The 1964 Sun Bowl and moving into a new era

For all of you getting ready for the Belk Bowl, here’s our final post for the year as One Old Dawg  concludes his memories of playing on the 1964 Georgia Bulldog football team.

After all the uncertainty of the 1964 season with new head coach, Vince Dooley, a young team, and so much nay saying, all of those hardworking Bulldogs captured a trip to the Sun Bowl.

 

From El Paso, Texas, Furman Bisher wrote of the game’s beginning in the Atlanta Journal, “Wayne Swinford returned the kickoff from the end zone to Georgia 20, and the Bulldogs set out on an impressive offensive that left the crowd agog. They ground out six first downs in the kind of strangling attack that has been typical of the Bulldogs this season.”

Of the game deciding touchdown, Bisher wrote, “Ridlehuber . . . flipped one . . . to Barber, who ran as hard as he can run down the west sideline, but was grabbed from behind the Tech six . . . . The play, however, covered 52 yards. On third down Frank Lankewicz crashed across the goal line from the two, and Bobby Etter made the score 7-0 with 7:57 left in the half.”

Sadly, Fred Barber suffered a pulled hamstring in that 52-yard run which would be the last run of his college career, but what a legacy he left.

 

Bisher commented on how Texas Tech struggled to move into Bulldog territory, and that “Mainly, this was because of tackle George Patton . . . “ Of course, Patton went on to be All SEC and All American as well as playing for the Atlanta Falcons.  

Also highlighted were Don Porterfield , Bob Taylor , Jim Wilson(All SEC, All American, San Francisco 49rs, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams) , Leon Armbrester,  Vance Evans , Lynn Hughes (All SEC, All American), George Nowicki, and Pat Hodgson (All SEC, Washington Redskins, Coach at San Diego Chargers, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets) for their outstanding work.

The Sun Bowl win would help the Bulldogs complete the 1964 season with a 7-3-1 record.

Hidden away in the box of clippings One Old Dawg’s mama saved, we found a small clip from an unidentifiable newspaper entitled, “Varnado way well earned.” None other than a very young Lewis Grizzard who went on to be a nationally known Southern writer and celebrity wrote it.

Grizzard writes, “Varnado, a native of Valdosta where he played on two AAA state champions, came to Georgia without a scholarship. However, his love of football, especially the defensive phase, enabled him to get his grant-in-aid and become one of the Buldogs’ most promising ball players.”

 He quotes Jerry as saying, “You should never let any runner get to the outside, and this requires a lot of effort sometimes when they send two or three blockers at you. This is the toughest part about defensive end, but it really makes you feel good if you can do your job and make a good play that will stop the other teams offense.”

Grizzard goes on, “From the sounds that a mass from the Georgia cheering section when the Bulldog defensive corps comes off the field, it looks like Jerry Varnado is not the only one who feels good when the opposition’s offense is thwarted.”

The truth is the fans would continue to rally around these young players, many of whom would persevere and still be playing in 1966 when the Bulldogs won an SEC championship for only the second time since 1948 and which ranked them fourth in the nation. But it is this 1964 team which moved Georgia football into a whole new era. Each one of these players is truly a legend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Old Dawg concludes, “It has been a lot of fun sharing bulldog lore with you these last few months and I want to be sure that you all know that none of this would have happened if not for my incredible wife Beverly. This was her idea, and she made it happen. Not only has she freely shared her award winning writing skills with us but also spent many hours researching, gathering, and organizing a lot of information she used to produce these blog posts; and that’s in addition to putting up with me and my story telling for all these years. Thank you Beverly from all Bulldawgs everywhere, but especially us Old Dawgs, for remembering and preserving something of our story and the part we were privileged to play in the history of Georgia Football.

"The Belk Bowl is fast approaching; hunker down Dawgs; let’s close this season on a winning note and get on the right track for next year.

"Hope to see you back next fall for more “mostly true” bulldog lore from One Old Dawg."

 

And if you'll forgive a bit of author intrusion from One Old Dawg's wife, it has been my privilege to partner with One Old Dawg for this nostalgic trip back to 1964. It's been a joy to get to know many of you through the years, and the fiftieth celebration was a fabulous experience I and my children and grandchildren will never forget.

 

We end here in our traditional way with a great big loud, "Go Dawgs!"

