University of South Carolina Libraries
Sport George Wasi by Mike Chi Sport* Ed) 1980 will always be Gamecock fans as the y won the Heisman Trop extraordinary young r believably rough and de overcame all the odd: football's greatest indivi It would be impossibh significance of Rogers' f not only distinguish R ball's immortals, but it bring an immense amoi USC and to the state Rogers' teammates, co, of USC, and all Carolin pride themselves on tne i George Washington Rog< In earning college fo dividual honor, Ri tremendous odds. Befon from South Carolina, 1 Virginia had ever won majority of the past Heis played for big-name sch Dame, Southern Cal, a southern black had eve very iew pasi neismau v on teams that were ran The Gamecocks finis! season ranked 18th in th< won only eight games tw football history and hav< game. Only a George 1 come odds such as these. The 6-2, 220-pound Dul an uncanny knack for m; true. As a poverty-s George dreamed of p Duluth High School. He < cnllpop Hp rirpami'H nnSTnati TTOpny. nra im enough money in the pr< a new house. There may be anoth winner at USC somec never be another Georgi The following is a bru Heisman-winning 1980 individual stats are listc each game. USC 37 Pacific 0 153 yards 13carries 2 With 11:07 to play in season opener against F the first of his many II in 1980. Rogers took a terback Garry Harper i tackles enroute to a 44-; In the second half, Roj with a 73-yard touch< CSHHHI The elusive Geon by Dave Roback - 7i hington Rogers Jr. he Ye bbaro opening night p even greater \ remembered by HeismanTropl ear George Rogers hy ? the year an USC 73 Wichii nan from an un- 108 yards 10 cj ir>rived background Big George s to earn college this massacre, dual honor. the 100-yard p e to exaggerate the game was a 55eat. The award will After the g ogers among foot- Heisman. "Th - * 11 ^ 1 I 1- n iUn o/xfi n wui aisu uuviuusiy me, uieauii-a int of recognition to long as we k of South Carolina. counts." aches, the students 1a fans can forever USC 13 Southi accomplishments of 141 yards 26 c ersJr. In the "lane otball's highest in- right at home, ogers overcame most punishir e Rogers, no player fought for 141 Morth Carolina, or dazzling 34-yar the Heisman. The After the gai iman recipients had was slumped ir 1001s sucn as i\oire auncuii 10 mi nd Ohio State. No remove his e r won the Trophy. Rogers' tough vinners did not play recovered qu ked in the top ten. however, as he led their regular win of theseast 2 AP poll. They had /ice in their 86-year USC 17 Michij g never won a dowi 142 yards ;$? c Rogers could over- Before the g trouble keepin uth, Ga. native has Early in the aking dreams come ailment forced tricken youngster But as usi laying football at physical hurts ireamed of going to victory. This v of winning thp in I TQr1 fnnthn p tit Vk/V tvvv^/M ?tA thr?um ? io earn over Rose Bov, as to buy his mother USC 30 N.C. er Hcisman Trophy 193 yards 26 Jay, but there will In this t e Rogers. formance by Midway throi ?/ re-cap of George's took a pitch t season. George's left side. Two ?d under the score of to greet him that there w tacklefs, so I plowed them 1 TDs One of the the first half of the anH hp wnl 'acific, Rogers made toward the ! eisman-caliber runs rolled aroum handoff from quar- conscious st< ind broke a couple of Rogers was yard touchdown run. third quarter *ers topped that run uSC 20 I)uk iown scamper. His 224 yards 36 Mtja ^ >. , 7 :; |pSI lb ^ ^|j|pF ijtv> ' < " . 'jfe/SlyVa V Oi >.-. ^s J.v ?M[' gro Rogers is chased by a herd of he Beaufort Gazette) tar of erformance was a prelude to it..