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On September 27, 1980 we took on Texas Christian at Sanford Stadium. We had remained at #10 in the polls, coming off the Clemson victory. The scouting report on the Horned Frogs highlighted their passing game, led by junior QB Kevin Haney. They featured 2 All-Southwest Conference receivers; Bobby Stewart and Stanley Washington. Defensively, we prepared for 8 in the box, much like Clemson played. The Horned Frogs hit Athens 0-2, after a 10-7 home loss to Auburn in the season opener and a 17-14 loss at SMU. They were 2-8 in ’79.

This was only the 2nd time Georgia and TCU played in football, but that week there was a lot of talk and coverage about the first meeting. That one took place in the 1942 Orange Bowl. The great Frank Sinkwich led the ‘Dogs to a 40-26 win.

As the norm, this was another early kick-off (1:30), on a cool and breezy day. The tracks were loaded up, when we arrived on buses. There were a few hastily built contraptions, which allowed elevated views for some groups, looking to double up on bodies. Erk just loved it. You could see the excitement in his eyes when we pulled up. These fans would crowd the buses and love on us, as we slowly moved off the buses and into the stadium. And yes, you could smell the liquor.

This game started slowly. Not much going on early. We started with 4 straight 3-and-out-punts. Herschel got it on the first two plays, which set up a 3rd down & 3. Coach Haffner called a lead option out of the power set, but I tripped on the fake and we punted. Next series, Haffner called our favorite deep shot on 2nd down (I formation, play-action fake, TE Norris Brown slips out the back side on a go route), but TCU did a nice job of jamming him off the LOS.

My chat with Coach Haffner after the Clemson game about us not throwing it and Lindsay not touching it must have hit home a little, because on our first 3rd and long situation, he called a drop back pass. They dropped 7 into zone coverage, so I had to check it down to Herschel running a wide route, where he picked up only six. The call gave me some confidence that we were at least going about it the right way (trying to get Lindsay involved and allowing me to see coverage, by not calling play-action).

Late in the 1st quarter, we got it rolling. Herschel took a 2nd and 2 lead play 41 yards, inside their 10. He broke 4 tackles on the play. Ran through the LBs tackle near the LOS, bulldozed 2 DBs in the secondary and galloped down the sideline, in front of our student section. BUT HERSCHEL INJURED HIS ANKLE, as he got pulled down out of bounds. He was replaced by Barry Young.

Couple of plays later, Coach Haffner called a winner for the TD. Power set (2 TE/2 FB) toward the short side. I put Ronnie Stewart in motion back to the wide side and rolled right, hitting Ronnie in stride out in the flat for a 4 yard TD toss. The route was on. It was 7-0 ‘Dogs at the end of the 1st quarter.

After a TCU 3-and-out, we ran Barry Young 5 times and Rex Robinson drilled a 31 yard FG good for a 10-0 lead. The next series, HERSCHEL TRIED TO GO BUT WAS LIMPING and he was done for the day. Rex nailed a 37 yard FG and it was 13-0.

At this point Erk’s defense was dominating. Once again, JIMMY PAYNE was wreaking havoc. He was blowing up run plays and pressuring the QB. Simply put; Payne was an impact guy up front. A big, strong dude that was too quick to block. In the 1st half, Payne had 2 tackles, 4 QB pressures, and 2 tackles for a loss. He was amazing.

EDDIE WEAVER was disruptive, with a sack and some QBPs. DE PAT McSHEA was causing problems in their backfield, with a sack and 2 tipped passes. The TCU QB had a long, long day offensively.

Just before halftime, we drove for another TD. Haffner got me out on the corner, with two roll out calls. I ran on both for 2 first downs. NAT HUDSON sealed the edge, so I could take the corner. On 1st and 10, from their 28, we went TWINS left, with Lindsay wide and CHUCK JONES in the slot, and Coach Haffner called a drop back pass. As I dropped back, it was easy to see zone coverage and the big window down the middle. I put some zip on an intermediate seam route throw and CHUCK JONES went and got it for the TD. He took a shot and held on. Lindsay ran a deep go route outside and the safety took him away, which opened up the seam route. It was 20-3 at the half.

Erk’s defense dominated the 2nd half.

On TCU’s 1st possession of the 3rd quarter, NATE TAYLOR forced a fumble with a big hit and McSHEA recovered. On TCU’s 2nd possession, PAYNE & McSHEA slammed the QB. On the 3rd possession, SCOTT WOERNER intercepted a deep throw. On the 4th possession, FREDDIE GILBERT intercepted a ball at the LOS. On the 5th 2nd half possession, DALE WILLIAMS recovered a fumble.

Total domination. They forced 5 turnovers on the day. So, in the first 4 games, Erk’s Split-60 defense had forced 19 turnovers. Incredible. Amazing. We were almost averaging 5 FTOs a game.

Herschel finished this game with 9 carries for 69 yards and a sprained ankle. Barry Young came in and carried it 19 times for 83 yards and 1 TD. Our 2 fullbacks (Ronnie Stewart & Jimmy Womack) ripped TCU on the quick dive play for close to 80 yards. The running game looked good, as we ran up over 300 yards rushing. The guys up front had a nice game.

And I was thrilled that Coach Haffner mixed in some drop-back pass calls, to go along with our roll-out and play-action packages. I finished 6-14, with 2 TDs. I also got stitched up by our trainer Warren Morris on the sideline in the 3rd quarter. On a roll-out to the left, I squared up my shoulders to throw an out route to AMP ARNOLD and got drilled under my chin by a Horned Frog LB. When I got up a bit dazed, I noticed the blood flow. Back on the bench, Mr. Morris gave me 4 stitches under the chin and patched it up. I was back in there the next series.

REX ROBINSON finished the day with 10 points, on 2 FGs and 4 extra points, which made him the all-time leading scorer in Georgia history. We were all happy for Rex.

We got it to 4-0 and were heading into the SEC portion of the schedule. Ole Miss was up next.