American college football season
The 1980 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season . The Yellow Jackets were led by first-year head coach Bill Curry , and played their home games at Grant Field in Atlanta . Georgia Tech struggled mightily under Curry, finishing with one of the worst records in Georgia Tech history with 1 win, 9 losses, and 1 tie. A major highlight was achieved, however, when the Yellow Jackets produced a 3–3 tie against the number one team in the country, the undefeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish .
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 6 at No. 2 Alabama L 3–2678,410 [ 1] September 20 Florida L 12–4535,165 [ 2] September 27 Memphis State W 17–828,062 [ 3] October 4 at No. 10 North Carolina L 0–3349,750 [ 4] October 11 Tennessee L 10–2350,127 [ 5] October 18 at Auburn L 14–1757,950 [ 6] October 25 Tulane L 14–3135,119 [ 7] November 1 at Duke L 12–1718,200 [ 8] November 8 No. 1 Notre Dame T 3–341,226 [ 9] November 15 Navy L 8–1917,631 [ 10] November 29 at No. 1 Georgia L 20–3862,800 [ 11] HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
[ 12] [ 13]
1980 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team roster Players Coaches Offense Defense Pos. # Name Class DL 92 Mark Bradley Jr DE 74 Marvin Dyett So LB 95 Sheldon Fox Sr LB 56 Robert Jaracz Fr S 24 Lawrence Lowe Sr LB Steve Mooney DE 96 Rick Olive Sr DB Mark Sheffield LB 43 Lance Skelton Jr DB 28 Ken Taylor (C) Sr DB 41 Ted Thurson So DL Lynwood Volley LB 49 Duane Wood So
Special teams Pos. # Name Class P 8 Jeff Pierce Sr K Johnny Smith
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Larry Travis – Offensive coordinator/offensive line Rip Scherer – Quarterbacks Jeff McLean – Running backs Terry Tuley – Running backs Mac McWhorter – Wide receivers Brad Roper – Tight ends Mark Hunter – Offensive line Ken Blair – Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel – Defensive line Mike Dean – Defensive backs John Fabris – Defensive assistant Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt
^ "Jackets can't stem Tide, 26–3" . The Atlanta Constitution . September 7, 1980. Retrieved February 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Lightning, Gators strike Tech" . The Macon Telegraph & News . September 21, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Tigers discover offense, but fall at Tech" . The Commercial Appeal . September 28, 1980. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "North Carolina rolls over Georgia Tech" . The Victoria Advocate . October 5, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Vols find a 'foot' the best weapon" . The Tampa Tribune-Times . October 12, 1980. Retrieved May 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Auburn one up on Tech" . The Dothan Eagle . October 19, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Jackets' late rally falls short, 31–14" . The Atlanta Constitution . October 26, 1980. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Tech hits a new low in 17–12 fall to Duke" . The Atlanta Journal & Constitution . November 2, 1980. Retrieved January 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Notre Dame ties Tech, 3–3" . The Indianapolis Star . November 9, 1980. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Navy wrecks Ga. Tech, 19–8" . The Baltimore Sun . November 16, 1980. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Georgia keeps record perfect" . The Macon Telegraph & News . November 30, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com . ^ "1980 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Schedule and Results" . Sports Reference LLC . Retrieved June 18, 2017 . ^ 2011 Georgia Tech Media Guide Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine . p. 173
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons National championship seasons in bold