New book looks back on “Belue to Scott!” Has it really been 30 years?
It was 30 years ago this month–yes you read that right–that Georgia’s football team began preparations for a season full of magic, surprises, and ultimately triumph as the Bulldogs went 12-0 and won the national championship.
In an unforgettable season filled with highlights thanks to the efforts of freshman running back Herschel Walker and so many others, one play will live forever: Buck Belue’s short third-down pass that Lindsay Scott turned into a 93-yard touchdown to give Georgia a stunning 26-21 win over Florida in Jacksonville.
It is, without question, the single most significant play in the history of Georgia football. That’s because the victory, thanks to an assist from Georgia Tech (which tied No. 1 Notre Dame 3-3 in Atlanta), moved Georgia into the No. 1 ranking in the next round of polls. Georgia would never leave that position as it closed out the season with wins over Auburn, Georgia Tech, and ultimately Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.
Macon author Robbie Burns celebrates the 30th anniversary of the play with his new book “Belue to Scott! The greatest moment in Georgia football history.” The book is set to be on the shelves in early September.
Burns, a former public relations director at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, used contacts developed over a decade to interview over 50 people with some connection to the game. In the process he gives it a fresh outlook while uncovering some different angles to the game and to that play.
“This has really been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” said Burns, a graduate of Mercer. “I thought I knew a lot about the 1980 Georgia-Florida game when I started. But I learned so much.”
Burns interviewed a bunch of the Georgia people who played and coached in the game: Scott, Coach Vince Dooley, wide receivers coach Charlie Whittemore, captain Frank Ros, Jeff Harper and UGA owner Sonny Seiler, just to name a few. But he also took great pains to get the Florida side of this story. The agony that Florida felt by letting that game slip away has been an under reported part of the story–until now. For example: Did you know that NFL analyst Cris Collinsworth played in the game and caught a nine-yard touchdown pass?
“I have a lot more respect for those guys from Florida now because they were willing to talk about a game and a play that still troubles them a lot,” said Burns.
Burns talked to Mike Shanahan, who you know best as the former coach of the Denver Broncos and the current head coach of the Washington Redskins. But back in 1980 Shanahan was the offensive coordinator at Florida and had installed one of the first versions of the run and shoot offense with Wayne Peace at quarterback.
He spoke to Joe Delaney, the back judge in the game whose job it was to run with Scott down the Georgia sideline and signal the winning touchdown. He talked to Bobby Gaston, the lead SEC official, whose job it was to explain to Dooley why there was going to be an excessive celebration penalty after the historic play. Of course the mob scene that descended on Lindsay Scott in the end zone ranks with the biggest on-field celebrations of all time. If you’re a Georgia fan it was certainly worth a 15-yard penalty.
But Dooley, of course, was worried about the penalty giving Florida field position on the ensuing kickoff because there was still 1:03 left.
Gaston, who went on to become the SEC supervisor of officials, told me that after the touchdown the conversation with Dooley went something like this:
Dooley: What’s the penalty, Bobby?
Gaston: That’s going to be 15 yards, coach.
Dooley: Seems harsh.
Gaston: Yes sir.
Burns charts the flow of the game in Jacksonville but at the same time he keeps going back to the Georgia Tech-Notre Dame game in Atlanta, which played such a huge role in the events of the day. Georgia Tech’s 3-3 tie with No. 1 Notre Dame knocked the Irish out of the top spot and opened the door for the Bulldogs.
“It is one of the great historical ironies that Georgia got Georgia Tech’s help that day,” said Burns. “So as we’re telling the story in Jacksonville, every now and then we just pause and inject a segment we call ”Meanwhile, back in Atlanta.” People forget that the week before the Georgia-Florida game, Georgia Tech had lost at Duke (17-12). Nobody gave Georgia Tech a chance against Notre Dame.”
Burns is especially proud of the fact that he was able to get a host of pictures from the game that have never been published.
“We have the 4 or 5 pictures that everybody has seen,” said Burns. “But 90 percent of the photos only a few people have ever seen.”
It’s a quick, fun read of 128 pages with a lot of memories on each page. And if that is not enough, Burns was able to convince Larry Munson, who called this Georgia-Florida game and 41 others, to write the Foreword to the book. Munson’s immortal call of the play, where he screams “Run Lindsay!” ranks among the greatest radio calls of all time. And Munson tops off the emotion of the moment, which was considerable, by saying what was on the minds of every Georgia fan at the game: “Man, is there gonna be some property destroyed tonight!”
“I couldn’t imagine anyone else writing the foreword,” said Burns. “Larry’s call captured the feeling of that moment better than any story ever could.”
Burns’ publisher, H&H Publishing Company, is now taking pre-orders for the book at:
If you want to contact Burns directly about the book he can be reached at:
rdburns00@aol.com or at (478) 737-6011.
