It remains one of the most historic games/nights in the history of Sanford Stadium.
UGA spent $800,000 to erect lights for the stadium’s first night game since 1951. Jim Nabors sang the national anthem. The 9:11 p.m. kickoff time signified the latest home start in Georgia’s football history.
In a game regarded as a “pick ‘em,” No. 11 Clemson jumped out to an early lead on a touchdown run by senior quarterback and Athens native Homer Jordan. After No. 7 Georgia’s touchdown on the blocked punt, the Bulldogs added a Kevin Butler field goal before halftime. Butler added another field goal in the third quarter. Jordan’s second homecoming to his native Athens was unsuccessful, as was the case two years before in 1980. He was intercepted four times, including on each of Clemson’s final two offensive possessions.
Having a broken thumb, Herschel Walker was used primarily as a “decoy.” Rushing for only 20 yards on 11 carries, it marked only the third and final time of Walker’s 36-game Bulldog career that he did not lead the team in rushing.
The 13-7 victory was Vince Dooley’s 141st of his Georgia career, breaking the school record held by Wally Butts.
