University of Georgia Athletics
40-for-80 The Sweetest Season - Texas A&M Game
September 15, 2020 | Football
By: Jeff Dantzler
September 13, 1980
Sanford Stadium
Athens, Georgia
Georgia - 42, Texas A&M - 0
These two teams headed into the Southeastern Conference - Southwest Conference showdown with a lot in common.
Both Georgia and Texas A&M had posted disappointing 6-5 records the year prior, but had suffered several close setbacks. The Bulldogs of 1979 lost their first three games by one, five and seven to Wake Forest, Clemson and South Carolina. The Aggies had lost by one to Brigham Young and Texas Tech and by three to Houston. There were high hopes on both sides that things would come together in 1980.
In the season openers, Vince Dooley's Bulldogs rallied from a 15-0 deficit, sparked by Herschel Walker, to topple Tennessee 16-15 in Knoxville. The Aggies pulled out a 23-20 white-knuckler over Ole Miss in Jackson.
There was confidence on both sides, and it was a toss up according to the boys in Las Vegas.
This would be the first meeting between these two storied programs since 1954. The Bulldogs had never beaten A&M, trailing the all-time series 3-0 at the time. The Aggies bested Georgia in the 1950 Presidential Cup Bowl and in College Station in 1953. Texas A&M's '54 squad was coached by Paul "Bear" Bryant. His "Junction Boys," who would go on to capture the 1957 Southwest Conference championship before he departed for home in Alabama, secured their lone win of the season, 6-0 in Athens over the Bulldogs. Yes, the Aggies went 1-9, but beat the Bulldogs in Athens.
Heralded running backs took center stage. Texas A&M was led by sophomore Johnny Hector, an All-SWC selection who had a fine 10-year National Football League career with the Jets. Walker was the story in Athens. The freshman sensation from Wrightsville was the difference-maker the week prior.
It was the Bulldogs home opener and Herschel's Sanford Stadium debut.
This would turn out to be a game of turnovers and big plays - both categories dominated by the Bulldogs - and a great catch by the great man, the incomparable Erskine Russell.
"Their left tackle, who was a very good player, would lean or sit back, depending on run or pass, which Coach Russell picked up on," recounts Georgia's stellar senior team captain, middle linebacker Frank Ros, Number 48. "Every time they came up to the line, we could call out a word that started with an "R" or a "P.""
The gritty Georgia defense was lights out - forcing SIX, yes SIX, Aggie turnovers and 11 punts. The Bulldogs picked off three passes and recovered a trio of fumbles.
On the other side of the ball, Georgia turned it over just once - that's PLUS FIVE in that all-important category - and cranked out a slew of big plays. The Bulldogs completed six passes that covered at least 23 yards, and that freshman tailback had his first of so so many long runs in Athens. Herschel broke loose for a 76-yard touchdown jaunt that would put the finishing touches on a shining 42-0 Bulldogs victory.
It was a hot day in Athens, with the 1:30 kickoff time temperature touching 90 degrees. The Bulldogs team captains this day roverback Chris Welton, fullback Jimmy Womack and offensive lineman Joe Happe, who made the big play on special teams on Tennessee's fumbled punt that turned into a safety the week before.
After an initial first down, the Bulldogs opening drive stalled, and Jim Broadway punted the Aggies to their own 17. Hector ripped off a 14-yarder. Then things turned Georgia's way, and the Bulldogs grabbed the game.
Pat McShea, who recovered the critical fumble deep in Georgia territory in the closing minutes of the victory at Tennessee, got on a loose football again. Walker and Womack ripped off first down runs, then on third and goal from the Aggies six, Buck Belue hit Amp Arnold for a touchdown, and the Bulldogs had drawn first blood with 10:34 to go in the first quarter.
Georgia broke the game open in the second quarter.
Belue hit Norris Brown for a 53-yard connection, setting up a one-yard scoring run by Herschel - his first touchdown between the hedges.