I only have one question: Where did those 30 years go?
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279 comments Add your comment
Melody
August 12th, 2010
10:02 am
Although Buck may be making a living off of that one play, this author should not be doing so. He wrote about one of our greatest plays without going to THE source, Buck Belue, at all. That just screams “No Class!” The only thing he did was use Buck’s name and image for profit. If I were Buck, I would feel violated. Me, I am waiting for Buck to pen his version of events.
Tide4u2c
August 12th, 2010
10:03 am
Would’nt it be nice Georgia fans to turn things around again and have a 12-0 season and win a NC today? It’s time to get to work to make it happen again today no more excuses,etc for why you can’t.Maybe you should study up and find out what has made Bama so successful through the years instead of just shirking Bama’s past as the past.There is a formula for not only winning but winning NC’s too that ya’ll need to learn about. You just might find that winning formula oneday so you can be playing Bama for the SEC championship.
Spike
August 12th, 2010
10:04 am
Those were good times. Spike, UGA ‘80.
SOGADOG
August 12th, 2010
10:05 am
The reason we Dawg fans hold onto Georgia’s 1980 season and Lindsey’s miracle play is the fact we have not won a national championship since.
Since 1980, Georgia Tech, Florida, and Notre Dame have all won national championships. Georgia has not.
Since 1980, the SEC has won eight national championships, Alabama 2 Florida 3 LSU 2 Tenn.1. Georgia has won zero. (check my numbers, I am relying on memory.)
Since 1980 border rivals FSU, Clemson, and Miami have won national championships. We have not.
Since 1980, Auburn should have won the national championship in 2004 and may yet.
I am ready to close the book on 1980 Buck Belue, Lindsey Scott and Herschel Walker and look towards the future. I belive CMR will bring home another National Championship, probably not in 2010, but soon. He has brought us close three times, (2002, 2005, and 2007) Georgia is due and it is time to once again “kick the lid off the program” and “finish the drill”. It is time for the Dawgs to win another National Championship.
POAD
August 12th, 2010
10:06 am
If this book were about Miami, USC, Bama, or Notre Dame it would be just one chapter of many MNC plays.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 12th, 2010
10:07 am
I think Bucky has talked about this event so many times the author didnt need to go to him
Belue was a better baseball player than a QB
Johny Fortunate is right
By the way Belue would not start for UGA today
5IML
August 12th, 2010
10:11 am
Buck probably wanted too much money, and the author couldn’t afford him. I don’t blame Buck. I’d live off that one play (and one season) as long as I could, too.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 12th, 2010
10:12 am
Sogadog
I will agree with your point. Ive heard enough about 1980
Im also tired of watching Herschel run over Tennessee’s Bill Bates 5 million times
Herschel had much better highlights than that particular play
I will say Richt needs to sit down with Dooley and ask him how to beat FL because the way I see it we aren’t going anywhere until we do. 2002, 2005 are proof of that
Trucker
August 12th, 2010
10:13 am
SOGA
You forgot FSU. You know that school where richt won 2 NC’s. I wonder if he still wears his FSU nat champ rings. Probably when he’s at home.
Dog Power
August 12th, 2010
10:14 am
1. Tony Barnhart is “Mr. College Football” by merit. He has forgotten more college football than you envious posters know.
2. Belue to Scott is relevant today because it was one of the greatest plays in the history of college football. How many plays decades ago are played annually by television networks?
3. Why are there so many Georgia looking helmets in Wisconsin?
Trucker
August 12th, 2010
10:15 am
Whoops I see where you wrote FSU. My mal.
Snidley Whiplash
August 12th, 2010
10:16 am
When does Jan Kemp’s book hit the street?
Gary
August 12th, 2010
10:16 am
The G as seen on the Green Bay helmet originated for Green Bay, not Georgia. Georgia copied it loser.
south eastern chumps
August 12th, 2010
10:17 am
hahahaha, well I guess this is all you got, ugay that is, you do realize those 45 and under probably do not have a memory of this, we just have to take your word for it, by the way, has anything happened since or do we have to hear about this for another 30 years?
Buck
August 12th, 2010
10:19 am
Thanks 5IML, but I asked the head cheerleader out in high school. She let me get to 3rd base. I have been living off that play my whole life really. See every thing changed for me after that. I got to go to UGA to play baseball. They let this short option QB run the UGA Offence. None of this would have happened if not for the confidence I had after dating the Head Cheereleader.
