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."