Leading 14-0, Belue and Arnold would connect for their second touchdown of the day, a 19-yard score that capped a seven play, 79-yard drive. It was 21-0, Georgia. The march began with a 29-yard pass from Belue to Lindsay Scott.
The passing game kept cooking. The Bulldogs got the ball back on their own 32 with 1:43 remaining. Backup signal caller Jeff Paulk came in and got big gainers through the air to Guy Stargell and Charles Junior. With the clock winding down, Paulk threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Chuck Jones. Only seven seconds remained in the half. All-American Rex Robinson's extra point gave the Bulldogs a 28-0 lead.
Leave it to the Mighty Munson to keep the Bulldogs faithful from getting overconfident.
"Don't count your chickens now, the Aggies can really move the ball."
An interception by Jeff Hipp, a UPI Second Team All-American selection, and Robert Miles fumble recovery, caused by future All-American Jimmy Payne, thwarted Aggie drives early in the third quarter. Woerner "The Returner" would strike - foretelling what was to come the next week against Clemson - as All-American cornerback and punt returner Scott Woerner broke loose for a 58-yard jaunt from the Bulldogs 38 all the way to the Aggies four. Two plays later, it was Herchel again, and 35-0 with just over nine minutes to go in the period.
"There Goes Herschel!"
The Greatest College Football Player Ever. The Greatest College Football Announcer Ever.
Munson and Herschel.
On his final play of the day, the big man with world class sprinter's speed was shot out of a cannon for a 76-yard touchdown run that - following Robinson's Point After Touchdown - made it 42-0. It was the punctuation of a day of domination for the Bulldogs. For the freshman sensation, he racked up 145 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries - Walker's first 100-yard rushing performance as a Bulldog.
The legend would grow.
And the Bulldogs were 2-0, ranked No. 10 in the land.
With a Sanford Stadium showdown against Clemson looming.
Blowouts are always nice, but to get this one in between what would be two knee-knocking victories, it was the perfect prescription. It was arguably Georgia's best all around performance of the season.
Next Week, we recap the Bulldogs epic showdown with the Tigers.
September 13, 1980
Sanford Stadium
Athens, Georgia
Georgia - 42, Texas A&M - 0
These two teams headed into the Southeastern Conference - Southwest Conference showdown with a lot in common.
Both Georgia and Texas A&M had posted disappointing 6-5 records the year prior, but had suffered several close setbacks. The Bulldogs of 1979 lost their first three games by one, five and seven to Wake Forest, Clemson and South Carolina. The Aggies had lost by one to Brigham Young and Texas Tech and by three to Houston. There were high hopes on both sides that things would come together in 1980.
In the season openers, Vince Dooley's Bulldogs rallied from a 15-0 deficit, sparked by Herschel Walker, to topple Tennessee 16-15 in Knoxville. The Aggies pulled out a 23-20 white-knuckler over Ole Miss in Jackson.
There was confidence on both sides, and it was a toss up according to the boys in Las Vegas.
This would be the first meeting between these two storied programs since 1954. The Bulldogs had never beaten A&M, trailing the all-time series 3-0 at the time. The Aggies bested Georgia in the 1950 Presidential Cup Bowl and in College Station in 1953. Texas A&M's '54 squad was coached by Paul "Bear" Bryant. His "Junction Boys," who would go on to capture the 1957 Southwest Conference championship before he departed for home in Alabama, secured their lone win of the season, 6-0 in Athens over the Bulldogs. Yes, the Aggies went 1-9, but beat the Bulldogs in Athens.
Heralded running backs took center stage. Texas A&M was led by sophomore Johnny Hector, an All-SWC selection who had a fine 10-year National Football League career with the Jets. Walker was the story in Athens. The freshman sensation from Wrightsville was the difference-maker the week prior.
It was the Bulldogs home opener and Herschel's Sanford Stadium debut.
This would turn out to be a game of turnovers and big plays - both categories dominated by the Bulldogs - and a great catch by the great man, the incomparable Erskine Russell.
