40-for-80 The Sweetest Season - TCU Game
September 29, 2020 | Football
By: Jeff Dantzler
September 27, 1980
Sanford Stadium
Athens, Georgia
Georgia - 34, TCU - 3
Just like Georgia so badly needed the 42-0 blowout of Texas A&M following the 16-15 knee-knocking Knoxville victory over Tennessee to start the season, the Bulldogs were in dire need of another big win on the heels of a pulse-pounding 20-16 triumph over Clemson. At 3-0, the Bulldogs were ranked 10th nationally. The Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University, like the Aggies, a member of the Southwest Conference, came in with a record of 0-2 with a pair of close losses. Auburn edged the Horned Frogs 10-7 in Fort Worth, and TCU fell to SMU 17-14 in Dallas.
It was the first meeting between the two teams since the Orange Bowl on January 1, 1942, Georgia's first ever postseason appearance, which was highlighted by a record-setting performance from the ensuing season's Heisman Trophy winner Frank Sinkwich in a 40-26 Bulldogs victory.
Flash forward to 1980 and a breezy, partly sunny 73 degree Sanford Stadium Saturday with a 1:30 kickoff.
As was the norm for this greatest Georgia team, there was something to get the heart racing, even in an impressive 34-3 win over the Horned Frogs.
While Georgia controlled the game in all three phases, every Bulldog in the universe had their hearts fall into their shoes.
It was late in the first quarter. The two teams had exchanged eight punts and two fumbles. Then it was time for Number 34, Herschel Walker. The freshman sensation broke loose on a 41-yard scamper that took the ball from the Horned Frogs 49 to the eight-yard line. While the Sanford Stadium throng cheered loudly, things would then turn to a hush. Herschel was slow to get up.
The difference-maker for this special team had injured his ankle.
"When he was slow to get up and then gimped his way back to the sidelines, I think we all obviously thought it wasn't going to be that bad since it was Herschel," recalls one of the Bulldogs famed trainers Steve "Chickenhawk" Bryant. "It was determined that he had a significant sprain. Because Herschel lived in McWhorter Hall, it made it easier to treat him at night and at any time he was not in the athletic training room."
Fortunately it was not too serious. He would not return that afternoon, and had limited action in two weeks against Ole Miss, the next time the Bulldogs played. As another stroke of fortune, there was an open date the next week. That was so valuable for Herschel's healing, as Vanderbilt would discover on the receiving end of a record-shattering performance.
No More 34 Today
So here Georgia was, with just under two minutes to go in the first quarter, first and goal from the Horned Frogs' eight. With no Herschel.
The response showed so much about how complete these Bulldogs were. Georgia was the consummate TEAM.
It started with finishing that drive.
On third and goal from the TCU four, All-SEC junior quarterback #8 Buck Belue threw a scoring pass to fellow junior #33 Ronnie Stewart, who teamed with senior Jimmy Womack #25 to give the Bulldogs one of the country's best and most devastating fullback combos.
With 15 seconds to go in the opening period, Georgia led TCU 7-0.
Stewart, who was an All-SEC selection a year later, and Womack, most famed for his de-cleating kick-out block against Notre Dame to help spring Herschel for his second touchdown, would shoulder more of the ball-carrying load the rest of the way against the Horned Frogs. Freshman Barry Young and sophomore Carnie Norris alternated in Walker's stead, and that quartet did an excellent job. The four combined for 198 yards on 40 carries. Along with Walker's 69 yards prior to the injury, the Bulldogs powered their way to 334 yards on the ground on 67 carries. Young led the way with 83 yards on 19 carries.
Second Quarter
Georgia extended the lead on a pair of field goals by Rex Robinson, the All-American from Marietta splitting the uprights from 31 and 36 yards away.
It was a record-setting afternoon for one of Georgia's most accomplished ever players, as Robinson passed LSU's terrific tailback Charles Alexander to become the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Southeastern Conference.
TCU connected for a field goal - and what would turn out to be the Horned Frogs lone points of the day - to cut Georgia's lead to 13-3 with 3:20 to go before intermission.
