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 9–37 vs. Pittsburgh
Conference	Independent
Record	8–4
Head coach	Jim Carlen (6th season)
Defensive coordinator	Richard Bell (6th season)
Home stadium	Williams–Brice Stadium
Seasons ← 1979 1981 →

1980 NCAA Division I-A independents football records

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 2 Pittsburgh		–		–				11	–	1	–	0
Tennessee State		–		–				9	–	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

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

Date	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 6	Pacific (CA)		Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC		W 37–0	56,211	^[3]
September 13	Wichita State		Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC		W 73–0	55,761	^[4]
September 20	at No. 4 USC	No. 20	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA	WOLO	L 13–23	58,385	^[5]
September 27	at No. 17 Michigan		Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI		W 17–14	104,213	^[6]
October 4	NC State	No. 18	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC		W 30–10	56,581	^[7]
October 11	Duke	No. 17	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC		W 20–7	56,451	^[8]
October 18	Cincinnati	No. 15	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC		W 49–7	56,599	^[9]
November 1	at No. 4 Georgia	No. 14	Sanford Stadium Athens, GA (rivalry)	ABC	L 10–13	62,200	^[10]
November 8	The Citadel	No. 15	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC		W 45–24	55,937	^[11]
November 15	Wake Forest	No. 14	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC		W 39–38	55,583	^[12]
November 22	at Clemson	No. 14	Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC (rivalry)		L 6–27	64,200	^[13]
December 29	vs. No. 3 Pittsburgh	No. 18	Gator Bowl Stadium Jacksonville, FL (Gator Bowl)	ABC	L 9–37	72,287	^[14]
Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

^[15]

Roster

1980 South Carolina Gamecocks football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class 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. # Name Class DT 74 Chuck Allen Sr DT 70 Andrew Provence So DT 52 Emanuel Weaver Jr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K Eddie Leopard P 13 Chris Norman Fr	Head coach Jim Carlen Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible   Injured   Redshirt

Team players in the NFL

Player	Position	Round	Pick	NFL club
George Rogers	Running back	1	1	New Orleans Saints

• Reference:^[16]

Awards and honors

• George Rogers, Heisman Trophy

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). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 23, 2012. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
3. "Gamecocks run over UOP 37–0". The Sacramento Bee. September 7, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Gamecocks shock Wichita State 73–0". The Charlotte Observer. September 14, 1980. Retrieved February 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "USC wins easily". The Los Angeles Times. September 21, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "South Carolina hands Michigan 17–14 loss". The Post-Crescent. September 28, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Rogers-led Gamecocks thrash NC State, 30–10". Florence Morning News. October 5, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Rogers, Gamecocks outlast Duke". The Palm Beach Post. October 12, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Attack of Gamecocks blitzes Bearcats 49–7". Daily Press. October 19, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Walker outruns Rogers, Georgia edges Carolina". The Cincinnati Enquirer. November 2, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Rogers rambles, Gamecocks take win". The Macon Telegraph & News. November 9, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "62-yard pass drops Deacs". Asheville Citizen-Times. November 16, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Clemson shocks Carolina, 27–6". The Times and Democrat. November 23, 1980. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Pittsburgh pounds South Carolina 37–9". The Palm Beach Post. December 30, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
15. (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.
16. . Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2007. Retrieved June 23, 2012.