Georgia Football: Top-Five Rushing Seasons for RBU

#1 Herschel Walker’s 1980 Season

In 1980 Herschel Walker had Georgia’s 3rd best rushing season, rushing for 1,616 yards as a freshman, on his way to lead Georgia to its second national title.

Georgia started the season against Tennessee. Walker didn’t start right away as Donnie McMickens was the starting running back at the beginning of the game.

It was not until the second quarter that Walker was put in the game. It was in this game, in the third quarter, where Larry Munson made his most famous call.

After Walker ran over Tennessee safety Bill Bates on his way to the endzone. Larry said those famous words “Oh My God A Freshman!”

Georgia would go on to beat Tennessee 16-15.

Walker was Georgia’s starting running back in their second game against Texas A&M.

In the first start of his college career, he ran 21 times for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Georgia crushed the Aggies 42-0.

The Dawgs went on to win their next four games in a row against Clemson, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina. Setting up a huge game with SEC rival Florida. It would be a tough one as Georgia was 8-0 and Florida was 6-1.

That Florida game is now referred to as the “Miracle on Duval Street”, or by some Georgia fans as the “Run Lindsey Run” game, a reference to the famous call made by Larry Munson on the winning touchdown.

Walker had a big hand in that victory too as he rushed for 238 yards, which included a 72 yarder on the game’s first score.

Georgia would clinch the SEC Championship the next week against Auburn. Walker led the way with 84 rushing yards and a touchdown.

He would flat out embarrass Georgia’s in-state rival, Georgia Tech, in the last game of the season.

Walker rushed for 205 yards including three touchdowns, as Georgia beat Tech 38-20. This completed their undefeated season and sent Georgia to the Sugar Bowl to play Notre Dame for a shot at the national title.

Georgia went into the Sugar Bowl undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country. Behind the stellar play of Walker, they would leave the very same way. He bashed through the Irish with 150 yards and two touchdowns which gave Georgia a 17-10 win and the title of champion.

“My God, A Freshman.”

We will never forget what Walker did for Georgia in 1980. As a freshman, he put them on his back and took them to the pinnacle of college football. Without Walker, Georgia would not have a championship for the last 76 years.

We as Georgia fans owe a lot to Walker.