and Chuck Jones at receiver. Young linemen like Jimmy Harper, Tim Case, Winford Hood, and Warren Gray, who would all go on to outstanding careers got in for Tim Morrison, Hugh Nall, Nat Hudson, Jeff Harper (all four seniors), Jim Blakewood, Wayne Radloff, and Joe Happe on the front. That front was dominant all game long. That kind of experience would prove incredibly valuable, as the Bulldogs had to replace those four seniors and went on to greatness the next three years.
Paulk, who went six-of-six passing for 75 yards, directed a 69 yard drive, with Simon scoring from one yard out with 5:01 remaining. Robinson's extra point ended the scoring and put the finishing touches on another complete performance by the Bulldogs.
Defense
That starting secondary was tremendous. Hipp and Woerner both had interceptions, and Woerner entered the record books. Chris Welton and Mike Fisher played big.
Frank Ros - El Capitain from Barcelona, Spain via Greenville, S.C. - racked up six tackles, as did his mate at middle linebacker Nate Taylor. Tommy Thurson, a future star on that defense and special teams like fellow freshmen Freddie Gilbert and Terry Hoage, rotated in at linebacker. As did Will Forts.
That defensive line - Payne, Weaver, Robert Miles, Tim Crowe, Pat McShea, Creamons, Dale Carver, Tim Parks, Jack Lindsey, Gilbert….this was a stout unit.
Bob Kelly, Steve Kelly, and Donnie McMinkens were amongst the headliners on special teams, former starters who embraced their roles and excelled.
The Final Word
It was a record setting day and virtuoso performance from Walker. With Woerner moving into the record books as well, it was truly a day to remember. A 41-0 win against any SEC foe is something to savor. The shutout was Georgia's second of the season, and the third game in which the Bulldogs gave up three or fewer points.
Georgia now sat at 6-0, 3-0 in the SEC and would move up to No. 5 in the rankings. The Bulldogs had just won five straight at home after the valiant victory over the Volunteers in Knoxville. Now it was off to Kentucky.
No looking ahead.
But what a stretch laid ahead.
October 18, 1980
Sanford Stadium
Athens, Georgia
Georgia - 41, Vanderbilt - 0
In limited duty the week before, freshman tailback Herschel Walker played well in a 28-21 victory over Ole Miss, carrying 11 times for 44 yards against the Rebels on October 11. The freshman sensation injured his ankle in the first quarter at the end of a 41-yard first quarter run against Texas Christian University in the fourth game of the season on September 27th. Fate intervened, as the Bulldogs had an open date the next week, giving the thunder and lightning of this perfect Red and Black storm an extra week to heal.
Vanderbilt was awaiting for what was the Bulldogs fifth consecutive home game at Sanford Stadium, with the Bulldogs 5-0, 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference and ranked sixth nationally.
Coming into the game with an 0-4 record, the Commodores were struggling. Vandy lost its opener at Maryland 31-6, fell at home to Mississippi State 24-14, got crushed at then top-ranked Alabama 41-0, and the week before the trip to Athens, the Commodores fell in Nashville to Tulane 43-21. Vanderbilt went 2-9 for three straight years from 1976-1978, then the Commodores hired George MacIntyre to try and turn things around. In his first year in 1979, Vanderbilt went 1-10. The Commodores were in a bad place, but MacIntyre was a good coach, and also had Whit Taylor (who would wind up as runner-up to Herschel two seasons later in 1982 for SEC Most Valuable Player honors, as Vandy had an 8-3 regular season).
With Vince Dooley and Erk Russell, the focus was always there to not have a letdown that would ruin what was shaping up as a special season.
A non knee-knocking win would be nice too. Georgia was in that 'every other game being tighter than two coats of paint' thing, having beaten Tennessee 16-15, Clemson 20-16 and the Rebels by the aforementioned seven point margin, in the first, third and fifth games of the year. The second and fourth games against Texas A&M and TCU of the Southwest Conference were decisive Bulldog victories, with Georgia prevailing 42-0 over the Aggies and 34-3 against the Horned Frogs.