With the half winding down, #19 All-American Scott Woerner shot 23 yards on a punt return to put Georgia on the TCU 32. There was 1:20 to go and Georgia was in business. But on first down, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on an interception and the Horned Frogs had the ball on their own 24 with just 1:08 remaining.
A roll of the dice backfired on the boys from Fort Worth thanks to some stifling Bulldogs pass defense. The Horned Frogs threw incomplete three straight downs, including a batted pass from senior end #41 Pat McShea. TCU punted, and following a 10-yard return to the Bulldogs 47, Georgia had the ball with 35 seconds to go before the half.
At that point, the thinking was to get into field goal range for the powerful super toe of Robinson.
But Belue had other plans.
He ran for 12 yards and a first down with the Horned Frogs playing the pass. Belue kept again, rushing for 13 more to the TCU 28. The Dogs then called time out with 18 seconds showing on the Sanford Stadium clock.
Time for some Georgia magic.
It was shades of the Aggies game all over again when backup quarterback Jeff Paulk hit Chuck Jones for a long touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half.
This time Belue found Jones, and the pair connected for a 28-yard touchdown right down the middle with just 12 seconds to go.
Whew. Exhale.
Following Robinson's PAT, the Bulldogs had a comfortable 20-3 lead.
Georgia's defense was downright dominant in the first half, limiting the Horned Frogs to just three first downs and 54 total yards, including just five on the ground on 21 carries. The great Erk Russell's stop unit would not relent after intermission.
Third Quarter
Georgia's defense continued its dominance in the second half. McShea, who set a Georgia record with eight fumble recoveries, got on a loose ball, and Woerner chalked up one of his five regular season interceptions (the two against Notre Dame did not count towards the season statistics, as bowl game stats weren't added until 2002), to set up the Bulldogs third touchdown. The pick came on a deep pass, and off the interception Woerner, entangled with the Horned Frogs intended receiver, pitched the ball to standout safety, second team UPI All-American Jeff Hipp, who dashed 23 yards to the TCU 41.
The Bulldogs were in business.
With 3:31 to go, Georgia; behind that tremendous offensive line led by the likes of Nat Hudson, Tim Morrison, Hugh Nall, Jim Blakewood, Jeff Harper, Wayne Radloff and Joe Happe; went to the power running attack. The Bulldogs had taken eight plays, working the ball deep into Horned Frogs' territory. The quarter ended and Georgia faced a fourth and one from the TCU six-yard line.
Knockout Blow
With TCU clinging to stay within striking distance, the Bulldogs quickly put the game away. Stewart scored his second touchdown of the day, this one on the ground, as he took a pitch from Belue on a nifty play and ran in from six yards out six seconds into the fourth quarter.
"I felt like we wore them down and broke their will," remembers Georgia's tremendous All-SEC right guard Tim Morrison. "The play at the end of the half was huge for us, I think it was a back-breaker for TCU, and we were able to take control up front in the second half."
It was 27-3 when Robinson's PAT was true.
Following a 21-yard kickoff return, the Horned Frogs had the ball on their own 26.
One of Georgia's fabulous freshmen then struck. Future All-American defensive lineman and superb understudy "Fast" Freddie Gilbert of Griffin made his first sensational play as a Bulldog, leaping and intercepting a TCU aerial at the line of scrimmage and returning it all the way to the Horned Frogs' 11.
Greatest senior class, greatest freshman class.
Three plays later, with Paulk now in at quarterback, Young scored from four yards out and the Bulldogs had dropped the hammer 34-3. Georgia had punched in two touchdowns in just over a minute and that was "all she wrote."
Defense
Georgia gave up just seven first downs, only one on the ground. TCU had 36 rushing attempts for negative-ten yards. Compare that to Georgia's 334 rushing yards. The Bulldogs pass rush and secondary play was superb all day. TCU was 10 of 26 for 109 yards and the two picks.
Add all of that up, and TCU's total offense was 99 yards for the afternoon.
