University of Georgia Athletics
40-for-80 The Sweetest Season - Clemson Game
September 22, 2020 | Football
By: Jeff Dantzler
September 20, 1980
Sanford Stadium
Athens, Georgia
Georgia-20, Clemson-16
There was a time back in the 1980's, when Georgia and Clemson was one of the biggest games in college football, and the intensity of the rivalry with the Tigers was right there with Tech, Florida and Auburn for Bulldog fans.
Both teams were enjoying outstanding success, and there were a slew of instant classic knee-knockers between the two. With the campuses just over 70 miles apart, the proximity between the two got the blood flowing. And there were some real hard feelings when it came to recruiting.
Legends are cemented in games like this. And one of Georgia's greatest ever had his most brilliant performance in the Bulldogs 20-16 victory over the Tigers, which pushed the record on the season to 3-0.
Scott Woerner of Jonesboro was a first team All-American at cornerback and one of the top punt returners in Georgia history. He went the distance in Georgia's unforgettable 29-28 victory over Tech as a sophomore in 1978. Woerner would go on to shine in the 17-10 Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame to clinch the national championship for the Bulldogs, chalking up two interceptions as the outstanding defensive player of the game.
His second pick against the Fighting Irish, on what turned out to be their final offensive play, prompted ABC's analyst, Arkansas's Hall of Fame coach Frank Broyles - half of the famed television duo, along with Keith Jackson - to proclaim "Scott Woerner … is a winner!"
It's hard to imagine Georgia being in that position on January 1 were it not for Woerner's heroics against Clemson.
The Bulldogs were 2-0, with the thrilling 16-15 victory at Tennessee and a dominating 42-0 rout of Texas A&M between the hedges. Clemson was 1-0, defeating Rice 19-3 at Death Valley the week prior. The Tigers had gone 8-4 in 1979, including a 12-7 win over Georgia at Clemson. In the last meeting between the two in Athens, the Bulldogs beat the Tigers 12-0 in 1978, handing Clemson its lone loss of that season.
It was a muggy, overcast 75 degree afternoon with a 1:30 kickoff.
For a little added intrigue, Clemson's starting quarterback Homer Jordan was a native of Athens, a standout for the Cedar Shoals High School Jaguars.
With 12 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Clemson had run 29 plays. Georgia had run five. The Tigers had seven first downs. The Bulldogs none.
But Georgia led 14-0.
Because of …
Scott!
Woerner!
Dice Roll
Georgia's defense stopped Clemson after All-American Rex Robinson's opening kickoff, a three and out that led to a Tigers punt from their own 23-yard line. Woerner nearly scored the week before, bringing back a Texas A&M punt 58 yards to the Aggies four. He was feeling it. He was close to breaking one and going all the way. In fact, he was the Bulldogs special teams captain for the game, along with wide receiver Amp Arnold, #82, and defensive end Pat McShea, #41.
Lightning was about to strike.
Like Georgia, the Tigers had an outstanding kicking game, and the Tigers punter David Sims was an All-American candidate. He lofted a 44-yard kick that Woerner, with the white # 19 set against the red jersey, fielded on the Bulldogs 33-yard line.
Bob Kelly, Mike Fisher and Dale Williams came up with tremendous blocks and Woerner sprung free, slipping through the arms of a would-be Tiger tackler, dashing up the North sideline in front of the opposing bench, cutting back to the middle and sprinting through a wide open field to paydirt in the West end zone. With the Sanford Stadium throng upside down, rocking and rolling, Woerner shook the football like a slick craps player on the tables in Las Vegas, and "rolled seven." The dice roll remains a famed Georgia football celebration, and uncharacteristic of Vince Dooley's teams.
"Coach Dooley said, when I came to the sideline," recounts Woerner, "good punt return, don't ever do that again."
The punt game was exceptional for the Bulldogs all season. Woerner averaged 15.7 yards per return in 1980, while the Bulldogs gave up just eight punt return yards ALL YEAR! Not eight per return, eight all year, covering for Jim Broadway and Mark Malkiewicz. That's a first down and a half on punt exchanges.
