1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football
South Carolina Gamecocks logo.svg
Gator Bowl, L 3–37 vs. Pittsburgh
ConferenceIndependent
1980 record8–4
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorRichard Bell (6th season)
Home stadiumWilliams-Brice Stadium
Seasons
← 1979
1981 →
1980 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
  • v
  • t
 Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 2 Pittsburgh   –   –   11 – 1 – 0
No. 5 Florida State   –   –   10 – 2 – 0
No. 8 Penn State   –   –   10 – 2 – 0
No. 9 Notre Dame   –   –   9 – 2 – 1
No. 18 Miami (FL)   –   –   9 – 3 – 0
Southern Miss   –   –   9 – 3 – 0
Navy   –   –   8 – 4 – 0
South Carolina   –   –   8 – 4 – 0
Virginia Tech   –   –   8 – 4 – 0
Boston College   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
Northeast Louisiana   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
Rutgers   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
UNLV   –   –   7 – 4 – 0
Tulane   –   –   7 – 5 – 0
Colgate   –   –   5 – 4 – 1
North Texas State   –   –   6 – 5 – 0
Villanova   –   –   6 – 5 – 0
West Virginia   –   –   6 – 6 – 0
Louisville   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Richmond   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
Syracuse   –   –   5 – 6 – 0
East Carolina   –   –   4 – 7 – 0
Illinois State   –   –   4 – 7 – 0
Temple   –   –   4 – 7 – 0
Army   –   –   3 – 7 – 1
Holy Cross   –   –   3 – 8 – 0
Cincinnati   –   –   2 – 9 – 0
Memphis State   –   –   2 – 9 – 0
William & Mary   –   –   2 – 9 – 0
Georgia Tech   –   –   1 – 9 – 1
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season, and they competed as a Division I-A Independent. The team was led by head coach Jim Carlen, in his 6th year, and played their home games at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. They finished the season with a record of eight wins and four losses (8–4 overall) and with a loss in the Gator Bowl against Pittsburgh.

Season[]

In 1980, the South Carolina Gamecocks returned with plenty of talent, which was headlined by senior running back and Heisman candidate George Rogers. His 1,781 yards was the best in the nation and earned him a spot as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.[1] The Downtown Athletic Club in New York City named Rogers as the winner of the 1980 Heisman Trophy. Rogers beat out an impressive group of players, including Pittsburgh defensive lineman Hugh Green and Georgia running back Herschel Walker.[1] Rogers also earned spots on eight All-America teams, all First Team honors.[2]

Rogers had his number "38" retired during halftime ceremonies at South Carolina's final 1980 home game. He was the first University of South Carolina player to have his jersey retired while still active at the school.

Rogers left the Gamecock football program as its most successful running back, and many of his records remain after all these years. His 5,204 yards is still the highest career total by any Gamecock running back, and his 31 rushing touchdowns is tied with Harold Green for second place behind Marcus Lattimore. He is second on the all-time points scored list with 202. He also gained more than 100 yards in each of his final 22 college games.

Schedule[]

DateOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 6Pacific (CA)
W 37–056,211
September 13Wichita State
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
W 73–055,761[3]
September 20at No. 4 USCNo. 20
  • Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
  • Los Angeles, CA
WOLOL 13–2358,385
September 27at No. 17 Michigan
  • Michigan Stadium
  • Ann Arbor, MI
W 17–14104,213
October 4NC StateNo. 18
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
W 30–1056,581
October 11DukeNo. 17
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
W 20–756,451
October 18CincinnatiNo. 15
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
W 49–756,599
November 1at No. 4 GeorgiaNo. 14
ABCL 10–1362,200
November 8The CitadelNo. 15
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
W 45–2455,937
November 15Wake ForestNo. 14
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
W 39–3855,583
November 22at ClemsonNo. 14
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Clemson, SC (rivalry)
L 6–2764,200[4]
December 29vs. No. 3 PittsburghNo. 18
ABCL 9–3772,287
  • Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game

[5]

Roster[]

1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
G 67 Jeff Doyle Jr
QB 10 Garry Harper Sr
TE 47 Willie Scott Sr
RB 38 George Rogers Sr
T 76 Chuck Slaughter Jr
RB 36 Johnnie Wright Jr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DT 74 Chuck Allen Sr
DT 70 Andrew Provence So
DT 52 Emanuel Weaver Jr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P 13 Chris Norman Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Team players in the NFL[]

Player Position Round Pick NFL Club
George Rogers Running Back 1 1 New Orleans Saints

Awards and honors[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "S.C.'s Rogers runs off with Heisman Trophy". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Google News Archives. Associated Press. December 6, 1980. p. 11. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  2. ^ National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Award Winners (PDF). 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "Gamecocks shock Wichita State 73–0". The Charlotte Observer. September 14, 1980. Retrieved February 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Clemson Shocks Carolina, 27-6". The Times and Democrat. November 23, 1980. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ 2011 South Carolina Football Media Guide (PDF). Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Athletics Media Relations Department. 2011. p. 133. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  6. ^ "1981 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
Retrieved from ""