 

On those North Avenue Insects

One Old Dawg concludes his regular season commentary with these remarks about the 1964 Georgia-Georgia Tech game.

“I can’t believe the Tech game is this Saturday, it seems like the season just started.  

I first stuck my hand in the Yellow Jackets nest in the 1962 freshman game and didn’t get stung, but 1964 was supposed to be a different story. We were the Cinderella team in the SEC and the Jackets were flexing their new wings as an independent, having dropped out of the SEC the year before. They had won their first seven games and then lost two at the hands of good Tennessee and Alabama teams but were still favored to whip us just as they had done the last three years and secure a Gator Bowl Bid in the process.”

It’s important to note that on the field that day for Tech was Bill Curry , who went on to play professional football and then became head coach at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky. Players like Curry made Tech a formidable opponent.

One Old Dawg continues, “It was a really big game for me as Tech was a big deal in my hometown of Valdosta. Four former teammates would see action for the Jackets and  several others at Tech were being red-shirted. Unlike my former teammates, I was not an outstanding player in high school.  I walked on at Georgia. Now I was starting as a redshirt sophomore.  I was wound up tight; this was for a full year of bragging rights back home.

"The game turned out to be a rainy, muddy, cold slugfest with a total of eleven passes thrown by both teams and only five completed. Georgia fumbled three balls and Tech fumbled five, but none of the players attributed that to the weather, it was hard hitting. The stats tell the story. Tech finished with 134 yards and Georgia had 191; Georgia recovered seven of those eight fumbles – all of ours and four of Tech’s.” Head Coach for Georgia Tech, Bobby Dodd , was quoted by Jim Minter in the Atlanta paper as later saying, “I thought we played well, except for the fumbles, and if I ever find a way to keep a team from fumbling I’ll get me a $50,000 a year job somewhere.”

On the front page of the Atlanta Journal sports section on Sunday, November 29, 1964, Jesse Outlar summed it up eloquently, “On a dark gray Saturday afternoon in Sanford Stadium Georgia’s Bulldogs tied a Sun Bowl ribbon around a rainbow season by pounding out a 7-0 triumph over Georgia Tech.”

 One Old Dawg says, “It was Tech’s first shutout in thirty-three games, and they didn’t go a bowl game”

Grainy newspaper photos from 1964 papers highlight several Georgia players including Barry Wilson (All SEC, Captain of the team,  Coach at Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Tampa Bay Bandits, Duke Florida), Vance Evans , John Glass, Jerry Varnado, Doug McFalls (All SEC, Chicago Bears), George Patton (All SEC, All American, Atlanta Falcons), and Joel Darden, Bob Taylor, and Frank Lankewicz made significant contributions on offense. Jimmy Denny, Wayne Swinford, and Leroy Dukes made big hits on defense. Quarterback Preston Ridlehuber (Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets) scored the only touchdown of the day, but had assistance from Leon Armbrester and Fred Barber getting the ball down the field. Bob Etter (Atlanta Flacons, Memphis Southmen) kicked the extra point. Mack Faircloth also received special recognition when he punted the ball thirty-nine yards and then acted as safety by tackling the receiver.

About this coming Saturday’s game, One Old Dawg has this to say, “This year the Jackets are buzzing into Athens and flying high with a 9-2 record and the ACC Costal Division championship. They lead the conference in offense, but they are toward the bottom in defense which will be their downfall this Saturday. Georgia’s defense will be too much for the high flying North Avenue Insects. The Dawgs will clip their wings. Swat ‘em Dawgs.

"The Vols let us down Saturday but the Arkansas Hawgs are on a roll. Friday afternoon put some duck tape on the D of your Dawg Jersey and write an H on it. If the Hawgs whip Mizzou we’re in the Dome December 6.  Wooooooooooe, Pig ! Sooie!

"In the August 27 post I quoted Zechariah 4:10, 'Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? Reducing our loss to Alabama from thirty points in previous years to twenty-eight in 1964 was a small beginning, but it was a beginning. A good ending has to start somewhere.  A win against Tech that year would mean an invitation to our first Bowl game since 1960; a good ending with a small beginning. Who knows what a win against Tech might mean this year?"