Lightning Strikes Again
Another vital part of the game that Georgia dominated was turnovers. The Bulldogs of 1980 led the nation in turnover margin. Add that in with the average advantage in the punt game, and that is a whole big bunch of "hidden yardage."
With the Bulldogs leading 7-0, Clemson mounted a 14-play, 50-yard drive from its own 20 to the Georgia 30. The Tigers All-Atlantic Coast Conference kicker Obed Ariri missed a 47-yarder and the Bulldogs lead remained at seven.
It was a quick three-and-out for Georgia, and Clemson got the ball back on its own 40 with 5:29 remaining in the first quarter. The Tigers would march again, going 49 yards to the Georgia 11. Facing third down and nine, on the 12th play of the drive, Jordan rolled left and went to the air, and there was Woerner again.
He intercepted the Clemson aerial in the end zone and had a lot of green grass in front of him. Helped by a key block from Chris Welton, Woerner raced down the North sideline 98 yards, all the way to the Clemson two yard line.
With the stadium electric because of Woerner's heroics, Georgia extended the lead two plays later when junior All-Southeastern Conference quarterback Buck Belue scored from one yard out.
Just 12 seconds remained in the quarter, and Georgia led 14-0.
The Bulldogs had run five offensive plays.
It looked as though Georgia would cash in on a Tiger turnover again, as Tim Parks recovered a fumble caused by Nate Taylor on the Clemson 25. But Georgia fumbled the ball right back two plays later, and Clemson was back in business.
The Tigers went 80 yards on 18 plays to draw within 14-7. The Bulldogs defense had held and forced a Clemson field goal attempt. Ariri made the 49-yarder, but Georgia was offsides. The Tigers took the penalty and took the points off the board. It was a gamble that paid off.
Mike Gasque had come in at quarterback for Jordan. With the Tigers on the Bulldogs one, Gasque scooped up a Cliff Austin fumble that popped back to the five, and he took it in for a score.
It was 14-7, and Clemson was dominating the time of possession.
The Bulldogs went three-and-out again.
Clemson had a long march, again.
From its own 36, Clemson went 59 yards on 11 plays, and drew within 14-10 on Ariri's short field goal in the closing seconds of the half. A first half in which Georgia had ZERO first downs and Clemson had 15! The total offense difference was 239 to 33. Clemson had run 59 plays to the Bulldogs 11.
But Georgia had Scott Woerner.
Third Quarter
Georgia got the ball to start the second half and got the offense rolling. The freshman sensation Herschel Walker had two 12-yard carries and an eight-yard rush to highlight a 52-yard drive that culminated with Robinson's 42-yard field goal, giving Georgia a 17-10 lead.
One of the Bulldogs outstanding senior defensive ends, Robert Miles, came up with Georgia's third turnover of the day, intercepting Gasque and setting the silver britches up on the Tigers 31. The Dogs got down to the Clemson 11, but the drive stalled. Robinson was again true, this one from 28 yards, and Georgia led 20-10 with 7:07 remaining in the third.
It was then hunker down time for Georgia.
Ariri hit his second field goal of the day, a 45-yarder, to cap an 11-play drive, partially set up by a pair of tough penalties against the Dogs.
Clemson was within a touchdown.
Fourth Quarter
Clemson went 73 yards from its own 19 to the Georgia eight in 12 plays. The Tigers top threat was wide receiver Perry Tuttle, who would be named first team All-American in 1981. On third and seven from the Georgia eight, Gasque threw for Tuttle, but Fisher, the clutch senior corner, was there for the breakup. Fisher would gain even greater Bulldogs fame with his unforgettable interceptions against Florida and Notre Dame.
With Clemson down by seven, Tiger coach Danny Ford, on fourth and seven from the eight, again turned to Ariri. He was true, and with just under seven minutes remaining, Georgia led Clemson 20-16.
Georgia picked up a couple of first downs, but then, facing fourth and 14 from the Tigers 45 with less than four minutes to go, on the punt, the Bulldogs fumbled the snap and the ball went over to Clemson 41 yards from victory.
The Bulldogs got a rotten break on a pass interference call that went against Woerner, who was run into by Clemson's intended receiver. And there they were, the Tigers were first and goal on the Georgia 10.
