Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff: 81 Days
1981 was the last time that Georgia was the defending National Champions – sorry Kirby Smart, I know you don’t like that phrase. However, just as was the case with the 2021 season having the National Championship played in 2022, the National Championship for the 1980 season was played in 1981, New Year’s Day to be specific. It featured the Georgia Bulldogs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and is the focus of today’s countdown to kickoff, 81 days away from UGA and Oregon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The meeting was the first between these two storied football programs met on the gridiron. Since then, we’ve witnessed two more matchups between the Bulldogs and Fighting Irish – both won by Georgia.
Georgia came into this particular meeting ranked No. 1, fresh off an 11-0 regular season while Notre Dame was No. 7 – although they held the top spot at one point during the season. The Irish took an early 3-0 lead on a 50-yard field goal from Harry Oliver and had a chance to extend that to 6-0 later in the quarter but Terry Hoage blocked the kick. That gave Georgia good field position which it capitalized on with its own field goal, a 46-yarder from Rex Robinson.
On the ensuing kickoff, Notre Dame allowed the ball to bounce, hoping that it would bounce into the end zone. However, neither Notre Dame player recovered it before Georgia’s Bob Kelly came down the field and fell on it at the 1-yard line. Herschel Walker – who dislocated his shoulder earlier in the game – punched it in for the first touchdown of the game two plays later to give Georgia a 10-3 lead.
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Before halftime, the Bulldogs scored again. Once again it was Walker punching it in from 3 yards out. He would go on to be named Sugar Bowl MVP with 150 yards and the pair of scores.
Notre Dame scored the only touchdown of the second half with a 1-yard run in the third quarter, but the Georgia defense was able to hold on to lead. Scott Woerner came down with a game-sealing interception, and Georgia took home the title.
Recent Georgia Bulldogs Countdown to Kickoff Stories
No. 82 – Fred Gibson still gives Clemson fans nightmares
No. 83 – 83 yards, 83 points and one 83 jersey
No. 84 – Ladd McConkey and Kevin Butler kicks a long one
Does your blood run Red and Black?
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