1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

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.

1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football
Gator Bowl, L 3–37 vs. Pittsburgh
ConferenceIndependent
1980 record8–4
Head coach
Home stadiumWilliams-Brice Stadium
1980 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
Conf  Overall
TeamW 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

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 6PacificW 37–056,211
September 13Wichita State
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
W 73–055,761
September 20at No. 4 USCNo. 20WOLOL 13–2358,385
September 27at No. 17 MichiganW 17–14104,213
October 4NC StateNo. 18
  • Williams-Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC (rivalry)
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. 14ABCL 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. 14L 6–2764,200[3]
December 29vs. No. 3 PittsburghNo. 18ABCL 9–3772,287

Roster

1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
TE 47 Willie Scott Sr
RB 38 George Rogers Sr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured
  • Redshirt

Team players in the NFL

PlayerPositionRoundPickNFL Club
George RogersRunning Back11New Orleans Saints

Awards and honors

References

  1. "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. "Clemson Shocks Carolina, 27-6". The Times and Democrat. November 23, 1980. p. 1B via Newspapers.com.
  4. 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.
  5. "1981 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
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