Georgia stuffed a rushing attempt for no gain.
Now it was second and goal from the ten.
More Defensive Heroics
Leave it to a couple of South Carolina natives to save the day.
With Clemson eyeing the lead, Georgia's superb senior captain linebacker #48 Frank Ros, who was a wrecking ball, tallying 20 tackles against the Tigers that afternoon, tipped Gasque's pass and it was picked off by #49 Jeff Hipp, a second team UPI All-American, on the Georgia one-yard line. Ros, born in Barcelona, Spain, grew up in Greenville, S.C. Hipp is a native of Columbia, S.C.
The game was far from over, though. The ball was on the one, and the lead was only four points, and Clemson had two timeouts. There were exactly two minutes to go.
Herschel
Belue ran for two. Walker went for four, and the ball popped out, but the Bulldogs got it back. On third and four from the seven, Georgia got its most important offensive play of the day.
Herschel broke loose for 20 yards, and the game was in Georgia's hands. Belue took a knee three times - Clemson called two timeouts - and the game was over.
The Dogs had done it again.
The Numbers
Clemson ran 90 plays to Georgia's 48. The Tigers picked up 26 first downs. Georgia 10. The Bulldogs attempted only seven passes. Clemson outgained the Dogs 351-157 yards.
But Georgia found a way.
The Bulldogs won the turnover battle 4-2 and the defense held and held time and time again.
Four defensive linemen racked up double figure tackles, as Jimmy Payne, Eddie "Meat Cleaver" Weaver, Joe Creamons and McShea were tremendous on the front line, along with Miles, who had one of the three Bulldog interceptions and seven yards worth of tackles for loss. Taylor and freshman Tommy Thurson had strong games at linebacker alongside Ros. The secondary of Hipp, Fisher, Welton and of course Woerner was superb.
Number 19 was the difference. Woerner's two iconic first quarter plays will forever be etched amongst the greatest in Georgia lore.
It was 3-0 for the Bulldogs, who remained at Number 10 in the national rankings. Another Southwest Conference foe awaited for another home date at Sanford Stadium. The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs were on deck, and these Dogs, who had taken two thrillers and delivered one blowout, had destiny on their side.
September 20, 1980
Sanford Stadium
Athens, Georgia
Georgia-20, Clemson-16
There was a time back in the 1980's, when Georgia and Clemson was one of the biggest games in college football, and the intensity of the rivalry with the Tigers was right there with Tech, Florida and Auburn for Bulldog fans.
Both teams were enjoying outstanding success, and there were a slew of instant classic knee-knockers between the two. With the campuses just over 70 miles apart, the proximity between the two got the blood flowing. And there were some real hard feelings when it came to recruiting.
Legends are cemented in games like this. And one of Georgia's greatest ever had his most brilliant performance in the Bulldogs 20-16 victory over the Tigers, which pushed the record on the season to 3-0.
Scott Woerner of Jonesboro was a first team All-American at cornerback and one of the top punt returners in Georgia history. He went the distance in Georgia's unforgettable 29-28 victory over Tech as a sophomore in 1978. Woerner would go on to shine in the 17-10 Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame to clinch the national championship for the Bulldogs, chalking up two interceptions as the outstanding defensive player of the game.
His second pick against the Fighting Irish, on what turned out to be their final offensive play, prompted ABC's analyst, Arkansas's Hall of Fame coach Frank Broyles - half of the famed television duo, along with Keith Jackson - to proclaim "Scott Woerner … is a winner!"
It's hard to imagine Georgia being in that position on January 1 were it not for Woerner's heroics against Clemson.
The Bulldogs were 2-0, with the thrilling 16-15 victory at Tennessee and a dominating 42-0 rout of Texas A&M between the hedges. Clemson was 1-0, defeating Rice 19-3 at Death Valley the week prior. The Tigers had gone 8-4 in 1979, including a 12-7 win over Georgia at Clemson. In the last meeting between the two in Athens, the Bulldogs beat the Tigers 12-0 in 1978, handing Clemson its lone loss of that season.
It was a muggy, overcast 75 degree afternoon with a 1:30 kickoff.