Over two dozen Bulldog defenders were credited with tackles for Russell's great stop unit on the afternoon. The defensive line was especially strong. All-SEC junior defensive tackle #61 Eddie "Meat Cleaver" Weaver had eight stops, including eight yards in losses. Sophomore All-SEC defensive tackle #87 Jimmy Payne was a pass-rushing stalwart, and had five yards in tackles for loss. #83 Robert Miles had six yards in tackles for loss. Dale Carver, Tim Parks, Jack Lindsey, Joe Creamons, Tim Crowe, Kevin "Catfish" Jackson and Gilbert filled out a tremendous, deep front that was integral in the Bulldogs championship run.
And then there was McShea.
"Pat had a monster day against TCU," recalls senior captain linebacker Frank Ros, who tallied seven tackles, including five yards in losses himself.
McShea was indeed stellar. Along with the fumble recovery, he broke up three passes, and sent the Horned Frogs back 22 yards in tackles for loss.
"Coach Russell and the entire staff had a great plan that day," reflected Miles, one of the Bulldogs top defenders. "We had played so well, we had that open date coming up, we did not want to let down, and we went out and had an outstanding game."
Turnovers and Special Teams
Georgia led the nation in turnover margin, and finished plus-two against TCU. The staggering dominance in punt exchange was on display, as Woerner had seven returns for 89 yards, for an average of 12.7 per. TCU returned just one of Jim Broadway's punts, and got negative four yards on a stop by none other than Radloff, a future All-SEC offensive lineman. Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Dooley had something special. The turnover margin, and the punt game - Woerner's average of 15.7 per vs. just eight total yards allowed all year - cannot be understated for how vital those two integral parts of the game were to the Bulldogs perfect season. Dooley had a tremendous staff, and this "Master Doctor of Details," had something special.
What Next?
Georgia moved up to No. 8 in the national rankings with a 4-0 record. As mentioned above, there was an open date on deck and it came at an opportune time. Ole Miss awaited with the second SEC contest of the year, and a fourth of five straight Between the Hedges. But for now, Georgia could enjoy being 4-0 - "There's Nothing Like Being a Bulldog On A Saturday Night" - and hope that Herschel would heal quickly.
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September 27, 1980
Sanford Stadium
Athens, Georgia
Georgia - 34, TCU - 3
Just like Georgia so badly needed the 42-0 blowout of Texas A&M following the 16-15 knee-knocking Knoxville victory over Tennessee to start the season, the Bulldogs were in dire need of another big win on the heels of a pulse-pounding 20-16 triumph over Clemson. At 3-0, the Bulldogs were ranked 10th nationally. The Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University, like the Aggies, a member of the Southwest Conference, came in with a record of 0-2 with a pair of close losses. Auburn edged the Horned Frogs 10-7 in Fort Worth, and TCU fell to SMU 17-14 in Dallas.
It was the first meeting between the two teams since the Orange Bowl on January 1, 1942, Georgia's first ever postseason appearance, which was highlighted by a record-setting performance from the ensuing season's Heisman Trophy winner Frank Sinkwich in a 40-26 Bulldogs victory.
Flash forward to 1980 and a breezy, partly sunny 73 degree Sanford Stadium Saturday with a 1:30 kickoff.
As was the norm for this greatest Georgia team, there was something to get the heart racing, even in an impressive 34-3 win over the Horned Frogs.
While Georgia controlled the game in all three phases, every Bulldog in the universe had their hearts fall into their shoes.
It was late in the first quarter. The two teams had exchanged eight punts and two fumbles. Then it was time for Number 34, Herschel Walker. The freshman sensation broke loose on a 41-yard scamper that took the ball from the Horned Frogs 49 to the eight-yard line. While the Sanford Stadium throng cheered loudly, things would then turn to a hush. Herschel was slow to get up.
The difference-maker for this special team had injured his ankle.
"When he was slow to get up and then gimped his way back to the sidelines, I think we all obviously thought it wasn't going to be that bad since it was Herschel," recalls one of the Bulldogs famed trainers Steve "Chickenhawk" Bryant. "It was determined that he had a significant sprain. Because Herschel lived in McWhorter Hall, it made it easier to treat him at night and at any time he was not in the athletic training room."