Grace Chapman, administrative assistant in 1964 to both Athletic Director Joel Eaves and Coach Vince Dooley sent us another photo, this one of Coach Vince Dooley at Moody Air Field. It seems appropriate to use it here. Because at the conclusion of the regular season in 1964, it was apparent to all that the University of Georgia Football program was taking off.

 

One Old Dawg on Auburn, Charleston Southern, Missouri, and memories of former Gov. Carl Sanders

With only two regular season games to go, One Old Dawg weighs in on last week’s victory over Auburn, “It was fine old time between the hedges Saturday night. The Dawgs not only took care of business they did it in a grand fashion. However, we're saddened over Gurley's injury and wish him the best.

 

“Now, we’ve got to refocus because there is still some business to take care of. Yes, Charleston Southern should be an easy W for us, but I can remember a number of times when those ‘easy games’ turned out to be not so easy. Get ready Dawgs! Don’t take anything for granted.

 

“And there is the matter of Missouri. They make the trip to Knoxville this Saturday for a night game against the Volunteers in Neyland Stadium which, as we well know, is a tough place to win. This may be our best shot at getting to the Georgia Dome on December 6 (Missouri’s last game is at home against Arkansas).  If Tennessee wins, we’re in. I know this is hard, but as soon as the Dawgs dispatch Charleston Southern Saturday afternoon, we need put on some orange and white and tune up to sing Rocky Top. Football can make strange bedfellows.

 

“On another subject, we would be remiss not to acknowledge the loss of one of our own, former Governor of Georgia, Carl Sanders who died last Sunday. He was a Georgia football lettermen and long time friend and supporter of all things UGA. You can read the newspaper to find out all the good things he did for higher education in Georgia but you can only hear this story from me.  

 

“On one occasion the Governor came to Athens to see the new Coliseum which opened in 1964. Someone thought it would be good for a football player to be among those showing him around and for some reason, which I do not remember, I was included in his entourage. He was one of the nicest men I ever met. He was gracious and humble and made me feel very important, which of course I wasn’t. I’ll never forget when I left, he handed me his card and said: “If I can ever help, you call me.”

 

It blew me away that the governor would treat a little peon like me with such grace and respect. Thank you Carl Sanders for being kind to me and for all you did to make the University of Georgia a top notch institution of higher learning.

I don’t know anything about Carl Sanders’ faith but as I remember how he treated me on that day I am reminded of these words of Jesus: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” To put it another way the Law and the Prophets simply tell in many different ways to treat people the way we want them to treat us. In light of Governor Sanders’ kindness to me that day I think that he was not only a nice man but also a godly man. How we treat one another is important regardless of age, position or social standing. If we could all live by just that one biblical principal, it would change our world."

Somewhere in One Old Dawg’s house, there’s a picture of him with Gov. Sanders, however, we couldn’t put our hands on it. Thankfully, Grace Chapman, administrative assistant in 1964 to both Athletic Director Joel Eaves and Coach Vince Dooley sent us several pictures from that year, one of which is a picture of Governor Sanders, Athletic Director Joel Eaves, and Coach Vince Dooley.

 

 

 

One Old Dawg will be back next week for the Georgia-Georgia Tech game. Hopefully, he’ll also get to spin a few tales about the 1964 Sun Bowl Game when the Dogs find out about their post-season destiny.

 

See you next week. Go dawgs!



One Old Dawg on unknowns

As One Old Dawg predicted last week, a wildcat was not a problem. He’s been all smiles since the Kentucky game.

About this time in 1964, an article appeared in The Atlanta Journal entitled, “Bulldogs: A Team of ‘Unknowns.’” Writer John Logue  pointed out that before the 1964 season began most fans could name only two or three players on the Georgia team, Pat Hodgson, Ray Rissmiller, and Jim Wilson. “Beyond that,” he says, “you had to be either a father or a fanatic to be able to identify all the Georgia gentlemen who lined up for the opening kickoff with Alabama and for ensuing kickoffs . . .”

But somehow that team of unknowns managed to assemble a 4-1 record at that point in the season, a record only exceeded by the unbeaten team that went on to become National Champions that year—Alabama.