"Their left tackle, who was a very good player, would lean or sit back, depending on run or pass, which Coach Russell picked up on," recounts Georgia's stellar senior team captain, middle linebacker Frank Ros, Number 48. "Every time they came up to the line, we could call out a word that started with an "R" or a "P.""
The gritty Georgia defense was lights out - forcing SIX, yes SIX, Aggie turnovers and 11 punts. The Bulldogs picked off three passes and recovered a trio of fumbles.
On the other side of the ball, Georgia turned it over just once - that's PLUS FIVE in that all-important category - and cranked out a slew of big plays. The Bulldogs completed six passes that covered at least 23 yards, and that freshman tailback had his first of so so many long runs in Athens. Herschel broke loose for a 76-yard touchdown jaunt that would put the finishing touches on a shining 42-0 Bulldogs victory.
It was a hot day in Athens, with the 1:30 kickoff time temperature touching 90 degrees. The Bulldogs team captains this day roverback Chris Welton, fullback Jimmy Womack and offensive lineman Joe Happe, who made the big play on special teams on Tennessee's fumbled punt that turned into a safety the week before.
After an initial first down, the Bulldogs opening drive stalled, and Jim Broadway punted the Aggies to their own 17. Hector ripped off a 14-yarder. Then things turned Georgia's way, and the Bulldogs grabbed the game.
Pat McShea, who recovered the critical fumble deep in Georgia territory in the closing minutes of the victory at Tennessee, got on a loose football again. Walker and Womack ripped off first down runs, then on third and goal from the Aggies six, Buck Belue hit Amp Arnold for a touchdown, and the Bulldogs had drawn first blood with 10:34 to go in the first quarter.
Georgia broke the game open in the second quarter.
Belue hit Norris Brown for a 53-yard connection, setting up a one-yard scoring run by Herschel - his first touchdown between the hedges.
Leading 14-0, Belue and Arnold would connect for their second touchdown of the day, a 19-yard score that capped a seven play, 79-yard drive. It was 21-0, Georgia. The march began with a 29-yard pass from Belue to Lindsay Scott.
The passing game kept cooking. The Bulldogs got the ball back on their own 32 with 1:43 remaining. Backup signal caller Jeff Paulk came in and got big gainers through the air to Guy Stargell and Charles Junior. With the clock winding down, Paulk threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Chuck Jones. Only seven seconds remained in the half. All-American Rex Robinson's extra point gave the Bulldogs a 28-0 lead.
Leave it to the Mighty Munson to keep the Bulldogs faithful from getting overconfident.
"Don't count your chickens now, the Aggies can really move the ball."
An interception by Jeff Hipp, a UPI Second Team All-American selection, and Robert Miles fumble recovery, caused by future All-American Jimmy Payne, thwarted Aggie drives early in the third quarter. Woerner "The Returner" would strike - foretelling what was to come the next week against Clemson - as All-American cornerback and punt returner Scott Woerner broke loose for a 58-yard jaunt from the Bulldogs 38 all the way to the Aggies four. Two plays later, it was Herchel again, and 35-0 with just over nine minutes to go in the period.
"There Goes Herschel!"
The Greatest College Football Player Ever. The Greatest College Football Announcer Ever.
Munson and Herschel.
On his final play of the day, the big man with world class sprinter's speed was shot out of a cannon for a 76-yard touchdown run that - following Robinson's Point After Touchdown - made it 42-0. It was the punctuation of a day of domination for the Bulldogs. For the freshman sensation, he racked up 145 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries - Walker's first 100-yard rushing performance as a Bulldog.
The legend would grow.
And the Bulldogs were 2-0, ranked No. 10 in the land.
With a Sanford Stadium showdown against Clemson looming.
Blowouts are always nice, but to get this one in between what would be two knee-knocking victories, it was the perfect prescription. It was arguably Georgia's best all around performance of the season.
Next Week, we recap the Bulldogs epic showdown with the Tigers.
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