'80 Team Hunkered Down!
The 30th Anniversary of the 1980 National Championship team approaches this fall. Where does the time go? It goes quickly, but that was a time that will bond this team until they lay us in the ground. It was an honor to play with those guys. And it seems almost like yesterday.
I knew we were close to having a championship caliber team. As a high school kid, I witnessed the '76 Bulldogs win the SEC and go to the Sugar Bowl. In '78, a tie with Auburn in the year's final SEC game allowed Alabama to win it. The 1979 season was mostly a bummer, but we did kick butt in the SEC, until Auburn cut us in the SEC season finale. We were close. Willie McClendon carried the load in '78 and we missed that in 1979. We needed an outstanding running back.
Coach Mike Cavan delivered us Herschel Walker in the summer of 1980. And that summer night in Knoxville, we all celebrated a sweet victory, knowing our team would be tough to handle that season. Herschel was perhaps the best ever, but those title teams were full of talented, competitive guys. Practice was highly competitive and a lot of fun. Even during the season, we'd go full-speed, 1-on-1. We called it Bloody Tuesday. Bring your A-game. And we'd throw it in practice. LIndsay Scott was working on Scott Woerner. Amp Arnold on Mike Fisher. Womack on Ros and Nate Taylor.
Erk Russell's defense in 1980 was the best in college football. Allowed 10.8 points a game. Had 3 shutouts. Erk's defense held the oppenent to 15 of less in 8 games. The most an opponent scored was 21. They allowed 3 1st quarter points. And they led the nation in Forced Turnovers with 44. No way we could lose. That's 4 forced turnovers a game. Those guys were awesome.
On offense, by design we were 77% run and 23% pass, but we could make plays in the passing game when we needed to. Herschel was getting it 25 times a game. And he was running it downhill, man. We had some tough, mean dudes blocking too. Harper, Morrison and Nall were nasty. Hudson was one of the best linemen in college football. Happe, Blakewood and Radloff were solid too. Our fullbacks and tight-ends were underappreciated, but spectacular...Womack and Stewert brutilized linebackers. Norris Brown and Clarence Kay dominated the edge. Lindsay was blocking his butt off downfield too. Couldn't be stopped. Check the highlight tape.
For me, the best feeling and the time I appreciate the most...was looking around the locker room pre-game and knowing there was no way we were going to lose. The going out there and doing it was fun too. Hitting the field, even in enemy territory, behind Tim Morrison, Jeff Harper, Eddie Weaver and Jimmy Payne was a very comfortable feeling.
I knew we were close to having a championship caliber team. As a high school kid, I witnessed the '76 Bulldogs win the SEC and go to the Sugar Bowl. In '78, a tie with Auburn in the year's final SEC game allowed Alabama to win it. The 1979 season was mostly a bummer, but we did kick butt in the SEC, until Auburn cut us in the SEC season finale. We were close. Willie McClendon carried the load in '78 and we missed that in 1979. We needed an outstanding running back.
Coach Mike Cavan delivered us Herschel Walker in the summer of 1980. And that summer night in Knoxville, we all celebrated a sweet victory, knowing our team would be tough to handle that season. Herschel was perhaps the best ever, but those title teams were full of talented, competitive guys. Practice was highly competitive and a lot of fun. Even during the season, we'd go full-speed, 1-on-1. We called it Bloody Tuesday. Bring your A-game. And we'd throw it in practice. LIndsay Scott was working on Scott Woerner. Amp Arnold on Mike Fisher. Womack on Ros and Nate Taylor.
Erk Russell's defense in 1980 was the best in college football. Allowed 10.8 points a game. Had 3 shutouts. Erk's defense held the oppenent to 15 of less in 8 games. The most an opponent scored was 21. They allowed 3 1st quarter points. And they led the nation in Forced Turnovers with 44. No way we could lose. That's 4 forced turnovers a game. Those guys were awesome.
On offense, by design we were 77% run and 23% pass, but we could make plays in the passing game when we needed to. Herschel was getting it 25 times a game. And he was running it downhill, man. We had some tough, mean dudes blocking too. Harper, Morrison and Nall were nasty. Hudson was one of the best linemen in college football. Happe, Blakewood and Radloff were solid too. Our fullbacks and tight-ends were underappreciated, but spectacular...Womack and Stewert brutilized linebackers. Norris Brown and Clarence Kay dominated the edge. Lindsay was blocking his butt off downfield too. Couldn't be stopped. Check the highlight tape.
For me, the best feeling and the time I appreciate the most...was looking around the locker room pre-game and knowing there was no way we were going to lose. The going out there and doing it was fun too. Hitting the field, even in enemy territory, behind Tim Morrison, Jeff Harper, Eddie Weaver and Jimmy Payne was a very comfortable feeling.
God please shine down on the Bulldogs and give it back to us again! We are worthy!!!!!
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1980, a great, great year Buck. My younger brother Jeff Harper was helping with that protection.
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I know how great my memories are of that team. I envy you your close experience of that wonderful time. Of course a lot of it wouldn't have happened without you doing your part too! I wouldn't trade being a Dawg for any other place in the world!
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Great times. I graduated high school in 1980. Grew up about 30 miles from Herschel. I had heard all about him before he arrived in Athens. The first time I saw you play was the '78 Tech game. Still one of the best games I have ever seen.
Hard to believe it has been 30 years, but I am glad I was around to see it.
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Buck Can You Help?
Following the close of football season in 1976, I sent coach Dooley a hand drawn illustration detailing how the team would look dressed out in red trousers with the white jersey and the red helmet.
He sent me a letter in response, which I still have today. In closing his letter, he assured me that my idea would receive due consideration. The rest of the story is a small piece of UGA football history.
I have been searching for an 8”x 10” glossy, color photo, of Herschel Walker vs. Tennessee from the 1980 season. I want to frame it along side the letter that Coach Dooley sent to me. I have had no success on the internet, eBay, or at sports memorabilia stores. There is a photo of you and Herschel together at:
www.dawgbone.net/oldschoolarchives.html
I contacted them but they couldn't help me. Is there any way that you could help me locate a good 8’x10’ glossy copy of this photo?
Thank You for your great career, and your contribution to the UGA National Title of 1980 - It will never be forgotten!
Jim Howard
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Buck,
That Wonder Dog team of 1978 was a promise of good things to come. I was there to witness that 29-28 comeback win over Tech. I didn’t know who you were until that day, but I knew that in Buck Belue we had a quarterback who was a natural born winner.
During the final days leading up to National Signing day in 1980, every night when closing my bedtime prayer I asked: “and Father please let Herschel Walker come to Georgia.” He was the only missing piece this team of winners needed.
When I saw Herschel carry the ball against Texas A&M, I could not believe my eyes. His speed and power was unbelievable. I had never seen his equal, and I knew he’d never be here for four years. I believe that every member of that TEAM, on offense and defense, stepped up to a level of greatness that they probably did not know that they could achieve before the season began. I thank God for Coach Erk Russell what a motivator he was!
That 1980 Georgia Football Team was the answer to a dream and decades long prayer to see my Bulldogs proclaimed as the greatest team in America. Your team photo is on my wall, your names and heroic exploits are indelibly etched in my memory, and my heart is filled with the greatest love, admiration, respect, and gratitude that any one individual is capable of containing.
I thank each and every one of you for being a part of my dream come true.
HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF 1980
Jim Howard
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