1983 Sugar Bowl
The 1983 Sugar Bowl was the 49th edition of the annual game, played on January 1, 1983, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. It featured the second-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, and the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs of the Southeastern Conference. Penn State won 27–23 to finish atop the final polls as national champions.[1][2][3][4]
1983 Sugar Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||
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Date | January 1, 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||
Season | 1982 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stadium | Louisiana Superdome | ||||||||||||||||||
Location | New Orleans, Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||
MVP | Todd Blackledge (QB, Penn State) | ||||||||||||||||||
Favorite | Penn State by 4 points | ||||||||||||||||||
Referee | Vance Carlson (Big Eight) | ||||||||||||||||||
Attendance | 78,127 | ||||||||||||||||||
United States TV coverage | |||||||||||||||||||
Network | ABC | ||||||||||||||||||
Announcers | Keith Jackson and Frank Broyles | ||||||||||||||||||
Teams
Penn State
Georgia
Game
In the first quarter, Penn State running back Curt Warner scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and the Nittany Lions led 7–0. He finished the game with 117 yards rushing. Georgia got on the board in the first quarter following a 27-yard field goal from Kevin Butler to make it 7–3.
In the second quarter, Nick Gancitano kicked a 38-yard field goal to put the Nittany Lions atop 10–3. Warner added a 9-yard touchdown run, and Gancitano a 45-yard field goal for Penn State to take a commanding 20–3 lead. Bulldog quarterback John Lastinger threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Herman Archie to cut the margin to 20–10 at halftime.[1][2]
In the third quarter, Georgia running back Herschel Walker scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, cutting the margin to 20–17. Penn State responded in the fourth quarter with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Todd Blackledge to wide receiver Gregg Garrity to give Penn State a 27–17 lead. Lastinger threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Clarence Kay to close the margin to 27–23, the final score.[1][2][3]
Scoring summary
Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Statistics
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
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No. 2 Nittany Lions | 7 | 13 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
No. 1 Bulldogs | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
Statistics | PSU | UGA |
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First downs | 19 | 19 |
Plays–yards | 67–367 | 74–326 |
Rushes–yards | 44–139 | 46–160 |
Passing yards | 228 | 166 |
Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 13–23–0 | 12–28–2 |
Time of possession | 30:38 | 29:22 |
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
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Penn State | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving | |||
Georgia | Passing | ||
Rushing | |||
Receiving |
References
- Donovan, Dan (January 2, 1983). "Penn State triumphs, 27-23; No. 1 next?". Pittsburgh Press. p. C1.
- "No. 2 Lions sweeten bid to be No. 1". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. January 2, 1983. p. 1D.
- Papanek, John (January 10, 1983). "But how 'bout them Lions?". Sports Illustrated. p. 14.
- Donovan, Dan (January 3, 1983). "National title belongs to players - Paterno". Pittsburgh Press. p. C1.