Gary
August 12th, 2010
10:21 am
The oval “G” logo was created in 1961 by Packers equipment manager George “Dad” Braisher. To most people’s minds, the “G” stands for “Green Bay”. However, when the logo was designed and adopted, it was determined the “G” would stand for “Greatness”. The team actually used a number of different logos prior to 1961, but the “G” is the only logo that has ever appeared on the helmet.[32] Although the Packers have granted limited permission to other organizations to utilize a similar logo, notably the University of Georgia and Grambling State University, the Packers hold the trademark for it.[33] Adopted in 1964, the Georgia “G”, though different in design and color, was similar to the Packers’ “G”. Then-Georgia head coach Vince Dooley thought it best to clear the use of Georgia’s new emblem with the Packers.
long time sec fan
August 12th, 2010
10:22 am
Enter your comments here
5IML
August 12th, 2010
10:26 am
Buck,
Unless you married that cheerleader, I think she should receive royalties from you. If you did marry her, she already has her hand in the pot.
Jake
August 12th, 2010
10:31 am
Larry’s play by play,,,Lindsay Scott, Lindsay Scott,, Lindsay Scott!
athensdawg
August 12th, 2010
10:33 am
Lets be realistic people….
we have two MNC in over 100 years of football.
we are 3rd in SEC football titles.
While we rank in the top ten in attendance and overall winning percentage, we are NOT considered one of the elite teams or programs. Why? Lack of championships….that’s all. Winning championships will take care of that.
Sometimes georgia fans remind me of the fans of the Cubs, Anna Kournakova, Dale Jr, Natalie Gulbis, or Lebron James. Livin in the past or dreamin of the future……
To twist an old phrase around….For all that sizzlin, thats a mighty small steak.
Shankit
August 12th, 2010
10:36 am
My fondest remembrance of this day was Lewis Grizzard’s article
the next day. A load of Dawgs left Athens on Thursday for Jax,
stopped in Folkston and loaded up with turnip greens, cause they
knew after that the Jack would be flowing. Got to the stadium early,
Ga. took the lead, Fla. came back and with less than three minutes
left the stadium On the way to their car, heard a loud roar, looked
back and saw Red and Black Pom Poms, rushed to their car to
find out what happened, first station was Al Ceraldo celebrating cause
Tech had tied No. 1 Notre Dame, finally found out Ga. had come back
and won the game. Left Athens on Thursday and missed the whole game.
Gary
August 12th, 2010
10:37 am
athensdawg
too bad more of your fans don’t think like you. all they do is brag about beating gt, which they should do when you look at the programs and recruits each school gets.
Jim Grey
August 12th, 2010
10:43 am
You Dawg fans have no class.
Envy breeds hate
August 12th, 2010
10:47 am
Who goes on an opposing team’s blog that they don’t envy? No one…. that is why tek and gator fans can’t wait to get on a Uga blog….. pea green with envy….
Anyone not from Athens
August 12th, 2010
10:51 am
YAWN ….. Tony you have lost your fastball this column sucks as of late
juvenal
August 12th, 2010
10:57 am
UGA is at least in the 10,& beating them a difficult & worthy season goal-i’m glad we play every year, & home & home is a priviledge-i enjoy the away games, the rudeness is more good-natured than folks think, if you go with a sense of just enjoying a game…these things run in cycles, with the media having too much input, i would hate to see the Dawg’s in my bracket in a play-off….(meant top or second 10)
hello
August 12th, 2010
10:58 am
This is not a UGA blog “envy breeds hate”…this is Mr. College Footballs blog.
Buck
August 12th, 2010
10:58 am
Envy breeds? I thought this was a college football blog? I didn’t Tony Works for UGA. Tony is all up the Butt of the SEC yes, but this is not a DAWG BLOG.
shankit
August 12th, 2010
11:00 am
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
Your comment “Buck could not start as QB for Georgia today”?
Overall record 27-3, ranked ninth in country
Won two SEC championships 80 and 81.
All SEC QB 80 and 81
SEC Athlete of the Year 81
Won NC 1980
Should have won NC 1981, cept for Ga defense
allowing Marino pass at end of game.
Played in E/W Shrine game.
Yep, you’re right, Dooley saw a winner,
today he probably wouldn’t fit in the scheme of things.
By the way, Buck’s receiver at Valdosta High, Lastinger,
had a similar record, winning SEC, MVP in Cotton Bowl
in 82 and 83. Neither got any credit from you Dawg
fans, just won that’s all. The had heart, which is lacking
in today’s Dawg World.
POAD
August 12th, 2010
11:06 am
Damn, I am so glad the Hostages are back. See I told you Electing Reagan would make Iran back down. That was a great war flashback on Magnium P.I. last night.
Tide4u2c
August 12th, 2010
11:12 am
POAD,
And I’m glad to see the star wars missile defense that makes the Soviet Union go broke trying to keep up with America’s technology and production.
Hmmmmm!
August 12th, 2010
11:14 am
And before you know it 30 will have become 50.
Tide4u2c
August 12th, 2010
11:14 am
Mr Gorbachev TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!!!!!!!
Hal Combo
August 12th, 2010
11:15 am
Just thought I’d mention that Auburn has gone undefeated twice since 1980: 1993 & 2004.
shankit
August 12th, 2010
11:16 am
Reagan, Belue, Scott, what great winners.
