Sports
Sports

Watch: Buck Belue was perfect for Georgia

Buck Belue led Georgia to a 12-0 record and a national title in 1980. Belue was a star quarterback at Valdosta High School. He shared time with Jeff Pyburn at QB at Georgia in 1978 and 1979. Belue led UGA to a win over Georgia Tech on national TV in 1978. Georgia players occasionally shaved their heads in the 1970s. Belue threw the famous pass to Lindsay Scott that stunned Florida in 1980. Belue's scrambling kept the play alive. Georgia edged Notre Dame in the national championship game. Belue was just 1-
By Mike Luck
Dec 16, 2017

Buck Belue was not a perfect quarterback. But he was the perfect quarterback for Georgia.

Belue led the 1980 Bulldogs to a 12-0 record and a national championship.

Yes he handed the ball to star tailback Herschel Walker a lot but Belue was also a great leader, did not make many mistakes, could scramble for yards, and could throw the ball effectively when needed.

Watch the video above to look back at Belue's career at Georgia.

About the Author

Mike Luck is an Audience Specialist on the sports team at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has worked at the AJC since 1980.

More Stories

Keep Reading

The cowbells were out in full force Saturday, as Mississippi State fans celebrated the Bulldogs' win over then-No. 12 Arizona State in Starkville, Miss. (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)

Credit: AP

OPINION

SEC hot and cold: Cowbells are probably still ringing in Starkville

Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Arch Manning, Tennessee's transfer QB and Kalen DeBoer are heating up, while Georgia's offense and Billy Napier are feeling the chill.

Dream seeking highest WNBA playoff spot possible in historic season

After Wednesday’s matchup against Connecticut, the Atlanta Dream will turn their focus to the playoffs, opening their first-round series Sunday at Gateway Center Arena.

Dream dominate Sun, Smesko sets WNBA first-year coaching record

The win was more than just another tally in the standings. It lifted the Dream to 29-14 and gave them a 2-1 edge against Connecticut (11-32) with one meeting still to come.

The Latest

National League baserunner Ronald Acuña Jr., of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base to score against the American League during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Jason Getz / AJC

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Atlanta TV sports listings

The Win Column: Ice in their veins

OPINION

SEC hot and cold: Cowbells are probably still ringing in Starkville

Featured

Protesters stage a rally near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. The people were protesting against the detention of South Korean workers after an immigration raid in Georgia, and many of the signs read "A tariff bomb and workers confinement." (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

Credit: AP

For Koreans in Georgia, Hyundai ICE raid marks a ‘betrayal’

Korean community advocate: `The trust that once linked Georgia and Korea … has been broken.’

Georgia lawyers turn to Hollywood actor to sharpen trial skills

Georgia lawyers are turning to a former Hollywood character actor to improve their trial skills in a quirky, new workshop.

Saturday’s Georgia-Tennessee game could be the last as an annual rivalry

Georgia and Tennessee became an annual matchup when the league expanded in 1992. The constant back and forth elevated it into a rivalry.