It was homecoming week in Athens, and there was a scare earlier in the week, as the Dooley family was involved in an automobile accident coming home from the parade downtown. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt, but First Lady Barbara Dooley and Coach Dooley did suffer some injuries. Scary, but everyone in the accident was okay, and Coach Dooley was on the sidelines.
As the 1:30 kickoff approached on this autumn October Athens Saturday, with overcast skies, 73 degree temperature and south-southwesterly wind of eight miles per hour, there was one big question looming, was Herschel Walker 100% healthy?
There Goes Herschel
"At practice on Tuesday, we knew he was ready to go," said All-American safety Jeff Hipp.
Superman was arguably never stronger. A whirling dervish of speed, strength and power, "The Goal Line Stalker" scored on touchdown runs of 60, 54 and 48 yards, racking up 283 yards on 23 carries, an average of 12.3 per pop. It was a record-shattering afternoon. Most notably, the freshman from Wrightsville broke Bulldog legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Trippi's single game rushing record of 239 yards, set against Florida in 1945.
The first long touchdown run came on Georgia's first possession. A critical third down conversion pass from Buck Belue to Amp Arnold moved the chains. Then, faster than a speeding train and more powerful than a locomotive, Herschel broke loose for a 60-yard touchdown, sending the Sanford Stadium faithful into a frenzy.
He was back. And this perfect football playing machine was at full strength.
Georgia had a great offensive line, superb tight ends and fullbacks, a winner at quarterback and two of the best receivers in school history. There were good runners behind Walker, but with Number 34, this Bulldogs offense had all the pieces.
Meanwhile, the defense and special teams were arguably the best in college football. There were standouts and depth at all three levels - defensive line, linebacker and secondary - for Russell's crew. The kicking game, with All-American kicker Rex Robinson and All-American cornerback/punt returner Scott Woerner leading the way, was efficient and threatening. This was a team with tremendous depth, a complete unit that shined in all three phases of the game.
Following Walker's long touchdown run, Jimmy Payne, one of the best defensive linemen to ever play in Athens, came up with an interception off a batted pass at midfield, and the Bulldogs had the ball and the lead. It was one of four turnovers Georgia forced on the day, and the Bulldogs, who lost one, finished "plus three" in a category in which they led the nation - turnover margin.
The Bulldogs reached the Vanderbilt four yard line, but got pushed back as the drive stalled. Robinson came on and split the uprights for a 30-yard field goal and it was 10-0 Georgia.
Second Quarter
With 11:02 to go in the second period, Georgia took over its own 28-yard line following a nine-yard punt return by Scott Woerner. It was a record-breaking day for both Walker and the senior out of Jonesboro. Woerner broke Georgia's and the SEC's record for career punt return yardage set by Buzy Rosenberg. He averaged an astounding 15.7 yards per return, an SEC record as well, while Georgia gave up just eight total yards on punt returns the entire season.
Up 10-0, the Bulldogs went to the fullback Jimmy Womack for five yards. It was Walker for eight. Then Buck Belue to Lindsay Scott for 11. First and ten from the Vandy 48, there goes Herschel again.
It was a 48-yard touchdown dash, and with 9:29 to go, following Robinson's PAT, Georgia led the Commodores 17-0.
Georgia's defense was salty. Three and out, and the 'Dores turned it over to their punter Jim Arnold, who went on to an All-SEC career. Arnold punted nine times for an impressive 46.6 yard average. Nine punts and four turnovers, that's dominant Dogs defense.
After another three and out, the big play Georgia offense struck again.
Belue hit the terrific tight end Norris Brown for a 58-yard touchdown pass. Robinson, who set an NCAA record for consecutive extra points made, was true again and with 6:50 to go in the half, it was 24-0 Bulldogs.
And that's how the half would end.