Logue highlighted several of those unknowns who were playmakers, seven who had only moved up from the B-team. In addition to Hodgson (All SEC, Washington Redskins, Coach at San Diego Chargers, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets), Rissmiller (All-American, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills), and Wilson (All SEC, All American, San Francisco 49rs, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams), Logue listed Harold Steely , Jimmy Denny, Lynn Hughes (All SEC, All American), Jerry Varnado, George Patton (All SEC, All American, Atlanta Falcons), John Glass, Joe Burson, Pete Dickens, Wayne Swinford, Frank Richter (Denver Broncos) , Glenn Creech, Leroy Dukes , Fred Barber , Bob Taylor , and Preston Ridlehuber (Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets) .

It seems appropriate that team of “unknowns” was coached by a man who was also an “unknown” when he came to Georgia—Coach Vince Dooley . (Can we ever forget the newspaper headline, “Vince Who?”) Together, this coach and these players fought their way to a 7-3-1 record and into the Sun Bowl.

About this, Old Old Dawg says, “In retrospect it was true we were “unknown.” But we didn’t really think about that, we were just a bunch of regular guys who wanted to play football and win games. We were making ourselves known and that was part of the fun. By mid season the student body and fans ‘knew”’ us and other teams didn’t take us for granted. That was enough.

“In Genesis 16:13, Hagar had been put out of the household. She was alone, and unknown. Then God came to her. ‘She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, “You’re the God who sees me!’”(Genesis 16:13 The Message).  

 

We all want to be seen or known. It’s not that we have to be famous, but we have an inborn need to know others and to be known by others. Be assured that God has seen us and knows us and earnestly desires we know him.”

One Old Dawg makes his prediction for the upcoming Auburn game, “Now the dogs have skinned two tigers and a wildcat, and I’m believing that this Saturday, we’ll make a sweep of our feline opponents—cats drool, dogs rule.”

And to that we can only add, “Go dogs!”

One Old Dawg on Cats

One Old Dawg has had a few days to reflect on the Bulldogs' loss to Florida this past Saturday. He says this, “It was one of those days when Florida could do nothing wrong, and played exceptionally well. If we played them eight times, we’d probably beat them seven, but they beat us that Saturday.  

"I couldn't help but remember the Apostle Paul’s words at a particularly frustrating time in his life, ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed’(2 Corinthians 4:8-9). In other words, we may have been knocked down but we’re not out of the fight. As they say in opera circles, it ain’t over till the full-figured lady sings. Dawgs, get over it; we are still in the fight for a place at the dome on December 6.”

 

Fifty years ago when the Bulldogs played Kentucky, One Old Dawg remembers, “We really weren’t sure what to expect going into the 1964 Kentucky game. Kentucky had opened its season with two outstanding victories against Ole Miss and Auburn, then they lost to Florida State and LSU. We were the next game on the schedule, and no one had really decided how good they were.
 

“They had two outstanding players, Rodger Bird, a running back who later had a pro career (Oakland Raiders) and Rick Norton, their quarter back, also headed for the pros (Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers). They were juniors and had both made all SEC the year before. Coming off two losses, we knew they would be hungry.

“We were coming off a disappointing loss to Florida State, yet at the same time an encouraging loss. Our fan base was excited that we were able to play pretty even with such a great team. We still weren’t sure what we had, either.

“At the  Kentucky game,  they received the ball first, and promptly drove the ball straight down the field and scored.

“However, when our defense came off the field after Kentucky had scored, the stands stood up and applauded us. We had just gotten kicked all the way down the field, and we were amazed. Somebody said, “If these people have that kind of confidence in us, we’ve got to buckle up here and do better.”

Those were the last points Kentucky scored. Fans are important.”

News accounts report that Georgia’s quarterback, Preston Ridlehuber (Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets) was responsible for two touchdowns and made many other outstanding plays.

Bob Etter (Atlanta Flacons, Memphis Southmen ) and Bob Taylor also put points on the board.

Halfback, Fred Barber,  carried the ball fifteen times and fullback, Leon Armbrester, counted eleven carries. Other strong offensive players were Wayne Swinford, Lynn Hughes (All SEC, All American), Ray Rissmiller (All-American, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills), Don Porterfield, and George Nowicki.  

Media mentioned a powerful showing by defensive players, Jim Wilson  (All SEC, All American, San Francisco 49rs, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams) , Joel Darden, Barry Wilson (All SEC, Captain of the team,  Coach at Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Tampa Bay Bandits, Duke Florida), Jerry Varnado , Dickie Phillips, Jimmy Cooley, and John Glass .