It’s all Obama’s fault Georgia can’t produce
winners any more.
Gatorzip74
August 12th, 2010
11:16 am
I bet it’s going to top the AJC bestseller list!
I would buy the book if I were a Georgia fan. Your team has mediocre since and it’s the only thing you guys can celebrate. In fact every other UGA fan I encounter wears a trucker cap that says 1980 National Champs! Congratulations on a job well done, 30 years ago.
Tide4u2c
August 12th, 2010
11:17 am
Auburn went undefeated? I don’t remember what about crystal? Even bronze? Where is your bronze trophy?
shankit
August 12th, 2010
11:18 am
Hal Combo
You forgot to mention ya’ll also beat
the Gaters last two times before they
dropped ya’ll and Miami.
Yellow Jacket
August 12th, 2010
11:19 am
You hear that Dawgs?
“That’s because the victory, thanks to an assist from Georgia Tech (which tied No. 1 Notre Dame 3-3 in Atlanta), moved Georgia into the No. 1 ranking in the next round of polls.”
Us Techies are the reason you Dawgs ever made it to the National Championship LOL
Darrow
August 12th, 2010
11:24 am
As long as we’re living in the past, how about remembering the Jan Kemp trial, which exposed UGA and Vince Dooley for the jokes that they were. My favorite quote from the trial was this one:
O. Hale Almand Jr., a lawyer for the defense, offered a justification for the favorable treatment accorded the athletes, citing a hypothetical player. “We may not make a university student out of him,” he told the jury, “but if we can teach him to read and write, maybe he can work at the post office rather than as a garbageman when he gets through with his athletic career.”
Nothing has changed in the almost three decades since the trial. If anything, the abuses are even worse. Exhibit #1: Jim Harrick and son.
Today the players are even more illiterate and felonious and, well, just plain stupid, as evidenced by their arrest records and record number of penalties. Even Vince Dooley couldn’t have controlled this mob, much less Mark Richt. And now even the AD is a drunk debaucherer.
There’s a reason why UGA is known as The Cesspool of the South.
The General Feeling
August 12th, 2010
11:25 am
Buck Belue. Now there is a guy who wakes-up every morning, gets on his knees, and thanks Herschel Walker and Lindsay Scott. Otherwise, he’s just another forgotten mediocre UGA QB.
But, good memories.
shankit
August 12th, 2010
11:25 am
Notre Dame was No. 1, but Georgia was No. 2.
Your tie just switched the ratings, and the outcome
would have been the same with or without your “upset”
tie, but we do thank you anyways.
gatorman770
August 12th, 2010
11:29 am
Psychologist 8:51AM – Florida fans that live in Georgia get on this site, which, by-the-way is the Tony Barnhart “Mr College Football” site and not the “Mr. GA Bulldog” site, for the same reason that UGA and GT fans that live in Florida get on Florida regional papers sites and blog.
Go back to school…No license for you!
POAD
August 12th, 2010
11:31 am
Yellow Jacket come on you know you will never get a Dawg fan to admit without TECH UGA would have been #3 and watching Notre Dame play Pitt for the title.
Ka-Ching Ka-Ching
August 12th, 2010
11:34 am
Uh, gatorman770
Barnhart IS Mr. GA Bulldog, in case you hadnt noticed.
He’s a TOTAL Ugag homer.
So much CFB news out there today, and whats he doing?
Stumping for a book about something…30 years ago.
Truly pathetic.
74 Dawg
August 12th, 2010
11:37 am
Thanks for the article , Tony. Sounds like a good read. And it sure ground a few yaller (and arnge) PANTIES.
Brock
August 12th, 2010
11:38 am
Tony- why write this? We all here it from every UGA fan every day on every blog.
Brock
August 12th, 2010
11:39 am
hear
hammerhead
August 12th, 2010
11:40 am
I am now 100% convinced that all the “haters” on here are Tech fans (many posing as Florida fans). I can’t imagine why a Florida fan or Bama fan would blog about Georgia football. The Tech fan base’s obsession with Georgia football is understandable, but sad. I have never blogged on a Florida board because I have no business there and no room to talk smack. I wish the Techies had the same introspection.
help, I live in Ga
August 12th, 2010
11:42 am
I would have to put Hushell running over Bill Bates up there with the most significant plays because it signalled the beginning of the Hushell years. I’m a Bill Bates fan but I still like to do my Bill Bates impression at parties. You know, the one where his head hits Hushell, his but hits the ground, his heels go over his head and Hushell kind of tries not to step on him as he runs over him.
That’s got to be in the top 5. But alas, it was 30 years ago.
Bulldogs need to do something this year. I’ll even pull for them against Florida.
Hushell, yeah that was somethin…..back in the day….way way back.