The most wonderful time of the year (sorry Christmas) is yet again upon us; time to tee it up, kick it off, and let it fly on the college football gridiron. For our Tigers, the 2014 journey begins just 78 miles down Interstate-85 in Athens, Georgia against the vaunted Bulldogs of the mighty SEC. This is but the latest in the centuries-old struggle between cats and dogs, but down in these parts, that feud takes on added weight whenever the red and black comes down the track to run headlong into that mystical "something in those hills"—the power of the paw. But before those fabled silver britches lose their luster amidst the glow of an orange-and-purple sunset, two days hence between the hedges, let’s take a look back at some epic moments in a classic southern football rivalry.
Georgia holds a commanding lead in the overall series (41-18-4) that dates back to 1897, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Between that first contest in 1897 and 1954, Clemson and Georgia squared off thirty-one times and only four of those meetings were in Clemson, while another eight were at "neutral" sites (seven in Augusta, GA and one in Anderson, SC), and UGA compiled a 20-9-2 record in the span. Beginning in 1955, the home-and-away breakdown was more equitable, and from 1965 forward, the two teams more-or-less alternated home-and-away. In the 32 meetings since 1955, UGA still holds a stellar 21-9-2 advantage, but that dominance was largely established between 1962 and 1976, when the dawgs routinely overmatched a floundering Tiger program to the tune of 11-1-1. It was the during the years 1977-1991 that the rivalry became a classic, as Clemson and Georgia went 6-6-1 head-to-head during the era. Each program won a national championship (UGA 1980; Clemson 1981), multiple conference championships (UGA 3—1980, 1981 & 1982; Clemson 7—1978, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, & 1991), and figured prominently in the national rankings on an annual basis, all of which made it the most intense rivalry in the South. Sadly, conference expansion in the 1990s prevented the continuance of the annual showdown, and in the few-and-far-between meetings since (1994-1995 & 2002-2003) Georgia had reigned supreme (4-0)….until last year.
This being a Clemson site for Tiger fans (sorry puppy trollers), we’ll not dwell on the heartbreaks:
Perfection Ruined in 1978, http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/games/1978clemvsuga/
The Butler Did It! in 1984, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO-p01DGR6o
A Shock(ing)ly Improbable Comeback in 2002, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-QdO99civM
Rather, we’ll revel in the glories that have been (and come Saturday night, could be again!) for our Tigers against the dawgs. This year’s game being in the Classic City, we’ll focus on Tiger triumphs in Sanford Stadium. So let’s get to it.
In 1977, Charley Pell's first of two seasons in Tigertown, then-unranked and upstart Clemson rode a punishing defense to a 7-6 upset of 17th ranked (AP) UGA to begin its climb back to national prominence, finishing the '77 season 8-3-1, with a Gator Bowl berth, and a #19 final AP ranking, laying the groundwork for 1978's 11-1 record and thrilling Gator Bowl victory over Woody Hayes and Ohio State, 17-15 (the famed "Woody's Punch" game).
<object width="425" height="350" class="mceItemFlash"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Hrgp75jpLM"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Hrgp75jpLM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed> </object>
Recap of 1977 Clemson vs Georgia Football Game (via tigerray)
In 1986, a then-unranked Clemson team upset a 14th-ranked Georgia team 31-28 between the hedges in Athens en route to a 8-2-2 ACC championship season; a season capped by a rousing 27-21 victory over Stanford in the Gator Bowl. David Treadwell returned the favor from two years back (Kevin Butler's last second 60-yard field goal to beat Clemson in Athens in 1984) when he nailed a last-second field goal to upset the dawgs on their home turf.
<object width="425" height="350" class="mceItemFlash"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MTEmq3IT5uU"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MTEmq3IT5uU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed> </object>
Clemson Football Centennial Minute - 1986 Clemson vs Georgia (via tigerray)
In 1987, Treadwell did it again, this time in Death Valley. The dawgs came into the game undefeated (2-0) and ranked #18 in the country. Not to be outdone, the Tigers also sported a perfect 2-0 record and a #8 national ranking. 82,000 fans bore witness as the Tigers rode a punishing defense, timely rushing attack, and the leg of kicker David Treadwell to a thrilling 21-20 victory. Down 20-18 late in the 4th quarter, Clemson's all-time winning-est quarterback Rodney Williams drove the Tigers down to the Georgia five, and David Treadwell broke the dawgs' hearts for the second year in a row and hit the game winner. Clemson proceeded to a 10-2 ACC Championship season and #11 final ranking, capping it off with a 35-10 mauling of Joe Paterno's Penn State Nitany Lions in the Florida Citrus Bowl.
<object width="425" height="350" class="mceItemFlash"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qYtkCmJAIGA"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qYtkCmJAIGA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed> </object>
1987 Clemson vs Georgia Football Game [fast-forward to 2:15:00 mark] (via tigerray)
And saving the best for last: 1981. Need I say more? After a couple of lackluster wins over lesser competition (Wofford & Tulane) to start the season 2-0, the Tigers had done little to refute their preseason position among the unranked. But that all changed on September 18th when the #4-ranked and defending national champion Bulldogs rolled into Death Valley. The Tigers "held" all-everything runningback Hershel Walker to 111 yards on 28 carries and no scores, forced him to cough up two fumbles, and intercepted Georgia QB Buck Belue fives times en route to nine total turnovers forced. Clemson QB Homer Jordan directed an methodical offensive attack, hooking up with All-American wideout Perry Tuttle for the game’s only touchdown, then tacking on two Donald Igwebuike fields goals to secure a 13-3 Tiger victory. The win snapped Georgia’s 15-game winning streak and propelled Clemson to an undefeated regular season, capped off with a 22-15 win over #4 Nebraska in the Orange Bowl to claim a perfect 12-0 season and the 1981 national championship.
<object width="425" height="350" class="mceItemFlash"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0OcGKSju1zs"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0OcGKSju1zs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed> </object>
Clemson Football Centennial Minute - 1981 Clemson vs Georgia (via tigerray)
As is evident from this brief trip down (good) memory lane, it’s been tough sledding for the Tigers in Athens over the years. Most of Clemson’s brightest moments have come in the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium upon Frank Howard Field, and some of the most devastating, gut-wrenching setbacks have come between the hedges in Sanford Stadium. Whether or not that historical trend holds true this Saturday night is anybody’s guess. But it oughta be an instant classic. GO TIGERS!