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1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football
Gator Bowl, L 3–37 vs. Pittsburgh
ConferenceIndependent
1980 record8–4
Head coachJim Carlen
Home stadiumWilliams-Brice Stadium
Seasons
← 1979
1981 →
1980 Division I-A independents football standings
v · d · e Conf     Overall
Team W   L   T     W   L   T
#2 Pittsburgh           11 1 0
#5 Florida State           10 2 0
#8 Penn State           10 2 0
#9 Notre Dame           9 2 1
#18 Miami           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           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           2 9 0
William & Mary           2 9 0
Georgia Tech           1 9 1
Rankings from AP Poll

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.

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 first. 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[]

Date Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 6 Pacific Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, SC W 37–0   56,211
September 13 Wichita State Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC W 73–0   55,761
September 20 at #4 USC #20 Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA WOLO L 13–23   58,385
September 27 at #17 Michigan Michigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI W 17–14   104,213
October 4 NC State #18 Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC W 30–10   56,581
October 11 Duke #17 Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC W 20–7   56,451
October 18 Cincinnati #15 Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC W 49–7   56,599
November 1 at #4 Georgia #14 Sanford StadiumAthens, GA ABC L 10–13   62,200
November 8 The Citadel #15 Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC W 45–24   55,937
November 15 Wake Forest #14 Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC W 39–38   55,583
November 22 at Clemson #14 Memorial StadiumClemson, SC (Rivalry) L 6–27   64,200
December 29 vs. #3 Pittsburgh #18 Gator Bowl StadiumJacksonville, FL (Gator Bowl) ABC L 9–37   72,287
*Non-Conference Game. Homecoming. All times are in Eastern Time.

Team players in the NFL[]

Player Position Round Pick NFL Club
George Rogers Running Back 1 1 New Orleans Saints

Awards and honors[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "S.C.'s Rogers runs off with Heisman Trophy". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press (Google News Archives): p. 11. December 6, 1980. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GJ9RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yW0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6536%2C191124. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  2. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (PDF). Award Winners. NCAA.org. http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  3. (PDF) 2011 South Carolina Football Media Guide. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Athletics Media Relations Department. 2011. p. 133. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/scar/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/11-fb-mg-sec-6.pdf. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  4. "1981 NFL Draft". Pro-Football-Reference.com. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/1981.htm. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
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