1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

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, 37–3. Gamecocks running back George Rogers won the Heisman Trophy.

1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football
Gator Bowl, L 3–37 vs. Pittsburgh
ConferenceIndependent
Record8–4
Head coach
Defensive coordinatorRichard Bell (6th season)
Home stadiumWilliams–Brice Stadium
(capacity: 54,564)
1980 NCAA Division I-A independents football records
ConfOverall
TeamW L TW 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 6Pacific (CA)
W 37–056,211
September 13Wichita State
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
W 73–055,761[3]
September 20at No. 4 USCNo. 20
WOLOL 13–2358,385
September 27at No. 17 Michigan
W 17–14104,213
October 4NC StateNo. 18
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
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. 14
ABCL 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. 14
L 6–2764,200[4]
December 29vs. No. 3 PittsburghNo. 18
ABCL 9–3772,287

[5]

Roster
1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
G 67 Jeff Doyle Jr
QB 10 Garry Harper Sr
RB 38 George Rogers Sr
TE 47 Willie Scott Sr
OT 76 Chuck Slaughter Jr
RB 36 Johnnie Wright Jr
 Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DT 74 Chuck Allen Sr
DT 70 Andrew Provence So
DT 52 Emanuel Weaver Jr
 Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K Eddie Leopard
P 13 Chris Norman Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt 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. Associated Press. December 6, 1980. p. 11. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  2. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Award Winners (PDF). Retrieved June 23, 2012. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  3. "Gamecocks shock Wichita State 73–0". The Charlotte Observer. September 14, 1980. Retrieved February 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Clemson Shocks Carolina, 27-6". The Times and Democrat. November 23, 1980. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 2011 South Carolina Football Media Guide (PDF). Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Athletics Media Relations Department. 2011. p. 133. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 9, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  6. "1981 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
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