Fortunately it was not too serious. He would not return that afternoon, and had limited action in two weeks against Ole Miss, the next time the Bulldogs played. As another stroke of fortune, there was an open date the next week. That was so valuable for Herschel's healing, as Vanderbilt would discover on the receiving end of a record-shattering performance.
No More 34 Today
So here Georgia was, with just under two minutes to go in the first quarter, first and goal from the Horned Frogs' eight. With no Herschel.
The response showed so much about how complete these Bulldogs were. Georgia was the consummate TEAM.
It started with finishing that drive.
On third and goal from the TCU four, All-SEC junior quarterback #8 Buck Belue threw a scoring pass to fellow junior #33 Ronnie Stewart, who teamed with senior Jimmy Womack #25 to give the Bulldogs one of the country's best and most devastating fullback combos.
With 15 seconds to go in the opening period, Georgia led TCU 7-0.
Stewart, who was an All-SEC selection a year later, and Womack, most famed for his de-cleating kick-out block against Notre Dame to help spring Herschel for his second touchdown, would shoulder more of the ball-carrying load the rest of the way against the Horned Frogs. Freshman Barry Young and sophomore Carnie Norris alternated in Walker's stead, and that quartet did an excellent job. The four combined for 198 yards on 40 carries. Along with Walker's 69 yards prior to the injury, the Bulldogs powered their way to 334 yards on the ground on 67 carries. Young led the way with 83 yards on 19 carries.
Second Quarter
Georgia extended the lead on a pair of field goals by Rex Robinson, the All-American from Marietta splitting the uprights from 31 and 36 yards away.
It was a record-setting afternoon for one of Georgia's most accomplished ever players, as Robinson passed LSU's terrific tailback Charles Alexander to become the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Southeastern Conference.
TCU connected for a field goal - and what would turn out to be the Horned Frogs lone points of the day - to cut Georgia's lead to 13-3 with 3:20 to go before intermission.
With the half winding down, #19 All-American Scott Woerner shot 23 yards on a punt return to put Georgia on the TCU 32. There was 1:20 to go and Georgia was in business. But on first down, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on an interception and the Horned Frogs had the ball on their own 24 with just 1:08 remaining.
A roll of the dice backfired on the boys from Fort Worth thanks to some stifling Bulldogs pass defense. The Horned Frogs threw incomplete three straight downs, including a batted pass from senior end #41 Pat McShea. TCU punted, and following a 10-yard return to the Bulldogs 47, Georgia had the ball with 35 seconds to go before the half.
At that point, the thinking was to get into field goal range for the powerful super toe of Robinson.
But Belue had other plans.
He ran for 12 yards and a first down with the Horned Frogs playing the pass. Belue kept again, rushing for 13 more to the TCU 28. The Dogs then called time out with 18 seconds showing on the Sanford Stadium clock.
Time for some Georgia magic.
It was shades of the Aggies game all over again when backup quarterback Jeff Paulk hit Chuck Jones for a long touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half.
This time Belue found Jones, and the pair connected for a 28-yard touchdown right down the middle with just 12 seconds to go.
Whew. Exhale.
Following Robinson's PAT, the Bulldogs had a comfortable 20-3 lead.
Georgia's defense was downright dominant in the first half, limiting the Horned Frogs to just three first downs and 54 total yards, including just five on the ground on 21 carries. The great Erk Russell's stop unit would not relent after intermission.
Third Quarter
Georgia's defense continued its dominance in the second half. McShea, who set a Georgia record with eight fumble recoveries, got on a loose ball, and Woerner chalked up one of his five regular season interceptions (the two against Notre Dame did not count towards the season statistics, as bowl game stats weren't added until 2002), to set up the Bulldogs third touchdown. The pick came on a deep pass, and off the interception Woerner, entangled with the Horned Frogs intended receiver, pitched the ball to standout safety, second team UPI All-American Jeff Hipp, who dashed 23 yards to the TCU 41.
The Bulldogs were in business.
