1980 Bulldogs best ever?

[NCDawg]

No, that was the '91 game, Sherrill's first year. In '81, Bond hit Danny Knight on a crossing route for about 65 yards in the last minute or two down to around the 10 yard line. We couldn't get it in from there and game ended. Could've kicked a game tying FG but there was no OT in those days so Emory went for it all, as he should have. Many forget a TD pass earlier in the game to Glen Young that was called back due to "holding." TV announcers threw their hands up over that call.

A "holding" call on Pig Prather's punt return also cost us the '99 Alabama game. Replays showed no holding whatsoever.

[cujo]

As well as the '99 Arkansas game. Smoot returned an INT down inside the 10 but holding call put it way back upfield and we didn't score. Lost 14-9.

[NCDawg]

Another royal screwing was in the 2000 LSU game when Pig Prather hit LSU's Toefield on the 2 yard line and he fumbled the ball out of the end zone. Should have been our ball on the 20 yard line, yet they gave LSU a TD. Replays clearly showed he fumbled before crossing the goal line.

[Todd4State]

As well as the '99 Arkansas game. Smoot returned an INT down inside the 10 but holding call put it way back upfield and we didn't score. Lost 14-9.

We also hit a flea flicker for a TD that was called back because of holding as well in that game. Again, replays show no holding either.

Stuff like what we're talking about is why I was in full support of making the officials call out the uniform number of the guilty player. They used to not do that.

[Todd4State]

I think our 1999 team was better than 1980, but not by much. The reason they were better to me was because they won their bowl game and both of their two losses were close, whereas the 1980 team got blown out by USM.

Our offense wasn't that great in 1999, but they were clutch. I think Wyatt would have done pretty well in a pass first spread, which I think is part of the resaon why he did so well in relief. The offense would have been a lot better if Jackie used Dontae and Dicenzo about twice as much as he did instead of Chris Rainey. The defense was just awesome. Any time anyone scored on us, it was pretty much a fluke. The special teams unit was pretty good also- Westerfield was great although Walker was inconsistent that year even though he wa a good player.

[Todd4State]

A "holding" call on Pig Prather's punt return also cost us the '99 Alabama game. Replays showed no holding whatsoever.

The SEC was not going to let Jackie win the SEC at MSU.

[M.Fillmore]

I think it was Carl Maddox that spurned the UF forfeit (although Emory may have requested this to Maddox).
This was an incredibly stupid move as the UF forfeit would have given us a co-SEC title with Georgia.

[blacklistedbully]

Didn't the tie-breaker rule for Sugar Bowl participation used to be whichever team had not been in the longest?

[LC Dawg]

I don't know where you guys get all your stats and info from so I can't do it but I think it would be interesting to do a starter vs. starter comparison between the 1980 and 1999 teams just for fun. I'd also be curious to know how many from each team played pro ball.

[Todd4State]

I don't know where you guys get all your stats and info from so I can't do it but I think it would be interesting to do a starter vs. starter comparison between the 1980 and 1999 teams just for fun. I'd also be curious to know how many from each team played pro ball.

Interesting, but I'm not sure what we could take from it since one team ran the Wingbone and the other was basically a pro-style offense.

[LC Dawg]

Interesting, but I'm not sure what we could take from it since one team ran the Wingbone and the other was basically a pro-style offense.

Yeah I know it's tricky comparing different styles and different eras but I think it would be interesting to see since those two teams are talked about often as the best State teams. We've got to have something to talk about because August is going to be a loooooooong month.

[FISHDAWG]

I don't know where you guys get all your stats and info from so I can't do it but I think it would be interesting to do a starter vs. starter comparison between the 1980 and 1999 teams just for fun. I'd also be curious to know how many from each team played pro ball.

Donald Ray King signed with a USFL team... when that played out he signed with the SD Chargers but injury prevented any playing time ... not sure what ever happened to Haddix - the other RB

[dawgman]

Didn't the tie-breaker rule for Sugar Bowl participation used to be whichever team had not been in the longest?

That is an urban myth / old wives tale. No such rule ever existed. The only rule like this was the PAC10 / BIG10 agreement with the Rose Bowl.

[Dawgowar]

Donald Ray King signed with a USFL team... when that played out he signed with the SD Chargers but injury prevented any playing time ... not sure what ever happened to Haddix - the other RB

Haddix was an early pick by the Eagles. Nothing special but he hung around for two or three seasons I think. That team to me was the best because nobody predicted them doing what they did. Beating Bama that year was beyond anything a State fan could imagine. You used to open up your Athlon's in June/July and hope there was a rash of injuries for them come game day. There was just no way to heart a three deep roster that Bear had.

USM just enjoyed a run on us and TSUN that was flat out impressive. They could lose to Tulane but the instant one of us walked into the stadium they became world beaters. Thank goodness for Don Smith - number 15 stuck it to them one year, JWS drove the stake into their heart later.

Not sure why we are playing them now. Inexplicable crap happened whenever we played them. My 'Battered Bulldog Syndrome' will be palpitating and making my stomach churn until I see we are up on them by 21.

[FISHDAWG]

Haddix was an early pick by the Eagles. Nothing special but he hung around for two or three seasons I think. That team to me was the best because nobody predicted them doing what they did. Beating Bama that year was beyond anything a State fan could imagine. You used to open up your Athlon's in June/July and hope there was a rash of injuries for them come game day. There was just no way to heart a three deep roster that Bear had.

USM just enjoyed a run on us and TSUN that was flat out impressive. They could lose to Tulane but the instant one of us walked into the stadium they became world beaters. Thank goodness for Don Smith - number 15 stuck it to them one year, JWS drove the stake into their heart later.

Not sure why we are playing them now. Inexplicable crap happened whenever we played them. My 'Battered Bulldog Syndrome' will be palpitating and making my stomach churn until I see we are up on them by 21.

yep I remember now ... Haddix went in the first round something like the 8th or ninth pick

[Todd4State]

Haddix actually played for the Eagles and the Packers until 1990 or so.

[cujo]

JWS didn't drive the stake in them on the field. The last time we played them, we beat them in 1990. Rockey was the coach.

[Todd4State]

Haddix was an early pick by the Eagles. Nothing special but he hung around for two or three seasons I think. That team to me was the best because nobody predicted them doing what they did. Beating Bama that year was beyond anything a State fan could imagine. You used to open up your Athlon's in June/July and hope there was a rash of injuries for them come game day. There was just no way to heart a three deep roster that Bear had.

USM just enjoyed a run on us and TSUN that was flat out impressive. They could lose to Tulane but the instant one of us walked into the stadium they became world beaters. Thank goodness for Don Smith - number 15 stuck it to them one year, JWS drove the stake into their heart later.

Not sure why we are playing them now. Inexplicable crap happened whenever we played them. My 'Battered Bulldog Syndrome' will be palpitating and making my stomach churn until I see we are up on them by 21.

Yes, but a LOT has changed since the 80's. Don't forget we beat Favre his junior AND senior years.

And believe it or not, Don Smith never won an Egg Bowl.

I think Ole Miss winning over us at that time was a combination of bad recruiting by Bellard and Billy Brewer hating us. He was scared of Jackie though. Urban legend is when he found out we hired Jackie, he went "Oh shit". He knew what was coming.

[Todd4State]

JWS didn't drive the stake in them on the field. The last time we played them, we beat them in 1990. Rockey was the coach.

Even more reason to have faith that we will beat them.

[Coach34]

That is an urban myth / old wives tale. No such rule ever existed. The only rule like this was the PAC10 / BIG10 agreement with the Rose Bowl.

not true. That was indeed the rule back in 1980.