1981 Georgia Bulldogs football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1981 Georgia Bulldogs football Georgia Athletics logo.svg 150 Southeastern Conference SEC 5 6 10–2 6–0 Vince Dooley 18th George Haffner 2nd Bill Lewis 1st Sanford Stadium SEC co-champion Sugar Bowl L Lost 20–24 vs. Pittsburgh The 1981 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the University of Georgia as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by 18th-year head coach Vince Dooley, the Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 10–2, with a mark of 6–0 in conference play, and finished as SEC co-champion.1981 Georgia Bulldogs Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 31, 2023 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/georgia/1981-schedule.html Schedule 1981 AP September 5 w 10 Tennessee Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry 44–0 79,600 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107855744/georgia-pounds-volunteers-440/ Johnson City Press-Chronicle Georgia pounds Volunteers, 44–0 September 6, 1981 August 18, 2022 Newspapers.com September 12 w y 6 California Sanford Stadium Athens, GA 27–13 79,400 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-bears-mistakes-help/134421737/ The Sacramento Bee Bears' mistakes help Georgia prevail 27–13 September 13, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com September 19 l y y 4 Clemson Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC rivalry 3–13 62,466 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-hey-dawgs-how-b/134421899/ The Charlotte Observer Hey Dawgs, how 'bout them Tigers! September 20, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com September 26 w y 17 South Carolina Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry 24–0 82,100 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-and-observer-uga-south-carolina/114056428/ The News and Observer Walker carrier Bulldogs September 27, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com October 10 w y 11 Ole Miss Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS 37–7 41,125 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-walker-finds-reb-d/134422318/ The Commercial Appeal Walker finds Reb defense easy picking October 11, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com October 17 w y 9 Vanderbilt Dudley Field Nashville, TN rivalry ABC 53–21 39,657 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-leaf-chronicle-dogs-put-on-show/134422432/ The Leaf-Chronicle 'Dogs put on 'show October 18, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com October 24 w y 7 Kentucky Sanford Stadium Athens, GA 21–0 80,780 https://www.newspapers.com/article/bristol-herald-courier-georgia-dogs-bla/134422598/ Bristol Herald Courier Georgia 'Dogs blank Kentucky, 21–0 October 25, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com October 31 w y 5 Temple Sanford Stadium Athens, GA 49–3 80,117 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-walker-georgi/134422705/ The Philadelphia Inquirer Walker, Georgia whip Temple, 49–3 November 1, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com November 7 w y 4 Florida Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL rivalry ABC 26–21 68,648 https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-bulldogs-use-small-bites/134422814/ St. Petersburg Times Bulldogs use small bites to beat UF November 8, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com November 14 w 4 Auburn Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry 24–13 82,165 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune-dogs-top-auburn-have/134422937/ The Tampa Tribune-Times 'Dogs top Auburn, have sweet tooth November 15, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com December 5 w y y 2 Georgia Tech Grant Field Atlanta, GA rivalry ABC 44–7 58,623 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-after-tech-rout-wal/134423019/ The Palm Beach Post After Tech rout, Walker praises Georgia's line December 6, 1981 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com January 1, 1982 Friday l y y 2 Pittsburgh 8 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA Sugar Bowl ABC 20–24 77,224 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press-pitt-marino-put-th/134423163/ The Pittsburgh Press Pitt, Marino put the bite on Bulldogs January 2, 1982 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com Game summaries Tennessee The momentum of 1980 continued into September 1981 for the Georgia Bulldogs as Herschel Walker and company took control early in the season by scoring early and often in wins against Tennessee (44–0) and the Cal Golden Bears (27–13). Against the Volunteers, Walker rushed for 161 yards on 30 carries. California Walker pounded California by rushing 35 times for 167 yards on September 12.The Beat Goes On...Georgia 44, Tennessee 0 Outlar, Jessie http://www.ajc.com/ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 1C, 10C September 6, 1981 September 16, 2013 Clemson After hitting a dip in the season, losing 13–3 to eventual national champion Clemson, Georgia regained its focus and won out to get to 10–1 by the regular season's end. Even though Walker was able to push, shove, and get through Clemson's defense by rushing 28 times for 111 yards, it wasn't enough to overcome 9 turnovers by the Bulldogs in the loss to the Tigers.Clemson Steals 13-3 Upset Win Over Georgia https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p7QRAAAAIBAJ&pg=6811,3657757&dq=clemson+13+georgia+3&hl=en Gainesville Sun 6D September 20, 1981 February 1, 2013 South Carolina Georgia and Walker rebounded by blanking South Carolina, 24–0, on September 26 as the sophomore running back ran for 176 yards on 36 carries. Georgia, however, only led 3–0 at the half. Walker opened things up for the Bulldogs in the third quarter by scoring on touchdown runs of 3 and 8 yards to put the Gamecocks away.Georgia thumps Gamecocks https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NFJIAAAAIBAJ&pg=6865,5935255&dq=georgia+21+south+carolina+0+walker+176+yards&hl=en Star-News Wilmington, N.C. 4D September 27, 1981 February 1, 2013 Ole Miss Walker's Bulldogs reeled off solid wins—all in October—over Ole Miss (37-7), Vanderbilt (53-21), Kentucky (21-0), and Temple (49-3). He rushed for a season-high 265 yards on 41 attempts and a touchdown against Mississippi on October 10. Vanderbilt A week later, Walker rushed 39 times for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns versus Vanderbilt. Temple Against Temple, he scored a career-high 4 touchdowns while rushing 23 times for 112 yards against the Owls.August 2016 Florida 1981 Florida Gators football team Georgia Bulldogs 2; text-align:center collapsed Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs November 7 Florida 0 14 0 7 Georgia 0 7 7 12 Gator Bowl • Jacksonville, Florida 68,648 Ocala Star-Banner. 