The Georgia Bulldogs Playbook: Inside the Huddle for the Greatest Plays in Bulldogs History

Contents

Foreword by Charley Trippi

Acknowledgments

Introduction

When It Mattered Most

On the Offensive

The Best Offense Is a Good Defense

Special Consideration

Heartbreakers

Sources

Foreword by Charley Trippi

During my 1941 freshman season, Coach Butts was determined that Georgia must develop a new tradition in football. In those days the practice field was located adjacent to Sanford Stadium. If the team’s practice did not suit Coach Butts, he would move us to the stadium to practice at night under the lights. Sometimes we would not eat dinner until 8:00! The practices were long, hard, and very physical. Coach Butts was a tough taskmaster, demanding excellence at all times. If you gave 100 percent, he wanted an additional 10 percent. As it turned out, all of our hard work eventually paid off.

Against Auburn that season, the score was tied 0–0, and there was time for Georgia to run only one more play. Usually freshmen sat in the stands, but for that game I was on the bench in my street clothes. Frank [Sinkwich] was a tremendous runner from tackle to tackle, but he was also an excellent passer. We also envied another teammate of ours, Lamar Racehorse Davis, because he had so much speed. Whenever Frank wanted to throw a long pass, he usually looked for Davis because he could get open and no one would be able to catch him. When the two connected on a long pass in the game’s final play to beat Auburn, it was the beginning of a new tradition.

It is amazing how sometimes one play can change the complexion of an entire game. I frequently noticed this during my years playing football and many times since. Often, a single play also determines who wins or loses the game—as was the case against Auburn my freshman year.

In my 19 years of playing organized football, I was fortunate to be a part of several memorable and great plays.

My long punt return against Tulsa in the 1946 Oil Bowl was somewhat unique because of the method I used to score. In a close game, I remember catching the punt and starting to my left, but I was trapped. So, I reversed my field toward the right, and I was in the same unfortunate situation. Reversing for a second time toward the left, I finally began to get some blocking and started to head down the sideline. Suddenly, two Tulsa men converged on me, and the only thing I could do was lower my shoulder. When I did, the three of us collided, but fortunately the two Tulsa defenders fell off me, and I went into the end zone for a touchdown.

In another close game against Alabama the following season, we decided to quick-kick near our own goal line. Alabama’s Charley Compton came through and blocked my kick. We both chased the football, and I was able to recover it close to our end zone. With many yards to go, I had no alternative but to punt, and I was able to kick the football out of dangerous territory and keep the Crimson Tide from having a short field. My recovery and long punt, as was the case with my return in the Oil Bowl, probably changed the outcomes of those games, resulting in Bulldogs victories.

I have always been very proud to be associated with Georgia football, even during the intermittent tough times the program has experienced in the past. I am extremely proud now, as the Bulldogs have a tremendous program. And speaking of great plays and victories, Georgia has definitely had its share since Coach Richt’s arrival.

When I played for Georgia, half of our team was from Ohio or Pennsylvania. Now, Georgia seems to be able to recruit from anywhere it desires. Recruiting is the key to winning football. I have always said that you don’t win games in the fall; you win them in the winter or spring when you recruit your players. Most people do not realize that.

What a privilege it must be today to be a part of the University of Georgia’s extraordinary football program and to use its first-class facilities. And what a thrill it must be to run out and play in front of more than 92,000 people at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. That’s more spectators than were in attendance at my first bowl game, and we played in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California!

—Charley Trippi

Acknowledgments

This book would not have been possible without the support and assistance of several individuals. I have many fond memories of my parents and I spending precious time with one another, including at my first Georgia football game—a 44–0 win over Tennessee in the season opener of 1981. I want to thank them for, among many other things, their love, inspiration, and encouragement, and for introducing Georgia Bulldogs football to me.

