The 1983 Sugar Bowl was the 49th edition to the annual game. It featured the second-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, and the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs are the athletic teams of the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference...

. Penn State won 27-23, to win the national championship, and finish number 1 in the polls.

In the first quarter, Penn State running back Curt Warner

Curt Warner

Curtis Edward Warner is a former professional American football running back. A two-time All-American at Penn State University, Warner was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft...

 scored on a 2 yard touchdown run, for Penn State to take a 7-0 lead. He would finish the game with 117 yards rushing. Georgia would get on the board in the first quarter following a 27 yard field goal from Kevin Butler

Kevin Butler (American football)

Kevin Gregory Butler is a former professional American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, and then played professionally for the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...

 to make it 7-3.

In the second quarter, Nick Gancitano kicked a 38 yard field goal to put the Nittany Lions atop 10-3. Curt Warner added a 9 yard touchdown run, and Gancitano a 45 yard field goal for Penn State to take a commanding 20-3 lead. Before halftime, quarterback John Lastinger threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Herman Archie to cut the margin to 20-10.

In the third quarter, Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker

Herschel Junior Walker is an American mixed martial artist and a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and earned the 1982 Heisman Trophy. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League...

 scored on a 1 yard touchdown run, cutting the margin to 20-17. Penn State responded in the fourth quarter with a 47 yard touchdown pass from Todd Blackledge

Todd Blackledge

Todd Alan Blackledge was an American football quarterback in both the NCAA and National Football League. In college, he led the Penn State Nittany Lions to a national championship; and, as a pro, he played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers...

 to wide receiver Gregg Garrity

Gregg Garrity

Gregg David Garrity is a former professional American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Penn State University, and played high school football at North Allegheny High School in...

 to give Penn State a 27-17 lead. John Lastinger threw a 9 yard touchdown pass to Clarence Kay

Clarence Kay

Clarence Hubert Kay is a former professional American football player. A 6'2", 237-lb. tight end from the University of Georgia, Kay was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 7th round of the 1984 NFL Draft. Kay played in 9 NFL seasons from 1984–1992, all with the Broncos.Between 1984 and 2006 Kay...

to make the final margin 27-23, Penn State.

External links

• http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2001/10/10-29-01cm/10-29-01dsports-4.asp
• http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/1999/bowls/sugar/news/1999/12/29/1983flashback/