Mack Faircloth, contributed by averaging almost fifty yards punting.

“It was a rough and tumble game, but our defense played well. I don’t believe Kentucky threatened the rest of the game. We shut Roger Byrd down and our offense drove the ball three, four, and five yards up and down the field. So, it was a game when we continued to make a turn in becoming a leader in the SEC by beating Kentucky.”

Looking ahead this week, One Old Dawg says, “We’d best put the gator chomp behind us because we’re gong to Lexington this Saturday and those Kentucky Cats are going to be scratching and clawing for a victory after losing three straight to good SEC teams. They’re out of title contention but they need another win to be bowl eligible so they’re still motivated.

 

"Also, I know it’s hard to ask our enemies for help, but swallow hard and get ready to pull for the the Aggies, Vols, and Hogs the next few weeks; we need one of them to whip Missouri for us. Sic em dogs! We’ve skinned two Tigers already; a Wildcat ought not be a problem.”

 

Well, that's it for One Old Dawg this week. The season has gone by so quickly. We only have three more posts from One Old Dawg this year. Join us next week, so you don't miss any of his mostly true Bulldog lore.

 

 

 

The 1964 Georgia-Florida game, quite a story

One Old Dawg has been pigging out on barbeque ribs and pulled pork since the Arkansas game, but says he’s getting tired of it. He’s decided some fried gator tail would be real tasty.

In 1964, Georgia went to Jacksonville for the Georgia-Florida game having only won two of the last ten games there. What would happen that day still stands as one of the most amazing victories Georgia has ever enjoyed. Georgia beat ninth ranked Florida and rose to second in the SEC behind Alabama. It’s quite a story.

One Old Dawg says this, “The days before the ’64 Florida game were just electric in Athens. We’d had a couple of strong victories over Kentucky and North Carolina, and had only lost by a few points against Florida State, which was a powerhouse. Florida was 4-1 in the SEC and had lost to Alabama by only 3 points. Alabama, of course had beat us 31-3. It was by far our biggest challenge in conference play. We had nothing to lose when we played our first game of the season with Alabama—but now our stock had come up a little bit with our impressive early season. It was a big game, not to mention Florida had an up and coming star in their quarterback, Steve Spurrier. This was for many of us, our first trip to play the annual Florida game, and it would be a challenge for us to turn the tide after a string of losses to Florida.”

It didn’t start well. Florida dominated the first half by being the first to score and amassing forty offensive plays to Georgia’s twelve.

One Old Dawg remembers what happened at half time. "Defensive co-ordinator, Erk Russell, pointed out the obvious to us, that Florida had kicked our rears, but we were only down seven points. He said we could turn this around. We could beat this team, that we needed to get out there, do our jobs,and cut them off. If they can’t score, they can’t win, he said. The emotional turn in the game in my opinion for the defense was at halftime when Erk in his usual fashion made it clear that we had not done our best, but we had it in us to beat these guys.”

In the second half, when Bruce Bennett (One Old Dawg’s teammate from Valdosta high) signaled for a fair catch on a punt, a Florida player hit a Bulldog without cause. Moments later, that same gator found himself the object of a fierce tackle, and he fumbled. Ray Rissmiller (All-American, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills) recovered. And thus began an intense second half struggle, of which Preston Ridlehuber(Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets) , Bob Taylor, George Patton (All SEC, All American, Atlanta Falcons),Vance Evans, Wayne Swinford, Frank Lankewicz, and Doug McFalls(All SEC, Chiago Bears)  were all key players. Ultimately, it was One Old Dawg’s roommate, Fred Barber, who carried the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. Bobby Etter(Atlanta Flacons, Memphis Southmen) kicked the extra point and tied the game with thirteen minutes and eleven seconds left in the game.

 



One Old Dawg with Fred and Julie Barber at the '64 reunion

Florida fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and the dogs drove the ball to the Gator’s five-yard line. On fourth down, Barry Wilson (All SEC, Captain of the team,  Coach at Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, Tampa Bay Bandits, Duke, Florida) held the ball for kicker Bob Etter, but the snap was low, and Wilson somehow managed to move the ball towards Etter, who recovered it and  raced into the end zone, scoring the decisive touchdown. Atlanta Journal Constitution sportswriter, Furman Bisher, wrote, “It was the first time in his whole life that he (Bob Etter) ever carried a football, except to get it pumped up.”