I feel extremely fortunate that Triumph Books took a chance on an unknown author when they asked me to write Then Vince Said to Herschel… nearly a decade ago. The publishing of my first book had a major impact on my life in many ways, including what has led to me authoring nine books, including seven on Georgia football. I have Triumph Books to thank for making it possible for me to become an author on a subject that has been a passion of mine since I was a child. For this book specifically, I want to thank Triumph’s managing editor, Adam Motin, for reaching out to me, working with me, and for his patience.

Although countless photographs exist depicting past and present Georgia football players, coaches, etc., few are readily available related to the greatest plays in Georgia’s history. I want to thank the number of sports information departments for contributing photos to this project.

Additionally, the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library at the University of Georgia was more than generous in helping me find and obtain scarce and seldom-seen photographs. In particular, I want to express my gratitude to photographer Wingate Downs. Fortunately for me, Wingate photographed Georgia games for nearly 20 years and was able to contribute a number of photos to this book. Wingate is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, photographer in Athens, Georgia, and was more than a pleasure to work with.

A special thanks goes to Charley Trippi for writing the foreword to this book. He is not only one of the greatest Bulldogs to ever play football but one of the most premier players to grace any gridiron. It was truly wonderful to spend time with Charley again, and I appreciate his willingness to contribute to this book.

First and foremost, I am forever grateful for my wife, Elizabeth, and our children, Trip and Rebecca. During the many days when I have been absent from our household while researching and writing, my wife has been my principal supporter. Elizabeth, thank you for allowing me to realize my dream and for giving me the two greatest gifts I have ever received.

Introduction

For nearly 125 years, University of Georgia football has been synonymous with stellar accomplishments surpassed by only a handful of other college programs. Of all FBS teams, Georgia ranks amongst the top dozen all time in victories, bowl appearances, and bowl victories. In addition, five Bulldog teams have been selected national champions by at least one recognized poll. During the most recent seasons, the reputation of the Georgia football program has been somewhat enhanced as the Bulldogs have received a bowl invitation 18 consecutive seasons, achieving a 13–5 bowl record, and nine out of their last 13 teams have won 10 or more games heading into 2015.

Much of the Bulldogs’ recent success can be attributed to the arrival of head coach Mark Richt in 2001. For more than a decade prior to the Richt regime, Georgia was considered a second-rate team in the Southeastern Conference. During the head coach’s tenure, Richt’s teams have altered this perception; the Bulldogs are now one of the most highly regarded teams not only in the conference but in all of college football. Richt now rightly belongs to a group of outstanding Georgia coaches who experienced similar successes, namely, Alex Cunningham, Harry Mehre, Wally Butts, and, of course, Vince Dooley.

These coaching icons have coached some of the most outstanding players in all of college football. Georgia greats who left indelible marks on the program include Bob McWhorter, Vernon Catfish Smith, Frank Sinkwich, Charley Trippi, Fran Tarkenton, Bill Stanfill, Jake Scott, Herschel Walker, Terry Hoage, Eric Zeier, David Greene, David Pollack, Todd Gurley, and Nick Chubb, to name only a few. These players and many others have been involved in a countless number of remarkable plays since the program’s beginning in 1892. Many of the greatest of these plays are presented in the following pages of this book.

The most important, memorable, or amazing plays in Georgia football history are grouped by category and recounted. Each play is intricately detailed while the game in which it occurred is also summarized. Also included is an explanation as to why the play is so important or memorable in Bulldogs football lore. Besides the main text, each chapter contains a variety of additional material. There are profiles of players and coaches involved in the plays and quotes from individuals who participated in or observed the plays as they unfolded. As an added feature, some plays are diagrammed, presented with the Xs and Os.

More often than not, plays selected were those that were both extraordinary and aided in winning games and/or championships in the contest’s final minutes. Remarkable plays that achieved team or player milestones and those that transpired in critical situations having implications for winning or losing games were also considered as my evaluative rationale. Also, the decision was made to consider trick plays, those plays fans may not easily recall (i.e., special teams and defensive plays), and plays executed by opposing teams that were defined as heartbreakers because, after all, they also help to make up the history of Georgia football. Understandably, it was a most challenging task to measure these rather loose criteria. Hence, it must be acknowledged that to a considerable extent, the play selection is the end result of an extremely subjective and somewhat arbitrary evaluative process.