For a little added intrigue, Clemson's starting quarterback Homer Jordan was a native of Athens, a standout for the Cedar Shoals High School Jaguars.
With 12 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Clemson had run 29 plays. Georgia had run five. The Tigers had seven first downs. The Bulldogs none.
But Georgia led 14-0.
Because of …
Scott!
Woerner!
Dice Roll
Georgia's defense stopped Clemson after All-American Rex Robinson's opening kickoff, a three and out that led to a Tigers punt from their own 23-yard line. Woerner nearly scored the week before, bringing back a Texas A&M punt 58 yards to the Aggies four. He was feeling it. He was close to breaking one and going all the way. In fact, he was the Bulldogs special teams captain for the game, along with wide receiver Amp Arnold, #82, and defensive end Pat McShea, #41.
Lightning was about to strike.
Like Georgia, the Tigers had an outstanding kicking game, and the Tigers punter David Sims was an All-American candidate. He lofted a 44-yard kick that Woerner, with the white # 19 set against the red jersey, fielded on the Bulldogs 33-yard line.
Bob Kelly, Mike Fisher and Dale Williams came up with tremendous blocks and Woerner sprung free, slipping through the arms of a would-be Tiger tackler, dashing up the North sideline in front of the opposing bench, cutting back to the middle and sprinting through a wide open field to paydirt in the West end zone. With the Sanford Stadium throng upside down, rocking and rolling, Woerner shook the football like a slick craps player on the tables in Las Vegas, and "rolled seven." The dice roll remains a famed Georgia football celebration, and uncharacteristic of Vince Dooley's teams.
"Coach Dooley said, when I came to the sideline," recounts Woerner, "good punt return, don't ever do that again."
The punt game was exceptional for the Bulldogs all season. Woerner averaged 15.7 yards per return in 1980, while the Bulldogs gave up just eight punt return yards ALL YEAR! Not eight per return, eight all year, covering for Jim Broadway and Mark Malkiewicz. That's a first down and a half on punt exchanges.
Lightning Strikes Again
Another vital part of the game that Georgia dominated was turnovers. The Bulldogs of 1980 led the nation in turnover margin. Add that in with the average advantage in the punt game, and that is a whole big bunch of "hidden yardage."
With the Bulldogs leading 7-0, Clemson mounted a 14-play, 50-yard drive from its own 20 to the Georgia 30. The Tigers All-Atlantic Coast Conference kicker Obed Ariri missed a 47-yarder and the Bulldogs lead remained at seven.
It was a quick three-and-out for Georgia, and Clemson got the ball back on its own 40 with 5:29 remaining in the first quarter. The Tigers would march again, going 49 yards to the Georgia 11. Facing third down and nine, on the 12th play of the drive, Jordan rolled left and went to the air, and there was Woerner again.
He intercepted the Clemson aerial in the end zone and had a lot of green grass in front of him. Helped by a key block from Chris Welton, Woerner raced down the North sideline 98 yards, all the way to the Clemson two yard line.
With the stadium electric because of Woerner's heroics, Georgia extended the lead two plays later when junior All-Southeastern Conference quarterback Buck Belue scored from one yard out.
Just 12 seconds remained in the quarter, and Georgia led 14-0.
The Bulldogs had run five offensive plays.
It looked as though Georgia would cash in on a Tiger turnover again, as Tim Parks recovered a fumble caused by Nate Taylor on the Clemson 25. But Georgia fumbled the ball right back two plays later, and Clemson was back in business.
The Tigers went 80 yards on 18 plays to draw within 14-7. The Bulldogs defense had held and forced a Clemson field goal attempt. Ariri made the 49-yarder, but Georgia was offsides. The Tigers took the penalty and took the points off the board. It was a gamble that paid off.
Mike Gasque had come in at quarterback for Jordan. With the Tigers on the Bulldogs one, Gasque scooped up a Cliff Austin fumble that popped back to the five, and he took it in for a score.
It was 14-7, and Clemson was dominating the time of possession.
The Bulldogs went three-and-out again.
Clemson had a long march, again.
From its own 36, Clemson went 59 yards on 11 plays, and drew within 14-10 on Ariri's short field goal in the closing seconds of the half. A first half in which Georgia had ZERO first downs and Clemson had 15! The total offense difference was 239 to 33. Clemson had run 59 plays to the Bulldogs 11.
