1981 Sugar Bowl

1981 Sugar Bowl
Georgia Bulldogs Notre Dame Fighting Irish
(11–0) (9–1–1)
17 10
Head coach: 
Vince Dooley		 Head coach: 
Dan Devine
APCoaches
11
APCoaches
78
1234 Total
Georgia 10700 17
Notre Dame 3070 10
Date January 1, 1981
Season 1980
Stadium Louisiana Superdome
Location New Orleans, Louisiana
MVP Herschel Walker (RB, Georgia)
Favorite Notre Dame by 1 point [1]
United States TV coverage
Network ABC
Announcers Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles

The 1981 edition to the Sugar Bowl was played on January 1, 1981, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. It featured the top-ranked and undefeated Georgia Bulldogs of the Southeastern Conference, and the seventh-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish.[2][3][4]

In the first quarter, Notre Dame scored first on a 50-yard Oliver field goal. Another Notre Dame scoring opportunity in the first quarter was foiled when Bulldog freshman Terry Hoage blocked a field goal. Hoage had been a last minute addition to the roster by coach Vince Dooley for his kick blocking ability. Due to good field position Georgia's Rex Robinson would eventually boot a 46-yard field goal of his own to tie the game at 3.

On the ensuing kickoff, a communication gaffe between the Irish's deep return players resulted in neither one fielding the kick which bounced at the one-yard line and was recovered by Georgia's Bob Kelly. Two plays later, Bulldog running back Herschel Walker scored on a 1-yard touchdown run as Georgia led 10–3. In the second quarter, Walker scored on a 3-yard run making the score 17–3 at halftime.[3][4]

The only score in the second half came in the third quarter; Notre Dame scored on a 1-yard run to close the margin to 17–10. Georgia's defense held on to that lead, giving Georgia the victory and the 1980 national championship.

True freshman Walker rushed for 150 yards and was named Sugar Bowl MVP. Bulldog defensive back Scott Woerner made several key plays throughout the day including a late game interception that sealed the win.[3][4] Georgia was first in both final polls.

Note

This Sugar Bowl marked the debut of Georgia's costumed mascot Hairy Dawg.

President Jimmy Carter was in attendance, three weeks before leaving office.

References

  1. ↑ "The latest line". Pttsburgh Post-Gazette. January 1, 1981.
  2. ↑ Looney, Douglas S. (January 12, 1981). "The ball bounces Georgia's way". Sports Illustrated. p. 18.
  3. 1 2 3 "'How 'bout them Dawgs?'". Toledo Blade. (Ohio). wire services. January 2, 1981. p. 19.
  4. 1 2 3 "Georgia's convince Dawgs are No. 1". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). wire services. p. 1D.
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