One Old Dawg with Bob Etter at the '64 reunion

 One Old Dawg says, “That first half, we were a bit like a deer in the headlights. There were a lot of people there and the game was loud. We were a little star struck and didn’t play as well as we were capable. Even though we got pushed around, we were able to hold them to one score and that was a good thing. Our defense was bending, but it had not broken. We had gotten some breaks and made some breaks. Erk convinced us that we could stop them. He was right.”

One Old Dawg notes "The Gators are not off to a great start this year (3-3; 2-3 SEC), but that makes them very dangerous. I was raised in South Georgia and I’ve been around gators all my life. They lie still, submerged in the water; they look like they’re dead. But they’re just waiting for something eatable and dumb to get close enough to grab.

They remind me of the wicked man David described in Psalm10:9: 'He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off into his net.' Any Gator would love a Dawg for supper, so we’d best be smart and alert. These Gators ain’t dead yet, but I’m confident our coaches will have the Dawgs outfitted, alert and ready for swamp fighting. When it’s all over but the shouting, there will plenty of fried Gator tail for the whole Bulldawg nation."

 

And that, friends, is classic One Old Dawg. One Old Dawg won't be at the game, but he's sent his son to cheer on the Bulldogs and make sure they bring back the win.

 

Join us here, again, next week for the Kentucky game and more mostly true Bulldog lore.

 

One Old Dawg and bottling up the opponent

One Old Dawg has had a smile plastered on his face for days thanks to the Bulldogs decisive win over the Missouri Tigers last week.

Ahead, Georgia plays Arkansas on Saturday. In 1964, Georgia didn’t play Arkansas. But they did play North Carolina around this time in the season.

Finding commentary on the 1964 Georgia-North Carolina game has proved a bit of a challenge. It seems defensive coordinator, Erk Russell was one of the few who committed his thoughts to paper. In Erk, Football, Fans and Friends, he wrote, “North Carolina had one of its better teams in recent years led by Ken Willard, their All-American fullback. During our film study we saw that on Willard’s best play, a quick trap up the middle, the center always blocked back on our defensive guard so the trapping guard could pull. We told middle linebacker John Glass to see the center and when that happened, to simply step forward and tackle Willard. It worked. Willard wasn’t a factor and Glass must have made 15 individual tackles. On that day he was the All-American. We won, 24-8.”

 

One Old Dawg says this, “We were really concerned about Ken Willard and justifiably so; he was a leading rusher in the ACC and big for back in those days (6’1” 220 lbs). He was sure to get All-American honors at the end of the year. He was actually the number two pick in the NFL draft in early 1965 and had all-star career as a pro, so our concerns were not ill founded.

“But Coach Russell had convinced us we could stop anybody, particularly between the hedges, which is exactly where we had Ken Willard. All we had to do was play smart, fundamentally sound football. By fundamentally sound I mean that we would use the proper techniques in playing our position and in tackling. By smart, I mean we would study our opponents to find and exploit their weaknesses. 

 “Many of us studied game films of or opponents more than our school work. The defensive staff had us well prepared and came up with a great game plan so we were able to bottle-up Ken Willard and stymie that Carolina offense.

“We had learned the truth that fundamentals are critical to being successful which is also true in our spiritual life. Hebrews 5:12 (The Message) tells us :  “By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! “ We can’t live the Christian life successfully without practicing the spiritual disciplines of prayer, worship and Bible study anymore than we can be successful at football without practicing the fundamentals of blocking, tackling and position technique.

“The Razorbacks have us in their Hog pen this Saturday and they would like to send us back to Athens with our tail tucked between our legs.

“When pigs fly!

“I saw something in the Missouri game that makes me think we will keep the Hawgs grounded, wallowing in the mud. I saw a lot of fundamentally sound football from the Dawgs; aggressive defense as it is supposed to be played, and brutal offense that demoralizes the opposition. Arkansas does have two backs that have over 500 yards rushing already this season and average more than six yards per carry. That should concern any wise student of the game, but I believe the Dawgs have a plan and will bottle them up – just as we bottled up Ken Willard in “64.

