1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football Independent 8–4 Jim Carlen 6th Richard Bell 6th Williams–Brice Stadium Gator Bowl L Lost 9–37 vs. Pittsburgh The 1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina as an independent during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Jim Carlen, the Gamecocks compiled a record of 8–4. South Carolina was invited to the Gator Bowl, where they lost to Pittsburgh, 37–9. Gamecocks running back George Rogers won the Heisman Trophy. 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.S.C.'s Rogers runs off with Heisman Trophy Associated Press 11 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GJ9RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yW0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6536%2C191124 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette December 6, 1980 June 22, 2012 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. Rogers also earned spots on eight All-America teams, all First Team honors.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf Award Winners National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records NCAA.org June 23, 2012 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 1980 AP Eastern September 6 w Pacific (CA) Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC 37–0 56,211 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-gamecocks-run-over-uo/139758169/ The Sacramento Bee Gamecocks run over UOP 37–0 September 7, 1980 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com September 13 w Wichita State Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC 73–0 55,761 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71887616/gamecocks-shock-wichita-state-730/ The Charlotte Observer Gamecocks shock Wichita State 73–0 September 14, 1980 February 23, 2021 Newspapers.com September 20 l y 20 USC 4 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA WOLO 13–23 58,385 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-usc-wins-easily/139758325/ The Los Angeles Times USC wins easily September 21, 1980 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 w y Michigan 17 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 17–14 104,213 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-south-carolina-hands-m/139758480/ The Post-Crescent South Carolina hands Michigan 17–14 loss September 28, 1980 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com October 4 w 18 NC State Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC 30–10 56,581 https://www.newspapers.com/article/florence-morning-news-rogers-led-gamecoc/139742823/ Florence Morning News Rogers-led Gamecocks thrash NC State, 30–10 October 5, 1980 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com October 11 w 17 Duke Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC 20–7 56,451 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-rogers-gamecocks-ou/139748249/ The Palm Beach Post Rogers, Gamecocks outlast Duke October 12, 1980 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 w 15 Cincinnati Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC 49–7 56,599 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-attack-of-gamecocks-blitzes/139758587/ Daily Press Attack of Gamecocks blitzes Bearcats 49–7 October 19, 1980 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 l y 14 Georgia 4 Sanford Stadium Athens, GA rivalry ABC 10–13 62,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-walker-outruns-r/134420927/ The Cincinnati Enquirer Walker outruns Rogers, Georgia edges Carolina November 2, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com November 8 w 15 The Citadel Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC 45–24 55,937 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-rogers-rambles-game/139738933/ The Macon Telegraph & News Rogers rambles, Gamecocks take win November 9, 1980 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 w 14 Wake Forest Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC 39–38 55,583 https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-62-yard-pass-dro/139747065/ Asheville Citizen-Times 62-yard pass drops Deacs November 16, 1980 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com November 22 l y 14 Clemson Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC rivalry 6–27 64,200 Clemson shocks Carolina, 27–6 The Times and Democrat November 23, 1980 1B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36785983/clemson_shocks_carolina_276/ Newspapers.com December 29 l y 18 Pittsburgh 3 Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL Gator Bowl ABC 9–37 72,287 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-pittsburgh-pounds-so/139758705/ The Palm Beach Post Pittsburgh pounds South Carolina 37–9 December 30, 1980 January 28, 2024 Newspapers.com 2011 South Carolina Football Media Guide 2011 University of South Carolina Athletics Media Relations Department Columbia, South Carolina 133 http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/scar/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/11-fb-mg-sec-6.pdf June 23, 2012 September 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160909060920/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/scar/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/11-fb-mg-sec-6.pdf dead Roster 1980 South Carolina Gamecocks f 67 Jr Jeff Doyle G 10 Sr Garry Harper QB 38 Sr George Rogers George Rogers (American football) RB y 47 Sr Willie Scott Willie Scott (American football) TE y 76 Jr Chuck Slaughter T 36 Jr Johnnie Wright RB 74 Sr Chuck Allen DT 70 So Andrew Provence DT y 52 Jr Emanuel Weaver DT y Eddie Leopard K 13 Fr Chris Norman P y *Jim Carlen Awards and honors George Rogers, Heisman Trophy Team players in the NFL Player Position Round Pick NFL club George Rogers Running back 1 1 New Orleans Saints https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1981.htm 1981 NFL Draft Pro-Football-Reference.com June 23, 2012 December 21, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221202823/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1981.htm dead References South Carolina Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football seasons South Carolina Gamecocks football