1981 Nov 08. Retrieved 2019-Feb-02. Florida Wayne Peace21/37, 272 Yds, 2 TD, INT James Jones12 Rush, 52 Yds, TD Broughton Lang5 Rec, 70 Yds Georgia Buck Belue13/22, 187 Yds, 2 TD Herschel Walker47 Rush, 192 Yds, 2 TD4 Rec, 55 Yds, 2 TD On November 7, seventh-ranked Georgia got behind, 14–0, down in Jacksonville, to the Florida Gators, but came back to win in a repeat score of last season's game, 26–21. Walker rushed a career-high 47 times for 192 yards while scoring four touchdowns.College Football Roundup--Allen, McMahon, Northwestern Set Records Nissenson, Herschel https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7aNNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1188,2890400&dq=georgia+26+florida+21+1981+walker+192+yards&hl=en Schenectady Gazette 38 November 7, 1981 February 1, 2013 FLA UGA collapsed 2 5:31 Florida RecTD Steve Miller Wayne Peace 54 good Clark run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 2 3:37 Florida RushTD James Jones 1 good Clark run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 0 2 1:10 Georgia 68 RecTD Herschel Walker Buck Belue 24 good Kevin Butler run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 7 3 Georgia RecTD Herschel Walker Buck Belue 16 good Kevin Butler run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 14 4 13:40 Georgia 47 RushTD Herschel Walker 4 no good Kevin Butler run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 20 4 Florida 80 RecTD Spencer Jackson Wayne Peace 10 good Clark run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 20 4 2:31 Georgia 95 RushTD Herschel Walker 1 run failed 21 26 21 26 Auburn Auburn 0 7 0 6 Georgia 3 14 7 0 November 14 Sanford Stadium • Athens, Georgia yes 1 UGA Butler 20-yard field goal Georgia 3-0 2 AUB Edwards 7-yard run (Del Greco kick) Auburn 7-3 2 UGA Brown 46-yard pass from Belue (Butler kick) Georgia 10-7 2 UGA Kay 5-yard pass from Belue (Butler kick) Georgia 17-7 3 UGA Walker 2-yard run (Butler kick) Georgia 24-7 4 AUB Beauford 1-yard run (run failed) Georgia 24-13 yes The Bulldogs finished out the regular season at home against nearby rivals: the Auburn Tigers (November 14) and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (December 5). The 24–13 win over coach Pat Dye's Tigers clinched a 2nd SEC Championship in a row for Georgia.Eugene Register-Guard. 1981 Nov 15. In the third quarter, Walker's 2-yard touchdown run gave the Bulldogs a commanding 24–7 lead. Walker pounded out 165 yards on 37 rushes during the contest. Georgia led Auburn 17–7 at the half as senior quarterback Buck Belue complimented Walker's power ground game by throwing for two touchdowns.Dooley says 'Dogs deserve Sugar bid https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jSodAAAAIBAJ&pg=6735,3407219&dq=georgia+24+auburn+13+walker+165+yards&hl=en The Tuscaloosa News 2B, 3B November 15, 1981 February 1, 2013 Georgia Tech Against Georgia Tech, seniors Belue and Scott set the tone on the game's first play by hooking up on an 80-yard pass as Scott raced into the end zone to spark a 34–0 halftime lead. Walker got into the act by scoring three touchdowns in the first half. He added a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter as Georgia cruised past the Yellow Jackets, 44–7. Walker finished with 36 rushes for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns in the rivalry matchup.Walker wrecks Tech, 44-7 Shearer, Ed https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19811206&id=jKgfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4434,678725 Gadsden Times 17 December 6, 1981 February 1, 2013 Pittsburgh Riding an 8-game winning streak, Georgia (10–1) was ranked No. 2 in the country when they faced Pittsburgh (also 10–1, ranked No. 10) in the 1982 Sugar Bowl. Walker made his presence felt early as he bolted 8 yards for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter giving Georgia a 7–0 lead. After a 30-yard, Dan Marino touchdown pass lifted Pitt to a 10–7 lead in third quarter, Walker answered. Walker scored from 10 yards out to give Georgia a 14–10 lead going into the 4th quarter. With Georgia clinging to a 20–17 lead late in the game, Marino found Pittsburgh's receiver John Brown for a 33-yard touchdown pass with 0:35 left in the game. Walker's Bulldogs came up short in the loss, 20–24. He finished with 25 rushes for 84 yards and led UGA in receptions with 3 catches for 53 yards.Pittsburgh Nips Georgia In Sugar Bowl, 24-20 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NENJAAAAIBAJ&pg=5230,355357&dq=pittsburgh+24+georgia+20&hl=en The News and Courier Charleston, South Carolina 1-C January 2, 1982 February 1, 2013 May 2022 InternetArchiveBot yes 1984 Pitt Dashes Bulldogs Hopes 24-20, In 1982 Sugar Bowl Georgia Bulldog Football – 1984 100 Sports Information Office – Georgia Athletic Dept. – The University of Georgia Roster 1981 Georgia Bulldogs y 8 Sr Buck Belue QB y 88 Jr Norris Brown TE y Norris Brown (American football) 24 Sr Lindsay Scott WR y Ronnie Stewart   34 So Herschel Walker RB y Scott Williams   Freddie Gilbert   14 So Terry Hoage ROV y Jimmy Payne   6 Fr Kevin Butler K y Kevin Butler (American football) Vince Dooley References Georgia Category:Georgia Bulldogs football seasons Category:Southeastern Conference football champion seasons Georgia Bulldogs football