After being perhaps the most highly recruited Georgia Bulldog ever, Hershel signed a letter of intent to play for the Dogs on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1980. However, during summer workouts, he did not impress his teammates. Also, Coach Vince Dooley had a rule of not starting freshmen. So, when UGA opened up the 1980 season against Tennessee, Hershel did NOT start at running back. He was allowed to return kickoffs, but that was it. In the second quarter, with Georgia down 9 to 0, enter Hershel Walker. His impact was not felt until the third quarter with Georgia down by a score of 15 to 2. One of the most famous runs (and an announcer’s call of a play) occurred when Hershel ran off left tackle and ran over Bill Bates, an All-American, and proceeded to run threw two arm-tackles on the way to his first collegiate touchdown. Hershel scored again five minutes later on a 9-yard run. Georgia would take the lead, 16 to 15, and hang on to win. This was just the beginning of things to come! Georgia had a powerful offensive line in front of this incredible back. He continued his dominance racking up 1,616 years rushing on 274 carries. He scored 15 touchdowns, and made the All-American team as a freshman. Notable games of 1980 included: wins over rival Clemson (20-16), South Carolina (13-10) and hated-rival Florida (26-21). (Must be noted, in 1980, colleges played an 11-game regular season.) At the end of the season, UGA was 11 & 0 and ranked number 1 in America! They would play the Mighty Irish of Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 1981. Georgia would complete their dream season by defeating the Irish by a score of 17-10. It was (and still is) Georgia’s only undisputed National Championship in football.
On a personal note for the 1980 season: I watched in person Hershel rush for 283 yards vs Vanderbilt. This was his all-time for a single game in his college career.
Georgia opened up the 1981 season with 2 wins, prior to traveling to Clemson. It would be the Tigers’ day as they defeated Georgia 13-3 on the way to an undefeated season and a National Championship. This would be the only regular season loss for a Georgia team that included Hershel Walker in the 3 seasons he played in Athens! Georgia came back from that loss to finish 10 and 1 with another trip to the Sugar Bowl vs Pittsburgh. I attended this game. We had a blast as Georgia was winning 20-17, with less than a minute to go in the game. That is when the fun left and the air went out of the building! I was perched very high in the Superdome, but even I could see our defense creep up to the line. Pittsburgh was on UGA’s 33-yard line, and there was no reason to use this D! My yells to back up from the upper-Upper Deck fell on deaf ears as Dan Marino would throw the game-winning touchdown. Back in that day, there was not as much sophistication with defensive audibles. This did not help me wonder WHY did Georgia do such a stupid thing! Finally, a year and a half later, there was an article in the newspaper. Defensive Coordinator Erk Russell said an automatic blitz was called when the opposing team was in that formation. That helped put a little salve on the wound and quench my curiosity of this stupidity. Nevertheless, Georgia still had a great season, finishing with a 10-2 record. Hershel logged his most carries (385) and gained his most yards (1,891 ) in a season.
It must be noted that ABC had a television agreement with the NCAA back in that day. ABC would show one or two games on Saturday and some special-event games during the regular season. That was it! Well, Labor Day night of 1982 was a special occasion! The 1980 National Champion Georgia Bulldogs would face the 1981 National Champion Clemson Tigers. I had a seat in the “new end zone section”. Meanwhile, Hershel had fractured his right thumb in practice in late August. He only carried the ball 11 times for 20 yards, but he would be a decoy on one of the prettiest plays I ever witnessed from an end zone vantage point. The Dogs called a sweep to the left for Hershel, but wait! It was a reverse to Electron Jackson! He raced down the right sideline for an apparent touchdown, only to have it called back for a holding penalty. In the end, Georgia defeated Clemson 13-7, so that was probably my favorite non-play I witnessed! Georgia went on to an undefeated season, which earned them another trip to the Sugar Bowl. This time, they would face the Nittany Lions of Penn State. The Todd Blackledge led team defeated UGA 27-23 to break Georgia’s heart while giving Penn State a National Championship!
For the season, Hershel gained 1,752 yards on 335 carries. He would win the Heisman Trophy for that 1982 season! His career totals: 5,259 yards on 994 carries. The DAWGS record with Hershel was 33 and 3.
Their rankings in the AP Polls:
1980…# 1
1981…# 6
1982…#4
In my opinion, Hershel Walker is the greatest college football player to ever live! I love watching #34 run through people, by people, and over people. He just looked like a football player. If he would not have come to Georgia, their National Championship total would be zero! Long live Hershel!
No comments:
Post a Comment