 “Woooooooooo, Pig ! Sooie!  Sic ‘em Dawgs, woof, woof, woof!!!"

 

 

Spelling and Grammar check has no suggestions for that last sentence from One Old Dawg, so we’ll just leave it as is and trust our readers get the idea.

 

The Bulldogs have a bye next week, so One Old Dawg is taking a week off, too. We’ll see you back right here at One Old Dawg in two weeks for the Florida game and mostly true Bulldog lore. Did anyone say “gator tail?”

Until then, Go Dogs!

Florida State, a turning point in 1964

Georgia plays Missouri this Saturday in what promises to be a challenging match. The 1964 team never played Missouri, but about this time in the season, they faced off against a similar opponent, Florida State.

One Old Dawg remembers, “In 1964, when we got to the Florida State game, we were 2-1-1, and it was still iffy about what kind of team we would have. We were still unproven. Florida State was going to be our biggest test since the Alabama game. They were supposed to beat us handily. Going into the game, Coach Erk Russell  repeatedly said things like, “They put their britches on the same way we do,” so we wouldn’t be intimidated by them.

“From our defensive perspective, Florida State had two outstanding players. Steve Tensi  was their quarterback, huge for a quarterback in those days, at 6’5”, and another player, Fred Biletnikoff, was an All American receiver. Both of them went on to play in the NFL. Biletnikoff would be a Superstar.

“We were playing between the hedges, and nobody knew what to expect except we were going to get whipped. But we played with them, except we couldn’t cover Biletnikoff. That’s not saying anything against our players. No one could cover Biletnikoff —in college or in the NFL. “

Erk Russell in his autobiography Erk, Football, Fans, and Friends, said, “We really didn’t have much of a chance. But we did, because our guys cared so much and wanted to win so badly. Preston Ridlehuber (Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets) scored on a punt return right at the end, and we would have won the game. But clipping was called and we lost, 17-14.”

Preston Ridlehuber, George Nowicki, Jerry Varnado, and Pat Hodgson at '64 reunion

One Old Dawg continues, “We fought hard and were terribly disappointed. After the game was over, you would have thought we won the game, though. The fans were ecstatic. They cheered, stayed in the stands, and then crowded around the steps when we left to go back to the locker room. We’d never experienced anything like that.

“My friend, Jimmy Denney and I later returned to our frat house arount 4:30 in the afternoon. We got out of the car and started walking up the driveway to the house, and all these guys come down, pick us up, and carry us into the house on their shoulders cheering. We said, ‘Wait guys, we lost the game.’ They didn’t seem to care.



Jimmy Denney calls out to One Old Dawg at '64 reunion

“I think, we were supposed to get stomped, and we played with them nose to nose. Everyone knew that something was happening in Athens, Georgia. Vince Dooley had affected change that was good, and Georgia was on its way to becoming a competitive football team."

One Old Dawg concludes, "Turning points are important in scripture. Luke wrote in Acts 3:19, 'Repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord . . .'

"Repentance is a turning point where we turn away from sin to God. Turning points do not happen in a vacuum but are a part of faith and human decision making. In 1980, I believed I had reached a turning point in which God had changed my life. As I continued to believe, God actually did change my life.

"In 1964, we lost to Florida State, but it was a turning point. We believed something had changed in us and the bulldog nation, and as we continued to believe we demonstrated that something had changed. Except for a November hiccup against Auburn we finished the season unbeaten and untied. I believe last Saturday may have been a turning point for the dogs. A door of opportunity has opened. In spite of our one loss we could be a part of the first national playoff; if we win out. 'Everything is possible for him who believes.' (Mark 9:23).

"I know the Midwest Tigers clawed our eyes out last year, but that was last year. They're leading the SEC East, but South Carolina is the only SEC team they've played and they lost to unranked Indiana. After that fluke loss to Carolina, the Dogs whipped Tennessee and Vanderbilt. We're on a roll and Saturday, Uga is going to get another Tiger skin rug for his doghouse to add to the one he got in the Clemson game."

A Fifty Year Celebration and lots of Old Dawgs

Three busses emblazoned with “1964 Bulldogs” stopped traffic in two counties just as these players stopped their opponents on the gridiron fifty years ago.

