On January 1, 1983, Penn State and Georgia met in the 1983 Sugar Bowl with the National Title on the line. These were the top two teams in the country, after all. PSU had a 20-17 lead late in the third quarter, just after UGA's Herschel Walker crashed over the goal line from 1 yard out. In the opening moments of the fourth quarter, Nittany Lion Signal caller Todd Blackledge sent four receivers straight down field on a play-action call, and WR Greg Garrity made a diving catch in the paint for a touchdown. The Dawgs made it close at the end after a Penn State turnover by Kevin Baugh. Bulldog quarterback John Lastinger took Georgia on a drive from the Nittany Lion 43 to the 9, where he scrambled and found tight end Clarence Kay for a touchdown with 3:54 remaining. The two-point attempt to close the margin to three failed, and Penn State held on to win the game 27-23. ESPN positioned this as the 8th greatest game of all time, as Paterno finally won his first National Championship.
1983 Sugar Bowl
FOOTBALL HISTORY: 1983 Sugar Bowl
The 1922 Rose Bowl
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The game of American football is filled with strategy, legendary figures, great teams, and amazing events that have created euphoria in fandom. We celebrate the game and its people. Here are some items of interest that capture the spirit of the gridiron.
1983 Sugar Bowl #1 Georgia vs #2 Penn State
The 1983 Sugar Bowl pitted college football titans Penn State and Georgia in a battle for the National Championship. Both teams entered the game undefeated and ranked at the top of the nation. The game was a thrilling back-and-forth affair. Penn State held a slight lead late in the third quarter, but Georgia's star running back, Herschel Walker, powered his way into the end zone to tie the score.
However, Penn State responded quickly. In the opening moments of the fourth quarter, quarterback Todd Blackledge executed a perfectly timed play-action pass, finding wide receiver Greg Garrity wide open for a touchdown. Georgia refused to surrender. After a Penn State turnover, quarterback John Lastinger led the Bulldogs on a late drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to tight end Clarence Kay. Despite a failed two-point conversion attempt, Georgia had narrowed the gap.
In the end, Penn State held on to secure a 27-23 victory. This iconic game, recognized by ESPN as the 8th greatest game of all time, marked a historic moment for Penn State and its legendary coach, Joe Paterno, who finally claimed his first National Championship.
However, Penn State responded quickly. In the opening moments of the fourth quarter, quarterback Todd Blackledge executed a perfectly timed play-action pass, finding wide receiver Greg Garrity wide open for a touchdown. Georgia refused to surrender. After a Penn State turnover, quarterback John Lastinger led the Bulldogs on a late drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to tight end Clarence Kay. Despite a failed two-point conversion attempt, Georgia had narrowed the gap.
In the end, Penn State held on to secure a 27-23 victory. This iconic game, recognized by ESPN as the 8th greatest game of all time, marked a historic moment for Penn State and its legendary coach, Joe Paterno, who finally claimed his first National Championship.
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