At intermission, Walker had 207 yards on 15 carries and the Bulldogs had chalked up 115 yards through the air on five of eight passing by Belue. That's a tremendous 14-plus yards per pass attempt.
Third Quarter
Georgia's defense was lethal in the third quarter.
Vanderbilt put together its best drive of the game, marching from its own 32 deep into Georgia territory. On second and 14 from the Bulldogs 17, Taylor went to the end zone and Woerner was there for the interception.
Drive halted. Any remaining wind was taken out of Vandy's sails at that point.
Mark Malkiewicz, who teamed with Jim Broadway to give the Bulldogs a fine pair of punters, was called on after Georgia's drive stalled.
On the Commodores next play, it was Hipp who came up with the pick. A native of Columbia, S.C., Hipp's eight interceptions tied for the nation's lead with five other players, including Southern Cal defensive back Ronnie Lott.
Georgia would take the ball to the Vanderbilt 18, but get stopped on fourth down.
No worries, for a third straight Commodores possession, the Bulldogs came up with a turnover.
This time it was one of the Bulldogs "big uglies." Georgia had a great, deep, strong defensive front. In fact, in this game, Payne and Eddie "Meat Cleaver" Weaver both had eight stops.
Joe Creamons of Eustis, Fla., pounced on the loose ball at the Commodores 31 yard line. Georgia was back in business.
The Commodores kept Georgia out of the end zone, but on the final play of the period, Robinson nailed a 41-yard field goal and it was 27-0 Bulldogs. There would be one final act from the leading man.
Fourth Quarter
On the Bulldogs first possession of the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs delivered the decisive knockout blow, with Herschel Walker breaking loose for a 54-yard run that broke Trippi's record and the spirit of the Commodores.
Georgia's reserves came in, including Jeff Paulk at quarterback, Carnie Norris, Barry Young, Chris McCarthy, and Matt Simon at running back, as well as Lon Buckler, Charles Junior, and Chuck Jones at receiver. Young linemen like Jimmy Harper, Tim Case, Winford Hood, and Warren Gray, who would all go on to outstanding careers got in for Tim Morrison, Hugh Nall, Nat Hudson, Jeff Harper (all four seniors), Jim Blakewood, Wayne Radloff, and Joe Happe on the front. That front was dominant all game long. That kind of experience would prove incredibly valuable, as the Bulldogs had to replace those four seniors and went on to greatness the next three years.
Paulk, who went six-of-six passing for 75 yards, directed a 69 yard drive, with Simon scoring from one yard out with 5:01 remaining. Robinson's extra point ended the scoring and put the finishing touches on another complete performance by the Bulldogs.
Defense
That starting secondary was tremendous. Hipp and Woerner both had interceptions, and Woerner entered the record books. Chris Welton and Mike Fisher played big.
Frank Ros - El Capitain from Barcelona, Spain via Greenville, S.C. - racked up six tackles, as did his mate at middle linebacker Nate Taylor. Tommy Thurson, a future star on that defense and special teams like fellow freshmen Freddie Gilbert and Terry Hoage, rotated in at linebacker. As did Will Forts.
That defensive line - Payne, Weaver, Robert Miles, Tim Crowe, Pat McShea, Creamons, Dale Carver, Tim Parks, Jack Lindsey, Gilbert….this was a stout unit.
Bob Kelly, Steve Kelly, and Donnie McMinkens were amongst the headliners on special teams, former starters who embraced their roles and excelled.
The Final Word
It was a record setting day and virtuoso performance from Walker. With Woerner moving into the record books as well, it was truly a day to remember. A 41-0 win against any SEC foe is something to savor. The shutout was Georgia's second of the season, and the third game in which the Bulldogs gave up three or fewer points.
Georgia now sat at 6-0, 3-0 in the SEC and would move up to No. 5 in the rankings. The Bulldogs had just won five straight at home after the valiant victory over the Volunteers in Knoxville. Now it was off to Kentucky.
No looking ahead.
But what a stretch laid ahead.
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