 

 

Ray Rissmiller and Wayne Brantley swap stories

 

Marvin Hurst in the foreground and Jerry Varnado

Police escorts with lights flashing alerted onlookers someone special was passing by, but still, some probably didn’t understand exactly how special. Maybe they were too young or didn’t have enough historical sports perspective to know the sports legends moving past them drew a line in the sand that forever changed University of Georgia Football.

The night before, several 1964 players had attended a reception at the University of Georgia Special Collections library for the exhibit opening and celebration of Coach Vince Dooley’s fiftieth anniversary.

One Old Dawg with his former roommate Fred  Barber and  his wife Julie

Later, they gathered in an emotionally charged ballroom to remember and to hug. 

Top, Larry Kohn, Above, Ron Jenkins

 

From top left clockwise, Charley Whittemore who organized the 1964 Celebration, George Patton, Bob Etter, Dr. Tommy Lawhorn, Mack Faircloth, Vance Evans

 

Coach John Donaldson and his wife --- who is the designer of the Georgia G logo.

Trainer for the 1964 team and Hall of Fame Tennis Coach, Dick Copas

Joel Darden, John Glass, George Patton, Jerry Varnado

Loran Smith, Captain Barry Wilson, and Coach Vince Dooley spoke.

Captain of the 1964 team, Barry Wilson

Coach Vince Dooley

One Old Dawg, Jerry Varnado, gave the invocation on this memorable night. Some of his colleagues who hadn’t seen him in decades expressed surprise that he had “made a preacher.”





The next day, these Old Dawgs took the same path they took before the games in ’64, arriving at Stegeman where they once dressed out, on to East Campus Drive, and then to Sanford Stadium. As fans waved and cheered at the procession, One Old Dawg said, “For a minute there, I thought I could play again.”

They arrived at The University of Georgia Football Lettermen’s Club for a pregame meal and more socializing.

Jimmy Denney calls out to One Old Dawg

 

Jerry Varnado, Wayne Brantley, George Patton, Frank Lankewicz, Randy Wheeler

 

Dickie Phillips, Anthony Dennard, Randy Wheeler, Pat Hodgson, Wayne Brantley, Marvin Hurst, Duncan Newkirk

Preston Ridlehuber, George Nowicki, Jerry Varnado, Pat Hodgson

Finally, they entered the stadium, and as many passed through the Jack and Joy Davis gate, they felt especially proud as Jack played center on the 1964 team.

The Georgia-Tennessee game proved to be an exciting one, and most hardly sat down the first half.

At the halftime celebration, the Redcoat Band played a medley of 1964 hits, a video rolled on the Jumbotron featuring several '64 players, and then the 1964 Georgia Bulldogs stepped on to the field as 90,000 people cheered for the first UGA team Vince Dooley coached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About these players Dooley said, “They wanted to win as much as anybody I've ever coached.” And that’s how they turned three losing seasons into a winning season with a 7-3-1 record.

 

One Old Dawg says, "I recently read Judges 6:15 again. '"Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."' It reminded me of the 1964 team. We were considered small, unknown, and the weakest in the SEC. But as Gideon, we used what we had, supported each other, and were able to redirect the Georgia football program back to winning ways."

 

Some of these players would go on in just two more years to help Georgia win an SEC championship for only the fifth time in Georgia football history. However, it was this 1964 team that turned the ship around, to make a way for that championship. Georgia football fans everywhere owe a debt of gratitude to these guys.

At the end of the day Saturday, Georgia had beat Tennessee. And a bunch of Old Dawgs had another moment of glory, too.

 

A well deserved moment, indeed.

Several players and coaches from the 1964 team have passed away and were sorely missed.

 

About the Vanderbilt game this weekend, One Old Dawg says, "The Dawgs should have no trouble sinking the Commodore's already leaking ship, but we'd better be ready, they played South Carolina close until the fourth quarter."

 

One Old Dawg's wife offers a sincere apology to regular 1964 players of whom we did not get photos, among them, Joe Burson, Harold Steely, Doug McFalls,Wayne Swinford, Don Porterfield, Frank Richter, Ken Davis, Jack Davis, and Lynn Hughes. She was flying around trying to get pictures and missed some important shots. If you have photos, we'll be happy to run them in a future One Old Dawg photo gallery. If we've left anyone out, please let us know. Also, this post was so time intensive, we could not post links, professional affiliations, and awards as we usually do. We hope to update later.