With 3:31 to go, Georgia; behind that tremendous offensive line led by the likes of Nat Hudson, Tim Morrison, Hugh Nall, Jim Blakewood, Jeff Harper, Wayne Radloff and Joe Happe; went to the power running attack. The Bulldogs had taken eight plays, working the ball deep into Horned Frogs' territory. The quarter ended and Georgia faced a fourth and one from the TCU six-yard line.
Knockout Blow
With TCU clinging to stay within striking distance, the Bulldogs quickly put the game away. Stewart scored his second touchdown of the day, this one on the ground, as he took a pitch from Belue on a nifty play and ran in from six yards out six seconds into the fourth quarter.
"I felt like we wore them down and broke their will," remembers Georgia's tremendous All-SEC right guard Tim Morrison. "The play at the end of the half was huge for us, I think it was a back-breaker for TCU, and we were able to take control up front in the second half."
It was 27-3 when Robinson's PAT was true.
Following a 21-yard kickoff return, the Horned Frogs had the ball on their own 26.
One of Georgia's fabulous freshmen then struck. Future All-American defensive lineman and superb understudy "Fast" Freddie Gilbert of Griffin made his first sensational play as a Bulldog, leaping and intercepting a TCU aerial at the line of scrimmage and returning it all the way to the Horned Frogs' 11.
Greatest senior class, greatest freshman class.
Three plays later, with Paulk now in at quarterback, Young scored from four yards out and the Bulldogs had dropped the hammer 34-3. Georgia had punched in two touchdowns in just over a minute and that was "all she wrote."
Defense
Georgia gave up just seven first downs, only one on the ground. TCU had 36 rushing attempts for negative-ten yards. Compare that to Georgia's 334 rushing yards. The Bulldogs pass rush and secondary play was superb all day. TCU was 10 of 26 for 109 yards and the two picks.
Add all of that up, and TCU's total offense was 99 yards for the afternoon.
Over two dozen Bulldog defenders were credited with tackles for Russell's great stop unit on the afternoon. The defensive line was especially strong. All-SEC junior defensive tackle #61 Eddie "Meat Cleaver" Weaver had eight stops, including eight yards in losses. Sophomore All-SEC defensive tackle #87 Jimmy Payne was a pass-rushing stalwart, and had five yards in tackles for loss. #83 Robert Miles had six yards in tackles for loss. Dale Carver, Tim Parks, Jack Lindsey, Joe Creamons, Tim Crowe, Kevin "Catfish" Jackson and Gilbert filled out a tremendous, deep front that was integral in the Bulldogs championship run.
And then there was McShea.
"Pat had a monster day against TCU," recalls senior captain linebacker Frank Ros, who tallied seven tackles, including five yards in losses himself.
McShea was indeed stellar. Along with the fumble recovery, he broke up three passes, and sent the Horned Frogs back 22 yards in tackles for loss.
"Coach Russell and the entire staff had a great plan that day," reflected Miles, one of the Bulldogs top defenders. "We had played so well, we had that open date coming up, we did not want to let down, and we went out and had an outstanding game."
Turnovers and Special Teams
Georgia led the nation in turnover margin, and finished plus-two against TCU. The staggering dominance in punt exchange was on display, as Woerner had seven returns for 89 yards, for an average of 12.7 per. TCU returned just one of Jim Broadway's punts, and got negative four yards on a stop by none other than Radloff, a future All-SEC offensive lineman. Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Dooley had something special. The turnover margin, and the punt game - Woerner's average of 15.7 per vs. just eight total yards allowed all year - cannot be understated for how vital those two integral parts of the game were to the Bulldogs perfect season. Dooley had a tremendous staff, and this "Master Doctor of Details," had something special.
What Next?
Georgia moved up to No. 8 in the national rankings with a 4-0 record. As mentioned above, there was an open date on deck and it came at an opportune time. Ole Miss awaited with the second SEC contest of the year, and a fourth of five straight Between the Hedges. But for now, Georgia could enjoy being 4-0 - "There's Nothing Like Being a Bulldog On A Saturday Night" - and hope that Herschel would heal quickly.
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