But Georgia had Scott Woerner.
Third Quarter
Georgia got the ball to start the second half and got the offense rolling. The freshman sensation Herschel Walker had two 12-yard carries and an eight-yard rush to highlight a 52-yard drive that culminated with Robinson's 42-yard field goal, giving Georgia a 17-10 lead.
One of the Bulldogs outstanding senior defensive ends, Robert Miles, came up with Georgia's third turnover of the day, intercepting Gasque and setting the silver britches up on the Tigers 31. The Dogs got down to the Clemson 11, but the drive stalled. Robinson was again true, this one from 28 yards, and Georgia led 20-10 with 7:07 remaining in the third.
It was then hunker down time for Georgia.
Ariri hit his second field goal of the day, a 45-yarder, to cap an 11-play drive, partially set up by a pair of tough penalties against the Dogs.
Clemson was within a touchdown.
Fourth Quarter
Clemson went 73 yards from its own 19 to the Georgia eight in 12 plays. The Tigers top threat was wide receiver Perry Tuttle, who would be named first team All-American in 1981. On third and seven from the Georgia eight, Gasque threw for Tuttle, but Fisher, the clutch senior corner, was there for the breakup. Fisher would gain even greater Bulldogs fame with his unforgettable interceptions against Florida and Notre Dame.
With Clemson down by seven, Tiger coach Danny Ford, on fourth and seven from the eight, again turned to Ariri. He was true, and with just under seven minutes remaining, Georgia led Clemson 20-16.
Georgia picked up a couple of first downs, but then, facing fourth and 14 from the Tigers 45 with less than four minutes to go, on the punt, the Bulldogs fumbled the snap and the ball went over to Clemson 41 yards from victory.
The Bulldogs got a rotten break on a pass interference call that went against Woerner, who was run into by Clemson's intended receiver. And there they were, the Tigers were first and goal on the Georgia 10.
Georgia stuffed a rushing attempt for no gain.
Now it was second and goal from the ten.
More Defensive Heroics
Leave it to a couple of South Carolina natives to save the day.
With Clemson eyeing the lead, Georgia's superb senior captain linebacker #48 Frank Ros, who was a wrecking ball, tallying 20 tackles against the Tigers that afternoon, tipped Gasque's pass and it was picked off by #49 Jeff Hipp, a second team UPI All-American, on the Georgia one-yard line. Ros, born in Barcelona, Spain, grew up in Greenville, S.C. Hipp is a native of Columbia, S.C.
The game was far from over, though. The ball was on the one, and the lead was only four points, and Clemson had two timeouts. There were exactly two minutes to go.
Herschel
Belue ran for two. Walker went for four, and the ball popped out, but the Bulldogs got it back. On third and four from the seven, Georgia got its most important offensive play of the day.
Herschel broke loose for 20 yards, and the game was in Georgia's hands. Belue took a knee three times - Clemson called two timeouts - and the game was over.
The Dogs had done it again.
The Numbers
Clemson ran 90 plays to Georgia's 48. The Tigers picked up 26 first downs. Georgia 10. The Bulldogs attempted only seven passes. Clemson outgained the Dogs 351-157 yards.
But Georgia found a way.
The Bulldogs won the turnover battle 4-2 and the defense held and held time and time again.
Four defensive linemen racked up double figure tackles, as Jimmy Payne, Eddie "Meat Cleaver" Weaver, Joe Creamons and McShea were tremendous on the front line, along with Miles, who had one of the three Bulldog interceptions and seven yards worth of tackles for loss. Taylor and freshman Tommy Thurson had strong games at linebacker alongside Ros. The secondary of Hipp, Fisher, Welton and of course Woerner was superb.
Number 19 was the difference. Woerner's two iconic first quarter plays will forever be etched amongst the greatest in Georgia lore.
It was 3-0 for the Bulldogs, who remained at Number 10 in the national rankings. Another Southwest Conference foe awaited for another home date at Sanford Stadium. The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs were on deck, and these Dogs, who had taken two thrillers and delivered one blowout, had destiny on their side.
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