- c nepv [ h] l rungs iu fume nuin uov. a ly winner in 1980. ; Ji La State 0 irries 1TD kg only played two quarters of fl but he still managed to reach f ; ilateau. The highlight of the N yard TD run by Rogers. H a me, Rogers spoke of the E: le Heisman means a lot to L J poken superstar said, "but as ^ eep winning that's all that ernCal23 |l arries 1TD || 1 of the stars," Rogers was Against one of the nation's pf ig defenses, the USC star yards and broke free for a dTD run late in the game. || me, a weary George Rogers * rvf Uio Cinrlinrf if l ii will u 1 11ir> iuvivui , lumm^ it ister up enough strength to ^ quipment. The game was est physical test ever. He ickly from this ambush, led his team to their biggest >n the following week. gan 14 arrics 1TD f ;ame, a nervous Rogers had g any food in his stomach. | first quarter his stomach || him to the sidelines. || lal, George overcame his v and led his team to another ^ 'ictory was one of the biggest I 11 history ? a 17-14 decision rl bound Michigan. State 10 carries 3TDs remendous individual per- g Rogers, one play stands out. J jgh the third quarter, Rogers j rom Harper and rounded the ^ Wolfpack defenders came up v . Rogers must have realized j as no way to evade the two ^ le just lowered his head and Doth over. defenders, was able to get up v ked with rubber-like knees s sideline. The other defender li on the ground in a semi- ; ite. Heisman winner George } unphased by that shattering collision. e7 carries ITI) 41 ^*J hungry Wo/fpt*** during USC' the I % ~'-^y v v ^jffi T^^gfL ;fi^w ill 1 980 Heisman Trophy re (Photo by Russell Jeff coat. The game plan of the Duke de [ame was to force Rogers to fun ook several painful shots fro )evils on his arms and hands s iled the ball four times. But vere insignificant, as Rogers ilue Devils for a season high 224 JSC 49 Cincinnati 7 28 yards 22 :arries In this homecoming slaugh vent over the 100-yard mark straight time in his college ca mother one of those games biggest concern for Gamecock f ong Rogers would get to play. USC 10 Georgia i:i 168 yards 35 carries In this natinnnllv tplpvispd " v'"w I f *^lit HL iPwy IB SSg&g JD V ^ jrf^&g ^R. -, , K^|if| ' ' ' :: / * ? s; V/-'; ,': ^Er;: -> s s 30-10 win over N. C. Sta icipient George Rogers evade ) tense in this Tailbacks" betwe< ible. Rogers freshman sensatit m the Blue Gamecocks lost tl and he fum- outrushed by Wall the fumbles of the USC star wa: riddled the After the game, yards. at a crucial time Ara Parsegian to! * that George still ter, Rogers Heisman. Walke for the 17th recipient of the f rtw It was counterpart. "If I where the George," Walker s answashow ItL,? 4_ USC 45 Citadel 2' 179 yards 27 carr In his 19th straij contrary to wh; Battle of the Mitchell might t that he is the b , j nation. His perfor made him the nati USC 39 Wake Foi 177 yards 38carr At ha If time of USC officially an Rogers' number 3 first reminders th career at USC was USC 6 Clemson 2 168 yards 2Hcarr EJ Kogers was ab( i \ i this disappointi Clemson. After th of discontent, Hof conduct of the Tig Nine days aftei ^ son, Rogers becai Heisman Trophy. gfjP to Clemson, and Mm losses were soon f ^ THE HEISMAr gone to a nicer h George's child-lit national televisio ne mougni 11 was won the Heisman The Carolina G to miss Rogers' 1 but they will e George Rogers s humble George R In his four y< brought a lot < Gamecock fans. to. (Photo wearing the garr legend will live those who saw hii man SSSESHSBIil van s a Cincinnati tackier. ?n Rncrprs anH nonrpia'? )n Herschel Walker, the le game and Rogers was cer. But the performance sn't overlooked. in which Rogers fumbled ;, ABC-TV commentator Id millions of Americans I had his vote for the r, a definite Heisman iiture. also endorsed his had a vote, I'd vote for laid. l ies 2 TDs *ht 100-yard game, Rogers, it the Bulldogs' Stump hink, continued to prove est running back in the mance against the Citadel ion's leading rusher. rest 38 ies 2 TDs this rain-soaked thriller, nounced the retirement of 8 jersey. It was one of the at Big George's illustrious ?ncaring its end. 1 ies )ut the only bright spot in ng loss to arch-rival e game, in a rare moment *ers complained about the er defense. * that bitter loss to Clem ne the 46th recipient of the The cheap shots, the loss the other two 1980 USC orgotten. si TKOPI1Y could not have luman being than Rogers. rn hnnDchr lorl Viim tn foil a wvi iiv/ii^oi.y ivu iiiui tv wn u ?n audience last week that ; time a defensive lineman immunity is not only going ootball exploits next year, ilso miss that infectious imile and that boyish and logers manner. jars at USC, Rogers has [>f joy and happiness to Even though he won't be iet and black next year, his forever in the hearts of all m play.