Georgia legend Herschel Walker: ‘Time to show why we’re Running Back U’

ATLANTA — College football legend Herschel Walker thinks the game plan for his beloved Georgia Bulldogs agains Notre Dame should be simple.

“I think what they have to do now, it’s time for them to show why they’re called Running Back U.,” Walker said at the ‘Return the Favor’ hospitality event at the College Football Hall of Fame on Thursday night.

The No. 3-ranked Bulldogs (3-0) play host to the No. 7-ranked Irish (2-0) at 8 p.m. on Sanford Stadium (TV: CBS).

“You don’t want to get into a pass game against Notre Dame, they have a great passing team,” Walker said. “They have a big group that can do some amazing things, so now it’s time to show why we’re Running Back U”

If anybody understands what “Running Back U” is all about, it’s the man who created it in Athens and stands as the greatest running back in college football history.

Walker rushed for more yards (5,259) and touchdowns (49) on more carries (994) than any other SEC running back in history

His three-year run of football terror from 1980-82 still ranks as the best in all of the NCAA ranks, as no one yet to surpass his 994 carries and yardage marks in that timeframe.

The current Bulldogs lead the SEC and rank eighth in the nation in rushing, while Notre Dame’s run defense has struggled, just 120th in the country.

“Let’s control the ball, I’m one of these people that always say you want to control the ball,” said Walker, who did just that during his illustrious career with Georgia from 1980-82. ”That’s when you can win football games. That’s what I think we’ve got to do Saturday.

“The offensive line matters a great deal, but one thing about Notre Dame, they’re a big team and a very well-coached team. Georgia has to be ready. It’s time to get out there and play.”

The Notre Dame Defense has allowed 19 run plays of 10+ yards this season.

Only 13 teams have allowed more this season.

All 13 of those teams have played 3 games.

Notre Dame has played 2....
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) September 18, 2019

Walker said he knows first hand how motivated the Irish will be as two-touchdown underdogs, having felt the same way toward that program entering the Sugar Bowl that determined the 1980 national championship.

“They’ll be ready to play football, (because) everyone is saying Georgia is going to win, and that makes you angry,” Walker said. “When I went in 1980, they were saying Notre Dame was going to win, and we ended up wining it. So we don’t want to see a reversal.”

Georgia's O Line average weight?
330lbs

ND's D Line average weight?
275lbs.

Crazy to give up 60 lbs up front vs a team with talented RB's and a smart QB.

Fromm - 653 career passes, only 13 INT's....none this year.

Going be a longgggg night for the Irish in Athens.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) September 19, 2019

Walker rushed for 150 yards in the Bulldogs 17-10 win over the Irish on Jan. 1, 1981, and was named the Sugar Bowl MVP.

Walker is more interested in talking about the current Georgia players than himself, particularly D’Andre Swift.

“D’Andre Swift, let me tell you, that guy is a football player, I wish I had that stop and go like he has when he plays,” Walker said at the SEC Media Days this summer.

“He’s not just a quick guy, and a fast guy, but he’s strong. The guy is strong and he’s a leader.”