Notably, in researching and writing this book, I was reminded of all the great Georgia football plays I have witnessed since I began attending Bulldogs games in the early 1980s. As an example, I will never forget Kevin Butler’s 60-yard field goal that defeated Clemson in 1984. After Butler’s kick went through the uprights, I remember a drink in a cupful of ice being thrown from the upper deck onto me, my family, and others in the section where we were sitting. But no one really cared. Georgia had just defeated the No. 2–ranked team in the country on a miraculous field goal. As I looked up toward the seats to see where the dropped drink came from, an elderly man sitting near me commented the drink smelled like it had something in it besides Coca-Cola. Sanford Stadium appeared to me, at nine years of age, to literally swing and sway and nearly collapse in excitement. I knew then what Larry Munson meant when he said the girders are bending now, following an unforgettable Georgia play against Florida in the Gator Bowl that occurred nearly a decade prior. Butler’s field goal was the first great Bulldogs play that brought me to tears of euphoria, but not the last.

It is my hope that many readers of this book will relive and re-experience some of the plays described as I did during my research. If The Georgia Bulldogs Playbook is able to realize this goal, its author will consider it a success.

When It Mattered Most

The Dogs Broke It Up!

Jeff Sanchez and Ronnie Harris break up Auburn’s pass in end zone as Georgia wins third consecutive SEC title

November 13, 1982

The undefeated Bulldogs entered their game at Auburn in 1982 having just been ranked No. 1 in both major polls only a few days before. The conference championship and a possible national title were at stake for Georgia, whereas a win by the Tigers could propel them to a first-place tie with the ’Dogs in the SEC.

Auburn had one of the most extraordinary running games in college football. Quarterback Randy Campbell, fullback Ron O’Neal, and tailbacks Lionel James and Bo Jackson formed the Tigers’ wishbone formation—an offense not normally associated with passing. Despite running the wishbone, however, Auburn’s passing attack could be dangerous and was actually much more prolific than Georgia’s.

Down 19–14 with 49 seconds remaining in the game, Auburn was on Georgia’s 21-yard line but faced a fourth down and 17 for a first down. Campbell, who had some success throwing against an outstanding Georgia secondary, dropped back to throw. He floated a lofty pass in the end zone for split end Mike Edwards. Georgia’s safety Jeff Sanchez, cornerback Ronnie Harris, and Edwards all jumped for the ball, but none of them came down with it. The football dropped harmlessly to the turf, and the Bulldogs, taking over on downs, were only 42 seconds away from their third consecutive conference title.

Auburn’s fourth-down pass attempt intended for Mike Edwards (No. 89) is broken up in the end zone by Georgia’s Jeff Sanchez (center) and Ronnie Harris (No. 27), clinching a 19–14 Bulldogs victory. Photo courtesy of Wingate Downs.

Early in the fourth quarter, with the Tigers trailing by six points, the 5’7", 165-pound James scored on an 87-yard run—at the time, the second-longest rushing or passing play in Auburn history. Losing 14–13, Georgia began its possession from its 20-yard line. Thirteen plays and 80 yards later, Herschel Walker scored on a three-yard run, and the Bulldogs regained the lead. On the drive, Walker rushed for 37 yards on eight carries, and quarterback John Lastinger completed a key third-down-and-six pass to Herman Archie for 17 yards; Georgia completed only three passes for the entire game for 26 yards. Walker finished the contest with 177 rushing yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns en route to eventually capturing the Heisman Trophy.

With a little less than nine minutes left in the game, Auburn began a drive from its own 20-yard line and soon reached Bulldogs territory; a James run carried the ball to Georgia’s 14-yard